Chapter 48

The arrival of the empire’s greatest prodigy at the palace, leaving an unforgettable impression, had perhaps something to do with it. Even Siena, the mistress of Temseugung Palace, graced the occasion with her personal presence.

“Strange. I’ve never met him before… so why do I feel the urge to kill him?”

Siena muttered to herself in a barely audible whisper as soon as she caught sight of Leon.

‘You always have a tendency to torment or kill people, but this is unexpected.’

Upon reflection, it wasn’t odd that Siena found this peculiar. While it was true that she enjoyed tormenting others, she usually had some justification. For instance, stealing a single bottle of wine from her servant warranted the death penalty; causing a disturbance at her business led to permanent injury, and anything suspicious merited significant harm. It was excessive, but there was always a reason.

For Siena, having murderous intentions toward someone she had never met before—like Leon—was unusual.

But this was the role the creator gave her. In the original story, Siena harbored deep hatred for the protagonist group (main and secondary couples) after their interference dismantled her opium business. It was possible that some force was acting on her, making her feel hostility toward Leon as soon as she saw him.

‘Unless…’

Perhaps she simply found Leon repulsive.

“Hmph!”

At that moment, Leon, after confessing his lies and receiving forgiveness, had taken the medicine I gave him (Morphine 15mg, Ephedrine 40mg) and was currently rocking his shoulders. Lost in a state of oblivion, he mumbled rapidly: “Dreamy oblivion and euphoria should always go hand-in-hand, and they must never be separated.”

Siena, who had been watching Leon’s antics with curiosity, now turned her gaze toward me.

“An Academy student, huh? Wasn’t it your rule not to distribute medicine to civilians?”

“I am not an ordinary student, Your Highness.”

“Sure, you’re definitely not ordinary.”

“There’s no one in the Empire who can rival this young man in swordsmanship, except for the Masters.”

“Oh, is this Leon Rothe Dale?”

“That’s correct.”

So she did recognize him. Only then did Siena’s murderous intent subside, replaced by an amused smile, as if watching an entertaining spectacle.

“Anais gets along with him.”

“How do you know that?”

“Well, from what I heard, the last person Anais spoke to before leaving the State was him. She addressed him as ‘Senior Leon,’ and she described him as having blonde hair and green eyes, so this must be him.”

“…”

“Come to think of it, I also heard that Anais suddenly cried after talking to this guy. I was told her condition wasn’t good even after she left the Monastery. Whatever conversation they had, it must have been something more than just acquaintance, given the tears.”

I didn’t particularly care how she obtained this information. She might have had my sibling spied on out of sheer curiosity.

What startled me, however, was Siena’s next line.

“Wasn’t Leon this person who used to drink Health Syrup? I heard Anais made a big deal out of that?”

“That seems accurate.”

“To be honest, I don’t understand why you gave him medicine. Given your nature, Alan, I doubt you sold drugs to a student just to make some money. Still, I know this: once someone takes the drugs you provided, they lose interest in syrup altogether.”

“….”

“Do you know this and yet still give him drugs?”

This girl clearly understood the nature of narcotics without anyone teaching her.

Addicts naturally progress to stronger substances. Starting with marijuana, few people stop there; it creates a deceptive impression that drugs can be enjoyed moderately, leading them to seek stronger substances over time.

Since denying this to someone who already understands would be futile, I simply nodded.

“There are ways to use drugs like this, it seems.”

It looked like Siena had learned something new today.

Far from any sense of bitterness arising, I had something I needed to tell her before she had any misguided ideas.

“Your Highness, just in case you’re considering it—people addicted to drugs are essentially useless. Sure, they’ll do anything to get their hands on more drugs, but there isn’t much you can actually task them with. What use is a cripple?”

“That’s a bit disappointing.”

“…”

“But why did you give him drugs in the first place? Were you planning to send him to Anais? That would be acceptable.”

Not exactly. His uses were quite varied. Even sending him to the border to fight with a sword was an option.

For instance, if every head of an elf brought by him was rewarded with one Morphine pill and one Ephedrine pill, he could potentially perform miracles.

Even if not used for violence, he wasn’t entirely without use.

As an example for Princess Victoria One.

The moment this thought crossed my mind, I voiced it.

“Your Highness. Princess Victoria likely still harbors interest and attachment to the Courage Serum, does she not?”

“How would I know that?”

“Given that you’ve even observed the downfall of Princess Three, I think it’s safe to say Princess One’s feelings are self-evident. Would you care to comment?”

Upon my request, Siena didn’t hesitate to share. It felt like she was freely offering information in exchange for having provided her with some interesting insight.

“Princess Victoria ordered me to investigate the conditions of the navy’s disciplinary unit.”

“Are you referring to those who serve as low-ranking sailors instead of facing punishment?”

