episode_0124

Episode 124. Penicillin Production Plant (2)

****

This is inside a penicillin production plant.

Luciana took the lead. We went inside the production area of the pharmaceutical factory with our faces covered with cloths. It was cleaner than I expected.

I looked around.

“This is the first area. The incubators. As mentioned above, I brought 30 metal incubators the size of a bathtub. Right now, they’re cultivating mushrooms.”

“Ms. Luciana, do you know what we’re making here? What is an incubator?”

“I don’t know. I know that what is made here is medicine. I understood that the incubator is for growing mushrooms and making medicine.”

“That’s right.”

“Isn’t it really secretive? I guess they’re worried that the production method will be leaked. I didn’t even know that this research was the professor’s research.”

“Is that it?”

“Yes.”

I scratched my head. It seems that Luciana is not stupid and doesn’t know anything. Since I didn’t tell her anything, it’s obvious that she wouldn’t know anything.

“Oh, my… … . How can you do research when you don’t even know what it is? Did you try to find out?”

“No.”

A sigh escaped me.

no…….

“We’re here to kill germs and make medicine that can cure diseases. So we have to give the medicine to animals.”

“I see. I didn’t know the details.”

Luciana checked the incubator.

I looked over Luciana’s shoulder to see what she was doing. What was the incubator made of? It couldn’t be stainless steel.

“Cultivation is going well.”

“Hmm.”

Luciana seemed satisfied with the results of the cultivation. We moved on to the next production area.

“The second section. This is the section where we filter the culture medium and separate the unused parts like mycelia. As you can see.”

Perhaps because it was the weekend, it was not currently operating. There were several large vats containing an unidentified liquid, as well as alchemy experiment equipment.

We continued walking.

In the third area, there was a peculiar chemical smell. This must be the chemical processing area. Luciana looked a little excited.

“The third area. Here, the result is reacted with an acidic substance and crystallized, forming the drug into a brick shape. ”

“Why are you making it in the shape of bricks?”

“I don’t know. The higher-ups told me to do it that way. Maybe it’s because it’s easier to store?”

Hmm. In the third area, there were a few problematic white bricks. It seemed like they hadn’t been moved to the warehouse yet.

“There isn’t much protective gear?”

“Oh. Is that so?”

“Goggles, masks, and gloves are a must. Making things like this can be dangerous.”

I said it seriously, but Luciana shrugged her shoulders as if it was no big deal.

“It’s nice to have, but it’s not necessary. Many alchemists try out medicines, right? To see what kind of substance it is.”

I couldn’t help but sigh.

“So don’t die early… … .”

“Is that so?”

“Wear protective gear and do it.”

“Okay.”

Cough. Luciana nodded, and I looked around. Glass tubes, flasks, and chemicals were scattered around the workshop.

It wasn’t necessarily chaotic, with the equipment lying around. There must be some sort of rule I don’t know about, right? On one side of the workroom were a few acidity test sheets I had made.

A simple litmus test I invented.

It’s true that I invented it, because I had to recreate it with materials that could be found in this world. It wasn’t something I just copied from the original world.

“Oh, right. That’s what the Academy recently invented? It’s a dyed paper that can determine the acidity of a substance.”

Luciana pointed to a stack of acidity tests on one side of the studio. These were simple litmus tests made by mixing a few indicator dyes.

“Really?”

“You just mentioned it, and I remembered it. In addition to tasting the properties of a substance, it is also a means to objectively evaluate and quantify them.”

I made that too.

“Ms. Luciana. Did you know that I invented that too? That simple acidity test strip.”

“Huh? Really?”

I nodded. Luciana just looked at me with a blank expression.

“I didn’t know that. Professor, you must have done a lot of research. You even invented things like that.”

“Because it’s something that’s absolutely necessary. People like you take medicine to assess acidity.”

Luciana scratched her head.

“That’s the most sure way.”

I can respect their passion for learning, but I wasn’t going to let my students get mercury poisoning. You idiots.

****

one side.

