Chapter 112: He Revolutionized Alchemy
Lavoisier City. The name didn’t exist in any of the languages of Hai-Teweru. The one who named this city, three hundred years ago, was the genius alchemist, Baron Bottel Viper, hailed as the “Father of Modern Alchemy” by the people of today.
This great alchemist was, of course, one of the transmigrators from another world mentioned in the journal Abyss had seen in the Divine Realm. The name “Lavoisier” clearly originated from the world this transmigrator came from. Abyss didn’t know its exact meaning, but he speculated that it was a tribute to someone closely associated with alchemy.
Baron Bottel Viper’s accomplishments weren’t as dramatic or world-altering as those of the other four transmigrators. One was the most powerful Paladin in the Church’s history, another a renowned general, another a legendary druid from the Elven Kingdoms, and the last, a male dark elf who achieved unparalleled mastery of shadow magic. But Mr. Bottel simply pursued his passion, spending his days from youth to old age secluded in his laboratory.
He completely rejected the prevailing theories of alchemy at the time, which were primitive and superstitious, essentially boiling down to “throw random things into a pot and see if you can make gold.” He published articles vehemently criticizing several renowned alchemists who claimed to possess the ability to alter fate or even grant divine powers through alchemy, becoming a sworn enemy of charlatans across the continent and facing scorn from the uninformed masses.
However, he quickly proved through experiments that the potions peddled by these charlatans had no positive effects, some even containing toxins that weakened the body, making people more susceptible to their next concoction. He analyzed the ingredients used by these charlatans, exposing their formulas and methods, revealing that they were simply boiling garbage and selling it as miracle cures.
This revelation shocked the people. Bottel was just a young man at the time, and many remained skeptical. But those who valued their lives hesitated, reducing their reliance on these “miracle cures.”
However, simply exposing the charlatans wasn’t enough to bring about real change. They quickly introduced new potions, this time using high-quality, non-toxic ingredients, and claimed that the previous potions were forgeries created by Bottel. These charlatans were wealthy and influential, manipulating public opinion and turning Bottel into the villain, accused of spreading lies and deceiving the masses.
A month later, just when everyone thought Bottel had been crushed by reality and forced to abandon alchemy, he reappeared, this time with a book.
This book systematically explained the principles of alchemy, how magic interacted with potions, the proper use of ingredients to achieve desired effects, and the properties, functions, and compatibility of various materials. This meticulously detailed “Fundamentals of Alchemy” contained accurate formulas for several potions, along with a comprehensive and compelling refutation of the prevailing “alchemical” theories.
Some, intrigued, followed his instructions and created potions that actually worked.
These potions could enhance reaction speed, accelerate wound healing, grant night vision, and they were significantly cheaper than the “cure-all” potions peddled by the charlatans!
Bottel’s book spread rapidly across the continent. The upper class and mages took his groundbreaking theories seriously. Even the most ignorant realized that the so-called “alchemists” were nothing more than con artists preying on the gullible.
The nobles might be willing to spend money, but they weren’t willing to be treated like fools. They took action, collaborating with the Church. The charlatans, facing exposure and prosecution, either fled or were burned at the stake, their fake potions, responsible for bankrupting the poor and poisoning the rich, reduced to ashes alongside them.
For his contributions, Bottel was granted a hereditary barony by the Emperor and rewarded with a small city as his domain.
He dedicated himself to education, nurturing a new generation of alchemists, not greedy charlatans but skilled professionals who contributed to the advancement of medicine, agriculture, and other fields. He also used his knowledge of potions to develop the continent’s understanding of mechanics. His potion-powered machines were revolutionary, but their high cost prevented widespread adoption. His small city, within a few decades, transformed into a thriving metropolis, a testament to the pinnacle of alchemical achievements. The oddly named academy he founded, the Mendeleev Academy of Alchemy, remained a sanctuary for aspiring alchemists across the continent.
This was the story of Rebecca, the genius alchemist girl’s ancestor. It wasn’t a tale of epic battles or heroic deeds, but it was Abyss’s favorite.
The sun was setting, casting a golden glow on the towering structures of the city before them.
“This city embodies the highest level of technology on the continent. They say you can see the future of the continent from here,” Givia said, sitting in the wagon, lifting the curtain, and gazing at Lavoisier City with excitement. “I’ve finally seen it with my own eyes. Even the architecture is different from anywhere else on the continent.”
“Unfortunately, it’s now under the control of gangs. Your Highness, we must be discreet once we enter,” Santos said, his voice serious. “The gangs in the Eastern Empire are ruthless. If our identities are exposed, they might try to exploit the situation and extort us.”
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” Givia said, smiling, not discouraged. “Is the contact you made in the city, the one with connections to the gangs, ready?”
“He should be. He sent me a signal,” Santos nodded. “But he’s not entirely trustworthy. I can’t fully rely on him. I’ll need to test him first. You should remain hidden for now, Your Highness.”
Abyss, listening to their conversation, chuckled. He realized he hadn’t interacted with criminals in a while. He was actually looking forward to it.
Leave a Reply