"Send word down the line. We must save Sylvie!"
Theodore's roar echoed through the hall.
Aaron looked at the old scholar's bitter expression, lost in thought.
"Childbirth really was a brush with death for women in ancient times..."
"Despite Theodore's attitude, I'm afraid he's already given up hope."
In a world as technologically backward as this one, with no supernatural powers, even a minor illness could take someone's life.
After Theodore finished raging, he turned to Aaron apologetically. "I'm sorry... We might not be able to hold a welcome banquet for you tonight."
"Please, don't worry about it..."
Aaron shook his head, showing that it didn't matter.
He looked toward the birthing room, hesitated, then spoke up. "I do have some medicine that might be useful."
When it came to saving lives, the doctors on the estate might not be able to match him.
In particular, Aaron had searched his past-life memories in his dreams and finally found a powerful tool: allicin!
After transmigrating to ancient times, anyone facing the risk of disease and infection would naturally want to make antibiotics.
But whether sulfa drugs or penicillin, the processes required to make them were rather complicated. More importantly, Aaron had never read about how to make them in his previous life.
However, he remembered an article about allicin.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't an antibiotic, but it had a fairly effective antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. Most importantly, it was easy to make.
As the name suggested, allicin was made from fresh garlic, but it wasn't actually present in garlic.
What garlic really contained was alliin! Alliin existed in garlic in an unstable form. When the garlic was bruised—for example, by slicing or crushing it—an enzyme became active and catalyzed the formation of allicin from the alliin!
So the method of obtaining this antibiotic-like substance was simple: crush a large amount of garlic, let it sit, and then extract it!
What was the value of antibiotics in ancient times? That was easy enough to imagine.
Aaron had come up with it because he was afraid of getting sick or infected in the real world, just as he was on the verge of reaching the supernatural. He didn't want to die in such an absurd way.
He hadn't expected it to come in handy now.
"However, although allicin is a miracle drug of sorts, it can only prevent postpartum infection at best. It won't help with severe bleeding during childbirth."
Aaron was thinking to himself when Theodore spoke in surprise. "You... medicine?"
"I bought this medicine from a merchant. He said it was very effective at stopping bleeding."
Aaron answered casually and took a test tube from his pocket. Inside was a semi-solid ointment, congealed like grease.
This was one of his achievements from recent days, a fairly effective hemostatic medicine.
And because he'd tested it on so few people, Aaron had been looking for more test subjects.
"Just apply it to the wound, and the bleeding will stop soon."
He handed the test tube to Theodore and carefully explained how to use it.
Theodore's expression turned a little odd, but he quickly hid it. "You're a good younger brother. Whether or not Sylvie pulls through, Colin and I will be grateful to you."
With that, he hurried toward the birthing room.
In the hall, Lady Sonia looked at Aaron with amusement. She covered her mouth with a fan and lowered her voice. "Aaron... You've done something foolish. Even if your medicine works and Sylvie recovers, Colin won't be grateful to you. And if Sylvie dies, you might end up being held responsible."
"That's true."
Aaron stepped forward, patted Ginny on the head, then gave Sean's cheek a hard pinch, making the little rascal bare his teeth. "But... I'm happy to do it!"
Even if he hadn't been testing his medicine, he wouldn't have been able to stop himself from helping when he saw this happen.
After all, whether Sylvie lived or died had nothing to do with his interests.
As long as it didn't harm his own interests, he didn't mind being a good person.
Or, rather, he enjoyed the happiness that came from doing good deeds.
"Is that why you turned me down so many times before?" Lady Sonia asked with a laugh, comforting Sean as she held on to the little rascal.
"Lady Sonia, you might not believe me, but I truly have no interest in becoming the earl..."
Aaron withdrew his right leg, which he'd been tensing in secret.
He'd planned to teach Sean a lesson if the little rascal dared to charge at him, but now he could only answer with a smile.
"That's a real shame... You might not know this, but after the last battle, Theodore had already begun to regret his decision..."
Sonia continued, "He'd never realized that you, quiet and unassuming as you were, had grown into such an outstanding man. By comparison, Colin wasn't quite to his liking."
"But... Colin still has the status of the eldest son, as well as the support of everyone who's upheld his claim as heir all these years..."
Aaron shrugged. "Besides, he married Sylvie and had an heir who fulfilled everyone's expectations."
"Fulfilled everyone's expectations..."
Lady Sonia smiled meaningfully.
"Lies are still lies. Sooner or later, they'll be exposed." Aaron smiled. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave. I've had a tiring journey here..."
He bowed, winked at Ginny, and returned to his room in the castle.
When he opened the door, he was a little surprised to find that the room was still just as he remembered it. It also looked as though someone had been cleaning it regularly, as if waiting for its owner to move back in at any moment.
A little while later, the door opened and Ginny walked in. "Brother Aaron, you signaled for me to come over earlier. What was it?"
"Of course. I'm going to show you how to make something delicious."
Aaron smiled. "Go find me a bottle of wine and some fresh garlic..."
Since he'd started trying to save her, he might as well see it through.
It would be frustrating if Sylvie survived the postpartum bleeding only to die from an infection.
Before long, Ginny returned with the things. Her little face was full of curiosity. "Why are you saving Sylvie?"
Smack!
Aaron tapped her little head. "I save people because I want to. If I saw an injured kitten or puppy on the road, I might help it too. Besides, Sylvie is family..."
"I don't think you're unaware of some of Colin's ideas. Besides, you're half responsible for Sylvie's family's downfall."
Ginny argued.
"So what? Even if they jumped up, they still couldn't reach me..." Aaron made a face. "Don't cause trouble, but don't be afraid of trouble either. Defend yourself when attacked—that's good manners. Got it? Hmm, try this after you've finished making it..."
Then Ginny was reduced to tears by the spicy taste, and the little girl ran out of Aaron's room with tears in her eyes.
"Waaah... Aaron tricked me! Allicin tastes awful!"
Before you continue