Chapter 185
Chapter 185: Master of the Trade Route (22)
After speaking with the Saint.
That night, I met Echina and Helena after work.
At Yekaterina Kitchen, run by Archduke Harris.
“You’re going to pour your entire fortune into deceiving Eric?”
“Absolutely not!!”
The two Grand Duke’s daughters shouted almost in unison.
“You’ve been saving that money so diligently to become a baron.”
“Land prices in Nord keep going up. If you blow all that money here, you might never be able to get your hands on a territory.”
Echina, who was well-versed in real estate, chimed in.
She knew the market prices for Nord’s lands and buildings very well.
“Just borrow money from me instead. I’ve saved up a lot too.”
“We can lend you money on our side as well. If it’s you, we’ll offer a reasonable interest rate.”
I stared at the two of them, who were so eager to lend me money.
With the wary eyes of a wild animal sensing something suspicious.
‘What is this? It feels like they’re trying to put me in their debt.’
There was a strange expectation gleaming in their eyes.
As if they were about to make a secret offer while dangling a juicy bait in front of me.
“It’s alright. I don’t need it.”
When I firmly refused, the expressions of the two predators froze like stone statues.
“If I go to Eric after borrowing money from you two, like he’d ever believe me.”
I told the waiter we were fine, then continued speaking as I personally poured their tea.
“He’ll probably think the two Grand Duke’s daughters supported me just to help trick him.”
“That’s definitely true…”
Helena, arms crossed, coldly agreed.
Admitting her shortsightedness, she gently closed her blue eyes beneath her golden hair.
“This matter has to be carried out without your involvement. As if the eldest son and I plotted it in secret.”
The two of them soon understood my intention and sipped their tea.
They shifted to quietly listening to my plan.
“I intend to invest all my personal funds, excluding the operating expenses of the Erian Foundation. That should be about 8 billion gold.”
Eight billion.
Compared to the countless events that had unfolded so far, it wasn’t a large sum.
But all of those had been business funds.
For a single person to possess 8 billion gold—only the very top tier of nobles could manage that.
And throwing away such an immense amount—
“I’ll invest 5 billion gold into the stockpile of the pneumonia drug Anes, and 3 billion into factories and transport costs. That should be quite the help for him.”
“With that kind of capital, Eric could definitely expand the scale of his business.”
Echina, apparently well aware of the eldest son’s ambitions, added her thoughts.
Her reflection shimmered on the surface of her teacup.
She seemed to be wondering why I would help him by sacrificing my entire fortune.
In truth, with 8 billion…
Even without any clear accomplishments, I could secure a baron’s title by donating to the royal family.
“You said you’d have him manufacture a bunch of the new drug and let it get tied up as unsellable stock, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then how are you going to stop the distribution of the medicine?”
Helena chimed in on Echina’s question.
“As long as the Medical Association is on Eric’s side, it’s highly likely the safety inspections will be passed easily.”
“If the alchemists agree too, then it’s basically confirmed. The royal family knows less than either group when it comes to medicine, so they’d go along with it.”
With both professional unions in agreement, the royal family would have no grounds to refuse.
“You’re right. That’s why, before I cozy up to those two associations, I plan to bring in someone else first.”
I set my teacup down and pulled a ticket from the inner pocket of my suit jacket.
On that ticket...
There was the name of a famous singer both of them knew.
“That place won’t be shaken no matter what the two associations say.”
“This person…”
Echina and Helena both furrowed their brows at the same time.
The name written on the ticket I handed them—
It was Cindy, one of the children Bennett Tolkien had once evacuated.
“She’s currently so popular that her influence reaches across the entire Northern Kingdom. And she has a medical foundation dedicated to treating war orphans.”
I handed them a proposal I had prepared using knowledge of the future.
The Grand Duke’s daughters checked the contents with serious expressions.
“Right now, her medical foundation holds significant sway in the kingdom that lost the war to the Empire. I’m going to send them samples of Anes.”
The foundation, upon receiving Anes, would immediately begin testing the drug.
Once side effects were confirmed, the medicine would likely be banned throughout the entire kingdom.
If another country uncovered the problem with the drug first and announced it—
Eric, who tried to distribute the medicine in advance to make an obscene profit, would take a serious hit.
And since I invested the money, I would be able to confront him as well.
“If Cindy, who’s genuinely devoted to the children, bans the medicine, you’re planning to report it widely through Gold Morning, right?”
The Grand Duke’s daughter of the North, now sharp enough to infer three steps ahead from a single word.
I almost reflexively patted her crown in praise.
“Alright, then I’ll have to help too, somehow.”
She rose from her seat.
Then, staring intently at the blonde Helena seated across from her...
“You have at least one villa in the West, don’t you?”
She asked with a completely different tone from when she spoke to me.
“Of course I do. Why?”
“If we disappear from here, Roger will be able to move more freely, right? It’ll make it easier for him to stick close to Eric.”
Helena looked up at the dark-haired knightess with an exasperated expression.
She didn’t know why it had to be in their Western region of all places, but since the logic was sound, she stood up as well.
“Roger.”
As if preparing to leave, the two of them put on their coats and uniform jackets.
When I looked up at them…
“Are you planning to settle in Nord as soon as this competition is over?”
They subtly asked about my plans for the future.
“Most likely. My family’s hometown is in Nord, after all.”
Echina gave a soft chuckle.
Then, crossing her arms, she spoke.
“If I become the Grand Duke, I’ll build you a mansion—so don’t worry.”
“…Pardon?”
Echina gave a noble, queen-like smile with her eyes.
