31 – 31. Mistrust
Disgusting things. Do you think I’m unaware of your schemes?
Princess Anais Kallayl looked at Alan sitting in front of her indifferently.
Alan Maydof, the CEO of Maydof Pharmaceuticals and a royal bodyguard.
Born from a fallen noble family, not particularly better than most wealthy people, entered the academy at seventeen, consistently excelled in academics throughout school, and had a relatively uneventful personal life. Not even a minor disciplinary record.
Then, after graduating, he became a guard in Siena, leading to a full-fledged descent into corruption.
“He’s just like a tool.”
From Noble mtl dot com
If he had served a proper lord, he would have built a career as an ordinary elite. Unfortunately, he had the misfortune of being chosen by the trash that is Siena.
Surprisingly, the only thing notable about him was his knowledge of pharmacology.
It didn’t matter where he learned it. Perhaps he self-taught to gain favor from Siena.
Seeing Siena, who usually torments everyone, treating him with such favor as a fellow businessman, there was definitely something special about him.
When Alan suddenly came, even Anais couldn’t fathom his intentions.
Pointing out the health risks of syrup, a guy whose specialty is killing people, worries about the lives of ordinary people whose faces he doesn’t even know. He even takes care of Anais herself, who can be considered static. There has never been such an adventure.
At first, I thought this guy suddenly lost his mind, honestly.
‘But now I can guess.’
Alan was clearly worried that the syrup might take over the market.
After building credibility through military contributions, he must have planned to enter the civilian market and make money. It must be tough now with the sudden appearance of syrup. That’s probably why he ran all the way here with his body burning.
Honestly, even considering only the price competitiveness, it was on a different level.
1 gram of morphine for 1,000 dollars, and 0.3 liters of syrup for 79 dollars.
The dosage and efficacy are different, but for most people, the latter would feel more attractive. Unlike morphine, which can only be used for severe patients, syrup is useful even for mild cold patients.
‘I bet it was scary for me to regain power with syrup.’
There were already greetings approaching her, capturing the potential of syrup.
The recently visited Academy of Magic Dean, Bobby Duncan, was a typical example.
Despite often asking for money around, he was a legitimate noun. So, Anais also sold him a small stake and made him an ally.
It was natural to keep them in check, from their perspective.
Of course, Anais had no intention of stopping. Why did she start this business in the first place?
If Sienna and Alan feel a sense of crisis because of the syrup, she should rather push forward. That way, she could induce them to make a desperate move.
“Anything else to say?”
Anais clenched her fist and taunted Alan. She wanted to hear what that person, who failed to achieve his purpose, was muttering.
“Nothing more, Princess Anais.”
“…He retreats more cleanly than I thought.”
“If your determination for the business is so firm, isn’t stopping a breach of etiquette? And I’ve realized that whatever I say doesn’t reach Princess Anais. Because you’ve already decided not to believe, Your Highness.”
“Does it sound like sarcasm?”
“I hope not. I just have one thing to ask. Why do you choose to heed only the warnings about the Deadly Nightshade while doubting my goodwill?”
A straightforward question. Anais was ready to answer willingly.
“I’ve told you, I believe in your abilities. If you consistently lie 100%, then I might not believe. So, did you mix in some truth with your words?”
A disappointed sigh escaped Alan Medov at this response.
It was quite impolite behavior for dealing with a noble, but there was no intention to point it out. Arguing over etiquette at this point would be childish.
However, Anais couldn’t help but think that Alan, that human, was exceptionally talented. At first glance, it seemed as if he was genuinely disappointed that the negotiations might fail. From the time of Silovin, she had recognized his acting skills, surpassing even most actors.
“He’s definitely a talented individual. On the wrong side.”
Fortunately, this time, they only gathered useful information and didn’t get entangled in their schemes. They would have to be more cautious in the future.
“I hope you stop here.”
“Yes. However, Third Princess Anais, when you find yourself in a predicament someday, I hope you remember the words I’ve spoken this time. There was a chance to end it amicably, but Princess Anais chose to overlook it herself. Please keep that in mind.”
Having said that, Alan left the office. Truly, he was not someone who seemed human.
…
However, after the negotiations ended, Anais felt a subtle bitterness.
“I overlooked an opportunity?”
Was he intentionally trying to unsettle us?
Or maybe it was a prelude to making us regret soon. We couldn’t just stand by and watch as the enemy prospered.
From now on, he had a high possibility of using all kinds of machinations, instigations, and dirty tricks to eliminate the Deadly Nightshade.
“I should be prepared. There are things that wouldn’t be strange even if I secretly mixed poison into the Deadly Nightshade and distributed it.”
