Chapter 32
At a noble mansion.
A middle-aged woman who had woken up early sat at the table holding a letter from someone.
Steam rose gently from the tea the maid had just brought and placed on the side table.
After moistening her throat slightly with it, the woman sliced open the envelope with a paper knife and unfolded the contents to read.
Dear Chairwoman,
I have an urgent matter for which I request your assistance.
Just as I once helped you, I trust you will grant me this favor.
I am aware of the ridiculously small budget assigned to you by the council.
I am certain we can become good partners.
– Count Fadelmon Elemoer
She already knew well the troubles he had been facing lately.
After staring at the letter for a moment, the woman curled up one side of her lips and pulled out a fresh sheet of paper.
⚔️ Revolutionary Army Status
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Military Strength: Lacking [More]
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Equipment & Supplies: Lacking [More]
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Comfort Level: 57%
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Funds: 1850 Den
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Revolution Progress: 69%
Seeing the information on the revolutionary army, I let out a small sigh.
It was good that the revolution’s progress was steadily increasing and funds were stable, but the comfort level had dropped by 5%, from 62% to 57%.
Just like other stats, comfort level clearly had a direct impact on Etias’s health.
It seemed to be evaluated based on his housing and overall physical environment.
‘What could be the problem?’
Staring up at the ceiling, I searched my memory of the original story.
Was there anything at this point in the timeline that made things difficult for Etias?
No particular events came to mind… but then, suddenly, I remembered with a jolt.
‘There was a disease that took many lives in the Empire before the revolution.’
Why had I forgotten about that? The timing fit exactly, right before the hunting festival.
I tapped my forehead lightly.
‘The Half-Century Pneumonia.’
When winter ended and the chilly spring winds returned, it was common for colds to spread.
That was the same in modern times, and it seemed no different here either.
It’s a season when temperature differences weaken human immunity.
But in the year of the revolution, the cold was particularly vicious, and it often progressed into pneumonia.
Because it was caused by a virus that resurfaced after fifty years, it was called the Half-Century Pneumonia.
Some schools had to close temporarily, and even in small villages, two or three funerals were held, unsettling public morale.
‘Etias caught pneumonia at this time too.’
The reason I hadn’t recalled it immediately was because his symptoms weren’t described as severe.
It was simply written that he had a fever for about three days before returning to work.
‘But even minor signs shouldn’t be overlooked.’
He could be left with aftereffects.
Knowing Etias, he would pretend to be fine, but if he was merely enduring it—
‘That’s entirely possible.’
“Summon the pharmaceutical merchant who supplied us with medicine last time.”
At my command, Heros immediately brought him, and I gave him instructions.
“You mentioned you have capable pharmacists under you, right? I’m thinking of launching a bigger venture this time.”
The merchant’s eyes rolled in surprise at my sudden talk of making medicine.
“What do you mean, my lady?”
Through rights I had received as tribute from a collateral noble house, I had the authority to manufacture and distribute pharmaceuticals.
“I’m talking about establishing a company and starting a pharmaceutical business.”
Merchants like him usually worked with two or three pharmacists to manufacture drugs and then sold them to nobles like me.
They acted as brokers.
“I’ll make a large investment. Why not use your expertise to run a proper business? Employ those pharmacists as official staff.”
“A-are you serious?”
He looked doubtful, unable to grasp my intentions.
“My relative held the same rights but never used them properly. At best, he opened a tiny shop in town to sell medicine.”
But I had vast capital—and above all, knowledge.
“Soon, pneumonia will sweep through the entire Empire. It will even spread to neighboring countries. Have you heard of the Ret Pneumonia that struck the Empire fifty years ago?”
“Ah, yes. Ret Pneumonia. I believe one of my pharmacists still has the formula for its cure.”
As expected of a skilled pharmaceutical merchant who had once provided Etias with a miraculous cure, he gave me exactly the answer I needed.
“But… how do you know it will come back…?”
“That’s none of your business. I’m taking on both the investment and the risk, so just answer my proposal.”
“My lady……”
“If you refuse, I’ll have to find another capable pharmaceutical merchant.”
He gulped and looked at me.
The heiress of House Elemoer. An arrogant villainess. But from his previous dealings with me, he knew that I rewarded efforts generously.
He was probably weighing all these thoughts.
Even as I watched his troubled face, I maintained my confident smile.
I was sure he would accept. I had paid him many times the price he asked for his medicines before.
“…Understood. I will do it.”
After a moment’s hesitation, the merchant bowed his head and accepted my offer.
“If Ret Pneumonia really returns as you say, producing medicine on a small scale will never meet the demand. And it won’t make much profit either. So yes… I will take the gamble. Let’s name the company Elma, after Elemoer.”
I smiled brightly and stretched.
“Good.”
The Scavengers, who had begun earning significant profits from the distillery business I handed them, seemed to be planning to wrap up their pharmaceutical operations soon. If I could absorb their expertise as well, it would be ideal.
Since Elemoer would be merely an investor and someone else would serve as company president, it wouldn’t be subject to purges after the revolution. I could continue receiving dividends in Montella.
‘Besides, there’s another medicine I’ll need to make soon. It’s best to prepare the facilities in advance.’
I glanced again at the watch.
Etias’s HP was still normal.
But seeing the revolutionary army’s comfort level drop further, it seemed some were already starting to cough.
“Begin manufacturing immediately with your pharmacists. I’ll prepare a lab right away.”
The pharmaceutical merchant looked startled at my relentless push forward.
“Produce in large quantities. We’re going to rake in the money. I’ll provide full support.”
“Y-yes, my lady.”
🏭 The Birth of Elma Pharmaceuticals
The Elma Pharmaceutical Company’s building and lab were established on land just one block away from House Elemoer.
It so happened that an abandoned factory site nearby was purchased at a fairly cheap price.
Furthermore, Cain, the operations captain, agreed to transfer the Scavengers’ pharmaceutical knowledge and materials.
Thanks to that, the Empire’s most promising pharmaceutical company was about to be born.
“Those talkative nobles say I’m squandering my late father’s fortune for my own whims?”
On the way back from inspecting the first production site for Ret Pneumonia medicine, Heros, as usual, reported what he had heard.
“They belittle you for investing in worthless things like poorhouses and pharmaceutical companies, saying it’s all useless extravagance.”
Heros knew very well that my Montella investments alone had multiplied many times over.
“They probably want to paint you as frivolous to keep you in check. It’s best to ignore such petty schemes.”
“Yes… well, it’s almost over anyway.”
I lifted the corners of my lips.
Those who looked down on my pharmaceutical company would soon come crawling to beg for medicine.
“There were quite a few people coughing on the streets today, weren’t there?”
Heros nodded.
Seeing the comfort level drop below 57%, it seemed the Ret Pneumonia within the revolutionary army was also starting to spread in earnest.
“Then it’s time… to print the poorhouse flyers.”