Mint was sitting in the carriage, checking her fingernails. Our current destination is Pallet. We will go to the town where the penicillin production facility is located.

It’s scary for a teacher to go to a plague-ridden area. I understand that people need to be saved, but I hope he doesn’t go to a dangerous place.

Still, the penicillin production plant that the professor had just visited was located near the capital city, so I could easily visit it if I wanted to.

Mint’s plan was to contact the Imperial Family and officially visit the penicillin production plant under the pretext of inspecting Imperial facilities.

In fact, there was no need to make excuses. Since I was going there anyway, I might as well come back and check if the facilities were being run well from the perspective of the royal family.

That’s why the carriage procession heading to Palette today was quite grand. Not only the mint, but also the attendants and government secretaries accompanied the procession.

Mint looked out the carriage window. Palette was just a quiet village. Although they were building something like a castle out of nowhere in the village.

The townspeople probably didn’t know English. Even the workers at the factory didn’t know what penicillin was or how it was made.

Suddenly.

The imperial carriage procession stopped.

“You have arrived, Your Highness.”

Mint’s attendants opened the carriage door, and Mint slowly got out of the carriage. She was accompanied by royal attendants and secretaries. The factory was much cleaner than she had expected.

Well, that’s not important.

The important thing is that the teacher is waiting inside the factory. Mint frowned.

Why are you jumping into the rough terrain so recklessly? And why don’t you return to the academy soon? I’ll give you a good scolding when I see you later.

Mint crossed her arms.

****

This is the break room of the pharmaceutical factory. Or maybe the cafeteria? I don’t know what to call it, but I was sitting in the facility’s break room.

There was a lot to do, but I only had three days, so there was no reason to be busy.

I’ll take Istina with me later and see how the alchemists refine penicillin. Maybe we can find some room for improvement.

And see how far it is possible.

Once penicillin production is on track, we will start producing aspirin. That is not impossible, since it is also extracted from trees.

If the chemistry of this world were sufficiently advanced, it might be possible to create antibiotics in the sulfonamide or tetracycline family.

The important thing is to figure out what alchemists and chemistry labs can do in this environment. What can be realistically made right now?

I turned my head at the sound of footsteps.

****

Bang, the door opened.

“Long time no see, teacher.”

“Oh, what’s wrong, Princess-”

I immediately got up from my seat. How did Mint get here? As soon as the princess entered the room, she hugged me as if tackling me.

It’s a surprise.

“Hello, Princess.”

“Yeah.”

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

“It’s an imperial facility. It’s my heart.”

Mint put her arms around my neck, holding onto my stool. I held onto Mint so I wouldn’t fall. Mint looked me in the eye from close up.

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

“I didn’t go because of the epidemic.”

Mint held me tighter. She planted a few kisses on my cheek. I tried to escape, but Mint wouldn’t let me go easily.

“That’s the problem, you idiot teacher. It’s dangerous, do you have to go there yourself… … . Are you caught too, teacher?”

“No, just in case.”

Mint smiled as if mocking me.

“Okay then.”

“That, Princess. People are looking at you.”

“Huh?”

“I’m also very happy to see Miss Mint… … .”

Mint looked around for a moment. The princess’s attendants stared at Mint and then quickly averted their gaze. The princess let me go.

“Sorry.”

“No.”

Mint took my hand and fiddled with it for a moment, then chose a suitable spot and sat down. Across the desk, still holding my hand tightly.

“So. You were inspecting the factory?”

“Yes.”

“How was it? Was it going well?”

“I see you’re making a lot of medicine. It seems to be going well. There’s no one today, though.”

“I’m planning to take a look around later. Did anyone come to work at this facility today?”

You’re going to have a hard time, Miss Luciana.

If you want to deal with the princess.

But… … . It didn’t seem like it would be any different in modern times for experts to have to persuade government officials or investors. It would have been even worse.

“Yes. My name is Teacher Luciana.”

Because I wrote down how to make the medicine.

There was no reason why alchemists who used magic would fail in this task. Mint nodded with a somewhat serious expression.