As much as the opponent was an opponent, some minimum safety measures had to be taken.
Anais briefly pondered before recalling Mrs. Chandelier.
A presence leading the success of the health syrup with a warm smile and charming eloquence.
She mentioned that she was currently arranging for a skilled artisan to create a poster featuring her face. Did she say she would even produce woodcuts and print them as needed? Perhaps due to the thriving business, Mrs. Chandelier seemed delighted.
It’s only right to repay that effort.
Anais immediately called the workshop foreman.
“Mrs. Chandelier’s husband was a soldier, right?”
“Yes. He’s discharged now, but he used to be a sergeant in the Guards.”
“That’s fine. Hire him as the factory security supervisor. Offer a generous salary. It’s better than him idling at home.”
“Are you suggesting him as a security supervisor? A person who is old and uneducated…?”
“Do as I say. Oh, if possible, hire their children too.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Anais had given Mrs. Chandelier’s husband the opportunity for reemployment.
And now, she decided to give Mrs. Chandelier herself a fitting position as an executive in the factory she acquired for syrup production, registered under the name ‘Gordon LeNoux Corporation.’
“That should do it.”
Anais sighed as she picked up a syrup bottle.
Health syrup containing op*ium, henbane root extract, belladonna, alcohol, and more.
Though she planned to exclude henbane root from now on, it seemed that consumers wouldn’t notice a change in perceived effects. Just a bit more op*ium and belladonna should suffice. She felt a sense of accomplishment, having addressed the weaknesses using Allan.
“Now it begins.”
Anais’s revenge plan was progressing successfully once again today.
At least she, the involved party, believed so.
**
Negotiations failed. If there was any achievement I reaped, it was only one.
The removal of the deadly hemlock ingredient from the health syrup.
Wouldn’t the number of people miserably dying, unaware of English, decrease significantly? The count of pitiful individuals suffering severe eye pain and hallucinations, as if their eyeballs were being gouged out, would also diminish.
Of course, with op*ium and mandrake alone, people could become fools. It’s just that the number of people receiving a hasty death would decrease.
In a way, debugging the health syrup seemed like my revenge, but it didn’t matter.
If left alone, it could be sold for the next 50 or 100 years, but I had no intention of leaving it in that state.
It was not because I was worried about the future of the empire but because if left unchecked, Anais might truly grow into a monster and even threaten me.
Sending her away at this point was the best option.
“No need to hesitate. It’s still selling now.”
The next morning. As soon as I finished my contemplation, I headed straight to Sienna.
“Alan? It seems talking won’t do the trick after all, huh?”
Crimson eyes stared at me intensely. Judging by my expression, it seemed she was certain that the negotiations had failed.
Silently nodding my head, I confirmed it, and she even smirked as if she expected it.
“I haven’t been idle while you were negotiating. No matter how I think about it, I saw no chance for dialogue. Do you want to hear a good idea?”
“Please go ahead.”
“It’s simple. Lay down your cards.”
Sienna said this and then looked at me with an expression that said, “You know it, don’t you?”
A mischievous glint sparkled in her small face, and her straight, silver eyebrows twitched faintly. I could guess what she was thinking.
“We’re releasing a product targeting the civilian market. Are you considering mixing morphine into the syrup by any chance?”
“Anyway, morphine is more superior in terms of efficacy.”
He’s trying to create original genuine syrup. Seeing them influence each other, they were indeed sisters.
Fortunately, the good thing was that she wasn’t seriously urging it. She probably knows it would provoke my resistance. Even if Anais only becomes as powerful as the current Sienna, that would be more than enough.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. If you do such a thing, Lady Sienna and her sister will both fall.”
“Is that so? Too bad.”
Contrary to the response, there was no disappointment visible in Sienna’s expression. Perhaps the word ‘fall’ had a comforting aspect for her.
“If done well, even deprivation of inheritance… and a pension could be possible?”
Seeing her muttering like this, Sienna seemed to be thinking about the deprivation of inheritance and a pension.
Just that much. The child was more innocent than I thought. The deprivation of inheritance was nothing compared to the surgical estimate I gave.
“I’m sorry, but the situation can’t be resolved with just that. Stronger measures are needed to stop the Third Princess.”
“It’s good, but is it possible? With something like this.”
“We will make it possible from now on.”
Together with Her Highness.
At my words, a slight trace of laughter disappeared from Sienna’s face. It seemed like she realized it wasn’t a tense or precarious situation.
Thinking it was a good thing, I opened my mouth again.
From Noble mtl dot com
It was to explain how to send Anais away.