11 – 11. Resolution
On the day I received Siena’s gift, I headed to the poppy field.
The location was the main garden of the Thames Palace. It was called a garden, but it was just a farm.
According to the contract, it was 31 hectares in size. The vast garden was entirely filled with poppies.
“Truly a crazy idea. To think of filling this entire place with poppies.”
Poppies were inherently pretty flowers. In a previous life, there were grandmothers who often used the excuse, “I grew them because the flowers are so pretty,” when caught growing poppies. Moreover, here, they were managed by skilled gardeners who took care of them meticulously.
But what’s the use if they’re pretty? In the end, the flowers withered, and all that remained was op*ium.
“S-Sir Knight?”
The gardeners, who were extracting sap from poppy fruits, stopped their work and looked at me when they saw me. Despite being gardeners by name, they were all scraping off op*ium with blank expressions.
“Each one seems to be scratching away.”
“We have to finish before the fruits ripen.”
“There’s no need to do that. You can make a hole in the top of the fruit with a needle, partially solidify the liquid inside, and then collect it. This way, you can reduce the loss and save labor. Collect whatever is left in that way.”
“But wouldn’t the efficacy of the medicine decrease?”
“No, it won’t.”
I know.
The gardeners responded with a dry retort, obediently following my instructions. They seemed to be aware that I had inherited ownership from Sienna.
So, it’s really mine now. Finally.
In my previous life, op*ium was worth next to nothing. I remember being able to buy it for around 3.4 million won per kilogram in Afghanistan when it was at its cheapest.
But in this world, the concept of large-scale op*ium cultivation didn’t exist yet. It was just grown on a small scale by individual farmers for personal use.
The op*ium I had already produced was a considerable amount.
“Sir, there are 350 kilograms of raw op*ium in the warehouse.”
“….”
“Shall I show it to you?”
“Yes, please.”
As soon as I gave permission, there were people who brought neatly solidified raw op*ium in a square frame. There were hundreds of black masses with a considerable weight.
“No matter how I dispose of this, it will bring in money.”
The problem was Sienna’s intention behind giving it to me.
Did she really give it to me just as a reward?
“I doubt that.”
Perhaps Sienna’s purpose is to observe how I dispose of op*ium and, if it appears profitable, she will actively engage in the business. Naturally, even then, she would present me as the practitioner.
There were ways to ruin Sienna’s plans.
“It’s because if I dispose of it ignorantly, she’ll be disappointed.”
If I set my mind to it, I could execute it immediately.
“What would you do if I asked you to dispose of all the op*ium here?”
“Well… I would certainly comply. Alan Kyung has instructed us to follow any orders without hesitation.”
“What if I ordered you to export it outside the palace?”
“Yes. Of course.”
At this moment, there was no one to object even if I took it out and sold it bit by bit to numerous hospitals in the system. Or perhaps bury it in the ground altogether to resign Sienna. To declare disinterest in the op*ium business.
But that wasn’t a wise approach.
“If I dispose of op*ium, she will doubt the reason for giving up a large sum of money. Considering her temperament, she’ll try to find out the reason somehow. …And if I dispose of it little by little, it will take too much time and effort.”
Whatever I did, the villainess had already shown interest, and that was irreversible.
With her power, she could establish large-scale farms and manufacturing facilities that could treat op*ium grown in the garden as ‘such.’
It didn’t end with burying it in the ground.
‘What on earth is this nonsense?’
While sighing, I looked at the lump of raw op*ium in my hand.
The unique sweet and pungent fragrance of op*ium tickled my nose.
*
In my heart, I wanted to clean up everything and retire.
However, the Alan Medoff I possessed had far too many commitments.
The number of people killed or turned into idiots was over eighty. The person who massaged beyond the boundaries of indifference numbered in the hundreds.
The facets of the victims were diverse.
Gamblers causing trouble in the gambling den, compulsive debtors and their families who spent and couldn’t repay, and those punished by Sienna, such as beggars and military personnel. It was difficult to estimate how many people held a grudge against me.
Surviving all these years without facing an investigation by the Royal Guards was purely thanks to Sienna’s protection.
But I didn’t want to live my life constantly avoiding Sienna due to a wrongdoing I hadn’t committed.
In fact, that’s why I had requested a leave of over a month with a million dollars. I needed an opportunity to keep a safe distance from Sienna. However, it was complicated due to the op*ium.
“If I stay still, it will continue like this in the future.”
I racked my brain to prevent Sienna’s misdeeds, and she, in turn, used me as a pawn, gradually becoming more malicious. It was a horrifying life just to think about.
Even if I sacrificed my own life, there was no guarantee that it would stop Sienna.
