Translator: Cinder Translations
...
"Carbon element?"
Paul made an exaggerated curious expression.
Tennyson approached Paul and placed a stack of papers on the table.
Paul quickly scanned through them, finding dense writing detailing the alchemists' experimental process.
What moved him was that there were hints of laboratory science in the papers, such as controlled variables and control experiments—new methods that were beginning to take shape.
"We've conducted countless experiments, and we can now confirm that your suspicions about the so-called 'phlogiston' were correct. In fact, when metals are calcined, there's no such thing as phlogiston escaping. Instead, certain substances in the air combine with the metals, making the metal ash heavier."
Tennyson pointed to the paper, explaining the sections to Paul.
"We'll temporarily refer to this substance as oxygen, but it is still not the key substance that transforms iron into steel."
"So, we focused on the auxiliary material used in steelmaking—charcoal powder."
"In the process of turning iron into steel, something in the charcoal changes the metal's properties."
"So we continued our experiments…"
Tennyson spoke rapidly, forcing Paul to pay close attention.
"…We also studied other substances, like coal, and even diamond—this cost a lot, and we used the high temperatures from a convex lens to burn them."
"The gases produced in this process, when combined with lime water, produced the same phenomenon…"
"…Eventually, we concluded that among these substances, including charcoal, there exists a common element—an indivisible form, which, with your vast knowledge, you'll easily understand the implications of—let's call it carbon."
"Carbon is the key factor in turning iron into steel."
Tennyson threw aside his previous restraint, excitedly waving his arms.
"Great Lord Grayman, during this process, we've even disproved the phlogiston theory."
"This will go down in history, and it all began with your suspicion about phlogiston."
Paul stopped him from flattering, saying, "If possible, please focus on the research itself."
"Oh, of course." Tennyson regained some composure, though his face remained flushed.
"In conclusion, Lord Grayman, as long as we control the amount of carbon in the metal, we'll be able to produce various kinds of steel with different properties."
Paul nodded in satisfaction.
"With this theoretical guidance, we can find or summarize a large-scale, rapid steel-making process, instead of having craftsmen laboriously hammering away with huge iron hammers."
"That's right, Grayman Lord. We already have an iron mill, and it should be quick to establish a steel mill based on this."
Wells joined the discussion, his eyes gleaming.
He had put in significant effort during the experiments, but didn't want to steal his students' limelight.
"Unbelievable, the beautiful and expensive diamond and the dark coal... they're actually relatives."
"Maybe one day we'll figure out how to synthesize diamonds artificially—that would make us a fortune."
"Just thinking about it is exciting."
The three of them were deeply immersed in the discussion, while Marianna, standing by, was somewhat surprised.
Mass-producing steel?
She imagined scenes of thousands of knights in plate armor galloping into battle.
But it was just a fleeting thought. She didn't believe her son could actually discover such a method.
Who knew whether these two alchemists were just babbling—Marianna didn't understand much of what they had just said.
Hmm? A surprising sight caught the witch's eye.
Paul's eyes were actually moist.
Was it because of these alchemists' nonsensical talk?
For a moment, Marianna felt slightly displeased. Her son hadn't shed a tear even after learning her true identity.
Smack!
What she didn't know was that Paul's emotion wasn't due to the conclusion itself, but because of the process through which Tennyson and the others had reached it.
The alchemists had begun to look for reasonable explanations based on solid data, meticulous logic, and self-consistent calculations, rather than relying on the wild speculation that had been common in the past.
He slammed his hand on the table and said excitedly, "Tennyson! Your family is free from today onward!"
Tennyson immediately stood up from his chair and knelt on one knee.
"Thank you, great Lord Grayman!"
"You've earned it," Paul smiled, extending his hand. "Please, sit down, and let's listen to what Dean Anderson has brought us."
"Honored Lord, gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to introduce my findings to you."
Anderson also presented a stack of papers to Paul.
His tone was much gentler as he began his explanation.
"Recently, I've been studying plants, focusing on their intergenerational traits."
"We know that children always inherit some features from their parents—whether it's cattle, horses, or even plants, the next generation is always influenced by the previous one."
"I call this phenomenon heredity, and my research is about understanding the patterns within heredity."
"Following Lord Grayman's suggestion, I chose peas as the experimental subject. This was an extremely helpful suggestion."
"Through relentless effort, I have reached the following conclusions."
"There is something I call genetic factors, which control the traits of organisms. These genetic factors come from both parents and can be dominant or recessive…"
Anderson continued with a calm tone, explaining his experimental process and the conclusions he had drawn.
Paul listened and found no issues with it; Anderson's content was essentially in line with Mendel's laws.
Differentiating appearance, selecting pure breeds, the law of dominance, the law of segregation, the law of independent assortment—everything was in order.
Of course, considering the later developments in genetics, there must be errors in this, but such a discovery in this world was already incredibly valuable.
"I believe these conclusions can explain why there is such diversity in the organisms of this world. Additionally, I've discovered a major issue that has always existed in human society."
Anderson's expression turned serious.
"Marriage between siblings, whether brothers and sisters or cousins, is not allowed by our social ethics. It now seems this is because our ancestors discovered that incestuous relationships have a high likelihood of producing problematic offspring. I believe this can now be explained: the closer the blood relation, the greater the chance that they carry the same harmful genetic factors. When two such factors combine, the traits they control will inevitably be harmful."
"However, our ethics have a loophole: they only prohibit marriages within the same paternal line, but not between maternal relatives. It now appears that genetic factors come from both parents, so not only should cousins not marry, but neither should second cousins."
"I request that you immediately issue a decree to prohibit this phenomenon and inform the rest of the kingdom of our new discovery."
Paul nodded solemnly.
"This is not something to consider further. I'll certainly accept your suggestion, as this is eugenics. I'll have the Council of State draft a new decree immediately."
He stood up, full of ambition.
"Dean Anderson, your discovery is incredibly important. Perhaps we can use your summarized principles to do some very meaningful things."
"For example, in crop cultivation and livestock breeding…"
Especially with the upcoming war against the orcs.
Author's Note: Much of the chemical and biological knowledge has been forgotten, so some of the details may be incorrect. Please forgive any mistakes.
(End of the Chapter)
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