“Yes. To me, it seems… perhaps she intends to test the efficacy on them. She likely plans to proceed cautiously.”

Princess Victoria seems to be contemplating mandatory clinical trials.

She will likely approach me with some elaborate plan involving tests on said sailors. Clearly, her interest in drugs hasn’t diminished.

‘Princess Victoria’s mindset needs to change. There’s really no need to give stimulants to soldiers.’

With this resolve, I glanced at Leon, who had been dancing moments ago but now looked at me awkwardly.

Such a broken man is worth showcasing to Princess Victoria.

**

The following day, I requested an audience with Princess Victoria.

Naturally, she accepted.

The moment we met, Victoria began eagerly explaining her carefully crafted plan.

“Sir Alan. After hearing Siena’s observations, I reflected on various matters. I now concede that distributing the drug on a large scale before being fully confident in its benefits would be unwise. So I have an idea.”

That idea is the sailor-based trial project, no doubt.

‘How did she even come up with something like this?’

From her expression alone, her enthusiasm was palpable. It demonstrated her considerable trust in me, and in the drugs I created.

Sorry, Princess Victoria, but I’m here to crush your expectations.

“Princess One, before we delve deeper into your plan, I have something to show you.”

“Show me? Oh, did you bring Ephedrine? Thinking back, you did the same with Morphine, providing a sample for testing. If that’s the case, this aligns with my vision. Show me.”

“Actually, it isn’t that.”

“Then what?”

“The person I intend to show you is someone who has repeatedly consumed Ephedrine, the very drug you seek. He has dabbled in Morphine too, though in my opinion, the Empire’s army is already acquainted with Morphine exposure.”

“…”

“If, after observing this individual, you still desire the drug, I will willingly assist in whatever way possible.”

With Princess Victoria’s nod, I summoned Leon, who was waiting outside.

Leon Rothe Dale entered promptly.

He was no longer under the influence of drugs, though his vacant expression gave the impression otherwise. Nevertheless, Leon correctly greeted Princess Victoria without rolling his eyes.

“Your Highness, do you recognize this individual?”

“I remember observing him during my visit to the Academy Festival. He was the student who won the Martial Arts Tournament held as part of the event. …But Alan, you mean this individual has taken Ephedrine? To one person? I fail to see the relevance.”

“I didn’t make him take it—it was unavoidable since he was already addicted to syrup beyond recovery. Moreover, Your Highness, I believe a single case is sufficient.”

“…What?”

Rather than explaining in detail, simply showing her would be better. I turned to Leon, who was standing awkwardly, and asked him.

“Leon, as far as I know, you’re the most skilled student in the Department of Swordsmanship, even among third years.”

“Yes, the professors concur.”

“…I see. You’re stronger than the professors themselves. Graduating as you are, your future is promising. If you ever attain the title of Master, your name will likely be etched into history.”

“Yes… that’s true.”

Leon’s utterly impassive expression.

Soon, his expression began to crack.

“What would you do if I offered you two Ephedrine pills daily in exchange for quitting swordsmanship?”

“…”

He didn’t respond. He probably prefers mixing depressants rather than stimulants. But even contemplating this is absurd—weighing a pill against his entire future.

“Then what about three pills?”

“Er… that would…”

“Four pills?”

“…”

His eyes began darting with each new offer.

“And five pills per day?”

“Wow!”

Leon Rothe Dale hesitated, stopping himself from blurting out an answer. Then he sheepishly grinned, clenching his fists, probably believing he could negotiate for six or seven pills. Unaware that he was merely being used as an example in front of Princess Victoria.

“Alan, what exactly is this?”

Predictably, Victoria’s reaction was one of confusion.

Her wide eyes flickered between Leon and me as I feigned contemplation, pretending to taste the bitterness of this situation.

“Your Highness, I learned of the extent of the problem recently. If this is the state of the Empire’s most promising swordsman, how grave must it be for others?”

“…”

“Rather than sacrificing themselves honorably in battle, this is far from ideal, isn’t it? Knowing these side effects, how can we justify giving drugs to our elite soldiers who are perfectly healthy? It’s inhumane.”

At this point, Leon, seemingly heedless of Princess Victoria’s presence, interrupted urgently.

“I’d give it up for six pills!”

At this, Princess Victoria finally let out an exasperated “this is wrong.” Her previously mild face now visibly distorted.

I had been prepared to push further if she hadn’t already been convinced.

“Leon Rothe Dale, return to Academy immediately.”

“But five pills would also…”

“Just go.”

I dismissed the hesitant Leon and turned my full attention to Princess Victoria. Not to calm her but because I had another proposal for her.

Though the Ephedrine supply deal fell through, there might be another similar proposal involving the use of narcotics for military purposes.

“Your Highness, I have something else to say.”

All I plan to do is change the type of drugs and the target audience.

After all, there’s no law stating that narcotics must only be used on allies.

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