A Genius Pharmacist Whom the Empress Is Obsessed With

Proposal.

“How many times have I told you? Please be careful.”

Viscount Peniad’s firm voice filled the office.

When Idun arrived at the entrance of Mellow Mansion, the viscount was circling the area as if waiting for someone. Seeing Idun and Sven, the viscount’s eyes widened and he immediately took them to his office.

“You don’t have many moments alone, do you? If something happens to you, there’s no one to help or inform. If someone like you doesn’t take care of yourself, how am I supposed to deal with it?”

The viscount was worried about Sven’s well-being, not blaming him for the delay in work.

Knowing that well, Sven remained silent, bowing his head deeply to endure the viscount’s scolding.

“It’s not really my place to intervene….”

Idun, who got involved inadvertently, was truly perplexed about what to do. He wanted to leave right away, but the chaotic atmosphere made it impossible.

But if he just sat there, he was worried about Sven’s pride. It wasn’t a pleasant thing to be scolded by a superior in front of others.

“…I’ll just sit here absent-mindedly as much as possible.”

Idun began to count the patterns on the carpet laid under the sofa.

After some time, Sven left the office with a piece of paper in his hand. It seemed that the conversation between the two had finally concluded.

“Phew.”

As Idun let out a sigh inwardly, the viscount also let out a short sigh and stood up from his seat.

“I apologize for showing you this side of me.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“To be honest, I’ve told him quite harshly a few times, but he just doesn’t understand.”

The viscount sat down in front of Idun and continued speaking.

“After going through so much trouble and still acting like that. I thought that perhaps it would serve as a wake-up call if he showed a pitiful sight in front of others instead of treating him nicely.

Edeun slightly opened the tightly closed lid and confirmed the scent first. There was hardly any scent, except for a faint hint of sweetness.

“Well, do you have any idea?”

“Hmm, it’s difficult to say right now with just this.”

There were many herbs that emitted a sweet scent, but there were too many of them. Even if one could identify some herbs by taste, they couldn’t openly taste them in front of someone who told them not to.

“I see. It’s indeed difficult to determine what kind of medicine it is based solely on the scent.”

“Is there a reason why I shouldn’t taste this medicine?”

“… That medicine was made by Lembe. Lembe is selling it to a few victims at a high price.”

The Marquis loosened his cravat around his neck and spoke.

“It hasn’t been more than two years since that medicine was released in the Empire. Do you happen to know the city of Antart? It’s quite famous in the east, and being a Luar native, you might be familiar with it.”

“Yes, I know Antart.”

Antart City was a glamorous and wealthy city that could be called the center of the east.

“There was a man dining at a restaurant there, and he suddenly went mad.”

“He went mad?”

“Yes. He truly went mad, it’s not an exaggeration. He claimed that someone was trying to harm him. The man swung a sword for a while and eventually collapsed from exhaustion. The Lord of Antart thoroughly investigated the incident but found no significant findings.”

“….”

“Initially, we couldn’t figure out the reason. The Marquis picked up a pen and began drawing something on the empty paper. When Edeun looked closely, it was a simple map of the Empire. The Marquis continued speaking while marking dots on the map.

“After that, incidents similar to that one started occurring throughout the Empire. Each time, we couldn’t find any evidence. As the situation became increasingly serious, I stepped forward from the royal court and finally found one clue after a thorough investigation.”

“And that clue is this medicine?”

“Yes. According to a witness, the victim, who had been suffering from long-term anxiety, started taking a medicine that made him feel good. It was a very expensive medicine.”

Edeun held the medicine bottle tightly. The fact that this medicine was found near Melo made him believe that the medicine had also made its way to Melo. There were not many people in Melo who could afford such an expensive medicine.

“Could it be, Lady Leta, the son of the lord, also took this medicine?”

“Not sure, but it seems so from what I’ve seen. Several empty medicine bottles were found in her office. Originally, it seemed like it was meant for the lord, but I guess she might have taken some too. And think about it. When you and I first met, didn’t the lady’s attitude seem strange to you?”

