#903 Wakuwaku Vaccine

Who would have thought that Garra Rufa would manage to develop a vaccine all by herself in another world...?!

It’s a feat that could never be achieved without a deep understanding of the immune system.

As a medical amateur, all I did was provide some half-baked knowledge I’d picked up. Garra Rufa is a genius for turning that into a reality.

I mean, attenuating pathogens? I can’t even begin to imagine how to do that.

Garra Rufa, who accomplished this through her unique research and ideas, must possess what you’d call professional skills. 

The awesomeness is palpable...

“If this vaccine spreads, several diseases troubling this world might no longer be a problem and could vanish from the face of the earth! Hurray for vaccinations!!!”

“Vaccine? Vaccination? What excellent naming! I’ll take it!”

And so, the language of another world becomes shared among us.

“Let’s present this at the conference right away! It’s bound to cause a sensation!!!”

“But I’m not presenting it.”

Huh?!

...Why not?

“Didn’t you hear, Lord Saint? I once proposed a theory predicting the existence of bacteria, but all I got was ridicule, and I eventually got kicked out. From the Mermaid Medical Association, no less!”

Right, that happened.

And so, having been banished, Garra Rufa ended up on the farm, where, based on my otherworldly knowledge, she came to firmly believe in the existence of bacteria and viruses and continued her research.

Looking back, it sounds like a setup for a banishment novel.

“Now, even if I brought up vaccines and vaccinations, there’s no way the Mermaid Medical Association would acknowledge it. Being treated as a weirdo from all sides once was more than enough for me.”

Garra Rufa chuckles bitterly, her expression a bit gloomy.

It must feel like stirring up painful memories. I don’t want to probe any further.

Time to change the subject.

“...If you won’t be presenting at the conference, what will you do? It would be a shame not to use the research you’ve worked so hard on.”

“If the association does not recognize it, it doesn’t mean it can’t be used. I plan to use my thorough research for the farm that has supported me!!!”

Garra Rufa speaks with determination.

Right.

Most of our farm’s residents are transcendent beings to whom diseases are but a minor inconvenience, though...

Maybe I should make vaccinations mandatory, just in case.

Flu, who?

“By the way, Garra Rufa, is the vaccine ready yet?”

“Yes! For now, I’ve managed to complete the vaccine for Hydro Runaway experimentally!!!”

Hydro Runaway?

What’s that?

I’ve never heard of it before. Is it a disease unique to this world?

“Hydro Runaway is a disease specific to the merfolk.”

...says, uh, Platy?

My wife.

“It’s a disease that affects merchildren up to about nine years old. It’s not fatal, but because it’s contagious, it’s a nuisance. However, it’s also known for the fact that once you’ve had it, you’ll never get it again in your lifetime, which is quite a mystery.”

“That mystery can be explained by the immune system! Once the Hydro Runaway pathogen enters the body, immunity is developed against it, protecting you for life!”

“Well, let’s just leave it at that.”

Platy! Don’t just dismiss the story like that!

Garra Rufa’s effort is not only a scientific breakthrough but a leap forward for humanity!

“Being a disease that affects children and can become severe, it’s a problem for the entire community. Even my dad, during his prime, kept prodding the Mermaid Medical Association to develop a cure, but it seems they never managed to find an effective solution...”

By the way, Platy’s dad is the previous Mermaid King Nagus.

As a king, seeking a solution to a disease troubling his people was natural.

But it seems he never managed to achieve the desired result.

“With the Mermaid Medical Association being so rigid, it’s no wonder they couldn’t establish a treatment for Hydro Runaway. Kukukuku...”

“I had it when I was little, too. The rash all over, the fever, feeling sluggish and itchy... Being contagious, I wasn’t allowed to play with my siblings and was nursed by mom the whole time...”

Platy reminisces with a distant look in her eyes.

In a way, it’s a precious childhood memory.

“That’s why it’s always best to avoid illness if we can. You know, our little ones, Junior and Norito, are half mermen. So, I can’t help but worry they might be susceptible.”