Realizing this, Helena’s gaze briefly turned sulky like that of a lioness.
“I’ll prepare the territory. I’ve already invested in quite a bit of land in Nord.”
No matter how much I had helped them, I couldn’t possibly accept such a huge reward.
In the first place, they were born entrepreneurs. There had to be some other scheme at play…
“Thank you… even just for saying that.”
I smiled and responded politely, saying I understood for now.
「――――――」
A few days later.
In Royal Luton, a city three hours away from the Angde Plains—
Archduke Eric, seated in his office, was deep in thought.
“Phew…”
At present, he had recklessly expanded his business, causing numerous ventures to unfold simultaneously.
Through his construction company, Luton Construction, and his commercial enterprises, he was managing to cover the transaction costs—but it was a considerable stretch.
“Roger… Damn it, of all people, he had to boost Echina’s standing just to devour her later…”
The more achievements Echina accumulated, the more pressure he felt regarding the test his father had given him.
That was why he had been pouring a huge sum into this trade route development project.
“……”
He tapped his fingers on the desk in his office, waiting for a particular report.
A new business venture that could neatly resolve his current situation.
The report from Luton Pharmaceuticals.
――――――
Soon, the office door opened, and a man walked in.
A blond young man—Tobang, the Archduke’s current official secretary.
He gave a polite bow and handed Eric the report he had received from Luton Pharmaceuticals.
“Your Grace, Luton Pharmaceuticals has sent their projected performance report.”
“Alright, let’s take a look.”
The silver-haired man read through the contents with sharp eyes.
But having already run through the numbers in his head, confirming that he didn’t have enough funds…
Nothing had changed.
“It’s still far from enough to cover the capital needed for urban development.”
“……”
Tobang, having only recently become a secretary, couldn’t offer any advice.
He simply waited silently for the Archduke’s next order.
‘I did ask the head of the Medical Association to look for investors, but no promising leads have come up yet.’
Eric let out a deep breath, then took a sip of whiskey.
A habit he shared with his father.
“Has there been any word from the Medical Association president?”
“I was told they’d be sending a transmission via crystal orb in ten minutes.”
A sacred artifact of the state religion, accessible only to the high priest and his inner circle.
Eric pulled out such a powerful item from his drawer as if it were nothing.
Before long—
He focused his attention on the crystal orb, which began to glow a radiant blue.
“President Rude.”
“Archduke Eric, are you keeping well?”
A slick voice of a middle-aged man rang out.
The Grand Duke of the North greeted him in a friendly tone.
“Of course. And have things been calm on your end?”
In truth, Eric already knew something had happened on the association’s side.
Otherwise, there would’ve been no reason for this playboy to reach out to someone who only cared about profitable ventures.
“You truly take after Duke Luton—so sharp. Yes, this is news you’re going to love.”
Rude’s chuckling voice filled the office.
Sensing the mood, Tobang quietly left the room as he caught a chilling glint in the Archduke’s eyes.
“Go ahead.”
“The Saint has recommended quite the major investor—.”
Saint Istina.
The rising star of the state religion who had recently attained the rank of bishop.
She’d already had a stellar public image, but now that she had power too, countless nobles were flocking to her.
“I heard this person showed great interest when she said they could help save the sick.”
‘Could be a major player I haven’t heard of.’
“So, who is it?”
In high society, Eric was seen as the ambitious heir apparent to the Grand Duchy of the North.
Because of that, dignified and neutral power players had been keeping their distance.
On the other hand, the Saint had a merciful and warm image, so if the recommendation came from her, it might lure in an investor Eric had yet to encounter.
However—
As soon as he heard the identity of the investor from President Rude, his face hardened grimly.
“Roger Julius.”
The sudden investor was none other than a person who had recently been seriously getting on his nerves.
“He’s a fellow who’s made quite a name for himself lately. Has a reputation as a benevolent entrepreneur, and it seems he’s trying to solidify that image by investing in pharmaceuticals.”
The association president offered a plausible justification.
However, Eric gave no reaction to his words.
“President Rude. Where exactly did you meet the Saint and receive this recommendation?”
“It was at a state religion event held in Nord. When I discreetly inquired, she hesitated for a moment and then gave his name.”
The Grand Duke of the North rose from his leather chair.
With his hands behind his back, he slowly circled the crystal orb and continued speaking.
“Did she also mention that I’m in charge of the Anes production?”
“No, she didn’t go that far. She only said it was a project being conducted independently by our Medical Association.”
‘Could all this really be a coincidence?’
He had already known Roger and the Saint were on friendly terms.
But from everything he’d seen of Istina’s actions, she was never one to grow emotionally attached to others.
Even with business partners she’d worked with for some time—once goals diverged, she was known for cutting ties without hesitation.
‘And Roger’s not even a noble, so he’s probably just one of her formal acquaintances…’
“Is he someone untrustworthy?”
As Eric fell silent in thought, the quick-witted Rude followed up.
The Grand Duke let out a small scoff and shook his head.
‘Of course he’s untrustworthy. He’s the one who helped raise Echina.’
No matter how friendly their first meeting had been, or how Roger had entertained Linie, he still had to be regarded with suspicion to the end.
“No, it’s just that I remembered we’d had dinner recently.”
“Then that’s perfect. It’s better to meet a familiar face than a stranger.”
The Grand Duke of the North let out a deep sigh.
“Let’s arrange for the three of us to meet.”
“Very good. I’ll choose a fitting venue.”
As Rude seemed about to end the transmission, the light within the crystal orb began to ripple.
At that moment, Eric quietly added one more request.
“Please come prepared with a false confession spell.”