How the Cult Saves the World-Chapter 115

In the world of HSAW, diseases were as prevalent as in modern times. Alongside Malone's disease, which I had suffered from, and Mana Burn, which had afflicted my grandmother, there were also illnesses like the common cold, familiar to the world I once lived in.

Among these was the Celtio disease, a condition similar to modern food poisoning. It occurred when someone consumed an edible monster without properly removing its toxins. The residual poison seeped into the human body, causing organs and skin to rot over time.

-Celtio disease? I know it's a particularly cruel illness.

The Celtio disease had existed for so long in the HSAW universe that even the gods, like Kyros, who weren't human, were aware of it.

The main reason this age-old disease still lacked a cure was the unique toxicity of each monster. Even though the cause of the disease was well-known, the varying toxins meant that no single solution worked for every case.

"If it's Celtio Disease..."

I muttered, glancing around at the experimental tables. Each toxin required a specific antidote, which made creating a universal vaccine nearly impossible. But I knew of a solution---the Celtio panpharmacon---a universal cure that appeared in the latter half of HSAW. I was familiar with the recipe and confident I could replicate it.

"Hey."

As I was looking around the lab table and examining the materials, Hakron called out to me with a displeased look on his face.

"Yes?"

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"I know you're a Holden, but don't touch anything here. I don't want to waste materials."

His cold tone was expected, given his position as the research director of the lab. I responded with a faint smile.

"All right."

But Crow, ever the instigator, looked visibly annoyed. The oblivious bird squawked loudly enough for Hakron to hear.

"Mr. Hakron is always petty. You don't have to worry about wasting materials, Revelof. Do whatever you want. The Archmage will overlook it anyway since you're Helena's grandson."

"This damn bird! You think I'm petty? What am I supposed to do when the research institute barely gets enough funding to begin with?!"

Hakron's outburst did nothing to faze Crow, who remained as clueless and cheerful as ever.

"I wouldn't know about that. Anyway, if Revelof breaks anything, just report it to the Archmage later, Mr. Hakron."

Hakron sighed deeply, running a hand through his tangled hair, clearly wishing he didn't have to deal with Crow.

-Child, just so you know, don't pick a fight with that bird. It's terrifying.

'Yes, I'll try to be careful.'

Getting into a pointless argument with Crow seemed like a recipe for exhaustion.

As I was looking at the crow in amazement, the clueless bird smiled at me and said:

"Mr. Revelof, feel free to look around."

"Oh, yes. Thank you."

Still, I was glad that Crow was kind to me.

Turning my attention back to the experimental tables, I noticed that none of the researchers seemed to care about the earlier commotion.

'As expected...they're pitiful.'

Glancing at the exhausted researchers sprawled across the lab, I shifted my focus to the materials laid out before me.

-Child What are you planning to do?

'I want to create a cure for the Celtio disease.'

-You even made antidotes before. You really seem to have a knack for alchemy.

'It's just from studying hard.'

I brushed off Kyros's compliment.

Examining the ingredients, I realized that developing a cure here would feel like using a cheat code. The cure for the Celtio disease wasn't supposed to appear for another year.

I knew almost all the recipes from HSAW, and many of them had been created by researchers at the Magic Tower.

'So wouldn't a little help be okay?'

After all, the researchers at the Magic Tower were destined to create the cure eventually.

'It should be fine.'

I carefully scanned the room and approached the central experimental table, which seemed to be the focal point of the research on the Celtio disease cure.

A research journal about Celtio disease was placed there. I didn't touch it, not wanting to offend the researchers, but I read it with my eyes alone.

As expected, no one paid much attention to me.

The journal contained details like an outline of the disease and the current progress of the experiments. I focused on today's experiment notes.

'...I knew it.'

The ingredients they were using were almost identical to the ones I knew, but there was a key difference in one part of the recipe.

After noticing the discrepancy, I checked the lab equipment and found an empty station.

"Can I use this?"

"Of course! Feel free to use it!"

Crow responded enthusiastically before Hakron could even answer, but none of the researchers seemed to care.

Taking that as permission, I began gathering ingredients from the table and added them to a round pot, starting the boiling process.

As the mixture began to heat and blend, some of the researchers, who had been slumped in exhaustion, started to stir.

"Who's making another cure for Celtio disease? Wasn't today's experiment already a failure?"

"Exactly. I thought we were done with this for the day."

"Why even bother? Don't you know we're hopeless?"

Their pessimism filled the room. From where I stood, I couldn't see them but I could tell they'd already given up.

"What kind of attitude is that towards a guest?!"

Crow, however, couldn't keep quiet any longer.

Anyway, once I was done with the finished product, no one would be able to maintain that kind of attitude.

"Crow, it's okay."

"But, Revelof..."

"It's really fine. Let it go."

"...Alright. If you say so."

Crow backed off, albeit reluctantly.

