A Person on Terra, Out of Books: Chapter 37

"Doesn't this... benefit Siracusa too much?"

Warfarin looked a bit pained. All these funds were earned by the Sarkaz with their sweat and hard work. Siracusa didn't have to do anything, just wait for the Sarkaz to prepare the meals.

"Don't worry, giving them a good deal is enough. There's no need to share with others."

Although Theresica had agreed with Lady Sicilia to send students to Kazdel Polytechnic University at a one-to-one ratio, he had also spoken with all the teachers.

This money is Kazdel's money. We are merely taking care of the teachers' living environment and have placed the school in Siracusa. I hope no one misunderstands who the real client is.

These highly educated intellectuals from the capitalist society of Columbia were very perceptive. They all stated that they would not allow Siracusan students to participate in the real experiments.

Theresica stayed in Siracusa for two days. After picking up a batch of goods, he quickly returned to Kazdel.

This batch of goods was the Oripathy containment medicine produced by Columbia.

He didn't have his own manufacturing plants ship directly to Kazdel. Instead, he used the guise of exporting to Siracusa, and then transferred it to Kazdel. Not a single Sarkaz was involved in the entire process.

For the sake of absolute secrecy, he even had the manufacturing plants create falsified accounts and pay taxes to the Columbian tax authorities.

This way, in the eyes of the outside world, Kazdel remained a dilapidated country where infected individuals were everywhere and there was no cure.

But in reality...

"All refinery workers, stop your work! Gather outside the workshop immediately! Production is halted today! Furthermore, we will be taking a temporary break starting tomorrow!"

Suddenly, the production team leader's shout caused everyone to murmur amongst themselves.

"Don't spread rumors! It'll delay production!"

"Let me finish refining this unit of Originium first. The purity is almost 90%. Don't disturb me..."

The team leader shouted a few times but found that most people on the production line were still at their workstations and paid him little mind. He had to find a megaphone and shout at the top of his lungs.

"Your Majesty has obtained the Oripathy containment medicine! All of you! Go out and take the medicine! This is an order!"

This announcement finally got through. The Sarkaz doctors who had been waiting outside finally saw the long-awaited workers. They had already set up temporary testing equipment, waiting for the infected workers to arrive.

The workers formed a long queue, undergoing examinations one by one. Doctors measured their infection status and Originium density in their blood. Then, under the doctors' supervision, they took the containment medicine or received injections.

This was Theresica's order. He insisted that the workers be monitored while taking the medicine, fearing that some might be reluctant to take it and would save it for their children or family members at home.

The situation on-site proved him right. Many doctors caught workers hiding the pills under their tongues, intending to take them back to their families. They had to constantly persuade them.

"There's still more medicine! We're only taking care of the refinery workers for now, prioritizing you with the medicine. Please take it! Your Majesty is here too. If you don't take it, I'll kneel before Your Majesty and say you refused the medicine!"

Hearing this, the old worker's throat moved, and he swallowed.

Theresica was indeed near the factory area. He was discussing the five-day work stoppage with the factory manager.

"I'm not here to issue orders, but to ask if there will be any impact from stopping production for a period. Tell me honestly."

Theresica walked casually, with the factory manager following him cautiously. "Your Majesty, stopping production will cause some fluctuations, but we have sufficient Originium reserves. Daily needs and trade demands can be met from there."

"Mm, very good."

The reasons for the temporary halt in production were twofold. First, to better monitor the condition of the refinery workers after continuous medication and to prevent potential drug rejection issues.

Second, when he made a new round of investments in Rhine Lab, he also purchased a significant amount of technology. One of these was a safety protection measure technology for Originium refineries.

A research team from Rhine Lab had extracted a brand new chemical element, which they named Boron.

This chemical element, although harmful to the human body, could, to a certain extent, reduce the damage of Originium ore to the human body. They had made this chemical substance into plates and designed a partition to enclose the Originium refining equipment. They then created operating holes and observation holes on the wall for people to reach in and operate.

Although direct contact was still required, they had conducted experiments on animals. Under the same conditions, animals protected by this partition had much better Originium infection levels compared to animals without the partition.

These researchers had been promoting their findings everywhere, but implementing such modifications required halting all production lines, and this modification was not a permanent solution. The plates needed to be replaced regularly.

"If you can make money lying down, why bother standing up?"

Not a single Originium refinery in Columbia was willing to adopt it.

However, these individuals had already secured positions at Kazdel Polytechnic University. Theresica had also prepared top-notch laboratories and funding for them to continue their research.

And Theresica had already brought their technological achievements back to Kazdel. He was currently discussing with Sarkaz craftsmen how to integrate them with Kazdel's existing protective gear for more effective protection. Furthermore, among the technological products used to offset costs from Kazimierz were instruments used by their country to assist in Originium refining. Theresica planned to upgrade the production lines simultaneously during this protective modification.

