# 32
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In the palace of a nobleman.
A middle-aged woman who had woken up early sat at the table carrying a letter from someone.
Steam rose gently from the teacup that the maid had just placed on the side table.
After wetting her throat with some of it, the woman cut the envelope with a paper knife and spread the contents of the letter out for him to read.
“Dear Speaker of the Council—
I have an urgent matter that I need your help with.
Just as I helped you once, I trust that you will return this favor to me.
I am aware of the ridiculously small budget the Council has allocated to you.
I am confident that we can become great partners.
– Count Vadelmon Elmoyer 」
She knew very well the problems he was facing recently.
After staring at the letter for a moment, she curled her lips to one side and pulled out a new piece of paper.
The state of the Revolutionary Army:
Military strength: incomplete [more]
Equipment and supplies: incomplete [more]
Comfort level: 57%
Funds: 1850 coins
Revolution progress: 69%
When I saw the information about the Revolutionary Army, I let out a small exhale.
It was good that the progress of the revolution was increasing steadily and that money was stable, but the comfort level decreased by 5% from 62% to 57%.
Like other statistics, comfort level had a direct impact on Etheos' health.
He appears to be evaluated based on his housing and general physical environment.
What could be the problem?
As I stared at the ceiling, I searched my memory for the original story.
Was there anything at this time of events that made things difficult for Etheus?
No specific events came to mind... But suddenly I remembered with amazement.
There was a disease that claimed many lives in the empire before the revolution.
How did you forget that? The timing matches up perfectly, just before the Hunting Festival.
She tapped my forehead lightly.
Hemicorneal pneumonia.
When winter ends and the cool breeze of spring returns, it's common for colds to spread.
This is common even in modern times, and it seems it was no different here either.
It is a season when temperature differences weaken human immunity.
But in the year of revolution, the cold was particularly fierce, often developing into pneumonia.
Because it was caused by a virus that returned fifty years later, it was called hemipneumonia.
Some schools were forced to close temporarily, and even in small villages two or three funerals were held, destabilizing public morale.
Etheus contracted pneumonia at this time as well.
The reason I didn't remember it right away is because his symptoms were not described as severe.
It was simply written that he had a fever for about three days before returning to work.
But even small signs should not be ignored.
It may cause side effects.
I know Etheus well, and he will pretend to be all right, but if he bears the pain in silence—
This is quite a possibility.
“Call the drug dealer who last provided us with the cure.”
By my order, Hirose brought him in immediately and I gave him my instructions.
“You mentioned that you have skilled pharmacists under your command, right? I’m thinking of launching a bigger project this time.”
The merchant's eyes rolled in astonishment at my sudden talk about the pharmaceutical industry.
“What do you mean, ma'am?”
Through powers I obtained as part of tribute from one of the affiliated noble houses, I had the right to manufacture and distribute pharmaceuticals.
“I'm talking about starting a company and starting a pharmaceutical business.”
Merchants like him usually work with two or three pharmacists to manufacture medicines and then l them to nobles like me.
They were acting as intermediaries.
“I will invest a huge amount, why not use your expertise to run a real business? Hire these pharmacists as official employees.”
“A-Are you serious?”
He looked suspicious, unable to understand my intentions.
“My relative had the same powers but he did not use them properly. At best, he opened a small shop in the city to l medicines.”
But I have huge capital and, above all, knowledge.
“Soon, the pneumonia will sweep through the entire empire, even spreading to neighboring countries. Have you heard about the Rett pneumonia that struck the empire fifty years ago?”
“Ah, yes, Rhett's pneumonia, I think one of my pharmacists still has the prescription for it.”
As expected from a skilled drug dealer who had once supplied Etheus with a miracle drug, he gave me exactly the answer I needed.
“But...how do you know he will come back...?”
“It's none of your business, I bear both the investment and the risk, so just answer my offer.”
“Madam...”
“If you refuse, I will have to find another capable medicine dealer.”
He swallowed and looked at me.
Heiress of Elmore.
Arrogant villain.
But from his previous dealings with me, he knew that I rewarded efforts generously.
He must have been weighing all these thoughts in his mind.
Even as I watched his tense face, I maintained my confident smile.
I was sure he would accept.
I had previously paid him multiple times the price for the medications he ordered.
“…Okay, I’ll do it.”
After a short hesitation, the merchant bowed his head and accepted my offer.
“If Rett pneumonia really comes back like you say, then small-scale production of the drug will never meet the demand, and won't make much profit either, so yeah... I'll take the plunge, let's name the company Elm.”