583 – Petroleum (3)
A material that Isaac would have called plastic if he had seen it. Plastic accounts for a large portion of the earth’s civilization, enough to occupy a significant part.
From toys and simple items to firearms. There are very few places that are free of plastic.
In particular, computers and smartphones, which are the products of the high-tech industry, must contain plastic.
As such, plastic is an indispensable material for modern civilization, but this world is a little different.
“When we first invented this material, we firmly believed that it could replace the missing material. But it’s better to use something else than this.”
Descal said clearly, flicking the plastic fork in his hand.
As I said before, Helium made the most of the rotten oil, and alchemy developed tremendously as a result.
Normally, a new discipline called chemistry would be born, but it was not classified due to the isolation of helium and the unique personality of this world.
Still, alchemy alone is far superior to other countries. After digging just one oil, the ability to analyze other substances naturally increased.
Anyway, as a result of combining oil and alchemy, various materials could be created. One of them is nylon.
In addition, as much as nylon appeared, plastic also appeared in the world. In terms of time alone, 100 years have passed.
“Instead, as you said, I’ll consider supporting the factory. If nothing else, I’ll be able to make clothes.”
“Okay. I will follow Your Majesty’s words.”
“Then, work hard.”
Descal sent out his servant who insisted on the commercialization of plastic. The servant also greeted politely with courtesy and quietly went outside.
At the same time, the king’s office was left alone with Descal. He looked around at the plastic fork in the quiet space.
There are many types of plastics, but among them, it is the most common material. A fork made from it looks really ordinary.
‘It’s already been over 50 years since this was made…’
However, in terms of the year of production, it was by no means ordinary. It is a plastic fork that has maintained its shape for 50 years.
A substance that melts when it reaches a certain temperature and is easy to process, but can withstand extreme cold or heat.
Furthermore, it is strong against acid, the worst natural enemy for steel. Its versatility was infinite.
‘If Mithril is a metal that can only be handled by skilled blacksmiths in addition to its rarity, this is a metal that anyone can easily handle.’
Even mithril cannot be artificially synthesized like plastic. Unconditionally, you have to find a mine, and it has a rare probability like a diamond.
But plastic is nothing if you combine oil and alchemy. There is a huge difference in probability.
It was like a miracle itself, but Descal and other rulers of Helium looked at plastic negatively.
‘I can’t put all the alchemists into making this.’
First of all, as I said before, mass production was impossible. Recall that the reason things are cheap on Earth is factories and mass production.
The world is now slowly healing from the Great Depression, with factories just entering. However, the materials made from oil were originally in charge of alchemists.
The problem is that the processing process is very difficult. An alchemist is required to create certain substances from oil.
Alchemist is not a dog’s name, it is not a common job, and even the perception is close to an eccentric.
Helium has developed greatly by supporting the country to live, and it is absolutely not a manpower suitable for ‘production’.
Rather than producing, it is much better to throw know-how and concentrate on research.
‘It would be easier if I could tell you the know-how…’
Nylon, the raw material of stockings, has skilled workers thanks to accumulated know-how, but it is not plastic.
As it was an unfortunate invention, there was no support. Even now, only a few artisans and alchemists in Helium know about it.
Of course, thanks to its unique properties, it is not that it is not used at all. It is applied to areas where it is difficult to rust or rot, including water and sewage.
However, despite these efforts, plastic has not been able to prepare a place to use compared to its usefulness. I don’t know exactly where to use it.
‘Should I apply it to the military or adventurers?’
Descal looked at the fork and stroked his chin. Maybe it’s useful for occupations like the military or adventurers.
In particular, adventurers often travel from place to place and stay homeless whenever they have a chance. Making meals while sleeping.
I’ve heard that personal items are surprisingly expensive. That’s because there are so many cases of losing it.
What if you put a plastic spoon here? You can make huge profits in many ways.
‘As long as it’s mass-produced.’
The previous servant’s request was treated negatively, but upon reflection, it is quite practical.
If it had not been for the factory, I would have been unconditionally opposed. As much as that, the appearance of magical organs and factories was more attractive than magic.
‘However, cooperation with Machina is essential in order to combine factories and alchemy.’
The factories currently operating in the Minerva Empire are replacing simple tasks. However, petroleum is difficult from the classification process.
Depending on the temperature, various methods are used, and the process must be repeated within that method.
It would take a long time to fill it all with magic, and the effectiveness of plastic has not been fully proven.
Again, plastics are not recognized for their usefulness because they were invented too quickly.
‘First of all, I’ll have to see if I can replace only the ones that have already accumulated know-how with factories.’
What is needed now is whether factories can replace material production. If that is possible, helium can embrace enormous wealth.
Didn’t it become very popular even if it was stockings right away? After the publication of Zeno’s biography, there is nothing to say.
Moreover, if Machina invents an engine using oil… I’m happy just imagining it.
‘As expected, God didn’t abandon us.’
Descal leaned back in his chair with a really happy smile. There was a time when he had doubts about God while living as a demon.
Why did God give himself and his people a hard life? Why did you choose this land among many lands?
However, just as there is a saying that patience is bitter and fruit is sweet, recently good luck has been exploding one after another.
The beginning was the publication of Zenon’s biography, and the second was the reception of Zenon as his son-in-law.
And this time, through blood and steel, the importance of oil has risen, and the value of helium has risen rapidly.
