Ed first put the collected saltpeter into a jar, then added some water, and slowly stirred it with a stick. Soon the not-so-clean saltpeter gradually dissolved, and the water became a somewhat turbid liquid.
"We need to filter out the dirt first." Ed stretched the old linen over the mouth of another jar. Water mixed with mud and sand was poured onto the linen, and some of the murky liquid slowly seeped in, leaving behind a lot of grass clippings and small stones on the linen.
Once the water had cleared a bit, Ed added wood ash to the jar and stirred and filtered it three times until the water finally became clearer. Finally, he put the water in the jar on the fire to boil.
With Ed's repeated purification, Sophia's diligent study, and Adelaide's anticipation, some white crystals finally appeared before the three of them.
"Master, is this the good stuff?" Looking at this pile of strange white things, Adelaide couldn't see what was so good about it. She only felt that she had inhaled the stench in the stable for nothing.
Sophia looked at the strange white mess with a puzzled expression. Although she hadn't inhaled any foul odor, she was still exhausted. All this complicated process had resulted in this mess. She felt it wasn't worth it.
Ed seemed to sense their skepticism: "Don't underestimate these things. You'll see how good they are in a moment."
"Sophia, did you see what just happened clearly? If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me."
"No, my lord, I saw it very clearly, it's just like boiling salt."
Upon hearing the mention of boiling salt, Sofia's heart skipped a beat: "Could this be salt? I have to try it."
She then dabbed a little powder on her finger and prepared to put it in her mouth, but just as it reached her lips, she remembered where it came from and quickly flicked the powder off her finger into the powder pile.
Ed's lips twitched as he watched Sophia's actions. However, he was somewhat surprised that Sophia knew how to boil salt. Logically, she shouldn't know this. Perhaps Gisela's prescriptions contained a method for boiling salt.
"Alright, now it's time to put it to use. Adelaide, go and get the honey we had left over from last time. Boil the flowers we picked this afternoon in water, then discard the flowers and just use the water. Once you're ready, bring the things to the castle and find us there."
"Yes, Master." Adelaide disappeared in a flash after hearing the word "take the honey."
"Sophia, take these jars up to the castle."
"Yes, my lord," Sophia said, though she was filled with doubt, she was also full of anticipation.
After giving them his instructions, Ed was about to go find a smaller table.
When they arrived at the top of the castle, Adelaide and Sophia were already waiting. Everything was ready except for Ed.
"Adelaide, pour some honey into the water for boiling the flowers, um, use that iron kettle. Yes, stir it again, oh! Don't sneak a sip." Ed was somewhat speechless.
"Sophia, put some water in this big jar. Adelaide, bring that metal can and put it in this jar." Ed pointed to the big jar that Sophia had already filled with water.
Then Ed added some white saltpeter to the large jar. Now all that was left was to wait.
Ed set up the table, which contained only three cups.
"Master, is it ready yet?" Adelaide stared longingly at the jar. She wondered what her master meant by adding that white substance. She had already secretly tasted some; the water was very sweet and had a faint floral fragrance—it was already quite delicious. She unconsciously swallowed.
"Alright, you two, don't do it, I'll pour it."
Ed was worried that the two girls might not know the situation and might get cold if they took it rashly. Ed tried it first and it was fine; the metal can conducted heat well and cooled down well, and the water inside was already quite cold.
The summer moonlight was bright, shining on the teacup that was emitting a slight chill. Ed picked up the teacup and took a sip. The water, with its faint floral fragrance and slightly sweet taste, entered his stomach from his mouth, and instantly a cool sensation spread throughout his body.
Ed couldn't help but shout:
"Comfortable!"