Village Akau 5

Check the patient's condition using the provided documents.

Looking by occupation, it seems that people working at the mine are most frequently affected by this strange illness.

There are also a few others, though their numbers are small. It doesn't seem to have much connection to the main group.

They appear to be suffering from what's known as "mine injury syndrome."

"Mr. Nicholas, what exactly is this 'mine injury syndrome'?"

"Yeah, it's simply referring to cuts and skin irritation. I get the impression that miners commonly suffer from this. Well, it's not anything life-threatening, though."

It might turn out that the cause is discovered surprisingly quickly.

Nicholas shows no suspicion toward the common miner's ailment. But since I come from another world, I know more about science than people here do... I know.

If the contaminated water were the cause, then various people across the village, regardless of their occupation, would be showing the same illness. But the afflicted individuals are not evenly distributed. These people all have wounds on their limbs. What would happen if they came into contact with that peculiar water while in this condition?

Could it be that the illness is caused by the magic stone from the unspoiled water entering through their wounds?

In my original world, there are many diseases triggered by wounds.

Tell Nicholas about this.

"Magic stones entering the body? I can't believe it at first glance. Besides, there's no way to verify it."

"Perhaps we could detect the magic stones mixed within the body by examining the patient's blood. If you'd like, I can lend you the microscope I use."

"......You truly are from the capital. A microscope like that must be a cutting-edge, expensive piece of equipment.......May I borrow it?"

A high-precision microscope is expensive—beyond the reach of a country doctor like me.

Nicholas gave a brief, slightly pained expression.

If I'd had this earlier, I could've started investigating much sooner...

I lent him the microscope.

In this world, magic stones have brought about an unusual level of science. Healing stones, in particular, are the prime example. With a healing stone, most wounds can be cured instantly, and even illnesses—such as a common cold—can be treated.

In such a world, the idea of tiny foreign substances entering the body might seem utterly unacceptable.

After spending a few hours in the sitting room, Nicholas emerged from the sick bay.

"Indeed, particles of water magic stone were detected in the blood—something that shouldn't be possible.

That's truly impressive... your analytical ability.

I've been observing patients since last year, when these cases first began, yet you've figured it out in just a few days.

What power... I had a bit of confidence in my own abilities, but now I'm humbled."

It was because you wrote everything in such detail and organized the information so clearly that I was able to notice it. Even my own insights were only possible because of the accumulated knowledge from the people of the country I once lived in. What I did wasn't anything particularly significant.

That's right—this is something I realized only because I lived in Japan.

"Still, this will greatly reduce the number of people getting sick. Thank you so much."

I was bowing so deeply I felt frustrated, yet also a little embarrassed.

"So the real question is... how should we treat those already afflicted with the illness?"

My interest was piqued.

But this would be extremely difficult.

We couldn't possibly replace all their blood with fresh blood.

There has to be a way to somehow extract just the magic stone from their bodies. We still haven't explained why people don't turn into beasts, nor do we know how long their strength will last—there are countless problems piling up.

While I was lost in thought, I was called by Alex.

I greeted Nicholas and left the reception room. Alex seemed strangely awkward. His posture, too, seemed off somehow.

"So, the old mine's main entrance is completely blocked off, and there's no way through now. There is a back route, but only a few people in the village know about it—and everyone else refuses to tell us, saying they're afraid of getting involved with the strange illness. That's it, right?"

"Yes, there are a few others who know, but... the old man we met in front of the mine's door seems to have been one of the last people to keep mining there. He's said to know the route of the back passage."

"It looks like this isn't going to be simple at all."

"Yes, that seems to be the case."

This was another grueling development.

Several days passed, and Alex and I headed toward the fork in the path leading to the old mine, following the direction where the old man's house was said to be.

The old man's house stood alone in an open area, so we spotted it right away.

"Excuse me, is Mr. Yoshia here?"

"What is it, you two?"

From within the old house, the man who had scolded us yesterday appeared. He was apparently Mr. Ishida Yoshia. Unlike before, he didn’t suddenly shout at us. Instead, he readily let us inside.

I quickly explained everything we had learned so far, including the guild’s request, then moved on to the main topic.

“I’d like to investigate the abandoned mine. Could you please show me a back entrance?”

The moment I spoke firmly, I met Yoshia’s eyes. It felt as if he’d seen straight into my deepest thoughts.

“...No, no one should go there.”

“Why not! It might be the key to saving the village!”

Alex spoke with determination.

“I won’t be around much longer. What happens to the village now doesn’t matter to me anymore.”

He stubbornly refused to talk further.

I had no choice. Though I regretted it, I decided to say something vague and try to unsettle him.

"Why did you leave the village and choose to live here?"

"What was that?"

The old man glared.

"Isn't living here rather inconvenient, especially when you could have stayed in the village? Don't you have some reason for choosing to live here?"

"Hmph! So that's what you think of me, you disrespectful brats? Listen! There are the souls of my comrades resting over there. It wasn't as safe back then as it is now. My comrades are still sleeping there. I can't allow noisy little kids like you to go there! Go back!"

"Does it not matter to you what happened to the village your comrades once protected? Didn't your comrades care about the village and you, just as you care about them?"

I couldn't help but tense up naturally. Yoshia said nothing in reply. Taro didn't notice, but Yoshia's gaze was fixed on the old work tools from the past.

A silence lingered.

Just as Alek exhaled, as if giving up, and was about to speak—

"Check the large stone behind this house. If you're going inside, go during the time when the village children won't see you in the morning. I can't tell you any more than that."

"! Thank you."

With those words, Alex left Yoshia's house.

"Talking things through really is important, after all."

Alex murmured quietly to himself.

The next morning, when they investigated near Yoshia's house, they found a large rock that had been unnaturally severed. After moving it together, a well-constructed vertical shaft emerged.

"This must be the hole. Think you can make it?"

"Alright! Let's be careful—no telling what might come out."

Activating the magic stone lamp, we proceed forward, shining the light down into the hole.

We quickly reach a long, continuous side tunnel, and after moving deeper inside, we find a door.

Gently pushing it open, we step inside to discover another spacious chamber.

Increasing the lamp's brightness, we take a closer look around.

"Take a look at this, Taro. The pattern carved here matches the stone door that blocked the official entrance."

"It seems we've ended up right behind the entrance. Let's try using a detection spell first."

The detection lamp glows bright red. Something's here—some kind of sub-beast or magical beast...

"Let's proceed with caution from here."

Alek's expression changed.

I make sure my magic stone is ready to pull out at any moment.