The cafeteria, the library, and the dormitory – this was Todd's life trajectory during his university years in his previous life, and now it is dramatically recreated in another world.
The boy, who got up at 6 a.m., put on his monk's robes, and sneaked into his room. After making sure no one was in the corridor, he went to the monk's library to study theological scriptures and literary rhetoric.
Some might argue that since Master Myris has left without saying goodbye, there's no need to continue these courses.
However, Todd chose to study on his own, a decision made after careful consideration. There were two main reasons: first, surviving in another world as a monk and learning the necessary scriptures was fundamental for preaching and spreading the word; second, regularly appearing in the sight of others would help reduce their suspicion.
After lunch, Todd spent the afternoon in the lab. For him, having just taken over the lab, the most important task at hand was organizing the materials.
Aside from the specimens and plants, nearly a hundred kinds of minerals and materials left in the laboratory cabinets urgently need to be identified and labeled.
Due to a lack of available identification equipment, commonly used modern methods such as X-ray identification and polarized electron microscopy are simply not feasible. Only visual observation and simple chemical analysis are truly feasible.
The so-called naked-eye observation method involves observing the color, streak, transparency, luster, and light reflection of the minerals left in the laboratory. This method can identify the first batch of minerals, such as cinnabar, malachite, magnetite, azurite, etc.
Further preparation of basic chemical reagents, such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid, is needed to distinguish minerals with similar appearances using chemical analysis methods, based on their different chemical reactions. For example, calcite and dolomite are indistinguishable by appearance; only after adding dilute hydrochloric acid can the difference be discerned through the intensity of gas generation.
Finally, the bottles containing deteriorated, worthless, and unidentifiable minerals were sealed and placed in wooden boxes in the laboratory.
It took Todd almost half a month just to prepare these basic reagents and identify and classify nearly a hundred minerals.
Just as the apprentice was about to begin preparations for the next step, Huggins found him.
"We're in trouble."
Upon hearing this, Todd realized that his rare few days of peace were over.
——————————————————
On the way to the smelter, Huggins briefly explained the situation to Todd.
About two days ago, a craftsman who had finished refining the product returned home. That night, he suddenly woke up from a nightmare, first with severe abdominal cramps, then with convulsions all over his body, foaming at the mouth, and finally losing consciousness, becoming a walking corpse that could only breathe but could not speak.
An experienced elder, upon learning of this, claimed to have witnessed similar events several times, attributing it to the devil. His explanation was that the ores mined underground, nearing the devil's abode, would awaken the demon within during the burning and refining process, causing it to devour human souls. The only solution, he asserted, was to find a priest in the church to purify the ores with divine power.
Huggins rejected the proposal without even thinking. What a joke! How could he possibly let those church people know about the equipment and technology for refining silver!
At that time, the man used both verbal threats and bribes with silver coins, and with great effort, he finally managed to temporarily suppress the matter.
But the good times didn't last long. Only two days and one night since the last accident, another craftsman was cursed, with the same symptoms and the same condition.
Now, all the craftsmen and apprentices refused to continue working, and no amount of money could change their minds. Everyone was of one mind: either call a priest, or the work would continue indefinitely.
Having exhausted all other options, Harkins approached Todd on a whim.
The boy listened and nodded, forming a general judgment in his mind.
Upon arriving at the smelting site, many, fearing the demon's curse, chose to slack off or leave, leaving less than a third of the original craftsmen and apprentices. Even among those who remained, none dared approach the pile of slag. Tools lay scattered on the ground, and solidified molten metal could still be seen in the ash-blowing furnace.
“My lord…” Aiden saw Todd and was the first to approach him, hesitating to speak.
The monk gestured for him to calm down and began to examine the smelting site.
He examined the raw materials, furnace body, water source, and waste liquid one by one, and then asked around about the two sick craftsmen, inquiring about their work and specific locations.
After completing these investigations, Todd approached Aiden with a frown: "What's going on with the waste liquid tank under the ash blower?"
"ah?"
The boy squatted down and looked sideways at the lead waste tank he had designed earlier. The solidified material, mainly lead, was more than half full of the tank, and the drain hole at the top was completely blocked by stones and other debris.
"As I've said before, every time we smelt, we have to divert the waste liquid from underground."
Aiden scratched his head: "Perhaps some apprentices were being lazy and forgot about it."
"Nonsense! How could you forget something like that?!"
The monk's sudden outburst of anger startled everyone present.
Little Jerry, who was originally standing next to him, shrank back and found a small tree to hide himself.
Seeing the surprised expressions on everyone's faces, Todd realized that his tone just now was exactly the same as that of the teachers in the laboratory who scolded their students. He quickly slowed down his speech, lowered his tone, and said in a way that was appropriate for his position: "Every little thing we do for our Father, even if it is unintentional or not, is proof of our virtue and ability."
Aiden grasped the cross on his chest, lowered his head, and whispered, "God Father above."
Todd had already reached a conclusion about the demonic curse: it was caused by the failure to promptly drain molten lead during the silver smelting process. The high temperature caused the lead to evaporate, forming toxic lead vapors that led to acute lead poisoning in the craftsmen. However, this explanation was completely unconvincing to people in the Middle Ages. If anyone uttered it, they would be immediately arrested as a heretic.
This matter must be handled properly using appropriate methods.
While pondering a solution, the monk continued to explain to the craftsmen and apprentices: "Every step in the refining process is a ritual by which the Father protects believers. Any oversight or carelessness could allow the devil to take advantage of the situation."
Clearly, the sudden realization and deep agreement on everyone's faces made Todd realize what he should do next.
A preliminary plan was slowly forming in my mind, but first I needed to go back to the lab to prepare some things.
Todd made the sign of the cross and addressed the craftsmen and apprentices, saying, "Please tell those who are cursed that I will personally remove the curse and destroy the demon this evening!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com