29 – Efficacy
Madame Chandler’s health syrup.
A syrup devised with the intention of benefiting colleagues who have endured the hardships under the care of a seasoned pharmacist with 40 years of experience.
It was initially at risk of being consumed discreetly only among those working in the palace, gradually fading away, but… thanks to the investment from the third princess with foresight, this medicinal concoction made its appearance in the world. At least, that was the public knowledge.
The health syrup began to seep into the lives of ordinary citizens.
Quietly but swiftly.
Without discriminating based on gender, age, or occupation.
“Thanks to the health syrup, our marital relationship has improved. You see, my wife used to be a delicate one, coughing all day when a chilly breeze blew. I came home after working for twelve hours, and if my wife was unwell, how would I feel?
“Once I scolded her for pretending to be sick, my wife would nag, and watching that was no way to live. …But thanks to the health syrup, my wife regained her vitality. No more coughing, and her complexion has improved.”
“Some say they feel tingling in their hands and feet, and their hearts race after taking the syrup, but it’s actually good. Really good! It feels like the blood is flowing well, making you feel healthy, you know?”
There was a man praising the efficacy of the syrup, tightly holding Madame Chandler’s hand.
Now, he tearfully recounted his lamentations, saying he can finally taste the flavor of life, and Madame Chandler simply received it with a benevolent smile.
“A harmonious marriage brings smiles to the children’s faces. You have to get along well, right?”
Sharing such warm words.
The man looked at Madame Chandler with an expression of deep gratitude, as if she were his savior in life.
“Thank you, Madame Chandler…!”
Of course, not forgetting to purchase an additional bottle of health syrup, stating that one must always have enough of it as a standby remedy.
Besides him, there were several others praising the syrup.
“I’ve had my pride wounded at the hospital more than once. I want to explain my various pains, but those doctor fellows just listen indifferently and end up prescribing some herbal tea with a few herbs mixed in. That’s the end of the consultation!”
But with just one bottle of health syrup, everything is resolved!
Better than a doctor!
There were elderly people who criticized doctors for being rude and lacking skills while shamelessly boasting about their health.
“I just eat it because it tastes good?”
Some simply used it as a sweetener.
While ordinary syrups were overly sweet and had a cheap taste, the logic was that health syrups were subtly sophisticated.
Though each had a different reason, those who had tasted health syrup generally expressed favorable emotions.
Health syrup was gradually captivating the hearts of citizens.
…
And amidst observing this success, there was someone with a gentle smile.
A woman with a generous figure. Mrs. Chandelier was in charge of selling health syrup. It had been barely four days since she started. Initially, she was mostly just wandering around without any intention of making a sale.
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Mrs. Chandelier smoothly blended in some flattery to turn their hearts.
It wasn’t difficult. After spending around 40 years in the palace, lies naturally clung to one’s lips. Of course, they were lies with good intentions to consider others’ feelings.
“This is also a lie with good intentions.”
Whether it worked or not, now there was a line of customers. The situation even led to minor conflicts today due to its popularity.
“Hey, kid! Where do you think you’re subtly squeezing in?”
“Did you cut in line…? Well, even so, don’t just curse without any warning.”
“You deserve it, so shut up and step aside.”
“You bastard, do you even know who you’re talking to? Come out!”
Because of the brawl, two men exchanged blows. It seemed like a physical fight could break out at any moment. The surrounding area echoed with a collective murmur.
Even Mrs. Chandelier had never experienced such an incident.
“They must really want the syrup, huh?”
Mrs. Chandelier looked at the two men with satisfaction, without much surprise.
Of course, she had no intention of letting them fight.
Whether it was for themselves or their families, these guests were willing to endure even standing in line to buy syrup. It was the health syrup known to be made by her. Fighting over a shortage, even when they got along well, was not acceptable.
“Everyone, do you think I won’t sell syrup to those who fight?”
At these words, the dispute immediately stopped, and customers chuckled as they got back in line.
The commotion was sorted out in an instant.
Indeed, people’s feelings towards the syrup were genuine. Mrs. Chandelier affectionately looked at the customers patiently waiting for their turn.
Originally, it all started because of Princess 3’s orders and rewards.
However, receiving compliments from customers and watching people happily accept syrup bottles with her name on them were rewarding experiences.
‘Maybe business is in my blood.’
Mrs. Chandelier felt a surge of enthusiasm.
“One more bottle!”
The health syrup sold even faster than the day before.
Unbeknownst to her, there might come a time soon when business would be unnecessary.
**
At this rate, it might not be just the syrup that succeeds.
As she watched the health syrup being sold, something came to mind. Naturally, it was ‘Lady Winslow’s Genuine Syrup.’
Syrup made with op*ium and morphine as main ingredients. Since the mid-19th century, it had been a commodity sold like crazy in the United States and Europe for a whopping 60 years.
