#906 The Results of Seeing the Invisible

Garra Rufa’s presentation on vaccine science finally commenced.

“...So, if this gets put into practice, we’re looking at some seriously impressive benefits.”

The technical jargon has been skipped.

In essence, Garra Rufa painstakingly explained the concept of vaccines and the significant effects they promise.

And the outcome was...

“...Hmph, what nonsense.”

It utterly failed to resonate.

The dignitaries of the Mermaid Medical Association began to pick apart Garra Rufa’s theory with smug looks on their faces.

“To think you even roped in the Mermaid King and Queen, and all for what? To rehash some old, bizarre theory you once spouted.”

“The idea that invisible tiny creatures enter the body and cause diseases... Wasn’t that the odd theory she presented here at the Association and became the laughingstock for?”

“And to think she was expelled from the academy for such notions yet hasn’t learned her lesson.”

“Indeed, expecting a different outcome by repeating the same mistake is the height of insanity.”

They’re blatantly mocking her. 

Those guys... do they ever intend to seriously consider Garra Rufa’s theory?

“The concept of bacteria is still too revolutionary for them, you know,” says Platy, standing beside me. “It’s tough for them to accept, especially those hardheads at the Mermaid Medical Association. They can’t even begin to grasp it.”

“After all, it’s a theory they once denied. Accepting it now would mean admitting their own error. That’s something those stiff-necked, prideful folks could never do.”

Puffer agrees. 

By the way, her son with Arowana, Moby Dick, is currently with his grandparents.

Just like our Junior and Norito.

Mr. Nagus and Mrs. Mahi are having a grandchild fever today.

“...Hah, still as dreamy as ever, young lady.”

Another scoffing remark is thrown at Garra Rufa, who is already being metaphorically beaten up.

This time by a relatively young man among the high-and-mighty of the Mermaid Medical Association.

“Have you forgotten the embarrassment of earnestly presenting such fairy tales? You, with such skill, should rather keep quiet and focus on concocting magical potions. Why cloud your own talent?”

“Ugh... Docosa Hexaen, you’re as rude as ever...!”

A typical response from Garra Rufa.

Judging from her tone, she must know this person.

“He’s an acquaintance from my time at the Mermaid Medical Association. He always shows up uninvited to spit his cynicism, just like now. The nasty piece of work!”

“I only wished to see you expand on your brilliant talents. Had you not voiced such bizarre theories, you could have at least secured a respectable position as a medical scholar in the academy...”

Despite Docosa Hexaen’s seemingly condescending manner, there’s a hint of concern in his voice.

...Hm?

Could this be what they call a tsundere?!

“Garra Rufa, if you wish to return to the Mermaid Medical Association, first you must admit your errors and apologize to the members. Stubbornly insisting you’re right solves nothing.”

“...True, my previous bacterial theory was not accepted by everyone. I had no way to prove it then.”

But Garra Rufa timidly objects.

“However, things are different now. After years of research, I’ve succeeded in establishing several methods to prove the existence of bacteria! Well, with the help of many, that is...!”

Garra Rufa!

There’s no need to be timid here! Stand proud of your achievements!

“Look, this microscope allows us to observe the world of the extremely tiny, even to the scale of hundreds of thousands of times smaller! It’s an ultra-hybrid model refined through numerous modifications on the farm!”

Wait, how does that even work?

Magnification of that scale is clearly beyond traditional optics, right?

“With this, we can clearly see not just bacteria but viruses as well. Viruses, by the way, are a recent discovery, simpler in structure than bacteria...!”

“Not necessary.”

“Huh?”

“Hmph, bringing out such an elaborate tool and still peddling your scams? You claim this device can see tiny things? And where is the proof of that? It must be a trick, making it seem convincing without being real.”

The Mermaid Medical Association members outright dismiss Garra Rufa’s microscope as a fraud.

In the face of modern medical breakthroughs!

“N-No, it’s real! If you just look through it, you’ll see!”

“Not necessary.”