After a period of research and calculation, the Sarkaz engineering personnel proposed a ten-day modification period. The subsequent production costs would increase, but with the assistance of Kazimierz's machinery, production efficiency would see a certain rise.

A ten-day halt in Originium refining was essentially a ten-day suspension of Kazdel's main national income. The surrounding Sarkaz engineering personnel looked at Theresica nervously.

Theresica did not hesitate. He signed the document with his name. "You need ten days, I'll give you 12. Complete this modification without any errors."

"Yes!!!"

Chapter 76: Hydroponics

"Your decision truly strikes me as peculiar."

"Oh? Why?"

Everyone else had left the room, and only Theresica remained seated. But then a woman's voice emerged, and Gladiia appeared silently.

"Land dwellers like to create a sense of superiority and inferiority. Yet you are fully committed to ensuring the equal distribution of resources."

Gladiia had heard that Theresica was prioritizing the refinery workers with Oripathy containment medicine and planned to provide it uniformly to every needy Kazdel citizen, similar to food.

"Aegir also ensures the resource needs of everyone, but that is based on a surplus of resources. Yet you, despite being in a state of resource scarcity, consistently ensure that everyone receives an equal share. Why do you persist with this? It is quite unusual in the context of the mainland, and I am curious."

After Gladiia had stayed in Kazdel for some time, Theresica felt that the Abyssal Hunter had undergone some changes. Her formal etiquette and phrasing had decreased significantly, and her speech had become more direct.

"Hmm... I can't really explain it. I just like it this way, I feel like this is the right way, so I'm doing it."

Theresica spoke his most genuine thoughts, but Gladiia's face remained etched with confusion.

The next second, she quietly disappeared again. Theresica had granted her access to most regions. This Aegirian had likely gone off somewhere else to continue her terrestrial observation records.

Theresica wasn't interested in that. He had plenty of matters waiting for him.

Over at Kazdel Polytechnic University, he needed to select a group of students to send for enrollment. Domestically, he also had to oversee Kazdel's engineering personnel to complete a support structure, ensuring that the replacement of protective plates for the Originium refining factory could be completed within two hours in the future.

However, he wasn't there to micromanage. Instead, he would handle their needs when the engineering personnel encountered problems, so they could resolve the difficulties as quickly as possible.

On the other side, there was also a botanical ecology research team. They were all foreigners and had only recently arrived, making it quite inconvenient for them to operate in Kazdel. Coupled with his personal concern for this issue, Theresica decided to accompany them himself.

The teachers and students from the former Trimount Botanical Ecology University had traversed the land within dozens of kilometers around Kazdel, collecting over six thousand soil samples, and conducting detailed analyses one by one.

The hired hands, having been paid handsomely, were truly dedicated, with one person doing the work of several. However, the results they obtained were even more precise and even more dire.

"As a technician, as a scientific worker, I must report to you truthfully."

The lead teachers shook their heads regretfully. "The soil near Kazdel is truly unsuitable for growing any crops. The soil here cannot sustain them."

"Why has this situation occurred?"

Theresica asked curiously.

"Firstly, the soil here was never suitable for cultivation. We didn't detect any nutrients required by plants from it. Then, we isolated a large amount of Originium-infected matter. Such things should not be present in normal soil."

"What is that? Is there an Originium mine underground?"

"No, if there were an Originium mine, then what we isolated from the soil should be the components of Originium Shard."

One teacher explained, "Originium-infected matter typically appears near battlefields, especially in areas that have been repeatedly bombarded by Originium Arts. The more intense the bombardment, the more of this substance there is. This component severely hinders plant growth, but the concentration here is outrageously high. Why is there so much of this stuff?"

Hearing their explanation, Theresica sighed helplessly. After over two hundred years of war, how could there not be?

Terra's plant ecologists were roughly divided into two factions. One was the soil faction, which advocated for improving the soil to allow plants to survive. The other was the plant faction, which advocated for modifying plants to adapt to originally unsuitable land.

The teacher from the soil faction looked at the test results with a pained expression and couldn't help but tell Theresica frankly, "Your request is to change the soil here, and you've also provided us with experimental funding. Please rest assured, we will definitely find a way, and this is also the very reason our profession exists. However, it will be difficult to see results in the short term. We suggest you consult with the plant faction."

Upon hearing this, the teacher from the plant faction, who had been reviewing the soil data summary, looked up. However, they also wore a troubled expression. Having received a substantial amount of funding but being unable to deliver, they felt ashamed.

They were all teachers of botanical ecology. When they saw the seeds Theresica had given them, they immediately recognized them as crop seeds and quickly guessed what Theresica intended to do.

"Regarding the seeds you gave us, we will start designing an improvement plan tonight. However... it will be very difficult to achieve results within three years."

"Don't worry, I know that scientific research requires time for cultivation. I will not interfere with your experimental progress."

Theresica reassured every researcher present, then said, "You are all professionals. I have an idea, and I'm not sure if I can discuss it."

"Please, go ahead."

