Thick clouds of smoke gradually spread across the ceiling.
One guy has a long pipe, another a leaf-rolled cigarette, and our Liston suddenly put down his leaf-rolled cigarette and is smoking a Korean-style pipe—maybe that's why?
Or maybe it's because the tobacco inside is all different, but as I looked up at it, I felt a strange sensation.
No…
This is…
"Wait, is someone smoking weed here?"
"Ah, that would be me."
I didn't notice because it was mixed in with the tobacco smell.
Actually, no one would dare smoke weed in front of me, so that might be it.
But this feeling.
This sense of calm even in this odd situation.
It's weird.
"We came here to talk business, but why don't you just smoke instead."
"Ah, does that matter?"
"It matters. Even if it doesn't, it bothers me."
"Ah, my apologies."
I tried to be polite, but he insisted.
So I glared at him, and maybe because my reputation has spread even across the ocean to America, he immediately put out the weed.
Then he lit something else, but maybe because he was nervous, he couldn't light it quickly.
Seeing this, the Native American, Mill, handed over what he was smoking and lit the sailor's pipe instead, slowly starting to smoke.
He smoked so enjoyably that even I, who knows too well how bad tobacco is, felt like trying it.
"This friend here… is an amazing person. A prominent figure from Kansas."
The sailor chuckled as he looked at Mill.
To me, a sailor who's already traveling between America and London in this era seems more impressive, but it's not like I can shake my head at someone I don't even know who's being praised.
Besides, even Liston is showing interest.
This guy likes anyone who dares to act confidently in front of him, so it's natural.
Judging by how he accepted me, he probably doesn't have any racial prejudices.
"Really? Kansas? Where's that?"
Or not?
Maybe he's just curious because it's the first time he's heard of it.
He got stuck on something irrelevant.
—We found a substance that's effective in preventing cavities.
That's definitely what we were told… so it's not unfair to call it irrelevant.
But I don't think I need to bring up the main point unnecessarily here.
I don't even know where Kansas is…
And while breaking the ice, I should see if this guy is really trustworthy.
The most certain way would be to go to America, but…
Ugh…
Even though ships have improved lately, and even steamships are around, travel in this era is still synonymous with hardship.
It's best to settle things in London if possible.
"Ah, Kansas is… almost at the western end of America… it's completely inland."
"But why did you go there?"
"I didn't go; he came here."
"Ah… I see."
At the word "he," Liston looked at Mill.
With his red skin and black hair, he looked like a typical Native American man, but his posture and speech made him seem like a European noble.
In fact, even though there are two real nobles here, it's no exaggeration to say this guy looks the most like one.
"It was for business. Our knowledge is still needed in the West… and there's a lot of demand for crops and leather. We're good at that."
"Ah… I see. Definitely."
Mill's full name is Miller Curtis.
Curtis from Kansas…
Someone comes to mind, but without knowing what he looks like, I can't tell.
Even if I knew his face, this guy would be at least two generations earlier, so could I even guess?
Regardless, a sense of familiarity started to bubble up.
Liston?
Liston seems to have been captivated by the leather shoes Miller Curtis showed while talking.
As expected of the Sword Saint, he can't resist anything slightly masculine.
"Anyway, the item I brought is… this."
While we were staring like fools, Miller pulled out a bottle he had been carrying.
It was a glass bottle, and the liquid inside was clear.
Like water.
"What's this?"
"Water."
"Water?"
Wait, it was water.
I wondered why he brought this.
Looking at Liston, he seemed even more shocked than I was.
The guy who drinks beer or wine because water is dirty, so it's understandable.
I don't know about Joseon, but in 19th-century Europe, water was treated like leftovers.
"Why this?"
"Just this? Colorado spring water is very precious."
"Colorado? Where's that?"
"It's next to Kansas… the spring water there is really good."
Liston stiffened his expression and started scolding him.
Normally, one would cower at this, but Miller was calmly responding to Liston.
Maybe he's the ancestor of a senator.
Well…
It's more likely he's not, but anyway.
"Spring water…? Hmm… water for bathing? Well, springs are good."
Suddenly, the guy who hated water changed his attitude.
It's understandable.
He probably thinks of it as therapy…
Like us or Japan, Europe thinks even more highly of spring water's effects.
