"Shurorororororo, Professor, you called for me?"
Caesar, clad in a white lab coat, slightly hunched as he entered Professor Frieze's research lab.
This place, naturally, was Level 5.5 of Impel Down, the secret base of the Biochemical Research Institute directly under the Academy of Science of the World Government. Now, after the Construction Division's accelerated renovations, the environment here had undergone a dramatic transformation.
The silver-white, metallic sheen of the floors, walls, and ceilings, paired with rows of electrical gates, filled the laboratory with jars and bottles containing a dark green liquid. Inside these containers were various bizarre and grotesque biological organs. The purple lighting added to the atmosphere, making the place seem filled with evil and terror.
Honestly, just from the inside, one would never guess that this place was located within the depths of the underwater prison.
"Yes, we just received orders from Mary Geoise. They want us to send someone to RL1556 to assist the Construction Division in building a biochemical safety station with isolation, sterilization, and disinfection capabilities. Also, bring thirty sets of advanced protective suits."
Hearing this, Caesar, who stood over three meters tall, looked astonished.
"RL?"
"I remember that's the Red Line Continent, right? Why build a biochemical safety station there? Could someone dare to release biochemical weapons there?"
"And what do they need protective suits for?"
Hearing his most outstanding student's barrage of questions, Professor Frieze rubbed his temples in frustration and sighed.
"I don't know either. You know how the World Government is. If they didn't explain, it means we're not supposed to know. So don't ask too many questions. Remember this—it could save your life!"
"Alright..." Caesar was clearly unhappy.
"Be serious when you get there. You're only sixteen, but you know how to handle a biochemical safety station, right?" Professor Frieze looked up and asked.
Caesar nodded excitedly, grinning, "Yes, yes, yes! I've been wanting to go up there and take a look anyway!"
"Hey, be cautious when you get there. Don't wander around aimlessly. Think carefully before you speak, and it's best not to say anything unrelated to the job!" Professor Frieze continued to admonish earnestly.
"Shurorororororo, got it, Professor."
Caesar chuckled, feeling that the professor was making a big deal out of nothing, as if the Red Line Continent were some incredibly dangerous place.
Seeing his carefree attitude, Professor Frieze knew that his words hadn't sunk in. He shook his head helplessly and then handed over a document from the table.
"By the way, take a look at this."
"What is it?" Caesar took it curiously and began to read, muttering key phrases aloud as he went: "Land of the Dead, a biochemical gas that invades the body through skin contact, causing full-body paralysis while forming a petrified shell on the surface to immobilize the victim."
His eyes lit up as he read, and he continued further.
"Mummy Virus, invades the body through skin contact, causing symptoms of high fever and rapid dehydration. The virus can be transmitted through a single touch from an infected person..."
"The Ice Oni Virus invades the body through skin contact. Infected individuals begin to exhibit cold chills from the surface of their skin, and areas covered by the chill develop frost, becoming uncontrollable. They attack others indiscriminately, and the virus can be transmitted simply through touch."
In addition, he noticed a relatively brief section on the last page of the document, discussing conjectures and descriptions of muscle relaxants.
"It's strange. The orders from above were to send this to you for your own research," Professor Frieze said, equally puzzled.
"What about you, Professor?" Caesar asked casually, clutching the documents in his hand.
Professor Frieze sighed in frustration. "Of course, I'm still focused on researching Platinum Lead Disease. It's just a bit tricky. Although it appears to be a case of chronic heavy metal poisoning, the key issue is that it can be passed down to the next generation."
"It's indeed a very unique condition," Caesar remarked, having recently accompanied his professor in examining patients with Platinum Lead Disease. He then shared some of his thoughts.
"Professor, although my knowledge isn't yet solid, after reviewing the various viruses in this document, I've been wondering if we could target platinum lead through viruses or toxic gases."
"Hmm?"
Professor Frieze looked at Caesar in surprise and said, "Go on."
"Yes, since Platinum Lead Disease is hereditary, it suggests a connection to the Lineage Factor discovered by Dr. Vegapunk. The Mummy Virus and Ice Oni Virus in this document clearly also affect the Lineage Factor. So, if we can figure out how to study these two viruses and, once the technology is mature, develop a variant virus specifically targeting platinum lead, we could address the platinum lead in the body at the Lineage Factor level."
Professor Frieze blinked, pondering for a moment before concluding that this line of thinking was worth exploring. He then smiled and praised, "You truly are a genius, Caesar!"
"Shurororororo~~"
Caesar, flattered, blushed and swayed shyly, scratching the back of his head as he laughed. "I just came up with it."
"Alright, go finish your work at the biochemical safety lab on the Red Line Continent. When you return, we'll dive into researching this 'Mummy' and 'Ice Oni' together!" Professor Frieze declared, slapping the table decisively.
"Sure, sure. But I think the Land of the Dead is quite fascinating too," Caesar said, pointing to the document with a red face. "I feel its artistic value far surpasses that of the 'Ice Oni.' It must have been conceived by a true genius. The latter, while effective, seems too crude."
"Then why don't we try combining the two?" Professor Frieze suggested.
"Combining them?"
Caesar paused, unsure. "You mean turning the transmission method of the Ice Oni Virus into the gaseous form of the Land of the Dead..."
As he spoke, an image involuntarily formed in his mind: a city on an island engulfed in a mist of icy-blue poison. All residents consumed by the mist rapidly developed frost on their skin, then mindlessly slaughtered one another, ultimately leaving behind a scene of utter desolation.
"Ah—what a marvelous, artistic biochemical weapon!" Caesar was instantly filled with excitement and quickly turned to run toward the door of the research lab.
"Professor, I'm heading to the Red Line Continent right now!"
At that moment, he was torn between wanting to explore the Red Line Continent and immediately starting research on these fascinating viruses. But he didn't want to choose—he wanted both! Professor Frieze watched the automatically closing door with a helpless smile, his eyes growing deep and contemplative. He was wondering where the World Government had obtained such information.
The key point was that whether it was the Land of the Dead, mummies, or ice demons, they all seemed to be highly contagious and dangerous biochemical viruses.
To be honest, his moral boundaries hadn't been crossed yet, so subconsciously, he wasn't too keen on developing them.
But if Caesar's earlier line of thinking was correct, and these viruses could indeed be used to cure Platinum Lead Disease, it could potentially save an entire kingdom's population.
The dilemma was agonizing, an excruciating hesitation.
On the other hand, if he didn't follow the World Government's orders to conduct this research, he would undoubtedly lose his position as the head of the biochemical research institute.
Moreover, with all the top-secret biochemical knowledge he had accumulated over the years, he would likely be disposed of.
"Fine, fine, let's just say it's for the sake of the people of White Town, and for my wife and daughter. As for the rest, it's up to the World Government to decide how to use it."
Professor Frieze muttered these words in a low voice, trying to console himself.