Chapter 85

When Siena returned, I was in the production room extracting caffeine.

The material comes from the tea leaves enjoyed in the palace.

I didn’t even know I could make this stuff here.

Morphine, heroin, ephedrine – compared to phenylacetone that I could produce right now, this caffeine is a pretty harmless substance. I’m not suddenly trying to get out of the narcotics business; I’m preparing this for Leon Rothe Dale.

“Ephedrine can’t be supplied endlessly.”

Leon is the kind of person who claims that morphine alone is insufficient.

However, ma huang, the raw material for bulongyi, is expensive.

Cost isn’t much of a problem, but if I were to purchase ma huang in a hurry, it could lead to misunderstandings among those currently keeping an eye on Medoff Pharmaceuticals.

The misunderstanding that there might be plans to release a special drug that enhances training efficacy.

So, I thought about mixing easily obtainable caffeine in the right proportions to create a mild version of bulongyi. Siena happened to witness this.

“Your Highness, you’ve arrived.”

“Yeah.”

After briefly exchanging greetings, silence resumed.

When I looked back out of curiosity, Siena simply motioned with her chin for me to keep doing what I was doing.

‘It’s not like there’s anything to hide.’

After all, it’s basic work.

Moreover, it was my decision to allow Siena access to the production room.

My intention was to win her favor by granting her personal boundaries. Thanks to this move, Siena has become much tamer.

Still, it’s impossible to entirely shake off the slight tension due to not knowing what thoughts are running through Siena’s mind as she stares at me silently.

Could she be coming from a confrontation with Victoria? Or did she return peacefully?

It’s an unknowable matter, but I decided to put it aside for the moment.

“It’s caffeine.”

Instead, I attempted to pique Siena’s interest with a different approach.

“Caffeine?”

“There won’t be any effects that Your Highness might expect. It merely has mild stimulating effects and isn’t intended for distribution on the market.”

I said this in case she entertains any hopes of a new product.

She surprisingly showed no signs of disappointment.

“I understand. Nothing great was expected to come out of tea leaves anyway.”

“Morphine and heroin are ultimately produced from opium, right? Ephedrine, that’s made from ma huang… or Abesta. I’ve heard there’s a noble in the Empire who personally oversees the cultivation of ma huang. That says a lot about how potent its effects are and why caution is necessary.”

“You’ve done a lot of studying.”

“Of course. Looking at how you’ve added—well, I suppose ‘altered’ would be better—to morphine to make heroin, it doesn’t seem like everything can be attributed solely to the raw material.”

Upon hearing this, it seemed she had made a vague guess about semi-synthesis. I started to think that granting her access to the production room was the right move.

With her intellect, she would have eventually figured out how to independently produce morphine if left unchecked. It’s better to keep her in the open rather than create barriers that fuel obsession.

‘Of course, that’s not the real issue now.’

Siena, who had been intently examining the tea leaves, spoke again.

“So, what’s the purpose?”

“I’m making it to supply to Leon Rothe Dale.”

“I know you made some kind of agreement with your sister concerning that man.”

This was getting important.

Managing my expression briefly, I nodded.

“Yes. I’ve come to an agreement with Lady Victoria. There won’t be any reason to see Leon Rothe Dale within The State from tomorrow on. After using him as an example once, I plan to send him out of The State. But I can’t just send him off, so…”

“You’re giving him medicine. Sis must have made a big decision.”

“That’s correct.”

“So, in the end, does this mean the drug addict is joining under Victoria?”

“Formally, it will be, managed by the military.”

“In a sense, it’s like you’ve given your sister a great gift. Even though he’s an addict, he’s still a superhuman, and you also provided the means to control that superhuman. Your sister must be very grateful to you.”

Siena is intelligent enough to know that what I’ve given Victoria isn’t a gift but a responsibility.

‘No, she even saw Leon personally.’

Ultimately, this isn’t about sending talent to the rival camp of our contender, Princess Victoria; it’s more about her feeling hurt and thus whining.

Why didn’t you inform her before collaborating with Victoria?

‘Given how she’s acting with me, it seems nothing happened with Victoria.’

Siena seems to have softened her character again.

So, I was willing to indulge this level of whining.

The method was simple.

“Your Highness, might I ask you to lend a hand?”

“You’re asking me to be an assistant?”

“Yes. Is it not acceptable? After all, there’s no one else but Your Highness who can help me.”

At this, Siena looked momentarily flustered and then chuckled softly.

“True, Victoria won’t step into this production room, not so far and not in the future… Right?”

“Of course.”

Siena then came to stand beside me, her small shoulder brushing near my upper arm.

And her purple eyes alternately glanced at the funnel and other tools, then towards me.

As always, women with unique tastes show welcoming expressions. For my part, any help in reducing the workload is certainly not unwelcome.