The Marquis’ words were correct. Until Edeun got up from the floor and straightened his clothes, Leta was just lying there, trembling.

“It makes people feel good, dispelling depression. The words of those who took the medicine were all different, and I don’t know exactly what effect it has, but one thing is for sure. Once the effect of the medicine wears off, it turns people into fools.”

Although Edeun didn’t know who Lembe was, it was clear that they had a remarkable ability to manufacture medicines that affected people’s minds.

“To deceive people with medicine, it’s outrageous.”

Count Peniad stood up from his seat and headed towards his desk. He took something out of the drawer and returned to Edeun.

What the Marquis brought was a fairly thick document. He handed the document to Edeun.

“Read it once.”

When I looked at it, the front page of the document read ＜Proposal for the Establishment of the Imperial Medical Center＞.

“The Imperial Medical Center is an institute operated by the empire, not by individuals. The Imperial Medical Center plans to take care of those suffering from rare diseases and those who cannot afford to pay for medication. Furthermore, in-depth research will be conducted in the fields of medicine and pharmacy.”

“Is that so.”

“The Imperial Medical Center will be the first gift for suffering people and the first shield against Lemvelle.”

With his hands folded in front of him, the Marquis Peniard’s voice was more solemn than ever.

“So, Eden, I want you to work at the Imperial Medical Center.”

“Marquis…”

“Even if you can create an antidote to an unknown drug, Lemvelle will continue to produce strange drugs. And every time, many people will suffer from drug addiction. Ella has produced quite a few competent doctors and pharmacists, but they are not skilled enough to circumvent Lemvelle’s drugs.”

…

“I know that you don’t like being tied down somewhere, but can’t you help me just for a while? I won’t burden you with anything. I will provide you with everything you want. So…”

The Marquis’s voice, which was solid and steady, was now slightly trembling.

“Please, help me one more time. I, this empire, need you, Eden.”

After finishing his words, the Marquis bowed his head to Eden.

***

I will consider it. Eden left the office, leaving those words behind.

He didn’t forget to take the document and vials that the Marquis had handed him. If it had been in the past, he would have refused on the spot, but for some reason, he couldn’t do that now.

As Eden turned the corner of the corridor, he saw someone familiar. It was Sven.

‘Why is the author there?’

He wished it was just his imagination, but it seemed like he was waiting for someone, leaning against the wall and watching the people passing by.

“Ah! Apothecary.”

Sven, who recognized Eden a beat late, rushed towards him.

“I’ve been waiting, not knowing when you would come.”

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“You were waiting for me?”

“Yes, because the director told me to assist the apothecary.”

Was that what the Marquis said? While Eden was lost in thought for a moment, Sven continued speaking.

“Besides, didn’t you also save my life? So, I have to repay that favor. I’ve been waiting to ask if there’s anything I can help with or if you need anything.”

As much as there was a commotion in front of Eden earlier, it might have been uncomfortable to face him, but Sven seemed completely unconcerned.

‘Is he a genuinely good person, or is he just an indifferent person who doesn’t care about people’s reactions…’

Eden answered slowly as he moved his steps.

“It’s really all right. I know you must be busy, so I will just gratefully accept your kind thoughts.”

“No, I’m really fine. Please feel free to say anything.”

Despite Idun’s polite refusal, Sven persisted stubbornly.

‘Should I just be honest.’

Under normal circumstances, Idun might have entertained Sven, but the situation was different now. Idun wanted to focus solely on analyzing the potion given by the Marquis. He also contemplated seriously about entering the imperial medical facility.

While contemplating how to send Sven away, a thought crossed Idun’s mind, the Marquis mentioned that this potion was obtained by a knight.

“I think if that’s the case, there might be more to learn by asking the person who obtained this potion. There might be some minor details that are not suitable for inclusion in the report.”

“If that’s the case, may I ask you a few questions right now?”

“Of course! The apothecary needs me, how could I refuse?”

As if he were truthful, Sven responded with decorum towards Idun.