19 – 19. Victoria
The military headquarters overseeing matters related to the Empire’s military.
Princess Victoria was seated in her office within that building, her back straight, hands placed on her knees in a posture of perfect composure.
For hours, she maintained this position without any sign of disturbance, to the extent that someone unfamiliar might mistake it for a form of punishment.
Naturally, she wasn’t doing this without reason.
“I’ve been too complacent.”
What tormented her were the horrific scenes witnessed at the military hospital.
Patients screaming while begging for morphine, and others gulping down a concoction made from poisonous herb roots instead of morphine.
Although she had visited the military hospital dozens of times out of encouragement, such scenes were unprecedented.
It wasn’t just for show. While displaying her influence, she had actively supported the hospital to ensure its proper functioning.
Seasonal supplies were provided, occasional bonuses were given to military officials, and she had even allocated part of her princess’s allowance to supplement operational costs. Thanks to this, the military hospital boasted superior facilities compared to others.
I thought I had done enough…
But now, I realize the environment was far from adequate.
Hospital rooms crammed with fifty critically ill patients, beds tightly packed together, and a medical staff insufficient to care for all the patients. Why did I only realize this harsh reality now?
“It was just my own delusion that it was enough.”
If I had paid a little more attention, I could have noticed the shortcomings earlier. Why did I overlook them so carelessly?
In contemplation, Victoria unconsciously clenched her fist.
“Your Highness!”
A man, dressed in a splendid red coat and in his mid-years, couldn’t stand watching her pitifully. He raised his voice as if unable to contain himself.
Hayden, Victoria’s uncle and an active-duty army general, was the one addressing her.
He, responsible for official affairs in place of his busy niece, had become even busier after the sudden downfall of Princess Anais. He had to manage the nobles flocking to line up for Victoria’s favor.
“Your Highness, it’s not something you should worry about.”
“On what grounds does Uncle say that?”
“It’s natural for patients with broken limbs and gunshot wounds to suffer from pain. …Of course, measures should be taken. But compared to any hospital in the empire, the military hospital’s facilities are quite good. It’s common to see hospitals cluttered with messy beds and patients with disabilities.”
“The patients in the military hospital are not disabled; they are active-duty soldiers.”
“……”
“As I was leaving the hospital, I saw nine patients being transported. All of them had lost their ankles due to traps set by elves. Nowadays, those cunning folks even smear trap wires with poison.”
“Pain naturally fades with time.”
“No, do not make such rash assertions.”
Despite Victoria’s warning, her uncle only smirked.
Understandably so, as the Waldpol family, her maternal relatives, were a prestigious lineage even in the empire. They held shares in the cornerstone mine and produced numerous generals. Even if someone was injured, they could seek treatment from a saintly woman, so there was no need for suffering in their household.
Victoria, who had been staring at Wesuk for a while, spoke again.
“Wesuk, actually, when I was in my first year at the Academy, I had an accident while training in horseback riding.”
“Your Highness, why…?”
“At that time, both of my legs were broken. It was the first time I saw my own bones. I was so shocked that I even fainted, but when I woke up a little later, the wounds had disappeared. It was thanks to the Academy Chancellor, who personally teleported the Saint to treat me.”
“……”
“In the end, I haven’t even experienced the pain properly. Wesuk won’t be much different. I believe we shouldn’t speak casually about matters we don’t know.”
Victoria didn’t believe that everyone should enjoy equal benefits of treatment.
After all, only the three chosen Saints could wield divine power.
Even though the Empire was the most prosperous nation on the continent, it was mostly unable to enjoy the benefits, with only one Saint incorporated into the system. Moreover, it was said that even the Saint’s abilities would spread if she treated two or three severely injured individuals in succession.
Yes, reality couldn’t be helped. But…
“At least relieving the pain is my responsibility.”
“So, the method is morphine… I see.”
“We need to introduce it officially. I became certain after seeing the patients at the military hospital today. And when I think about it, it’s something that is needed not only in hospitals but also in the operational areas.”
“But if we do that, what about the Second Princess… Ah, no.”
It seemed like she wanted to express her concern about Sienna benefiting from Alan Maydoff’s morphine business.
Victoria also understood Wesuk’s feelings.
If Alan Maydoff were to rise in fame through the morphine business, Sienna’s power would also increase. It was definitely not a beneficial thing to support that terrifying child.
But Victoria’s determination remained unchanged.
“I have already made up my mind.”
“But didn’t the human named Alan say he wouldn’t give up the business? Where did you find someone to sell morphine?”
