Chapter 67

Ordin spoke up belatedly. “Madam, that is not allowed.”

“Sorry, this time the opinions of the two of us are diametrically opposed.”

I added firmly, “I think it’s worse for a leader to see the death of his subordinates as the most efficient and quickest option.”

If the ruling class said, “This will kill your family and neighbors a little bit, but it is the most efficient way. Any other way is too difficult and unlikely to succeed,” there is no way people will protest against it.

“We make waves, but the bottom is dragged like a grain of sand.”

“That’s true, but―”

“You can’t help it? But you two know better. Feeling deprived of all options in your life, through no fault of yours. A situation in which someone who is strong takes your life and acts as they please. It’s really fucked up.”

“…….”

The expressions on the faces of the two men who were listening to me became strange. I’m not sure if they agree or disagree.

I looked Rupert straight in the eyes.

“Now we are in a position to stop that. It’s not about who we choose. We’ll find a better way.”

Both were swayed by the strong man’s selfish circumstances in their childhood. There’s no way they can’t understand.

‘If I were the main character in the novel, would I have been able to make a firm decision without being swayed by these emotions?’

But I am not the main character.

However, I do not have the confidence to treat the lives of people lightly, regarding this world entirely as a novel.

So I have no choice but to do as much as I can with the knowledge, conscience, and morals I have.

“I against the battle. This is my opinion.”

“…Noel.”

Rupert, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth. “Unless you come up with an alternative here, everything you just said is nothing more than idealist sophistry.”

You can’t tell what he’s thinking just by his expression.

Did he laugh at my opinion for being soft or did he agree?

“I know.”

I was a little worried because I had to finally convince Rupert.

I was more intimate with him personally than before but I didn’t expect I would so easily cross over into the wider realm.

‘I’m nervous.’

However, the situation is urgent, so I have to pull all the plans forward.

‘Although I can’t guarantee 100% success.’

“It’s not like everyone can start a battle right away anyway.”

“They should be quiet until the founding ceremony held at the imperial palace in at least a month.”

“That’s enough. Please wait a month.”

“What are you planning?”

“In the end, everyone jumps in to make a huge profit. If there is no profit, there is no reason to take risks and fight.”

The reason Miracle Herbs was the goose that laid golden eggs was that it was a monopoly. All you have to do is get rid of that premise.

“I will make a new medicine.”

Looking at the two of them, I declared, “A medicine that can replace the Miracle Herbs.”

***

Rupert got a strange feeling when he saw Noel.

‘She was easy to deal with in the past.’

She was easy to deal with when she was simple and mean. You can deal with her properly and throw her away if she crosses the line.

‘It was meant to be that way from the beginning.’

It wasn’t that he didn’t like it, on the other hand, it was rather good.

They joked with each other, sometimes he was teased, dumbfounded by his wife’s eccentricities, but it was fun.

And sometimes I was comforted.

He liked the way Noel looked into his eyes when while talking.

The action was his wife’s attempt to understand her husband. At least for that moment, everything in her head was his.

It was really, really bad possessiveness.

‘I am not a decent human being.’

He was aware that his mind was twisted.

From the moment he was born, he was deprived of his right to love and hate others. He had no friends, lovers, or even enemies.

All he could do was constantly adjust his behavior so as not to cross the norms of society.

Those around him regarded his disposition as natural coldness, and his subordinates judged him as a determined leader.

No one knows how twisted he is on the inside.

But Noel…….

Well, what does she think of me?

Sometimes she gave a sympathetic look. At the same time, he was afraid and anxious. He was worried that she would find his twisted side, and would run away because of it.

But in the end, he was so sorry that he couldn’t turn away from her completely.

I felt good when I saw her.

Noel was the one who had the most accurate understanding of himself.

Even so, she sincerely believed that he would be able to become a better person; a good parent, a good husband, and a good human being.

Even looking at his positive behavior these days, he seemed convinced that he could even do ordinary love.

‘Actually, I’m not confident.’

The two mindsets were diametrically opposed. Rupert gave up on himself, and Noel believed he could change himself.

Because of that, he tried his best to get back on the right track.

Reality is always bitter. Rupert looked at the blood flowing down his sword.

Because he killed a person, the curse was stabilized.

“It’s all over here.”

“This one too.”

After briefly responding to Bert’s report, Rupert tapped the corpse beneath his feet.

It was the corpse of the black magician he had just killed.

“These days, more and more people are trying black magic.”

The black magicians were originally wizards, but they crossed the forbidden river[1] and touched black magic.

[1] Once you cross the forbidden river, you can’t go back.

Realms that were impossible with normal magic became possible with black magic: ignoring logic and going beyond common sense.

As powerful as it was, the problems it caused were far more serious.

“Is this the place the crown prince told you?”

“Yes.”

Noel thought that Rupert was busy with work at the Ainel estate. But in fact, he had more to do.

“This is enough cooperation.”

He thought there would be no trick to go under anyone, but unexpectedly he was helping the prince.

“Loyalty, isn’t it?”

Rupert briefly recalled the crown prince’s foolish face. He only remembered the scene in his childhood when he was messing around and got stuck between the palace pillars.

‘Loyalty.’

“I don’t have that kind of feeling for that kid.”

Bert shook his head. “You are disloyal.”

“I just have to do my job well.”

“Your biggest drawback is that you are only good at work, master.”

This knight commander was impatient to nag his lord about the importance of human relationships.

“Send some letters and gifts to the madam and young lady who left for the capital in a sensible way.”

“…….”

“You can’t go back to the way you used to work just because the two of them aren’t here. I’m sure you’ll get tired of it.”

Even more annoying was that what he said had some truth.

“…what gift?”

Bert was dumbfounded.

He always spat out nagging like he was breathing, but his master didn’t even bother to listen. This was the first time he had responded to his nagging.

He was so moved that he couldn’t continue his words.

“Oh….”

Rupert, noticing what his subordinate was thinking, spat out ferociously. “Damn it, I shouldn’t have asked. Don’t say anything.”

“No, this is, should this be designated as an anniversary?”

“You’re fired.”

“Huh, let’s pick someone to replace me.”

“…….”

Rupert gave up and turned around. The subordinate followed him and continued talking incessantly.

“Material things like jewelry and dresses are great, but so are intangible gifts.”

“Noisy.”

“It’s not bad to have a good time with family in the capital. Memories are also a gift.”

“…….”

Even after that, Rupert went on silently without any reply. But Bert had no doubt that Rupert would remember these words.

He smiled as he looked at his master’s back.

***

After convincing Rupert and Ordin, I immediately set out for the Ainel Mansion in the capital.

In order to carry out the plan, it was necessary to go ahead and complete the preparations.

For that reason, I entrusted all the preparations for the ball at the founding ceremony to the maids, and I started in earnest by renovating the warehouse next to the mansion.

First, after confirming the presence or absence of sensitivity, blue mold was cultured in corn steep liquor.

‘I didn’t expect to do something like this.’

Fortunately, it’s not very difficult. I heard that the conditions for growing blue mold are difficult, but it was not difficult because Shuna, the wizard, controlled the temperature.

There was no problem with getting the necessary things because there was money, and the servants helped with the work that needed strength.

‘I’m glad I’m a lady from a rich family.’

It is not an aspiration to mass-produce penicillin in this warehouse.

What I’m making now is simply to use to convince the Opion family’s pharmacists. I just wanted to let them know that there is a new possibility.

It wasn’t bad that there were rumors that a medicine with the same efficacy as the Miracle Herbs would soon be produced. The fact that there is price competition with the new medicine alone creates a ripple effect.

Time passed quickly after such a hectic time.