“Just one look! Please, if you just see for yourself!”

“Not necessary.”

“Without this, we cannot prove the existence of bacteria!”

“There’s no need for proof. Everything you’re saying is a lie, period.”

They’re unreachable.

This isn’t even a debate anymore.

“When the elderly, their minds set as rigid as stone, find themselves unable to conceive new ideas, there’s only one method left to halt the tide of change,” says Puffer. “That is to deny. Forget about debating—just relentlessly deny everything. By simply negating without engaging in argument, established authority can easily smother any new opinions.”

Can discussions really be settled this way?

“Come now, everyone, isn’t it a bit harsh to be so strict? After all, we’re dealing with a young woman,” Docosa Hexaen interjects, playing the mediator. “And because she is young, it’s all the more difficult for her to acknowledge her mistakes. Shouldn’t the elders step forward, offering her a chance to reflect and repent? If she realizes her errors and admits the flaws in her argument, surely the royalty would reconsider their unreasonable decisions.”

“...It’s always been like this.”

Garra Rufa?

Something feels different about her.

“No one took my theories seriously. Everyone just laughed them off. That’s why I ran away... Yes, I wasn’t expelled from the Mermaid Medical Association; I fled.”

Yet, she found new comrades along the way.

Encouraged by friends she met at the farm, she faced her own talents head-on. At last, she managed to prove the existence of bacteria and even figured out how to utilize them effectively.

“I won’t run away anymore. The friends I’ve made at the farm have shown me strength... And as long as I don’t feel like fleeing, there’s not a single chance that I’ll lose to the likes of you!”

Oh?!

A fierce determination emanates from Garra Rufa...!

“If you stubbornly refuse to look through the microscope and deny the existence of bacteria, fine. I’ll just have to resort to other means. I’ll present it so blatantly that you won’t be able to look away, no matter how much you try.”

What does she intend to do?

After all, this world isn’t like modern-day Japan, where science reigns supreme.

This world has another omnipotent technology comparable to science: magic!

“I’ve prepared a new spell just for this occasion. Now, bacteria, reveal yourselves to these ignorant fools!”

As she chants something that sounds like a spell, Garra Rufa pulls a cork from a test tube she took out of her pocket, scattering its magical contents.

Being a mermaid, she utilizes magic potions to cast spells.

The dispersed contents, whether by their inherent properties or by transforming into finer mist, spread out, blending into the space around them.

“...What in the world?”

“A desperate bluff?”

The gathered members of the Mermaid Medical Association were baffled and unable to grasp the situation, but a visible change soon manifested.

“Beeeeehoooooooolddddd~”

“Baccccteeeeeriaaaa~”

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Something appeared?!

Something appears as if rising from the space itself.

Its shape is a chaotic mix of circles and squares... While simple, I recognize that form.

Isn’t that the very form of bacteria or viruses seen under a microscope?

Those single-celled microorganisms!

“Bacteria-like entities... floating in the air, about the size of watermelons...?!”

Could it be that the potion Garra Rufa used...

Is a potion to enlarge bacteria?!

“No, that’s not it. Even with magic, it’s impossible to increase the volume of something from a few microns to the size of a watermelon – that would be an explosive effect.”

R-Right...! 

That would be like making a human as big as the Earth in one go!

“This potion was possible only because I worked on the farm. Inspired by the spirits living on Lady Viel’s mountain, I aimed to make bacteria spiritually visible. That was the concept.”

Tree spirits.

The ones that dwell in trees and fruits, making them seem alive.

She attempted to replicate that with bacteria?

“With advice from Sensei and the Professor, I finally succeeded after much trial and error. This is the ultimate method for making bacteria visible! Now, members of the Mermaid Medical Association, feast your eyes on bacteria as you’ve never seen them before!”

A potion that makes the spiritual forms of bacteria visible?!

The full display of fantasy elements! Proving that science isn’t everything!

In a manner typical of Garra Rufa, a mad scientific counterattack has been launched!!!