She was a woman who instinctively associated Lemontek without knowing anything. If I tried to block her unconditionally, it might accumulate dissatisfaction, leading to even greater evil deeds later on. Or she might perceive me as an obstruction and try to eliminate me.
In that case, wouldn’t it be more appropriate for me to compromise at this point?
There was no need to ponder extensively to find an alternative.
“When the world points fingers at me, surprisingly, the answer is simple.”
As soon as I got the answer, I headed straight to Sienna’s office.
Sienna was diligent enough to spend a significant amount of time in her office, irritatingly giving various instructions to her subordinates.
Today was no exception. Dressed in a somewhat modest dress for a princess, she was giving instructions to her attendants.
“The charity event hosted by Duke Camberden? Of course, I won’t attend. The emotional scars from the conspiracy Anais raised haven’t healed yet. I won’t set foot outside the Thames Palace until she resigns.”
“Princess Victoria suggested mediating between me and Anais? Judging it as an opportunity to mimic a mediator, I suppose. But why would I accept that? I’ll just politely decline.”
“And releasing people around the academy…”
Roughly following such instructions, I was making efforts to completely subdue the Third Princess and restrain the First Princess.
However, as soon as I appeared, Siena’s gaze turned towards me.
Siena, who had already defeated other attendants as if she expected my appearance, only tilted her chin. Soon, only the two of us were left in the office.
“Alan, did you receive my gift?”
“Yes, I received it.”
Perhaps due to her casual appearance, I suddenly realized how young she looked.
At most, nineteen.
With baby fat still present, she appeared younger than her actual age. Despite being labeled as a villain, there was no hostility in her demeanor. That made her even more formidable.
“Alan, thanks to you, op*ium lost its usefulness. I was hesitant to pass it on to others, considering it was cultivated within the palace rather than on a farm in the outskirts. After thinking about it, your name suddenly crossed my mind. Is it okay?”
“No need to seek understanding. In fact, you have shown me a great favor.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Of course. You even helped with the initial processing for free. With the vacation, I have enough time to dispose of it. I’m just grateful.”
Siena laughed heartily at my words. However, judging from her expression, she seemed curious about many things regarding me.
Before she could speak again, I made a move.
“Your Highness, I know why you gave me op*ium.”
“…Huh?”
“Perhaps you wanted to observe how I dispose of op*ium from a distance. If you found it profitable, you might have considered diving into the business yourself.”
“Why would I go to such lengths just because I find something lacking? I’m just…”
“Then, why did you give it to me?”
“…….”
“His Excellency still owns multiple businesses. Gambling houses, loan companies, farms near the capital, even several merchant ships. However, the profitability of these enterprises can surpass expectations depending on how op*ium is handled.”
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“You seem certain.”
“Yes. And I know ways to maximize profits. The interest in business sparked because of Your Excellency’s gifts is indeed true.”
Sienna’s complexion brightened slightly at my words.
If left undisturbed, it was easy to predict how this woman would respond.
She would probably suggest establishing a company and seriously starting a business. She might generously provide funds and grant some discretion, but in the end, she would want to hold the leash.
“Alright, Alan. If you’re willing to step forward like this, there’s no need for me to beat around the bush. May I propose something?”
As expected, it was going in that direction.
“Please go ahead.”
“As you said, I am interested in the op*ium business. Oh, and also in Silosibin. If you take charge as the manager, I believe I can conduct business more comfortably… What do you think?”
Sienna’s eyes, looking at me after saying this, were filled with anticipation. The faintly remembered cheeks and fidgeting fingers were a bonus.
However, I couldn’t meet that expectation.
“What?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I must decline. I do not wish to be the manager assisting Your Excellency’s business. I already have op*ium, and though not sufficient, I have savings enough to provide initial capital.”
“….”
“I apologize to Your Excellency, but I want to build my own business. A business managed and run by me, bearing my name.”
Sienna’s face, staring at me, began to show unmistakable signs of surprise.
She who had displayed excellent acting skills in front of the Empress was now struggling to control her expression. It must have been something she never imagined would happen.
“Then…are you telling me to just disappear?”
“Why would I do that? If you become the first investor in my business, I will gladly welcome you. Of course, I will also give you dividends later.”
That was his way of telling me to sit quietly and enjoy the profits.
Sienna looked at me in despair.
There was silence for a while…but it didn’t feel uncomfortable.
It was because I had already made up my mind. If something was going to happen anyway, it would be better for me to take control instead of being a villain.
“This way, it will benefit you as well. If I succeed as a businesswoman, won’t you gain a powerful supporter, even without a proper faction?”
“That’s true, but…”
“I will take care of everything. You just need to stay as an investor.”
Of course, spreading dru*gs instead of being a villain wouldn’t make the harm disappear.
But at least fewer people would die, and noticeably so.
That was the best I could do right now.