Chapter 342 So Busy Anyway
The guild members returned to their posts, and without exception, found themselves buried in work. Already busy with their usual tasks, they now had to handle fever illness prevention efforts on top of everything else.
The Commerce Guild announced it was collecting donations for fever illness prevention from all registered merchants and guilds. This message came directly from the guild staff, who also mentioned that "donors and donation amounts will be made public" and that "the Sophia Merchant Guild has already contributed cash and magic stones." They hinted that the Sophia Merchant Guild would use this list when selecting business partners.
This caused a stir among merchants. While some had successfully traded wheat with the Sophia Merchant Guild, many coveted products like Elma brandy, cider, Spieluhr items, and cosmetics were sold exclusively by them. Even large stores in major cities had no choice but to buy these products through reselling if they lacked an agency contract with the Sophia Merchant Guild.
Originally wanting to add a service fee for these resales, they realized prices from the Sophia catalog were fixed. Charging more wasn't feasible if they wanted customers to keep buying other goods too.
Some merchants tried gifting expensive presents to win favor with Sophia herself but found little success; extravagant gifts were often politely returned. Entertaining her or arranging lovers was risky due to her possible connections with powerful families like Grandchester's. Stuck in this bind, many began donating generously as if offering lavish gifts directly to her instead.
* * *
At the Alchemy and Pharmacist Guilds, young alchemists and pharmacists are busy making oral rehydration solutions and IV fluids. Dorm mothers at the Alchemy Guild help by sterilizing bottles. Using magic stones provided by the Sophia Merchant Guild, those with magical powers create IV sets, while others recharge these stones at the end of each day.
The work is tiring, but "gifts" from merchants──sometimes looking like bribes──offer much-needed support. Merchants who expect fever outbreaks hurry to stock up on herbs and medicines to meet high demand from both guilds, hoping to secure contracts. However, gifts don't influence partnerships; they are accepted with thanks but do not affect decisions.
Paracelsus has also caught attention as he resumes his activities. News that a new fever treatment recipe will be released after clinical trials has many people trying to gather information about which herbs will be needed──often bringing gifts in hopes of gaining favor. But once again, these gifts won't change anything; the recipe release will be fair for everyone.
Glass merchants are facing chaos due to sudden orders for IV containers from both guilds. Glassworkers juggling several contracts rush around for help like a disturbed hive of bees. At Cindy's workshop, after finishing cider bottle orders for the Sophia Merchant Guild, new requests come pouring in as craftsmen sigh together.
Meanwhile at Fran's blacksmith workshop, skilled artisans focus on making needles for IVs──a direct request from the Alchemy Guild. Fran is 22 years old and eager but inexperienced in crafting such delicate items himself. After finishing his usual tasks quietly watching others work their magic-enhanced metal skills, he feels a bit down realizing he's not quite there yet.
Pharmacists like Alexander opened clinics and taught villagers how to prevent infections. He also explained how to care for sick family members without spreading the disease. However, in poor homes where many shared one bed, isolation was hard.
However, with help from pharmacists and golems from the Sophia Merchant Guild, some areas started gathering infected people in one place for care. These centers were often near slums, with strong support from the guild.
* * *
Without a doubt, the Adventurers Guild became busier than anyone had originally imagined. More tasks like gathering medicinal herbs, hunting beasts, and escorting miners at magic stone mines popped up. With a shortage of workers, many adventurers had to work without breaks. But since they needed money for winter, it worked out well for them.
Near the magic stone mine, there are also high-quality herbs. So it's common to see escort teams (mostly men) and gathering teams (more women) going together. Because of this, more couples are forming among adventurers lately.
Miners' families who gather herbs near the mine are joining the guild too. By doing so, they can rank up as adventurers and buy tools at lower prices. They also get discounts on weapons and armor repairs.
As for the magic stones from the mountain──they usually have impurities. The Sophia Merchant Guild has a way to clean these stones and refill them with specific powers but decided not to reveal it yet. Rihito thought if any smart alchemists found out about this secret, he might recruit them as assistants.
