Chapter 270 - The Last Hope

Caspar tells Sam that humans have actually found the secret to immortal life. A group of immortals who called themselves alchemists found the immortality elixir several hundred years ago and had lived as youthful humans ever since.

Caspar was the head of the Alchemist clan, and he claimed to be 438 years old when he met Sam. It was hard to believe, right? But then Caspar showed him all the evidence.

He had very complete documentation of his life. Since the early 19th century, he had been present at important world events. His relationship with famous humans in history couldn't be doubted.

He showed proof that he met Einstein, several US presidents in the 19th century to early 20th century, famous composers that were now dead, and many others

Sam was shocked but also amazed. He knew that the Alchemists passed on their condition to their biological offspring so that their children would be born immortal.

They would grow with perfect cells until they reached their optimal growth period, and then they will stop aging. That was why, even though Caspar was 438 years old at that time, he still looked like a 25-year-old man. It was really awesome!

One interesting thing that Sam learned about these alchemists was that they were very closed and lived among ordinary people by hiding their identities.

They did not like marriage, let alone having children, so their number had decreased significantly, especially after the two world wars.

However, if they met a partner who came from the ordinary humans, then their future wife or future husband who was not an immortal would be given the immortality elixir as a wedding gift. Thus, they could become a part of them.

Maybe ... if Friedrich could find an Alchemist girl and make her fall in love with him..

Then he would be able to get the gift of the immortality elixir... 

Friedrich would be cured of whatever illnesses he had. That immortality elixir would make his body perfect and free from all diseases. In fact ... he would even be able to live forever young.

Wouldn't a genius like Friedrich make many important contributions to mankind if he was granted immortality?

Sam clenched his fists to his sides. He felt very restless. He had sworn to Caspar Schneider that he would keep the secret and not tell anyone for the rest of his life.

He had kept the secret tightly for eleven years and had not broken his promise. In fact, even though as an ordinary human who was slowly aging and desperately hoped to become immortal, he refrained from being tempted by the Alchemists' immortality elixir.

But now ... it felt like he could no longer hold back. He had to do something. He didn't want Friedrich to die.

"Friedrich ... actually, maybe there's something we can do ..." said Sam in a low voice. "I should have carried this secret to my grave, but ..."

Friedrich turned to Sam with an astonished expression. So many doctors had come to check his condition, and they all said the same thing. There was no cure and treatment for Lewy Body Dementia, yet. 

What was the secret that could make him recover from this terrible disease?

Subconsciously, Sam glanced left and right as if afraid that walls around them could hear. He then pulled Friedrich's hand to sit on the chair. It was only after taking a deep breath that Sam told the young man everything he knew.

Friedrich listened to Sam's explanation with his eyes went round. It felt so hard to believe! Friedrich was very similar to Sam. He also loved science. So, the information he heard today really shook him to the core.

If it wasn't Sam who told him the secret, Friedrich would never believe it!

"Do ... you think they'll want to make an exception?" Friedrich asked quietly. Suddenly his chest was filled with hope. 

If the alchemists really existed, and they really had the elixir that could make humans free from all diseases and weaknesses, and live forever young, then the immortality elixir would be Friedrich's only hope to survive.

Sam shook his head at Friedrich's question. In fact, he didn't know whether Caspar would be willing to give this young man the immortality elixir. Friedrich did not have any relationship with an alchemist girl.

"I ... could ask him and beg ... Maybe he would give you an exception, but I think the odds are slim," said Sam. When he saw Friedrich's disappointed expression, he hastily added. "I can try. I'll go to Mr. Schneider and beg him."

Sam kept his promise. He tried to contact Caspar Schneider via Stanis Van Der Ven and begged to be allowed to meet. By then, Caspar had withdrawn from his business and the world. He chose to live peacefully with his wife and children in New Zealand and Germany. 

At that time, his family already had three children. A girl and two boys. It was very difficult for Sam to find him. When he finally made it to Caspar in Germany, Sam was disappointed.

He tried to ask Caspar to make an exception for the young man whom he considered his own son, but he was forced to swallow his disappointment.

Caspar deeply regretted the incident that happened to Sam Atlas's acquaintance, but he had to be fair and could not give someone the immortality elixir just because that person was seriously ill.

"Sam ... my people have rules, and I can't bend the rules arbitrarily," Caspar said in an apologetic tone. "I understand you really care for that boy. But I can't give the elixir to someone who is not entitled to receive it. If I broke the rules just once and gave it to someone outside our people ... then everyone would come to me and ask for this elixir for their acquaintances. Then .. there will be no end."

Sam was silent. He knew he couldn't force Caspar. The Alchemists clan leader had agreed to meet him. It was something he should be grateful for. The man didn't even discuss how much Sam had broken his promise by telling this secret of the Alchemists to another person.

"Hmm .. alright," Sam finally nodded. "Really, there is no other way?" 

Caspar smiled slightly. "You know we only give this elixir to outsiders if they marry a clan member. I don't think your acquaintance could have a relationship with an Alchemist girl in such a short time ..."

Sam smiled wryly. He knew that it was very unlikely to happen.

He felt despondent because his last hope had failed. Sam Atlas returned to Seattle feeling deepest sorrow.

Sam Atlas's grief slowly made him fall ill, and he died of a heart attack a few weeks later.

.

.

>>>>>>

From the author:

Caspar rejected Sam's request to save Friedrich's life and 30+ years later, Friedrich's son is married to Caspar's granddaughter. I wonder how Caspar will think about this.

PS: I feel sorry that Sam died because of grief. He truly cared about Friedrich. I know, this story is quite dark and sad. To be honest, I have trouble writing this, I had to take one-month hiatus to continue. T_T

The original version was paused 20 chapters before the ending and I think I will pick it up again, together while writing the ending for the English version.. In my prediction, this story will end in around 2 weeks.