第１８３８堀：ここはある意味天国 (Part1)
Chapter 1838: In a Sense, This is Heaven
Side: Agil
Lately, I have been throwing myself into my duties more than ever before.
The reason is simple: I am conducting a survey of the New Continent.
Not that I was slacking off on my usual work, mind you.
In the laboratory, my day-to-day life consists of gathering data and recording changes—a task that is, quite frankly, as mundane to watch as it is to perform.
Of course, I understand that this research is of vital importance, but recently there haven't been any large-scale or urgent breakthroughs to chase. I’ve been stuck in the realm of basic research, trying to deepen our fundamental understanding of magical power.
Well, without that, we wouldn't be able to investigate the magical depletion phenomenon, so it’s necessary work.
But I digress. The reason I’m showing more enthusiasm for this than my usual research is…
"Is this grass really that rare?"
"It looks like ordinary grass to me."
"That is exactly right, Taiki-kun, Holy-kun. If you analyze the components, you’ll find it’s identical to the medicinal herbs found in Rogari, If, and Haiden."
"Uh, doesn't that just mean it's the local medicinal herb for this region?"
"Exactly."
Hmm, it seems the two of them don't quite grasp the magnitude of this.
"For the record, the medicinal herbs commonly used in the north—or rather, on this continent—are no different from those on other continents."
"Ah, I heard that. The tools used in Ohe aren't that different either, right?"
"That’s true. Even the treatment methods, starting with recovery magic and bandages, are largely the same. You see some minor differences depending on the country, but that’s about it."
"Yes, yes, I see you two really aren't interested. Let me be brief: this is a new species. It exists only on this plateau."
I laid that fact out for them, but…
"Well, it is a plateau. The ecosystem is unique, isn't it?"
"That’s what I said. I mean, only birds or particularly hardy animals and monsters could traverse a plateau like this. It’s bound to be unique."
They brushed it off just as easily.
Honestly, why are they reacting like that when they clearly understand the implications?
"You two are taking this too lightly. In that unique ecosystem, we might be able to create medicines we’ve never seen before. It’s a treasure trove, in a manner of speaking."
"“Ah.”"
Still, a lukewarm reaction.
Well, I suppose that’s to be expected from laypeople.
"I see, so it’s like an unexplored jungle."
"A jungle?"
"Ah, it’s natural you wouldn't know, Holy-san, but on Earth, there are lands that humans have barely set foot in. There are many new species there that haven't been discovered yet, and there’s talk that they might hold miracle cures for diseases that currently have no treatment."
"Heh, so there are places like that."
"Yes, yes, as expected of Taiki-kun. This plateau is comparable to those unexplored jungles, like the Guiana Highlands."
"The Guiana Highlands. Ah, I know that. But I’m surprised you know it, Agil-san."
"Well, I’m deeply curious about Earth. From games and machinery to ecosystems and science."
"You really have no restraint, do you?"
"That’s what makes me a seeker."
In truth, I find it fascinating—the very fact that humans could climb so high, seeing the technological systems that could be called the finished product of Earth.
And the inquisitive spirit of the people who seek to go even further probably surpasses my own.
If it didn't, those various fields wouldn't have advanced to such a degree.
"Anyway, back to the point. I’ve analyzed the genetic sequence of this new medicinal herb, and it is indeed a distinct species. But it has the same effects as the known herbs. No, honestly, the efficacy is even higher."
"Heh."
"That’s interesting."
This time, Holy took the bait more than Taiki-kun.
Well, she has been studying medicine, so it’s only natural she’d be interested.
I look forward to the time when I can report this to Rurua and the others.
"Um, I understand it’s rare, but why report it to us? Shouldn't you be reporting this to Yuki-san, or rather, the Weed upper management?"
"That’s right. As it stands, you can't exactly start using that herb in Weed, can you?"
This is where the real issue lies. There was a proper reason I told them.
"That is exactly why. To make a report, I need detailed information about this plateau herb. This was just a single sample. Distribution, population, things like that are important. It’s unlikely there’s only one, but if there are only a hundred in total…"
"Indeed, then we couldn't harvest it."
"I think a hundred is an extreme estimate, but you’re right—if we don't consider the total population, we’ll deplete it. Even common medicinal herbs can disappear, at least temporarily, if you over-harvest them. It’s a matter of balance."
"Exactly. Even for research, the herbs you two gathered aren't enough. I need a larger quantity."
"Ah, so just because we found it doesn't mean we can just pick them all, huh?"
"I see. You want us to thoroughly investigate the habitat. But couldn't you use drones or familiars for that?"
"It’s not impossible, but I also want to investigate the surrounding environment and such. Those are things you have to experience firsthand, aren't they?"
Yes, I want to know why this medicinal herb grows on this plateau.
Even if we were to cultivate this plateau herb in the future, it would be meaningless if its potency dropped.
Taiki-kun seemed to understand this intent better than Holy-kun.
"Ah, I see. There are cases where changing the environment causes them to go extinct. We can't just carelessly take a large amount."
"Is it really like that?"
"It’s an endemic species, after all. If it had high vitality, it would be growing elsewhere, too. But the reality is…"
"It isn't. Could it be because the land below is a wasteland?"
"That might be a factor. Still, it’s not something we can judge easily. It might actually have high vitality and grow in abundance."
"That would be a good thing, wouldn't it?"
"No… that would mean it would alter the other vegetation. If the insects that used it as a staple food migrated, that would be fine, but they might go extinct. If that happens, it might affect other plants that relied on them for pollination…"
"?"
What Taiki-kun is saying is obvious to anyone who understands the environment—the reasons why living things exist—but to Holy, it feels like the conversation has suddenly turned into something grand and overwhelming.
"Normally, I’d want to ask an expert. When it comes to this kind of thing, that would be Kaya, Lady Faide, or John."
"Ah, we don't really have any botanists, do we?"