Especially in places like France, where there are even specialists in hot springs…
Anyway, the important thing is that Liston was completely taken in.
I had to snap out of it too.
"But what does a hot spring have to do with cavities?"
I threw out a sharp question.
But it didn't work.
The other guy still had a relaxed, somewhat charming smile.
"I'm not sure either."
"Huh? Then why did you come all this way?"
"I was coming to London anyway. British products are still the best. And I need to look into universities for my kids."
"Universities…? All the way from America to here?"
"What are you talking about? American and London universities don't even compare."
"Ah, is that so now?"
The conversation strayed for a bit, but it's true that America is far from the superpower we know.
It's practically a developing country compared to Europe.
Now that I think about it, I've heard that well-off Americans often send their kids here or to France for studies.
I don't know about other fields, but I'd discourage them from medicine.
America's a mess, but it's not much better here.
"Anyway, I don't know what this water does or how."
It's a bit overstepping to dissuade them, so I stayed quiet, but the other guy returned to the main point.
Thanks to that, I could naturally continue the conversation.
"Then what's the basis for the cavity story?"
"In Colorado… the tribes living near the springs almost never get cavities."
"Oh…? Is it because their food is different?"
"Well… it might be a bit different, but basically, what Native Americans eat is pretty similar."
I've been noticing this guy…
He really separates himself from other Native Americans.
Well, by the late 19th century, he might be considered civilized.
Racism, sadly, isn't just done by the perpetrators but also by the victims.
Some even deny their heritage.
"So there's really something in this water?"
"I don't know. I've just heard the stories."
"Hmm…"
"If you're interested, why not come with me? It wouldn't be a bad idea."
"To America?"
"Yes."
America…
A country so great that there's a term like the American dream.
From the mid-20th century, it's a true superpower…
But what about now?
'I don't think so…'
Even Liston, the epitome of a man's man, is shaking his head behind me.
People who've been to China don't want to go to America.
It's understandable…
America only gained independence from Britain 50 years ago.
It's such a backward country that people wonder how Britain lost to it.
The Redcoats losing to the Minutemen…
Anyway, for various reasons, America is somewhat avoided.
Though bodies are honest; they still buy American tobacco and other crops.
"It's the New World, the New World. Others wouldn't even make this offer. But I've heard you, Taepyeong, have a great spirit of challenge."
"That… well…"
Is he trying to sweet-talk me?
I shook my head and looked at Liston.
Liston had the same expression.
"Lord Liston, I've heard you're called the Sword Saint. Did you know? America has many large wild beasts. There aren't many restrictions on hunting them."
"Oh…?"
This guy's insane.
If he gets tempted here, what will we do?
He's going to stamp his seal on this.
"Moreover… most Americans are still poor. I hear you're conducting various experiments on prisoners; over there, just offering a little tobacco would bring plenty of volunteers."
"Oh…?"
I hadn't thought of that.
"And… right. Cavities alone are rampant there. Other diseases go without saying. Experimental subjects are everywhere."
"Oh… huh?"
Before I knew it, I had already bought tickets to America.
Not just me, but this time, Liston, Blundell, and even the students all bought them.
We're not planning to stay long, maybe two or three months.
The sea voyage won't be the problem; it's the inland travel.
It's no wonder America hasn't given up the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Not just robbers, but also the beasts Miller mentioned are a problem.
From coyotes to wolves and bears—creatures one could barely dream of in London are everywhere.
—With the Sword Saint here, what's to worry about? Even someone like me travels without issue.
Listening to it, it really does make sense.
Who could possibly mess with our Liston?
You'd need an army to deal with him…
And we're not that evil.
"Huh? America? Three months?"
In the past, I could've just left like this, but not now.
I'm the royal physician.
"Yes, go. Go."
Permission is needed, right…
This guy is granting it way too quickly, and it feels weird.
"Don't do anything weird while I'm gone."
"I got it, I got it."
"I'm not joking."
"Ah, I said I got it, didn't I?"
Can the king's words sound this light?
This won't do.
"What's this…?"
"A talisman."
"A ta, talisman?"
I handed him a piece of paper scribbled with some Chinese characters I know.
Then I tried to look as scary as possible and threatened him.
"If you do anything stupid, I'll know."
"Ah, and if you do…?"
"I wonder? What might happen?"
"Damn it. I got it, I won't do anything!"