Chapter 114

After walking onto the booth, Feilifu Kiel's gaze unconsciously drifted to one spot... then, his ears turning red, he looked away again.

He coughed lightly and said, "I... I'd like to explain the results of my alchemical research..."

Those from the same alchemical school as Feilifu Kiel frowned upon hearing this and asked the person beside him with a puzzled look, "Is Feilifu nervous?"

Why does he look unwell and stutter when he speaks?

The person next to him also looked puzzled, shook his head, and said, "He was perfectly fine before coming to the auction... Could it be that he got nervous after going up there?!"

The man thought about it and found it funny, because given Feilifu Kiel's personality, this situation should never have happened.

Cyrus listened intently from her seat.

He listened to Feilifu Kiel explain his alchemical theory—he believed that everything in the world was composed of four elements: air, water, fire, and earth.

The human body has four basic characteristics: dryness, dampness, coldness, and heat.

Each element is composed of two of these four properties; for example, fire is dryness and heat, and air is moisture and heat.

Everything in the universe is composed of these four elements, which means that matter can be transformed into one another.

--For example, ordinary metals can be turned into gold coins.

The reason we can't do it now is simply because people haven't yet found and mastered the paths and methods for transforming matter.

The four elements are also related to the four characteristics of the human body—human diseases are nothing more than imbalances in these characteristics. A decrease in one characteristic or an increase in another will cause different degrees of disease.

Metals are the things that best reveal their elements and properties.

Therefore, studying the transformation and changes between metals may ultimately not only lead to the creation of a "Philosopher's Stone" that can cure all diseases—by utilizing "transformation" to achieve a balance of properties within the body.

Feilifu Kiel spoke eloquently at the booth.

Cyrus suddenly asked, "So, what are your research findings? Have you already discovered a metal that can cure people's diseases?"

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An alchemist from the same school as Feilifu Kiel suddenly whispered, "Oh, Feilifu will definitely be angry..."

He knew this man's temperament very well, especially since Feilifu had once expressed his doubts and rejection of this Lord of Desinia.

"Feilifu harbors a grudge against this lord," the alchemist thought.

But when he looked up to see Feilifu's expression, he heard Feilifu stammer on the display stand, "This, this isn't yet... That's the final research result, and currently... it's a bit difficult."

"But my related alchemical research has already yielded preliminary results."

Cyrus: "What is it?"

Feilifu's expression turned serious, and he solemnly stated, "It's mercury used to measure temperature."

Cyrus raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

For a time, apart from the alchemy school, which also focused on metals, the others began to discuss among themselves in hushed tones.

Even Chipman Norton was talking to his apprentice Beijin.

Cyrus could easily understand what they were discussing.

After all, this matter is somewhat related to him.

Mercury, commonly known as quicksilver, is a naturally occurring element.

However, mercury is found in very small quantities and is considered a rare metal. It is mostly found in the air, water, or soil, and it is compatible with other metals. It requires some refining to obtain complete mercury.

Most importantly, in the actual history of medieval alchemy, mercury, sulfur, and salt were collectively known as the three sacred elements of alchemy, which shows the importance of mercury.

Later in medieval European history, mercury played a major role in important drug treatments.

--For example, the excessive addition of mercury to medications without regard for rationality has led to frequent outbreaks of diseases.

Alternatively, calomel can be used as a strong and effective laxative. When taken orally, it can quickly expel large amounts of black stool, which is actually a reaction to mercury poisoning.

There are countless examples like this.

In the Middle Ages, some people believed that mercury could cure mental illnesses.

Doctors would prescribe mercury-containing medications to combat the frequent flare-ups of mental illness, but in the end, it would leave the patient barely clinging to life.

The patients no longer speak because of missing teeth and mouth ulcers; they also no longer move freely because of weakness...

However, doctors interpreted this behavior as a sign of recovery from mental illness...

In particular, alchemists believed that mercury was the spirit of alchemy and the main element that constituted all metallic substances.

This led to the widespread and extensive use of mercury as a medicinal ingredient, and for a very long time, the source of the disease, or the cause of the more severe illness, was not discovered—mercury poisoning.

Even if mercury poisoning occurred at the time, it would be attributed to a side effect of the medication.

The toxicity of heavy metals is often overlooked.

On the Western Continent, the Alchemy Association also listed mercury as one of the metals most worthy of study, and it received great attention from alchemists a few years ago.