“I will persuade Alan Maydoff myself.”
“……”
Did Victoria sense that I had made up my mind? Uncle didn’t interfere either. Judging by his expression, it seemed like he had a lot to say.
“Well, I’m not without worries.”
Siena’s right arm. Did Alan Maydoff, who was treated as trash even among the knights, really create morphine for the empire, for the injured soldiers, and to elevate the honor of the fallen lord in the slums?
It seemed likely, given the circumstances, but I wasn’t at the stage of certainty yet. Especially considering the price of morphine.
“It’s my duty to confirm his sincerity.”
In fact, Victoria’s position wasn’t jeopardized by pretending not to know the patients screaming in the military hospital. Would the patients really cause a riot? They would calm down somehow after a week. Probably.
But what was important now wasn’t the competition with my siblings.
Victoria’s goal was to secure essential medicine that would greatly alleviate the suffering of the soldiers on the front lines.
“Because it will eventually become my strength.”
For that, she was willing to endure a certain level of sacrifice. No, it wasn’t something that should be brushed off as sacrifice.
She decided to take action immediately.
**
I knew Victoria wouldn’t be able to withstand the pressure for much longer and would take matters into her own hands. I thought she would demand to meet the conditions as soon as possible.
…But I didn’t expect it to happen like this.
“Sir Alan. I apologize for visiting at such a late hour.”
It was past 1 a.m. when Victoria, accompanied by officers and guards, came to my house.
She came without notice while I was contemplating how to decorate the Silosybin cultivation badge. I heard the sound of a carriage and when I looked out, I saw a carriage with the royal crest, so I hurriedly rushed out and showed respect.
“I don’t know why you came with this thought, not yet.”
The lady with a stoic expression and golden blond hair, her blue eyes unreadable. Perhaps due to the early morning, she appeared somewhat tired.
“…Sir Allen, to clarify, I did not propose the medal to steal the recipe for morphine. It was merely a surprise to discover your exceptional skills in herbalism. I thought there was someone else involved. But it is true that I provided an opportunity.”
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“Your Highness, I…”
“I regret it. It was an offer made with good intentions, but upon reflection, it could have been easily misunderstood.”
“…”
I couldn’t tell if I misunderstood her intentions or if Victoria was being elusive.
Either way, she didn’t come to explain herself. Perhaps she wanted to lighten the mood and initiate a formal negotiation?
It was a sudden turn of events, but it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. I waited for her proposal while recalling the conditions of the deal I had already considered.
However, after a while, an unexpected question was posed.
“Sir Allen, I heard that you produced medicine for the wounded soldiers. However… I have some doubts about believing it at face value.”
“Please ask your question. I will respond.”
“I found out that the dosage per administration was extremely minimal. Of course, in a military hospital, precise measurements can be achieved with sophisticated scales. But I believe it is impossible in the field. Isn’t that right?”
“That is correct.”
“What happens if a patient abuses morphine? For example, if they consume twenty times the recommended dosage you have set…”
“They would die. Or it could be worse than death.”
“How did you plan to address this issue? Have you considered it?”
She suddenly asked such a question. Victoria’s expression was too serious to brush it off casually. I should respond politely.
“As funds become available, I intended to create pills.”
“Pills?”
“Yes. By using ingredients unrelated to the efficacy, such as starch, we can create pills that are very easy to handle. Even non-professionals can administer them, reducing the risk of overdose. Of course, strict management would be necessary.”
After that response, there was a moment of silence.
Did I get the answer I wanted? Victoria had a relieved expression on her face.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she murmured, “This person was sincere.” Her eyes opened again after some time had passed.
“Allan.”
“Yes, please.”
“…At one point, you followed the orders of Siena and did terrible things. And it seems that you studied herbal medicine to make up for those mistakes. As a result of your efforts, you were able to treat the Empress and create morphine.”
“…”
“I didn’t recognize your true intentions and foolishly ignored you. I even misunderstood that you were trying to steal the recipe. That was clearly my mistake.”
The situation where the Empire’s princess admits her own mistake and reflects on it.
This alone was an exceptional event, but it didn’t end here.
After staring at me for a while, Victoria finally got to the point.
“I want to give you a chance to make up for that mistake.”
“Your Highness.”
“In that case, I will use all my abilities to open the path of amnesty for you. I’m not proposing this to escape the immediate crisis. The Imperial Army needs your morphine.”
Explanation, apology, proposal.
Victoria, who conveyed her intentions, waited for my response with a smile.
It was a situation that I hadn’t anticipated.