* * *
And so, the clinical trials began at the knight's dormitory. All 20 infected knights, aged 12 to 50, volunteered for the treatment. One of them, a 50-year-old knight living on the outskirts of the capital with his family, was brought in after developing a fever.
Alexander, a famous pharmacist known for creating a popular ointment, is setting up part of his home as a temporary hospital for these trials. His house is large enough to accommodate this.
To keep things clean at the dormitory, Amelia asked Jeffrey to hire a cleaner. Normally calm and in her 40s, the woman becomes strict when working. She used to work at a metalworker's workshop but was fired when new management took over──likely because they found her too tough.
She wasn't afraid to scold or even kick lazy knights into shape but also cared for them by helping with laundry and baking cookies. Her balance of kindness and discipline earned her the nickname "Mother of the Knight's Dormitory." Thanks to her and helpers from the Alchemy Guild, the dorm became spotless──much to Amelia's satisfaction.
As for the most important treatment's effects, there haven't been any noticeable side effects so far. Rihito came to Amelia, who was writing in her journal at the end of the day, to report on the trial participants' conditions.
"So far, there are no side effects, and it seems like the fever is going down quickly, right?"
"Yes, it does seem like the symptoms are clearly lessening. Amelia, this treatment doesn't attack the virus itself; it prevents the virus from multiplying. So, it's best to take it early."
"What do you mean by 'early'?"
"Maybe within 48 hours after the symptoms appear. In other words, 2 days. It's not that taking it after that won't work, but I don't think you'll see dramatic improvement."
Amelia writes down what she hears in her notebook.
"Got it. I'll try to prescribe it as early as possible. But it really depends on the patient's actions. For commoners, they often come to see the pharmacist only after their condition gets worse."
"That's understandable. Medicine isn't cheap. Oh, by the way, if you can contact me right away when there are major side effects, you can start the clinical trial at Mr. Alexander's place from tomorrow."
"Thank you. By the way, the virus refers to the disease, right?"
"Yeah. You can think of it that way. I want to teach you about the differences between bacteria and viruses and other things, but I'm not your teacher, so I'm not sure how much I should tell you."
"I also want to learn from Mr. Rihito. I'll ask Mr. Alexander about it when I go for the clinical trial."
Rihito smiled happily at Amelia's response, but at the same time, he looked a little troubled.
"If Amelia asks, I don't think Mr. Alexander will say no."
"I think so too."
"But I'm sure he won't be too happy about it inside."
Amelia nodded in agreement with Rihito's opinion.
"That's true. Mr. Alexander would probably feel frustrated that he wants to learn too!"
"Ah, well, I mean, a pharmacist might feel that way, but I don't think that's the only reason."
Amelia tilted her head in confusion.
"If a talented disciple who admired him said, 'I want to learn under another pharmacist,' of course, he'd feel a bit sulky."
"Mr. Alexander is not that narrow-minded, right?"
"Yeah, well, he probably thinks reason is a good thing. The better a pharmacist is, the more they realize how important it is to learn new knowledge. But emotions can't be changed by logic."
"Hmm. It's like a parent feeling lonely when their child becomes independent. Not that I've ever been a parent, but my little brother, who used to cry when I went to work, just became a staff member at the Adventurers' Guild. Even though he's just a rookie, he says, 'I won't let my big sister suffer anymore.' I was really happy, but I felt just as lonely."
"I totally understand that feeling. I have kids, grandkids, and a lot more descendants."
"Hehe. You definitely have a lot, Mr. Rihito."
"They're multiplying like a virus!"
"That kind of multiplication is fine to let happen."
Amelia started to giggle.
'Hmm... I don't think Mr. Alexander looks at his apprentice like a mentor. Well, even if the old man doesn't worry too much, the women are pushing Amelia forward, so I guess things will work out.'
Recently, Rihito thought Amelia was becoming more beautiful, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. He knew the women were helping her with her appearance, but there was a brightness that felt deeper than just looks. Even though they weren't related by blood, Amelia felt like a cute great-great-grandchild, just like Alicia.
'I hope these cute girls can find happiness... Sara will probably grab her own happiness without any worries.'
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