The conversation took longer than expected. The original purpose of the envoys' visit to my territory was not merely to request rescue personnel. Of course, they sought assistance and supplies, but the two envoys were particularly insistent on purchasing the potions I had created. They declared that the price did not matter; they just wanted me to sell them the quantity they desired.
What surprised them the most was that the master potion I had developed was not just a targeted treatment for specific diseases, but could address all types of beastly ailments. They asked me repeatedly if it was true, whether I could assure them of its efficacy, and if I was lying. When I shot back that if they couldn’t believe me they should just leave, they fell silent.
After a long negotiation over the price, I was able to determine a satisfactory amount for the envoys from the Bonus Kingdom and the Malus Kingdom. I kindly offered my final remarks. “The promised quantity will be prepared immediately and transported to the border area. For patients with milder symptoms, it is not necessary to use a full bottle of the potion. Depending on the severity, up to five people can share one bottle, and the effects will still be beneficial.”
“Very well, we will prepare it at once.”
“Please ensure a swift supply. His Majesty will be greatly pleased!”
“Do keep us informed.”
With their objectives achieved, the two envoys returned home with joyful hearts. If our negotiations had failed, they would have likely faced dire consequences upon their return—be it losing their heads or being imprisoned. Knowing the burden they carried, I politely saw them off as per the etiquette demanded.
Just as I thought my hosting duties had concluded, however…
“Lord, a new envoy has arrived from the Sinders Kingdom, but it appears…”
Heiz announced urgently, trailing off as if to suggest that this visitor was not ordinary.
“What is it? What happened?”
“Princess Myra herself has come.”
The woman who was once to be my fiancée had arrived. Myra. Her mere presence suggested a dire situation for the Sinders Kingdom.
“I wonder if it is right to enjoy such fine tea when so many of our people are suffering from the floods right now,” she said, sipping the tea with an expression that hinted at guilt.
“Please do not think you are drinking alone. Enjoy this fine tea to lift your spirits, and spread that positive energy to the people,” I comforted Myra, who seemed half-guilty for enjoying herself.
Although she dressed appropriately for an envoy, it was clear her attire was hastily put together—not the garb of someone who had left the palace, but of someone who had rushed from the flood relief efforts. Her hair looked neglected, her face bore little makeup, and the scars visible on her hands told a story that had nothing to do with nobility. She looked nothing like the last time I had seen her in the Sinders Kingdom.
“I thought we had made all necessary preparations, but the speed at which the plague is spreading is faster than expected,” she lamented.
“Can you tell me more in detail?” I asked.
“The floods and the outbreak of the plague go hand in hand, so we had been preparing diligently. We had stocked a sufficient amount of medicine at first, believing ourselves capable of responding in a timely manner.”
“Where exactly did the problem arise?”
“We evacuated all the people from the flood-affected areas to the outskirts, and isolated the high-risk populations. We could not prevent the outbreak, but we planned to stop the spread.”
“Even so, the spread continued?”
“The route of this spread is unusual. The plague erupted simultaneously in areas unrelated to the floods. And in the wells used by our citizens for drinking water…”
“Remains or bodies that could trigger the plague must have been discovered,” I concluded.
“Exactly. How did you know?”
Creak. I could not contain my anger at her words and clenched my teeth. I had anticipated this, but I never expected such a vile and despicable method would be used amidst a disaster! This was undoubtedly the work of the Umbra Cult. Unlike the shadowy leader Lynx, the vice-leader Cluz was notorious for not hesitating to carry out acts of terror. Having deeply interfered in the internal affairs of the Sinders Kingdom and thwarted the Umbra Cult's plans, it was obvious that they would seek revenge through various means.
There was only one troubling point—they were cruel yet remarkably cunning. Cluz would not carry out schemes within the Kribia territory, where he could be easily tracked. Instead, he orchestrated things in neighboring kingdoms, creating trouble that would influence events from afar.
“This is the doing of the Umbra Cult. There aren’t many organizations capable of systematically perpetrating such terror. Moreover, to know the internal affairs of the Sinders Kingdom….”
“Given that the Umbra Cult cooperated with Pthalyn and Jess Oreb two years ago, they would have gathered ample information,” she noted.
“Yes, indeed. To get to the conclusion, I possess a treatment for the plague. It is known as the master potion, which can handle six major beastly diseases.”
“Is that true? I’ve never heard of such a potion existing before.”
“Well, now you have. You’ve just become the first to learn of it.”
“Ah... so you developed this for the first time, as you did with the Ronella disease treatment?”
