I Released Medicine in a Romance Fantasy Novel

76 – 76. Gift

No, it won’t do. I have to do something.

Shiena decided not to hold back.

As soon as she made up her mind, various wicked ideas came to her mind.

First, she could torment Silovine. It would be childish to simply take it away. It would be more effective to instill distrust, making it impossible for her to drink even if it was right in front of her. And if not that, she could strike at the Empress’s home country, Jinkuk…

While Shiena pondered with her lips tightly sealed, the Empress suddenly sighed.

“Siena. Do you perhaps dislike this empress?”

Is she asking because she doesn’t know? Siena raised the corners of her mouth, facing the empress.

Hoping for a fierce counterattack from the empress who sees people as mere chess pieces. It wouldn’t be fun if it ended too easily, playing together without any challenge.

However, the empress’s reaction was unexpected.

“I may not know, but it seems uncomfortable. … I don’t know why you’re angry. If I unintentionally misspoke, I apologize, but I really don’t know.”

“……”

“But I know this.”

“What is it?”

“If you antagonize me just because you’re in a bad mood, Alan Maydoff and his friend won’t like it. … I don’t know if that’s beneficial for you.”

The empress’s warning.

Siena felt her mind gradually cooling down.

Just a moment ago, she was contemplating how to torment the empress, but why did everything suddenly turn cold? It was because there was some truth in the empress’s words, and even though she didn’t want to admit it, it resonated with her.

“Indeed, Alan is different from me.”

Until Alan showed his prowess, there were only those who bowed under the authority of the princess around Siena.

But Alan, even before revealing himself, had been providing support to her, or rather, he had been showing aspects of leadership. Thanks to him, her interest in him had deepened.

However, matching in skills didn’t mean matching in personality.

If she enjoyed harming others, Alan was someone who couldn’t feel guilt.

“Similar but not the same.”

Is Alan truly restraining himself?

Did he reluctantly seek help to avoid the danger named Anais?

Originally, Alan wouldn’t have been bothered by any thoughts, and rather, he might have enjoyed them. But now, it troubled his mind. Alan, who always made an effort to avoid danger, was honestly worried about which direction he might turn.

The Empress seemed to have read the conflict on Siena’s face.

“There’s enough time, so think it over carefully.”

“Alright.”

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“Can you confront me later? I’ll always be here.”

“…”

Saying this, the Empress gestured for Siena to leave.

Siena decided to follow her advice for now.

And as for the Sirocivin she had brought with her, she decided to leave it as it was. Taking it back after giving it might stimulate the Empress’s feelings, but that wasn’t important right now.

However, before leaving, she didn’t forget to leave a word for the Empress.

“Oh my.”

“Hearing you say that makes me happy…”

“You said you’ll oversee op*ium cultivation, right? It’s useless, though.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Think about what I said. Just remember that Alan’s talent is not as simple as you think, Empress. If you excessively restrain him, it might have the opposite effect.”

“…”

You could see tension on the Empress’s face after these words.

A somewhat lighter feeling than the discomfort she had felt before. But the problem was far from being resolved.

‘Now, what should I do?’

Siena stood still for a while in front of the Empress’s residence.

Alan might be enduring me, or perhaps he chose me as a dark horse. Maybe, even if it were not me but Victoria, his sister, he wouldn’t have cared. …New questions kept popping up, but answers were elusive, making it frustrating.

In her prolonged contemplation, a thought crossed her mind.

That was giving a gift to Alan.

A way to further strengthen the bond with him.

‘Let’s start with this.’

Sienna immediately headed for the Emperor’s office.

Soon, ministers of land and finance, as well as foreign affairs, were summoned to that office. It was due to Sienna’s excessive demands.

**

When Sienna returned after meeting the Empress, she said something strange.

“I secured the mining rights for Eunkwang.”

She claimed to have secured the mining rights for Eunkwang, located in Daeasuryeom, without delay and even demanded them directly from the Emperor.

‘What nonsense is this, seriously.’

I thought she would naturally align herself with the Empress.

I expected her to either propose gradually reducing the supply of Silosibin to the Empress or collaborate on finding ways to thwart the Empress’s demands (whatever they may be). I had already devised a plan for that.

But I never expected her to bring back mining rights without any context.

‘The Emperor gave Eunkwang?’

Initially, it was hard to believe. No matter how much the Emperor loved his daughter, giving away Eunkwang was unthinkable.

The Empire adopted the gold standard.

However, due to trade with Jin-guk, silver was an extremely crucial resource.

To purchase goods from Jin-guk and the Eastern countries influenced by Jin-guk, silver had to be used as payment. There were even individuals in the Empire who became wealthy solely through silver transactions.