When you put it that way, it’s hard to argue!

They are the crystallization of love between me and Platy.

Our eldest, Junior, and the younger, Norito.

Children are particularly vulnerable to sickness. And then there’s this dreadful disease called Hydro Runaway, specifically targeting such vulnerable kids.

A grave threat indeed!

We must protect our beloved children from this illness at all costs!

But what in the world should we do?!

“Now is the time for vaccines!!!”

Garra Rufa declares with conviction.

Suddenly, it all starts to sound a bit dodgy.

“To protect our beloved children, we must block the pathogens with a preemptive strike! Vaccination is the way! The process of creating immunity through vaccination is safe and risk-free! You won’t ever have to worry about Hydro Runaway again!!!”

“We’ll have to prepare for nursing care just in case. If either Junior or Norito gets sick, we’ll need to quickly separate the other one to prevent spreading...”

“That’s why you should leave it to me!!!”

Platy tries her best to ignore Garra Rufa’s words.

I’m starting to get cold feet myself, even though I was all praise for Garra Rufa’s research just moments ago.

I mean, we’re talking about introducing a weakened virus or bacteria into the body, right? 

Is that really safe?

Though my world had countless data from the past, vaccines developed by Garra Rufa are in their dawn. 

Mistakes are far more likely, and the thought of testing this on my precious son is more nerve-wracking than undergoing it myself.

It might sound selfish, but... 

Well, that’s humans for you!!!

“Sorry... Could you please gather your clinical data from somewhere else...?!”

“Don’t worry, Lord Saint! There’s no danger! I’ve repeated animal tests many times, and even achieved the best results with a homunculus perfectly tailored to human resistance to disease by Zoth Syra, so there’s absolutely no problem!!!”

The more I hear, the more my anxiety flares. Why is that?

I understand her enthusiasm and the greatness of medical science, but doesn’t every parent dread the thought of their child crossing even the slightest dangerous bridge?

“Advances in medicineeee!”

“Whoa?! Junior?!”

Junior somehow leaps into the conversation?!

Junior, who’s becoming more agile as he grows?!

“I will help with medical advancementsss!”

“Lord Junior! Are you offering yourself as a test subject?!”

Could it be that Junior understands the monumental contribution medical advancements make to humanity and is willing to offer himself for the cause?!

A son who can think on the scale of humanity’s welfare is truly a parent’s pride!

People respect the first person to eat a sea cucumber, but the first to test a vaccine deserves no less respect!

And when you consider that the data from the first vaccine tested could benefit thousands or even millions, it’s not just the courage that’s admirable, but the achievement as well!

“Lord Juniorrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! What a noble spirit for someone so young! Truly the offspring of Lord Saint and Lady Platyyyyyyyyyyy!!!”

Garra Rufa seems to be nearly ascending to heaven in awe of my son’s nobility.

That’s right, that’s right, shower my son with all the praise. 

If it were up to me, I’d gladly attribute all the merits of the vaccine development to Junior alone!

“Rest assured! As I said earlier, the vaccine’s safety is fully guaranteed by Zoth Syra’s homunculus! All Lord Junior needs to do is receive the vaccine! Here, see!”

Garra Rufa brings out a syringe.

When did she even develop such a thing?!

“This syringe will directly administer the vaccine into the body! It might sting a bit, but it’s completely harmless! Now, roll up your sleeve and stretch out your arm!!!”

“Fweh...!”

Huh?

What’s wrong, Junior?

Upon seeing the sharp tip of the syringe, Junior’s expression changes instantly...

“I remembered I have homeworkkkk!!!”

“HE RAN AWAYYYYYYYYY?!”

Unable to withstand the fear of the injection, Junior makes a run for it!

Even a child as great as Junior, who understands humanity’s progress, can’t beat the fear of needles!

Moreover, with Junior’s agility, his escape speed is unmatched.

A speed that leaves even the quickest rabbit in the dust!

Thus, Garra Rufa’s vaccine development remained unseen for a little while longer.

But unexpectedly, a day would come when her efforts would be rewarded...!