However, when Cyrus was initially researching drugs, he suddenly discovered that alchemists tended to put mercury into potions, so he wrote a letter about it and sent it to the Alchemy Association.

In his letter, he directly stated that mercury is highly toxic.

For example, mercury can evaporate into the air, enter the body through respiration, or accidentally get into the body through the skin. Mercury poisoning is a serious health hazard.

Furthermore, he elaborated on the phenomena observed during animal experiments and advised the alchemists in the association to refrain from using mercury to explore the potential of drug treatments.

This is taking lives.

Afterwards, Cyrus even conducted some publicity campaigns about mercury within her territory.

After the letter was delivered to the Alchemy Association, research on mercury was reduced again and again—because the toxicity of mercury had been confirmed.

After delivering the letter and seeing that it had an effect, Cyrus didn't pay much attention to it anymore.

After all, he had many things to do every day within his territory, and at that time, he naturally had no idea how much of a blow this letter would have to the alchemists of the metal-scientific alchemy school...

This directly led to the overturning and restarting of various experiments on mercury at the time, and even the complete abandonment and uselessness of the experiments, with all the hard work being wasted.

Many people harbor resentment towards Desinia.

His letter caused enormous consequences, and what's even more infuriating is that Cyrus Desinia is not an alchemist belonging to the Metallurgical School of Alchemy!

So, what exactly are his intentions?!

This explains why there are people within the Alchemy Association who secretly slander him, dislike him, and have polarized opinions about him.

Mercury was abandoned from research for a period of time.

But who could have imagined that today, another alchemical genius— Feilifu Kiel—would stand on the stage and say, "Mercury can be used to measure temperature."

Almost the instant he finished speaking, Cyrus understood what his research findings were.

Mercury thermometer, mercury clinical thermometer.

The latter, in particular.

Cyrus couldn't help but slap his forehead; he had completely forgotten about such a common medical supply...

It's probably because he never used a thermometer to measure his fever before; he would take medicine immediately if he felt unwell or sick.

So much so that one might subconsciously ignore the past.

Feilifu Kiel's research findings were less a discovery of the effects of mercury than a manifestation of his theory.

Metals can be altered through mass transfer.

Feilifu Kiel had his research results brought up.

--This is a glass thermometer, about the thickness of two fingers, slightly flat in shape, with some small markings on the tube.

He showed his research to the people sitting in the chairs. They could clearly see a small silver bead at the bottom of the glass tube, which was mercury.

At that moment, a waiter placed a glass of steaming water on the table at the booth.

Feilifu placed one end of the mercury-filled bulb into hot water, and after a short while, a thin silver thread rose up along the narrow passage inside the glass tube.

He listened to the gasps of the crowd, picked up the thermometer again, exposed it to the air, and waited for a while before the mercury lines inside slowly slid down and eventually retracted into the mercury sphere.

Feilifu: "Mercury can clearly sense 'cold' and 'hot' among the four properties. This research is a major breakthrough and will have implications for future research..."

The nobles, including some alchemists and physicians, listened attentively to him.

Feilifu Kiel's explanation was so passionate that his face flushed. He couldn't help but look towards the alchemist's area and saw that the man was speaking to the butler standing behind him with his head slightly turned.

Cyrus said softly, "Judas, write this Feilifu Gil in the register too..."

"I've heard that the president of the Ed Merchant Guild thinks highly of him. Be careful not to let the Ed Merchant Guild get there first and take him away before you can."

"Yes, lord."

Cyrus sat up with her arms crossed, thinking to herself that this Feilifu Kiel was indeed talented. Although his research direction had deviated somewhat, he could still come back if things went wrong.

These are ready-made researchers.

Cyrus smiled at Feilifu Kiel.

"Cough... cough cough, hiccup!"

Suddenly, Feilifu choked on his own saliva on the exhibition stand. He pounded his chest, his face turned red, and then he kept hiccuping.

"What's wrong with Feilifu today?! So embarrassing..." His alchemist companion lowered his head and covered his mouth, his expression a mixture of embarrassment and a desire to laugh, making him look rather strange and distorted.

Feilifu isn't usually like this; it's truly shameful that the rope holding him back came undone at such a crucial moment.

Cyrus looked at Feilifu Kiel strangely as he walked off the stage, hiccuping as he finished speaking, tilting her head in confusion.

He then stopped paying attention to that man and began to look at Chipman Norton, wondering if he or this alchemist master would be next...