It was said to be stocked as a household remedy in almost every home. The number of people who died because of this syrup was impossible to count.
Of course, if you considered only the medicinal effect, it was different from health syrups.
The soothing syrup focused on the pain-relieving and calming effects. It was intended to be fed to crying babies to lull them to sleep like angels. In reality, they didn’t fall asleep but fell into a state of unconsciousness, wandering through a different world.
On the other hand, health syrup had the efficacy of increasing the heartbeat and promoting blood circulation, thanks to the third ingredient, realgar.
Realgar itself had a very strong medicinal effect. Compared to what could be concocted with it, it might be cute, but that’s saying something.
The number of people entering eternal slumber due to excessive tranquility didn’t seem to decrease.
Anais probably didn’t know why realgar was added, but for most people, it seemed to give a feeling of “getting healthier.”
Blood circulated well, fatigue decreased, and pain disappeared? It could only feel like magic.
“It’s even stranger not to buy this.”
However, apart from the medicinal effects, the human body could not help but accumulate burdens.
The human body was not strong enough to withstand the cocktail of op*ium, strychnine, and realgar.
Even if you were not abusing it or taking it for a long time, if you were weak, you could be hooked. If you were a healthy adult, there might be no harm to life… but since it wasn’t managed like a military hospital with a strict schedule for medication and administration, the risk was the same.
The somewhat fortunate thing was that it hadn’t reached the stage of popularization yet.
“Mr. Alan, it seems there is a shortage of supply.”
It was a report from Draghead, who recently joined the Siena cartel. Originally following Anais, he was now monitoring the former owner.
“Yes, that’s understandable. There must be limits to the amount produced in one factory.”
“Yes, sir. We had people monitoring the factory all day, and it is estimated that more than four thousand bottles are shipped a day. Even with workers pouring in day and night, it seems inadequate to handle the demand.”
Supply shortage hit as soon as he appeared.
Four thousand bottles a day. The production was not only insufficient to dye the empire, but also fell far short of the system.
The health syrup has not yet spread to the point of no return, but it seems like there isn’t much time left.
“However… Alan Kye. The people sent by Lady Anais are making contact with substantial candy factories and syrup factories located near the capital, even in other states. It seems like they’re not just trying to acquire, but also to commission production.”
The Third Princess was already preparing for increased production, and she was doing it quite openly.
Since the manufacturing process was remarkably simple, health syrup could be produced in candy factories or caramel factories without much difficulty.
Once the factory owners learned about the potential of health syrup, they would willingly become allies of Anais. Even if they could earn just one more dollar.
“When that commotion arises, the contamination of the entire nation will happen in an instant.”
It was uncertain when the prosperity would end once it started.
Just looking at the genuine syrup from my past life could give a hint. Despite being prohibited for sale by the U.S. federal government in the early 20th century and discouraged from consumption by medical associations, it continued to be sold for over 20 years.
In an era where every literate adult man subscribed to newspapers, and commercial radios were widely distributed, such events occurred.
The reason was speculated. Probably because it was convenient to consume. For most pains, a simple solution was to have a few sips of it.
Moreover, in this place…
It was even harder to speculate.
If left alone, it might really continue to sell for a hundred years. Soon, imitation products would emerge. Since sugar was expensive, there might be someone mixing op*ium into corn syrup, or someone focusing on marijuana.
“I have to prevent it. Absolutely.”
Even though the future was clear, I couldn’t just leave it be. If the country fell apart in that way, I wouldn’t be free from the aftermath.
There were several methods that came to mind.
But peacefully stopping it was absolutely impossible. It was because more than one or two people were already fascinated by the health syrup.
It couldn’t be simply left unattended. Although the harm might be minimized, I couldn’t be confident about that. When I thought about how this situation came about, it felt even more so.
Still, I have to block it. Even if it’s for my sake.
However, there was something to do just before jumping into the mud puddle.
“I should meet Anais at least once.”
I had to give the third princess a chance to step back on her own.
Even though I’ve fallen into the dru*g trade now, if it weren’t for me, the woman would have been enjoying happy days at the academy.
It was reasonable to try negotiating at least once. Once the fight started, it couldn’t end with simple measures like ‘forfeiting the succession right.’
If I wanted to comfortably use poison, I needed to be prepared.
…
I asked Siena to arrange a meeting with the third princess.
“Will she listen? Isn’t it better to just think about how to kill me together?”
Siena’s reaction was also sarcastic.
I had a similar thought, but meeting was still beneficial. Meeting Anais in person would make it easier to estimate the cost of the surgery.
“It’s necessary.”
Upon notifying again, I finally got a response that she would help.
This would be the first and last opportunity for the third princess Anais.