Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: We Rule This Lecture (2)
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This is my classroom.
Estina had submitted a paper on cholera-like dysentery to the academic community for cross-verification. And then...
Professors who grew curious about the paper in question had taken over my lecture without permission.
It felt rude, but I decided to think positively. Didn't it mean the future of medicine in this world was looking bright?
There's one thing that sets medicine apart from other scientific fields. Results ultimately matter more. Treatment isn't engineering or pure science. It's an art.
The classroom fell briefly silent, then erupted into murmurs among themselves.
"I'm curious about the Baroness of Lapis's reaction."
I glanced back at the classroom.
"W-Well, it might not be the nicest thing to say, but shouldn't a healer ask about results before caring about what the authorities think?"
Oliver bowed his head.
"I'm sorry."
You don't owe me an apology.
"Anyway. A week after implementing the quarantine measures I mentioned earlier, there were no new cases of dysentery in the Baroness of Lapis's territory."
"Yes."
Professor Kropelter raised his hand again.
"If the preventive measures against dysentery were effective, what methods did you use for treatment, and how effective were they?"
Professor Kropelter's intentions rubbed me the wrong way, but it was a necessary question. It was worth reiterating.
Even haters are fans, right?
"The direct cause of death in cholera-like dysentery is dehydration. We mixed a bit of salt and alcohol into water and distributed it to the patients."
"Is that the entirety of the treatment?"
"Patients might need more depending on their condition, but that's the most important part."
"Ah..."
I could guess why they sighed. Who here would have imagined the solution was so simple? Mixing a drop of alcohol into water—that's it. No one would have thought that was all it took.
Nor that countless patients had died simply because they didn't know. That was another uncomfortable truth, hard to accept rashly.
I let out a quiet sigh.
"Any more questions?"
This was my best effort. I'd answered every question, some twice. I'd presented plenty of experimental evidence.
If they still wouldn't believe it, I'd have to aim for the next paper. I turned toward Professor Kropelter, who had likely orchestrated today's events.
"What about you, Professor Kropelter?"
"Nothing... in particular."
"Alright then. Class time seems to be up, so I'll be going."
My victory.
I left the classroom with Estina, leaving behind the murmuring professors, graduate students, and undergraduates scurrying away.
The undergraduates cleared out as soon as the lecture ended. Only the professors and graduate students remained, locked in debate. No special reason.
They'd just started discussing since they were already gathered.
In the chaotic murmur, Professor Kropelter spoke up.
"Who is that professor, anyway?"
"Just a quack, I tell you. Leveraging his experience as Imperial Physician to throw his weight around without respect for academia."
"But didn't he really cure the Princess?"
Some called him a quack, others pointed out he'd cured the Princess for real, and still others debated if his claims held water. Opinions clashed sharply.
Not just Professor Asterix's theories, but his background and past were put under the microscope. Little was known, though.
"Has anyone written to the Baroness of Lapis's territory? What did she think of that theory? It supposedly worked."
Once again, attention inevitably turned there. So, had the policies based on Professor Asterix's theories actually been effective?
Professor Kropelter nodded. A stickler for principle, he'd naturally sent letters to verify the claims.
"I did. The Baroness of Lapis was full of praise. She said that healer saved hundreds, thousands of lives and protected her territory. She was thrilled that he'd proven himself."
Specifically...
- Professor Asterix? I was very impressed. He struck me as an outstanding healer.
- I was skeptical at first, but since the incubation period for cholera-like dysentery is about a day, he said, "Why not just follow my advice for one day?"
- I had no choice but to accept the logic. Results would show in a day, so how could I refuse to decide after tomorrow?
- I believe Professor Asterix saved my territory. Please convey my regards if you meet him.
- And ask if he has any plans to visit Lapis territory. Oh, do you have a personal connection with Professor Asterix, by any chance?
That was what the Baroness of Lapis had written.
"That doesn't count as evidence."
"Hmm. Professor Asterix invented the microscope, didn't he? I was planning to make something similar for research, but now I'm not sure."
"It seems the effects were real."
"Is there another professor who made a microscope? Finding that dysentery bacterium would settle it. Even from Professor Asterix's perspective."
"Well... anyway. He's turned academia upside down. Whether you support or oppose his stance, you'll have to build arguments with solid evidence."
That was the conclusion.
Those who called Professor Asterix's words false would have to use his methods to disprove them. Those who believed them true would do the same to confirm.
Thinking about it, believers and skeptics alike were in the same boat: they'd conduct the exact same research.
That alone was Professor Asterix's total victory. Right or wrong no longer mattered. Even if proven wrong, he'd just accept the disproof.
Meanwhile, everyone here had to verify their claims using his methodology.
"We'll publish the paper in the journal, right? Everyone needs to see it either way. Especially since it actually worked."
The gathered professors nodded.
The lecture was over.
The wards only had cold patients.
Nothing much to do today.
It'd be great to publish Pasteur and Lister's papers next, provide irrefutable evidence, and solidify the germ theory. But the fallout from the cholera-like dysentery paper hadn't even settled yet.
Maybe wait a fortnight.
"Estina. Don't you think students inspired by my lecture will flock to become my grad students? What do you think?"
Estina shook her head vigorously.
"Anyone who sat through that lecture would wake up screaming at the sound of your name at night."
Uh. Even so, screaming awake at night seemed a bit much.
"That bad?"
"It felt like it. Like defending a thesis in front of hundreds. And I didn't even say a word, just sat there."
Ah, I see.
I looked at Estina.
"No grad students, then?"
"Probably not."
"What now? Maybe hire a teaching assistant?"
A TA wouldn't help.
To assist Estina, they'd need to handle the wards. Without healing magic, they couldn't help with ward duties...
"Estina. Don't you have any friends?"
"Friends? I wouldn't tell friends to come to grad school—"
Ahem.
"No friends come to mind."
"Too bad. Got it."
I sighed. Maybe chloroform a handkerchief and kidnap someone.
"Oh, right, Professor. Looks like the Baroness of Lapis sent a letter. A stiff envelope with two wax seals..."
"Really? What's it say?"
Estina pulled an envelope from her robe sleeve. I checked the seals: one attached to a ribbon in the corner, the other on the flap.
I broke the seal and read the letter.
- Hello, Professor Asterix.
- I heard you published research on cholera-like dysentery. Academia seems to be reviewing it, and they asked for my opinion. I praised it as much as I could.
- I heard you have a connection with Professor Kropelter. I hope my letter to academia helps your research—and advances medicine further.
Connection? What? She'd mistaken Professor Kropelter's verification letter for a sign we were buddies.
A minor misunderstanding.
- My scout offer still stands. If you're ever interested in working with me, come anytime.
Still hung up on that. If she wanted that, she'd go to the Imperial Palace, not Lapis.
- Even if not, feel free to visit just for fun. You're always welcome. After all, you're the benefactor who saved my territory.
- Baroness of Lapis.
I folded the letter and tucked it into my desk. Might borrow money from her later if needed.