Chapter 124

124. Penicillin Production Factory (2)

****

This is the interior of the penicillin production factory.

Teacher Luciana led the way, and with our faces covered by cloths, we entered the inner production area of the pharmaceutical factory. It was cleaner than expected.

I looked around.

“This is the first section. The cultivation tanks. As instructed from above, we’ve set up thirty metal cultivation tanks, each bathtub-sized. Right now, they’re cultivating… uh, what was it again? Mushrooms, I think.”

“Teacher Luciana, do you even know what we’re making here? What a cultivation tank is?”

“I don’t know much. I just understand we’re making medicine here. I thought the cultivation tank was for growing mushrooms to make medicine.”

“Correct.”

“They sure are secretive upstairs, huh? They seem worried about the production method leaking out. I didn’t even know this research belonged to Professor.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Yes.”

I scratched my head. Looks like Luciana really doesn’t know anything. Of course not—she wasn’t told anything.

“Huh… How can you conduct research without knowing what it’s about? Did you try to investigate at all?”

“Nope.”

A sigh escaped me naturally.

Wait…

“We’re making medicine here to kill bacteria and treat plagues. That’s why we need to test it on animals.”

“I see. I didn’t know the details.”

Luciana checked the cultivation tanks.

I peeked over her shoulder to see what was going on. What material were these tanks made of? Definitely not stainless steel.

“The cultivation seems to be going well.”

“Hmm.”

Luciana appeared satisfied with the results. We moved to the next production area.

“The second section. Here, we filter the culture solution and separate the parts we don’t use, like mycelium. As you can see…”

Since it was the weekend, the equipment wasn’t currently running. There were several large barrels filled with mysterious liquids and alchemical experiment tools.

We continued walking.

In the third section, there was a strange chemical smell. This must be where they process the chemicals. Luciana looked somewhat excited.

“The third section. Here, we react the product with acid, crystallize it, and shape it into brick-like forms.”

“Why brick shapes?”

“I don’t know. They just ordered us to do it this way. Maybe it’s easier to store?”

Hmm. In the third section, there were a few white “bricks” lying around. They hadn’t been moved to storage yet.

“There aren’t many protective devices, are there?”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Protective goggles, masks, and gloves are essential. Making this stuff can be dangerous.”

“If we had them, they’d be helpful, but they’re not strictly necessary. Alchemists often taste chemicals to identify them.”

I couldn’t help but sigh.

“So that’s why they die early…”

“Is that so?”

“Wear protective gear while working.”

“Understood.”

A cough. Luciana nodded, and I looked around. Glass tubes, flasks, and chemical reagents were scattered throughout the lab.

Just because the equipment was placed everywhere didn’t mean it was chaotic. There must be some order I don’t understand. On one side of the lab, there were a few pH test papers I’d created.

My invention of simplified litmus test paper.

Since I had to recreate it using materials available in this world, it counts as my original creation. I didn’t just copy it from my old world.

“Ah, right. They said this was recently invented at the academy. It’s dyed paper that determines the acidity of substances.”

Luciana pointed to the stack of pH test papers in one corner of the lab. A simple litmus test paper made by mixing several indicator dyes.

“Really?”

“It just occurred to me after your comment. It’s a way to objectively evaluate and quantify the properties of substances instead of tasting them.”

That was also something I created.

“Teacher Luciana, do you know this was also my invention? These simplified pH test papers.”

“Eh? Really?”

I nodded. Luciana just stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.

“I didn’t know that. Professor must have done a lot of research to invent something like this.”

“It’s necessary. People like you keep evaluating acidity by drinking chemicals.”

Luciana scratched her head.

“That’s technically the most reliable method.”

While their enthusiasm for academics is admirable, I can’t just let students get mercury poisoning. Stupid kids.

****

Meanwhile.

Mint was inspecting her nails inside a carriage. Her destination was Palette, the town where the penicillin production facility was located.

It’s scary, isn’t it, teacher going to a region hit by the Black Death. Sure, saving lives is important, but I wish she wouldn’t go to dangerous places.

Still, since the penicillin production plant Professor visited is near the Imperial Capital, Mint could easily visit if she wanted to.

Mint’s plan was to officially visit the penicillin production plant under the pretense of inspecting an Imperial facility.

She didn’t even need an excuse. While she was visiting anyway, she could check if the facilities were operating properly from the Imperial perspective.

Thus, today’s procession to Palette was quite grand. Not only Mint, but attendants and government scribes were accompanying her.

Mint looked out the carriage window. Palette was just a quiet little town. Though they did randomly build a castle-like structure there.

The townsfolk probably don’t know what penicillin is or what exactly is being made at the factory. Even the employees working there don’t know the full details.

Clunk.

The Imperial carriage convoy stopped.

“We’ve arrived, Your Highness.”

Mint’s attendants opened the carriage door, and Mint stepped out slowly. She was accompanied by Imperial Knights and scribes. The factory was surprisingly clean.

Well, that’s not the important part.

What matters is that the teacher is waiting inside the factory. Mint frowned.

Why does she recklessly jump into dangerous situations? And why hasn’t she returned to the academy sooner? I’ll have to give her a good scolding later.

Mint crossed her arms.

****

This is the break room—or maybe the cafeteria? I’m not sure what to call it accurately, but I was sitting in the facility’s rest area.

There’s plenty to do, but since we have three days, there’s no reason to rush.

Later, I’ll bring Istina to observe how the alchemists refine penicillin. Maybe we’ll find some improvements.

Let’s see what’s possible.

Once penicillin production stabilizes, we’ll start producing aspirin. Extracting it from trees shouldn’t be impossible.

If the chemistry of this world is advanced enough, we might even be able to produce sulfonamides or tetracycline antibiotics.

The key is understanding what kind of achievements the alchemists and chemistry labs can accomplish in this environment. Realistically, what can we produce immediately—

I turned my head at the sound of footsteps.

****

Bang! The door opened.

“It’s been a while, Teacher.”

“Uh, Your Highness, what brings you here—”

I stood up immediately. How did Mint get here? As soon as the princess entered, she tackled-hugged me.

Surprise!

“Good day, Your Highness.”

“Mm.”

“I didn’t know you were coming to the factory.”

“It’s an Imperial facility. It’s my decision.”

Mint went on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around my neck. I grabbed her to prevent falling. Mint locked eyes with me from close range.

“I was worried because you didn’t come back.”

“But it’s because of the infectious disease.”

Mint hugged me tighter and gave me a few pecks on the cheek. I tried to escape, but Mint wouldn’t let go easily.

“That’s exactly the problem, stupid teacher. Was it dangerous? Did you get infected?”

“No. Just in case.”

Mint smirked mockingly.

“Well then, that’s fine.”

“Princess… people are watching.”

“Hm?”

“While I’m very happy to see Mint, still…”

Mint briefly glanced around. The princess’s attendants were staring at her before hastily looking away. Mint finally released me.

“Sorry.”

“It’s alright.”

Mint fidgeted with my hand for a moment before choosing a seat. Across the desk, she still held my hand tightly.

“So, you were inspecting the factory?”

“Yes.”

“How’s it going? Everything running smoothly?”

“They’re making a lot of medicine. It seems to be going well. Although there’s no one here today.”

“I’ll take a look myself later. Were there any employees here today?”

Poor Teacher Luciana. Dealing with the princess will be tough.

But honestly… persuading experts to deal with bureaucrats or investors doesn’t seem much different between modern times and here. If anything, it’s worse here.

“Yes, Teacher Luciana.”

Since I’ve written down the method for making the medicine…

With alchemists who use magic involved, there’s no real reason they’d fail at this task. Mint nodded seriously.

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