In this situation, the value of Eunmaek, known for its high purity, is difficult to gauge. In reality, it was the most crucial resource that the Empire coveted, along with natural gemstones.

Doubting its authenticity, Sienna looked around but remained calm.

“Really. I’ve decided to obtain mining rights. It was called the ‘Cobija Eunmaek’ by the Ministry of Finance and National Territory, right? If developed properly, it’s said that it can produce up to 2 tons a month. Maybe even more.”

“It seems like a resource that should be managed by a state-owned enterprise under the National Territory.”

“I know. But I brought it. On favorable terms.”

If true, it was news that would make every noble in the Empire jealous.

Expecting numerous individuals to vie for the profits falling from Daesurim, Sienna had preemptively seized the opportunity before the gates opened.

Anyway… at this point, it’s appropriate to offer congratulations.

“Congratulations, Your Excellency.”

“Congratulations should go to you, Alan.”

“Yes?”

Sienna stared at me as if asking why I was puzzled.

No way.

“…Did you secure mining rights under the name of Medof Pharmaceuticals?”

“Yes.”

Already making profits exceeding thirty million dollars with two shipments of morphine and boosting Medellin’s finances with heroin, adding silver veins to that? It felt like the business was becoming too heavy.

Moreover, I was the majority shareholder of that company.

“Now, wouldn’t it be appropriate to drop the name ‘Pharmaceutical’?”

“Your Excellency.”

“Just go with ‘Medof Industries.’ I’ll take care of the hiring of labor and technicians, so you don’t need to worry. If you pay good wages, there will be plenty of people willing to rush to Daesurim under my management.”

“……”

“As soon as the armistice agreement takes effect, I’ll start right away. You’re in charge of the business decision, but I believe you won’t decline this opportunity.”

It seemed that Sienna had made up her mind to gain as much power as possible under the name of Medopharm. She would probably try to acquire not only the silver vein but also other privileges. She wouldn’t leave even a scrap behind.

The problem was why she was going to such lengths.

“Just for greed?”

That couldn’t be it. Sienna was not a woman who could be satisfied with just making money. There must be another reason, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.

Was she trying to lure businesspeople with privileges and then push them away? That also somewhat matched Sienna’s taste.

However, Sienna’s face was rigid, not because of that. After giving me a few sidelong glances, she simply told me to leave.

“Be as happy as you want, Alan.”

Even after hearing those words and returning to the production room, my worries didn’t go away.

Asking Sienna directly would be a thoughtless act. We had been communicating with each other’s hearts all this time, so it would be even more thoughtless to do so now.

In the end, I could only guess from the circumstances.

“What did Sienna and the Empress talk about?”

Sienna and the Empress’s conversation ended peacefully, contrary to my expectations.

Sienna’s strange behavior of obtaining business rights instead of seeking revenge. And finally, attaching those rights to a company with my name.

There was only one answer.

Sienna was doing all this because of me.

Why would she give me such significant privileges when I was already in a difficult situation of being unable to leave Sienna’s side? Maybe she wanted to increase our connection. Maybe it was for the same reason she didn’t engage in a mud fight with the Empress.

I couldn’t tell if she was obsessed with me or obsessed with the dru*gs I made.

Sienna might not even bother to distinguish. In this world, it wouldn’t matter if I were the dru*gs and the dru*gs were me.

Anyway… It was clear that Siena was suppressing her temper for my sake. I could sense her impatience.

“I never thought it would be this bad.”

I couldn’t predict how long Siena would continue to show patience for my sake. If she reached her limit, she might demand I give up everything, be it dru*gs or whatever.

For the sake of my safety, a definite repayment was necessary.

It wouldn’t be easy, but my gratitude was sincere.

It was a much better situation than if she were engaging in a confrontation with the Empress.

I had expected a situation where I would provoke Silovine in front of the Empress, burning bridges, but now I had the leisure to think about how to repay.

Of course, the fundamental issues were not resolved.

The war with the elves was temporarily halted thanks to heroin, but it wasn’t over. Even now, I couldn’t know how the original villains were scheming and plotting. Since I transmigrated before the original story concluded, it wouldn’t be strange for incidents unknown to me to happen.

“But at least I avoided the worst.”

At this moment, I was grateful for the time to catch my breath.

**

At the same time. In a coffee house where the nobles gathered.

“This is a confidential potion.”

“Even so, we shouldn’t just stand by.”

“Then what should we do…?”

Right after the meeting with the Empress, there were discussions about the actions of the Second Princess Siena, who promptly secured the silver mines.

These were not just ordinary courtiers.

They belonged to the faction following the First Princess Victoria.