Subsequently, we engaged in simple guidance and repetitive tasks.

And conversation.

“Siena, there’s going to be something interesting at the academy tomorrow. You might consider coming along.”

“So, you’re just inviting me to spectate?”

“Yes. But I’ll be watching alongside you. If it’s known that both we, as the owners of Medoff Pharmaceuticals, and the First Imperial Princess, Victoria, are visiting the academy, the students will naturally assume we’re about to release training drugs.”

“Victoria will be demonstrating her authority in front of the gathered crowd then. So, it’s clear she’s the main character.”

“I didn’t give up the leading role but rather postponed the dirty work. Lady Victoria, unlike us, doesn’t enjoy such things, does she?”

“…”

“Think about it. Why do you think I collaborated with Victoria?”

“I see, that makes sense.”

At last, Siena nodded, appearing satisfied.

We continued working together for around 90 minutes.

Extracting caffeine, measuring pre-prepared morphine and ephedrine, and then using the tablet press to personally manufacture pills, completing the entire process, yielded 900 pills.

Each pill contained 15mg of morphine, 15mg of ephedrine, and 80mg of caffeine.

No special name was attached. Although measures will be taken to prevent overdoses with small, controlled supplies, this medication is ultimately tailored for Leon alone.

Though it did require some raw materials and a few hours of effort, it was far from wasteful. Considering this as a farewell gift for the original protagonist, it’s quite a bargain. Moreover, having calmed Siena, it might even be considered a smart investment.

“That was fun, Alan.”

Siena’s expression, having gained more knowledge, was extremely bright.

**

The next afternoon.

Siena and I headed to the academy.

The purpose was to jointly congratulate and offer incentives to the faculty with Victoria.

And to encourage the protagonist, Leon Rothe Dale.

“To be fair, it is worth celebrating.”

A student achieving the master rank while still at the academy — while the professors did a good job, credit was nonetheless due.

To the extent that it wasn’t entirely unusual for two princesses to visit the academy.

However, it seemed that no one was interested in the incentives. This could be inferred from the attitude of the academy president who welcomed us.

“Siena Your Highness, and President Alan. Please wait for a moment in the VIP room. The ceremony will soon take place at the auditorium. Despite the hasty preparations, I hope you’ll forgive any shortcomings.”

“You mentioned the auditorium?”

“There are so many students who wish to observe. Haha.”

“We understand.”

It was reported that even third-year students, who should be preparing for their final practical deployment, postponed their schedules in hopes of participating.

Graduating students might feel hurried if they can raise their levels by even a little during these final days, which could alter their career paths.

At the very least, there will be no shortage of public interest.

Nonetheless, for the real demonstration, Victoria’s role is crucial.

Soon after we met Victoria in the VIP room arranged by the academy.

“Sir Alan, you’ve made it.”

Victoria was dressed in her formal attire unlike her usual.

Red coat, elaborate and shiny knot badge woven with gold silk, and the gold chain extending from the badge, dangling prominently above her chest.

Normally, she wears drab, dark green military uniforms, but today she was dressed with particular effort. It was only natural for an event like this.

However, her usual stern expression was slightly shadowed.

“Your Highness…?”

“Dismiss it from your mind.”

Could it be the reality of humiliating a young talent herself and making him an example?

It didn’t seem like it.

To my knowledge, Victoria isn’t a person easily swayed by such sentiments. Having led a life of honor and respect, she occasionally displayed flower-like behavior but fundamentally possessed a strong character. So, why such a sudden mood shift?

“Sister, if you’re uncomfortable, I’ll take your place.”

Even when Siena offered this suggestion, Victoria only smiled bitterly.

Siena’s playful tone, Victoria’s somewhat complicated expression.

After some time had passed, Victoria finally looked directly at me, not her sister.

“Sir Alan, I have already made my decision. However…”

“Speak your thoughts.”

“Reflecting upon what lies ahead, it doesn’t seem to be an easy road.”

“…Yes, it certainly won’t be.

Even if all goes according to plan, there will surely be people clinging to memories of the drugs, and those who, despite knowing their inefficacy, will try to exploit the business aspect.”

“Of course, that concern is there, but…”

Victoria calmly nodded, then turned her gaze to Siena. Siena, in turn, responding accordingly, wiped the smile from her face and met her sister’s eyes.

An uncomfortable atmosphere hovered between the two princesses but didn’t last long.

“Your Highness, everything is prepared.”

It was thanks to the academy official subtly checking and announcing this.

The two princesses ended their standoff as if deciding to prioritize the task at hand.

Given the current concentration of attention on the academy and what will unfold in the auditorium shortly, this was a very rational attitude.

I decided to remain silent for now and followed the two of them.

Soon, the murmur of students could be heard.

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