Meanwhile, the cure for Celtio disease was finally ready. But I couldn't just declare it to be the solution.

Proof was needed before claiming success in a lab full of seasoned alchemists.

'So, basically it should have a reaction to this paper.'

According to the journal, there was a simple verification method included for completed remedies.

'This feels like a litmus test.'

I poured the finished cure into a small cup and sprinkled it onto a test paper designed for this purpose.

"Is that the medicine you just made, Revelof? As far as I know, the paper should turn pink if it works."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. Wait a moment, and the results should appear."

I stared at the plain white paper, waiting.

"Any color other than pink would mean failure. But honestly, for someone attempting it for the first time, failure is expected... Huh?"

It was at that moment when Crow was trying hard to tell me not to be heartbroken.

The pure white paper began to take on a pinkish hue. And in just a few seconds, it transformed into a vivid pink.

"No... What? Revelof, are you an alchemist? I heard you were a priest of some minor religion."

"No, I'm not an alchemist. I'm a priest, as you said. I'm just interested in alchemy."

"Still, how could this happen? Is this a coincidence? You made the cure for Celtio disease so easily!"

Crow exclaimed.

Hakron, overhearing the commotion, raised his head with a furrowed brow.

"What's going on, Crow? Are you mocking us?"

Hakron approached us immediately...

"I'm not joking! I'm telling the truth! Revelof has perfected the cure!"

Crow chirped, indignant.

Hakron narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized the experiment table. When his gaze fell on the pink test paper, his scowl softened, replaced by wide-eyed disbelief.

"Th-this... What is this...? No way..."

After inspecting the test paper, Hakron turned his attention to the pot containing the cure. He examined it thoroughly---tasting, smelling, and observing it from different angles.

As if still in disbelief, he began sprinkling the cure onto more test papers.

When all five pieces of paper turned the same vibrant shade of pink, Hakron finally stopped.

"No, did you really make this?"

Hakron approached me, his zombie-like appearance making his slow advance a bit intimidating.

"Oh, yes."

"How...how did you make it?"

At his question, the other researchers, who had been sprawled out moments before, began to gather around, standing one by one.

"Is it really complete?"

"No way, how did you do it?"

"All the test papers turned pink---every single one! This is unbelievable!"

In an instant, I was surrounded by the researchers.

"How on earth did you manage this? Please, tell us!"

Even Hakron, who had treated me with nothing but disdain and sarcasm earlier, now clung to my trouser leg, practically begging.

"Hold on, everyone! Calm down! I'll explain!"

I raised my voice, trying to restore order. The room finally quieted down.

"I made it using the materials listed in your research journal."

"...Really? But we've never been able to achieve these results. There must have been something else."

Hakron pressed, his brow furrowed in confusion.

I shook my head.

"No, I didn't add anything new. I just used the salamander's nose bone differently than described in the journal."

"What?"

At my words, Hakron and the other researchers widened their eyes in astonishment. They quickly pulled out notepads and began jotting down notes.

"I ground the salamander's nose bone into powder and added it. The journal mentions using 10 grams of salamander nose bone, but I used 10 grams of the powdered version instead."

"No way... We've failed all this time because of something so simple?"

"What are you waiting for? Try it right now!"

"Where's my beaker? That's my station!"

"Are you sure this will work?"

Eager to test my method, the researchers scattered back to their workstations. Soon, the lab buzzed with activity as they began creating cures using the new approach.

"This is it! We've succeeded!"

"Ugh! I can finally leave work!"

"After months of waiting, I can finally sleep in my own bed!"

Not long after, successful cures began emerging across the lab. The researchers turned their eyes back to me.

Hakron, in particular, looked at me with sparkling admiration.

"Revelof! Thank you! You're a savior to us all!"

"No, really, it's nothing---"

Before I could finish, Hakron lunged forward to grab me with both hands. I quickly stepped back, but he continued to approach, relentless.

"How did you even come up with the idea of turning the bone into powder? None of us ever thought of that!"

The truth was, the Celtio disease cure in the original story had been discovered by accident. It was a simple breakthrough, really.

"This was all thanks to Kyros, the deity I serve,"

I said with a practiced smile.

"Because Kyros is the Almighty."

I kept my tone serious, watching the researchers closely. They stared at me, their mouths slightly agape, before breaking into applause.

"Oh, Kyros!"

[12 researchers from the Magic Tower show interest in the Kyros Church.]

I smiled. I didn't intend to convert them into believers immediately, but this was a good start.

"Oh, does God truly exist?"

The researchers murmured among themselves, questioning the existence of a higher power. After expressing their gratitude, they returned to their workstations, engrossed in their renewed experiments.

I didn't bother to grab them and talk to them any further.

Now that we were done touring the lab, it was time to head somewhere else.

With the lab tour complete, I turned to Crow.

"Crow, can we go back to Nezen now?"