‘Did you say that we can pave the road with the leftover debris?’
Cecily, the only child and the daughter of good fortune, told me. The residue left after distilling petroleum is useful for paving roads.
It was, of course, the knowledge that Isaac had taught him. In fact, I was throwing away all the leftovers, but I finally found a place to use them.
‘Is this by any chance?’
Descal looked at the plastic fork once more. Isaac, God’s messenger, may even find a use for this miraculous substance.
Even if up to three times can be called a coincidence, from the fourth time it is a skill. Descal firmly believed that Isaac could give him the answer.
To do that, I’ll have to send Cecily a plastic fork. I’m going to send you some stockings as well.
I don’t know why, but the stockings were torn a bit badly. Originally, the stockings themselves tended to tear easily, so I moved on.
‘I’ll have to send it soon.’
In response, Descal sent a plastic fork and stocking to Cecily without delay. I did not forget the letter to say hello and explain.
Since vacation is over, Cecily is attending the academy. Just send it to the dormitory where she is staying and it will be delivered to Isaac as well.
And, as expected from Descal, the reply came back shortly after the courier(?) was sent.
[If we don’t find a way to completely decompose, or extinguish, this substance, humanity will face the ‘pain of nature’ intact.]
“······”
The problem is that it was a prophecy, not a terrifying prophecy.
Aside from the fact that plastics already existed, Isaac knew the future and was horrified.
The planet already has islands of trash in the middle of the ocean, and more than half of sea turtles have swallowed plastic.
Of course, plastics are not the only contributors to environmental pollution, but carbon emissions and plastics are two of them.
At least in this world, there is little to worry about carbon emissions. Manara has a much lower carbon footprint thanks to the early appearance of electricity.
Even the magic engine using coal is generating mana with steam power. But it’s less, it’s not that there’s no concern.
The most serious of these is plastic. In response, Isaac decided that magic would exist, and to find a solution before using it.
Otherwise, there would be nothing to say even if Hirt’s anger fell on his head.
“Find a way to completely annihilate this substance! This is a command!”
For Descal, it was nothing more than a terrifying prophecy. The phrase “not the wrath of nature, but the pain of nature” strikes me frighteningly.
Nature’s wrath refers to earthquakes and volcanoes, but ‘nature’s pain’ is an unheard-of disaster.
To make Hirt, who is the mother of all and nature itself, suffer is an act of indignation, but to think that all of that pain will come back.
“Yes? But…”
“Your Majesty. The greatest strength of this material is its durability. But to find a way to destroy it, that means…”
Naturally, the servants could not understand. Looking for a way to annihilate plastic, once called a miracle material?
Moreover, they are demons. Even if it doesn’t rot for about 100 years, does it last long? I had no choice but to think.
The problem is that there are plastics that do not rot for up to 500 years beyond 100 years. Even the earth is not watching the process of plastic decaying.
Because of this, the servants could not understand Descal’s order, but they changed their attitude at the words that followed.
“Zenon made a prophecy. As this material was miraculously created, it would cause great suffering to Mother Nature. If we do not find a way to completely annihilate it, Mother Nature will suffer more and more. “
“Then can’t we just throw it away?”
“I want to do that because I feel like it. But as it is a miracle substance, I said that it will be used in all fields after 100 years.”
A prophecy that would have been dismissed as nonsense if someone else had said it. However, because he was Isaac, Descal and his servants believed in him.
Already in Helium, most of the people who equate Isaac with God. It was thanks to the blessings that started with Zenon’s life and continued through to blood and steel.
Besides, it’s 100 years later. In terms of humans, it is predicted that the miraculous substance will be widely used in 10 years.
“It means that we have 100 years left. Whether we will continue to suffer as mother nature will, or keep it as it is.”
“You created a miracle, take responsibility for it… I see what you mean.”
“The alchemists have been given a huge task.”
So the servants followed without a word. To be honest, I have no choice but to follow through.
Who wouldn’t believe in the yard where magical power engines, factories, and even tanks were born?
Descal opened his mouth with a satisfied face when there was not a single dissenting opinion among his servants.
“We’ve created miracles with things from nature.”
Originally, alchemy was a study close to philosophy.
“But now it seems the time has come for us to take responsibility for the miracle.”
As of today, alchemy is starting to show signs of being reborn as chemistry.
*******
By the time another birth is taking place in Helium, which has realized the awareness of environmental pollution.
‘I won’t be punished, right?’
Isaac was genuinely concerned about what he had done.
It was possible to get past the magic engine and the tank, but it was unexpected that plastic was invented in Helium long ago.
Even the earth was not invented until the 1900s, but the world was invented with stockings.
Fortunately, it remained as an invention of misfortune that was buried without knowing its usefulness at all. However, as time goes by, you will realize its true value.
Isaac, knowing how much harm plastic does to the environment, had no choice but to ask Luminous.
If this happens, the environment is polluted like the earth, and furthermore, isn’t it harassing Hirt?
[You don’t have to worry, child. Mother also knew that future through Earth.]
And Luminous gently soothed Isaac. It was Isaac who felt a little relieved thanks to that.
[And that karma comes back to you guys, not us? It’s not that we’re sick, it’s that you guys are suffering. We’re only going to give a warning.]
‘······Is that more scary?’
[The cost of humanity ignoring our warnings.]
Rather, I came to know how terrifying God is.