| Author: Eltria | Original Source: Syosetu |
| Translator: Mui | English Source: Re:Library |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | |
Hom, who was waiting by the steam vehicle, helped my father lay my mother down in the back seat, ensuring that her body was cushioned against any jolts during the ride.
My father drove through the night, speeding towards the hospital. The lights of the Black Dragon Lantern Clinic across the river had never seemed so distant.
“It will be okay, Leafa. Once the doctor sees her, she’ll get better.”
“……”
Even in such a dire situation, my father tried to comfort me. He was truly admirable. I, on the other hand, was terrified to even look at my mother, who was showing clear symptoms of the early stages of the Black Stone Disease. I could only wish it was a bad dream.
“… I’m afraid I must inform you that she is showing early symptoms of the Black Stone Disease.”
This time, even the normally kind-eyed doctor and nurse looked extremely grave.
“How can this be…”
My father muttered this before covering his mouth, rendered speechless. I couldn’t find my voice either.
My mother was lying on the hospital bed, an IV line with antipyretics and nutrients in her arm. The doctor informed us that detailed examinations and treatments needed to start immediately, and she would need to be hospitalized.
It’s my fault. This happened because I dabbled in alchemy just like in my previous life…
Since my reincarnation, I had been happy until just recently. Being acknowledged and praised by my mother, who was an alchemist, and my teachers made me feel content—I was happy.
But now, it is different.
Intense regret swirled within me. No amount of remorse could undo what had happened. Black Stone Disease was an incurable illness even in this era.
“How long has this been going on…?”
My father choked out his words, touching my mother’s arm where the black spots had appeared.
“These spots on her arm didn’t just appear overnight. It’s likely that the Dark Matter she handled as an alchemist accumulated in her body over time, eventually leading to this disease,” the doctor explained, his tone somber.
The doctor’s explanation seemed plausible. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to tell the truth.
“…She might have kept it hidden to avoid worrying her family,” he added.
It hurt to think that my mother had known all along that I was the cause and kept it to herself, bearing the burden alone until it came to this.
“An incurable disease… Why did it have to be Natal…?”
I lacked the courage to confess the truth to my father. My mother, who had kept silent, wouldn’t want him to know that I might have been the cause.
Regret won’t help. Regret is self-serving and leads nowhere. To save my mother, I need to look forward. I must do everything possible and let my actions serve as an apology to her.
“Isn’t there anything we can do, Doctor?!” Father asked in sorrow.
“Unfortunately, there’s no effective treatment. We’re trying to find ways to halt the disease’s progression, but a cure is still out of reach,” the doctor replied, shaking his head. His expression suggested that he wished he had better news.
Black Stone Disease was indeed a formidable illness. Even after three hundred years, the treatments hadn’t progressed much since Glass’ time.
But if my mother was still in the early stages, Glass’ Black Stone Disease suppressant could halt the disease’s progression. When Glass perfected the suppressant, his condition was already severe, but now there might be enough time.
Further improvements could potentially halt the progression of the disease indefinitely.
“Doctor, regarding the research on Black Stone Disease, past alchemists were working on a ‘Nectar’ to cure incurable diseases. Has there been any development in using that research to create a suppressant for Black Stone Disease?”
Though my voice trembled, I managed to ask the question clearly. The bespectacled doctor seemed a bit surprised but explained the current state of medical research succinctly.
In conclusion, the development of the ‘Nectar’ through alchemy had been abandoned long ago. Modern medicine from the Free City Alliance in the southern continent has become the primary approach to treating Black Stone Disease. Research into a suppressant existed but had yet to be completed.
“The Grande Alchemist Glass Dimelia successfully created a suppressant using the Almoria herb in his later years…”
I recalled my actions in my final moments. To hide the existence of homunculi from the Kamut, I burned everything related to my research.
“Glass Dimelia…? His later research was lost in the fire when he committed self-immolation. Only what he submitted to the academy remains. Despite this, he was awarded the title of Grande Alchemist, likely due to his genius,” the doctor said soothingly.
Hearing this, I regretted my past foolish decisions. Distrusting the academy for its tendency to claim others’ achievements, I had destroyed all traces of my work, including the recipe for the Black Stone Disease suppressant that could have offered hope to humanity…
“At this point, the treatment options here are uncertain. I’ll write a referral letter so you can receive cutting-edge treatment from the Free City Alliance.”
I shook my head at the doctor’s suggestion.
Even if she were to undergo the most advanced treatments, it was clear they wouldn’t lead to a full recovery—only a few more years at best. I couldn’t bear to send my mother alone to a foreign hospital with no hope beyond that.
I am the only one who can do it.
“…If I succeed in synthesizing the Black Stone Disease suppressant, it should halt the progression of my mother’s condition. That would mean everything to her.”
“It’s theoretically possible, but…,” the doctor hesitated.
Perhaps because I was just a child, the doctor looked puzzled. Desperate to persuade him, I presented my research as a mere ‘scholar,’ citing my own studies.
Yet, as I spoke, I couldn’t ignore the stark reality: the method had not been passed down to modern times. I could recall the ingredients vaguely, but without the detailed process, advanced alchemical pharmaceuticals were out of reach.
“I’m sorry, but as a physician, I can only regard this as a theoretical proposition. I understand your feelings, and I too wish it were possible…”
“…cough…”
The sound of a cough drew everyone’s attention to my mother. Awakened, she gazed at us with a brave smile.
“I’m fine, doctor, you needn’t worry about me.”
“Natal…”
“Rudra, please. I want to sit up.”
Despite her coughing, my mother relied on my father’s support and sat up in bed.
“…I’ve been listening to your conversation from part way through. Approving it as a doctor seems unlikely. In that case, I will volunteer to be Leafa’s test subject under my own responsibility.”
My mother looked straight into my eyes as she spoke. She believed in me without a shred of doubt. It felt like she understood everything I wanted to do and was capable of.
“Mother…”
My heart swelled, and tears blurred the sight of my mother before me in an instant. Oh, how grateful I was to have her as my mother, to be born to these parents.
“Black Stone Disease is a sickness humanity will eventually have to overcome. There is a first to everyone and everything in this world.”
“But—”
My mother interrupted the doctor’s beginning argument with a smile.
“It’s okay. Leafa is our pride and joy… I believe in Leafa. Besides, if it’s an incurable disease, we can’t just wait, we have to take action, right?”
“That’s right, Natal.”
Mother looked up at Father with a smile, then turned her gentle gaze towards me.
“Mother…”
That was all I managed to whisper before I hugged her tightly, crying loudly while praying that her warmth would never fade1.
