TIDSF 09

Chapter 9

Krutan was a rugby ball-shaped fruit so hard it could be wielded as a weapon, and its leaves and flowers smelled foul.

It spread like a weed with tremendous reproductive power, taking root anywhere and thriving even in harsh environments.

The problem was that it was an inedible plant, making it a nuisance.

Its shell was so hard that even an axe couldn’t easily cut it, and even wild animals ignored it.

“But… usually the foods that smell bad taste better.”

The true value of the Krutan was the small fruit inside its hard outer shell.

“It’s said to be an incredibly delicious fruit, like a mix of pumpkin, sweet potato, and potato.”

In other words, Krutan was a famine-relief crop.

Sssip.

I wiped the drool that was flowing down with my sleeve.

Opening my eyes, all I had eaten until today was some hard bread and cold soup.

Before I even fully grasped my family’s situation, I was already pushed into this harsh reality.

When I asked Albus why the storeroom was empty, he said they only bought small amounts when needed.

The hard bread and cold soup were because they only hired the cook for the mornings.

It was all because they had no money.

That was why I had been swinging a pickaxe for four days straight.

“I don’t even know who among the servants can be trusted.”

My uncle’s health was deteriorating day by day in a poorly heated room.

“A cook and a doctor are the most urgent.”

Next, I had to replace all the servants.

“Duke! I found some more~!”

Albus waved brightly from afar, with a heap of Krutan at his feet.

“Wait, when did he go all the way there?”

Still, my gloom seemed to lift.

Seeing him smile like that, I was reminded of the mischievous face from back then.

Definitely bright.

Despite the exhausting schedule handling the stables, chores, and gathering Krutan.

“Ughhh…”

Compared to him, I was too exhausted.

“My money… when will it come back…!”

Once the money started flowing again, I’d hire a doctor and a cook first, no matter the debts.

Phew—

Thinking that, I swung the pickaxe again today.

Albus and I went on mountain trips every day.

On the first day, we only found ten Krutan, but later we got the hang of it and could dig up dozens a day.

The gathered Krutan were put in a large container filled with water and boiled vigorously. This softened the shells, which we then tore off and discarded.

As I said before, inside was a red fruit about the size of two adult fists.

“How did you know we could boil and eat these?”

Albus handed me one after boiling the inner fruit again and asked.

Despite eating it for several days, I never got tired of its nutty yet sweet taste.

“I saw it in a novel.”

If I said that honestly, I’d probably be accused of heresy or witchcraft.

“Just… I dreamed it. That sister appeared in my dream.”

“…Ah, Lady Evelyn…”

It was a casual remark, but Albus’s eyes reddened as he pressed his handkerchief to them.

Feeling a little guilty, I avoided his gaze while chewing on the potato-like fruit.

“Uncle… or rather, grandfather?”

“He’s probably being cared for by a doctor now.”

“Oh? You have a doctor?”

“Yes, of course. Though not a personal physician. There are almost no doctors in Rogas, so the count of Lüdeng nearby makes house calls. Of course, the visits are expensive, so we can’t call often… But the count has been somewhat helpful after hearing our situation.”

Albus explained, somewhat weakly.

“Lüdeng… Count?”

The Lüdeng I knew was a viscount. How did he become a count?

“Is there something I don’t know yet?”

I’d have to check later.

By the way, those guys who used to just sell medicine are now counts? Even a passing dog would laugh.

A doctor dispatched from Lüdeng?

Something felt off.

I stuffed the Krutan in my hand into my mouth and chewed quickly.

“Albus, I’m taking this to Grandpa!”

My pronunciation was slurred as my cheeks puffed out.

With an innocent face, I raised the plate high.

It was fried Krutan with butter and a sprinkle of sugar.

“Duke, you’re spilling.”

“Ugh.”

Ignoring him, I ran down the hallway.

Uncle’s room door was slightly open.

As I tried to slip in, Albus quietly opened the door behind me.

“This is a new medicine. Maybe it’ll work this time.”

“Another new medicine…?”

The hoarse voice was heavy with fatigue.

“Yes. It’s newly developed from a plant that was very effective in treating that disease. Developing it was costly, but it’s a drug with very high chances of cure.”

“How much?”

“It requires a weekly injection for about three years to see even slight effects. One dose costs around 68 million rads.”

“Hoooh…”

My uncle sighed in shock.

“Good heavens.”

I was shocked too.

“It’s an initial experimental drug, tailored specially for the acting duke, so that’s why the minimum price is set that high.”

“…”

“It’s very hard to obtain, so the price may rise later, but for now, it’s the minimum. Considering it’s a customized drug, it’s actually quite cheap.”

Well, the chubby doctor with oil dripping down was basically talking nonsense!

“Crazy bastard.”

I was shocked and dumbfounded.

In my past life, I had learned a lot from a young age just to avoid dying.

Among them, medicine and pharmacology were the first things I studied.

Since in Part 1, there were many chances to make money from new drugs.

For pigs, I’d rate this doctor as at least grade 1+ — everything he said was nonsense.

“…Will this definitely cure him this time?”

After a long silence, my uncle asked with a troubled look.

“I worry so much about the duke. At least until he comes of age and leads the Altad family…”

“…”

I froze where I stood.

My uncle didn’t like the Altad family.

Because he thought my only younger sister would suffer being near such a selfless man.

In a way, he had foresight. The family was eventually purged.

I never thought he would care this much for the Altad family.

My heart throbbed painfully.

“Of course. He will recover as if washed clean…!”

“Uncleee!!”

I interrupted the grade 1+ pig’s words and ran into my uncle’s arms, handing him the fried Krutan, shouting,

“I found out how to make medicine to cure Grandpa!!”

“…What?”

“Huh?”

My uncle and the grade 1+ doctor both looked at me.

Seizing the moment, I clenched my fist and tightened my neck muscles.

“I can cure him!”

“This kid suddenly appeared and said something… wait, isn’t this the duke?”

I nodded.

“Heh heh. It seems the young duke has found a new game, but medicine and pharmacology are not fields to approach as a hobby or game. It’s a noble science that deals with human lives.”

“All nobility is dead.”

“Huh?”

“Ugh. I want meat.”

Hearing my little mutter, I shook my head like a child and glanced briefly at my uncle.

He only breathed heavily with a tired face. Fortunately, he didn’t hear me.

“Eve.”

My uncle called me.

“Yes!”

I answered with the most innocent smile I could manage.

“We’re having a serious conversation, so leave now. This is not your place.”

His voice was serious.

“Ah, that side.”

I thought he’d side with me.

Well, believing a child at once would be more surprising.

Eve Altad’s reputation wasn’t good, so expecting a positive reply was my arrogance.

But…

“Medicine for that disease! I can make it!”

Instead of retreating, I raised my hand again.

The stone-like grandfather.

The uncle who looked at people like stones.

The parents who avoided money by giving it away.

22 years of breaking down invincible people.

“The pretty sister in my dream told me.”

There was no reason someone who already knew the strategy wouldn’t fall for it again.