Chapter 154

Chapter 154

So, if you prepare Uruus Coffee using dried cattle dung, that should be effective, correct?

Silence followed.

Raciel displayed a broad smile.

Sylvia erupted in hearty laughter.

Internally, she pondered,

Is this guy for real?

She nearly let slip a curse inadvertently. She had no other recourse. Her situation was dire and serious. Horrific parasites were infesting her lungs, with the prospect of fatal diseases looming.

She felt anxious. She was afraid. She didnt want to meet a meaningless end. Hence, she resolved to entertain this mans suggestion and undergo treatment. She had inquired about the treatment approach, which purportedly posed no harm to plants.

But seriously? Uruus? Dried dung? So, Im supposed to ingest boiled cow dung water?

The more she ruminated on it, the more difficult it became to digest.

She chuckled incredulously.

Are you mocking me now?

Her expression hardened, her eyes penetrating Raciel with intensity. She was desperate and earnest, and the notion that this was all a jest sent a shiver of icy rage through her.

However, in the next moment,

Do I appear to be joking with you?

The crown princes response was stern. This compelled Sylvia to involuntarily furrow her brow.

What?

In other words, do you think Im treating you lightly and without purpose?

Of course.

She wanted to retort in that manner. Yet, for some reason, she couldnt voice it. The explanation was simple. The crown princes gaze and demeanor unexpectedly conveyed utmost seriousness.

This is no jest. You genuinely need to consume Uruus Coffee.

I dont have the luxury of playing pranks on you. You may not be aware, but Im someone who values time greatly. Even a day, which might seem embarrassingly brief to you, is exceedingly precious to me. So, do you believe Id waste time teasing you?

No, its not

I understand. It must be challenging to accept that boiling and consuming cow dung can heal you. It must sound ludicrous. You likely regard it as some form of quackery, correct?

Sylvia nodded.

Raciel spoke as though comprehending it all.

However, its an effective treatment method. Its not just any cow dungits from a minotaur that has ingested poison oak.

Dung

Sylvia suddenly had the urge to cry. She couldnt quite grasp why tears were welling up, but the more this man explained with sincerity, the more it affected her.

However, Raciel was dead serious.

He held unwavering confidence in the Uruus Coffee he had suggested.

Certainly. This isnt just a prescription thrown together on a whim. Its the result of high-quality information obtained through a pulse-diagnosis process, where the lungs directly consulted with the lung fluke infesting the elfs lungs after a fishing expedition.

This was a fact.

In fact, there had been a previous case of a lung fluke patient visiting the Korean Oriental Medicine clinic. At that time, there was no mention of poison oak or cow dung. The advice given then was straightforward: Go to a general hospital and get tested.

It was the logical course of action. The simplest and most effective way to treat lung flukes wasnt at a clinic but at a hospital. You get tested at the hospital, receive a diagnosis, and head to the pharmacy.

Then theyll prescribe lung fluke treatment medication. Some of these medications contain an ingredient called Praziquantel.

Raciel shifted his gaze to the side.

There, Uruus was rolling about, contentedly chewing its cud, its belly exposed to the sky, likely digesting the poison oak it had consumed earlier that morning.

Anyway, if you brew the dung produced by that creature and consume it, that should do the trick. Admittedly, it wont be a delightful taste, but well, they say good medicine tastes bitter, dont they?

Raciel offered a faint smile, while Sylvias wrinkled expression showed no sign of smoothing out.

Cow dung, no matter if it was from a minotaur. The thought of brewing and ingesting that made her stomach churn. It was revolting. With the desperation of someone clinging to a precipice, she inquired,

Pardon me, I might be willing to entertain the idea that you have a method to treat this lung fluke, but

But?

What if, just what if, theres another way?

Another way?

An alternative method to brewing and consuming cow dung.

Ah, I see.

Sylvia nodded vigorously. Raciel offered a kind smile, as if he fully comprehended her concerns.

Of course. I wouldnt easily drink boiled cow dung water either. It would be quite repulsive. Thats why Id like to share something with you.

What is it?

I hesitated to mention it earlier, fearing it might shock you, but theres another potential risk associated with lung flukes.

Another risk?

Yes. Have you ever heard of ectopic paragonimiasis?

As if she ever would have.

Sylvia shook her head, a slight unease creeping over her. Raciels smile took on an even more benevolent tone. However, the words he uttered were far from gentle.

Ectopic paragonimiasis occurs when the fluke, which is supposed to settle in the lungs, takes residence in an entirely different, unrelated part of the body. For instance, right here.

Raciel pointed to Sylvias abdomen.

Abdominal paragonimiasis occurs when the fluke haphazardly infiltrates organs within the abdominal cavity. It can cause havoc in the intestines or latch onto the liver, forming pus-filled cysts. But occasionally, you know, the fluke doesnt head into the abdomen; it goes somewhere else.

Where would that be?

The head.

!

Astonishment!

Raciels finger directed toward the center of Sylvias forehead, causing her shoulders to involuntarily twitch.

The worst-case scenario is cerebral paragonimiasis. Literally, the fluke enters the head. Now, whats in the head? The brain, right? So, what do you think happens if a worm decides to tap dance in your brain?

What does happen then?

What happens? Its not good.

Seizures, headachesthose are just the warm-up acts. More seriously, it can lead to hemiplegia, partial paralysis, vision problems, and even meningitis. But you know whats even worse than that?

Theres something worse?

The fluke journeys from the brain through the optic nerve and into the eyeball. Thats where the lung fluke ends up.

Aaaaahhhhh!

Internally, Sylvia screamed without realizing it. She vigorously nodded, unwittingly agreeing to undergo any treatment and to cooperate wholeheartedly.

Thanks to that, that evening, she became the first elf in the long and illustrious history of the continent to hastily brew and consume Minotaur dunga truly record-setting event.