“That is correct.”
“I can hardly believe it.”
“Life is a series of surprises, after all. It seems that my diligent study of herbs since childhood is finally bearing fruit.”
I jested. How the treatment was made was not the important part; the real question was how many people could be saved with it. Additionally, another aspect mattered—how much wealth could be garnered from the sale of the master potion. Although I had created it to save lives, I was not doing so just to provide free services.
The Bonus and Malus Kingdoms that had previously visited, as well as the Sinders Kingdom, were all nations with the financial strength to pay for the treatment. Worrying over them was akin to a peasant worrying about a landlord’s harvest during a bad year—utterly unnecessary.
“We are fully prepared to pay for the efforts and struggles you’ve gone through, my lord. Please, sell the medicine to our kingdom. Time is of the essence—our people are dying even as we speak.”
Myra seemed to be controlling her emotions as she spoke. Yet, her eyes were reddened as if she might burst into tears any moment.
“First, I will provide you with seventy percent of the secured quantity. Production will continue, so supplies will be delivered regularly.”
“Seventy percent? Hadn’t you promised to sell to the envoy who visited before I came? They only purchased thirty percent from the two kingdoms!”
“They didn’t show any greed beyond the determined amount. I suppose they don’t intend to distribute the medicine to everyone.”
I replied calmly. King Borines III of the Bonus Kingdom and King Malzaris VIII of the Malus Kingdom were infamous figures in the city of Paradiso. To speak plainly, they lacked the virtue required to care for all their subjects.
The two kings foolishly followed a warped doctrine of divine right that allowed ordinary people below the nobility to be sacrificed as the king saw fit. Having calculated during my earlier negotiations with the envoys, I could see that the promised quantity of their purchases would be woefully insufficient for helping all those in need.
What did that mean? They intended to selectively treat and save only the upper-class nobility. I could already envision the turmoil that would unfold due to the floods and the plague in our territory—specifically, the emergence of refugees.
This had been expected since last year, and I had thoroughly prepared my contingency plans. Yet, one aspect remained lacking—resources. Thus, I aimed to fulfill that critical necessity through the sale of the master potion.
“Does it make sense not to distribute it to everyone?”
“Princess, there are many abnormal people in this world. You are still too naive.”
I delivered a stinging retort to rouse Myra from her naive ideals. Despite her cold, composed demeanor, she appeared naive about the ways of the world. Had she sought help from another kingdom, she could very well have become an easy target to deceive during negotiations.
“I know that, but hearing you confirm it makes me feel embarrassed,” she admitted.
“In any case, Princess, I will provide the treatment without delay. You must, of course, pay the agreed-upon price.”
I made sure to be kind but also adamant about my profits. While the relationship between the Sinders Kingdom and our territory was certainly special, I had no intention of turning it into a personal favor.
“Of course. I have brought ample funds with me.”
“Also, please manage the wells throughout the affected areas closely and assign numerous priesthood members. The Umbra Cult is undoubtedly involved. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they don’t exist.”
“I understand.”
“Since there is an incubation period, the number of patients will continue to rise. I will keep producing treatments, so please send a transport team at any time to collect the medicines. We will also organize a transport team from our territory to the border area.”
“Thank you. On behalf of the people of the Sinders Kingdom, myself, and His Majesty, I truly appreciate your assistance.”
Myra suddenly bowed deeply to me. For a princess to bow to someone was an uncommon occurrence. I felt her sincerity and reciprocated her gesture wholeheartedly.
“Then, shall we see about the payment first?” I said, immediately checking the balance. It was only by confirming the deposit that I could be motivated to work with even more zeal!
Since that day, I invested every moment in the creation of the master potion. At this point, selling the master potion was the best means to accumulate wealth like the goose that lays golden eggs. Although I had secured an automatic production system, the daily output was limited. Manual production could yield over five times the potion compared to the automated process!
Naturally, I decided to halt the automated production and go all in on manual crafting. I had no issue focusing on work for 24 hours since sleep and food were of no concern to me. However, there was only one problem.
“Ha, ha, ha…”
Isabelle, having exhausted herself helping with the master potion's production all day, fell asleep peacefully before me. Her curse magic was essential for the final steps of creating the master potion, and without her, I could not complete the process.
Though I had secured her assistance after promising a nine percent profit share, she could not work as tirelessly as I could, leaving me to watch over her as she fell asleep in between tasks.
I diligently continued to create potions that had not yet undergone curse processing, occasionally checking in on the sleeping Isabelle.
“Isabelle… are you asleep?”
Chapter 84