Out of respect for science, Theresica only spoke after seeing the professional technicians nod their heads.

"Your ideas are to change the soil or change the plants, and these are all scientific concepts. However, I am not a researcher, so I have a rather expedient idea. Plants need sunlight, water, and soil. Since the soil is currently unsuitable, why not find something to replace the soil directly?"

"For example, water. Water itself is one of the components plants need. If we add the nutrient elements found in soil to water, then soaking the plant roots in water would be equivalent to planting them in soil, and there would be no need to water them anymore."

Theresica's words caused all the teachers and students present to fall into deep thought. The teachers from the plant faction and the soil faction huddled together and discussed.

"Your suggestion is very constructive. We will immediately begin theoretical verification and experimental design."

"Please."

Theresica said with sincere gratitude. However, Muelsyse suddenly ran out and asked curiously.

"Did you study botany?"

"No, I just looked into it a bit."

Theresica waved his hand somewhat sheepishly, which caused most people present to look surprised.

I thought the boss also graduated from a botanical ecology program at some university.

Having a new direction did not mean abandoning old ideas. Theresica stated that he would continue to support the research of both the soil and plant factions, but he also hoped they would not neglect the experiments on soilless cultivation. Furthermore, he made a request to the plant faction: to increase grain yields.

Just as Theresica was about to discuss further with them, a messenger hurried over. He leaned in and whispered.

"Your Majesty, we have had two airships crash."

Chapter 77: The Witch King

The sudden incident interrupted Theresica's discussion with the researchers. He rushed to the Kazdel Airship Manufacturing Plant, where a pile of burnt and severely deformed airship wreckage was already laid out. Zeppelin was leading a group of people in conducting a damage analysis.

"What exactly happened? What was the extent of the damage? Did it affect Yan or Ursus?"

Theresica urgently fired off a series of questions. Zeppelin knew the gravity of the situation and quickly replied.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Yan and Ursus were not harmed. The airships that were shot down were ours, from Kazdel. They had just finished transporting building materials and were returning to the airship plant for inspection."

"Shot down?"

Theresica noticed Zeppelin's choice of words. He knew that Kazdel currently had some friction with the desert bandits, but could they really possess such capabilities?

"Your Majesty, we have examined the wreckage and found that it was indeed a blast of Originium Arts that penetrated the metal plating on the lower half of the gasbag, igniting the gaseous Originium within, causing the airship to explode mid-air."

"Did it cause any Originium contamination?"

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. The gaseous Originium is further refined from 100% pure refined Originium ingots. Upon being ignited by Originium Arts, it detonates instantly, leaving no residue."

Zeppelin said, "The Absolvers rushed to the attack zone immediately and have apprehended everyone there. They are currently screening them one by one."

"Did we have any casualties?"

"Yes, the airship's pilot and co-pilot, along with one cargo handler. A total of three deaths."

After hearing Zeppelin's report, Theresica immediately ordered, "Treat these three individuals with the same benefits as fallen soldiers."

"Understood." Zeppelin nodded.

"However, you mentioned two airships crashing. Did the crew of the other airship survive?" Theresica asked in surprise, as the wreckage looked like it belonged to only one.

"Your Majesty, that was an airship purchased by Columbia. It was shot down in the Sargon region, also using Originium Arts. However, that happened yesterday, earlier than our incident. Columbia's messenger only arrived today. We were preparing to report when we discovered our own had been shot down as well."

Upon hearing Zeppelin's words, Theresica fell into deep thought. How could desert dwellers systematically train Arts Users? This must be the work of a certain nation seeking trouble with the Sarkaz. Moreover, they were cautious enough not to involve Yan or Ursus, thus preventing the escalation of the incident.

Ah! This is so annoying! It's easy to dodge an open attack, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. He somewhat missed the straightforward charging Knights Errant of Kazimierz.

"Convene the Military Committee. We have troublesome matters to deal with!"

In Leithanien, on this nation's soil, the use and education of Originium Arts were ingrained in everyone's minds. Powerful and widespread Arts Users were the capital that allowed this nation to establish itself between Victoria and Ursus.

The tall, slender buildings adorned with elegant decorations on their surfaces were called High Towers, a unique architectural style of this nation, symbolizing the absolute authority of the nobles.

Each High Tower represented a noble, and above the nobles were beings with transcendent status known as Electors. Only they were qualified to elect a Witch King, who would then reside in the most magnificent of the countless High Towers – the pinnacle of Leithanien's power.

Today, Leithanien's seven Electors were summoned by the current Witch King for a meeting, but the atmosphere in the room caused the surrounding servants to break out in a sweat.

"Great Witch King, could you please resolve our doubts and explain our recent overly erratic behavior?"

Although the Electors maintained a respectful posture, their words carried a tone of questioning.

Victoria was in internal strife, and Ursus was also in a mess. Leithanien, which had been constrained by Terra's two major powers, suddenly felt as if its wings could once again unfurl.