Chapter 11 | The Assassin Obtains a Long-Awaited Item
I brewed some tea using leaves Maha had obtained from a new trade route that she opened. They were from a different country than the tea Natural You sold. Apparently, where it came from, people drank it nonfermented like green tea. However, I thought it would be better fermented like black tea after tasting it. That not only improved the flavor but also gave it better nutritional value.
“This brew is really acidic. It’s good for when you’re tired, but I don’t think this taste is for everyone. The smell is even harsher. It’s pungent and a little sharp,” Maha observed.
“I agree. I need to work on it a little before we introduce it to our stores. Hmm… Rather than making it palatable to a wide market, maybe I should increase the acidity and boost its medicinal effects. It already helps alleviate fatigue. Perhaps we could sell it as a stimulant people could take to squeeze a few more hours of work out of themselves.”
All I had to do was tinker with how the tea leaves were processed to achieve that.
“Do you think our customers would be interested in that?” Beruid asked.
“Even if they aren’t, soldiers will probably want it. If demons and monsters appear more going forward, sales for luxury items will decrease. That trend has already begun. Even the nobility’s expenditure on finery is lessening as they begin to make military preparations. We can make up for that loss by entering a different market,” I responded.
That was only an idea, but I was confident it would work.
“I like it. With armies all over suddenly on standby, we’ll be able to sell to them regularly and in large quantities. Monopolizing the market would be great for business, too. This has a good chance of success, considering the medicinal effects. I’ll take care of sales,” Maha stated.
“You’ve done it again, Illig. You were able to sniff out a chance for profit from a single cup of tea. I need to learn from your example,” said Beruid.
I was adept at this sort of thing. Herbs could be made into medicine or poison, depending on the species. My life as an assassin made me proficient with plants.
“I’ll work on the tea leaves at my other home and send them to Maha once I’m finished. Also, Maha. If possible, can you purchase the land and tenant farmers where the tea leaves are made like you did last time?” I requested.
“Got it. I didn’t expect you to like them this much.”
“It’s because of the medicinal effects. This is a variety that’s very difficult to obtain on this continent.”
Knowledge and talent wouldn’t get you anywhere without the right materials. If these tea leaves were unobtainable in this region, I wanted to stock as much as possible.
Business aside, I also desired them for personal reasons.
“Sure thing. It seems like Beruid will be taking over most of my regular duties, so my schedule is free,” replied Maha.
“I’ll do my best. I also want to try my hand at starting something new, but unfortunately, my plans still need a lot of work. Until then, I’ll put all my focus into maintaining and growing the business,” Beruid declared.
“I know you two will do great. Oh yeah, you said you had something you wanted to ask about, Beruid. Now that we’ve quenched our thirst, do you mind telling us what it is?”
Judging from Beruid’s exaggerated behavior earlier, it seemed like a relatively serious matter.
“Thank you very much. I’d planned on only bringing this to Maha, but I thought that wouldn’t be fair, so I decided I would do it in your presence, too.”
Beruid’s expression suddenly grew serious. He looked at Maha, then at me.
“Maha, will you marry me? I would like to receive your blessing, Illig.”
Maha and I exchanged glances. This was a total shock for me, but she seemed composed. She turned a sad look at Beruid.
“This is unexpected. I would never have thought the distinguished son of the Balor family would say such words to a commoner like me. Don’t you have a more worthy match? For you and for the Balor Company.”
“There is no girl I want more than you, Maha. As we’ve worked together, I’ve come to love you from the bottom of my heart. I don’t care about your standing. Your skill has more value to me than your place in society or your wealth. I admire your beauty and strength. My intentions are serious.”
“So you are. Then I’ll give you a serious answer. I’m sorry, but no.”
Maha bowed in apology. She’d answered instantly, without any hesitation.
Rejecting a proposal from the son of the Balor Company should have been unthinkable, and yet, she had. Accepting would have made her one of the wealthiest people in the world. She could have reclaimed her father’s company.
“I would ask for the reason…but I don’t need to, do I? I understand. But I’ll say this. You’re a coward, Illig. You’re aware of her feelings, and yet you ignore them. You hold her hostage by doing so… I’m leaving.”
“Wait, Beruid,” I called.
“Don’t worry. I’ll do my job. I can separate love and work. I have my pride as a merchant.” Making those his final words, he left.
I can’t believe he proposed to Maha. Actually, it’s really not so strange. She is a very attractive girl.
“Maha, are you okay with that? If you wedded the successor of the Balor Company, you’d be able to do any kind of business you want. You’d finally achieve your dream.”
“It’s fine. I am yours, dear Illig,” she replied before hugging me.
Despite what had just happened, she seemed as she always did, perhaps even more cheerful than usual.
“I knew it. Being proposed to did make you happy, didn’t it?” I questioned.
“What do you mean, you ‘knew it’? You’re wrong. I’m pleased because you got jealous, dear brother. You’re supposed to be acting as Illig right now, but you look so thoroughly shaken. Have you not noticed that your tone of voice has returned to normal?” countered Maha.
“That’s embarrassing. I still have a ways to go.”
I couldn’t deny that Beruid popping the question had left me feeling a little off. The idea of Maha being stolen from me felt like getting clubbed in the head.
Nothing had ever flustered me this much in my previous life, even the threat of death. Perhaps this was the result of living as a human instead of a tool.
“I’m always envious of Dia and Tarte, so this is a nice feeling. It’s only right that you know what it feels like now and then. Just yesterday, I had to hear about how you went to that hotel with your cute girlfriend.”
“How do you know about that?”
“This city is the center of my information network. I learn of everything that happens here, even if you’re acting as Lugh.”
“…You really are the best.”
“That’s right. I’m useful, so don’t forget about me. If you don’t tie me down, I may just get up and leave someday,” Maha warned.
“What can I do to prevent that?” I asked.
“There is only one method of tying a woman down.”
I understood what Maha was asking for, but I couldn’t give that to her. Instead, I tried to change the topic. “I brought you a present. It’s those krulone cream puffs you liked.”
“Ha-ha, I think you’re still underestimating me. I’ll let it go for now. I’m a very patient girl.”
“Sorry.”
“But don’t think I’ll wait forever.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
I’d seen to an uncomfortable extent how much a person’s emotions could change. That was why I knew not to take Maha’s love for granted.
“That’s lovely to hear. Let’s move on to the main subject. I finally obtained the dried marche mushrooms you’ve been asking for. Tribes to the far south use them to enter a trancelike state during their ceremonies held to commune with the dead.”
Maha pulled some of the fungi out of a bag and laid them out. I crushed them with a finger and rolled them over my tongue.
“…This is it. I can use these to make my secret weapon,” I said.
“What exactly are you going to do with these?” Maha questioned.
“I’m going to make a drug. Do you remember the medicine I crafted that removes the limits on my brain and temporarily increases my mana discharge?”
That compound was the reason I’d survived the demon attack at the academy.
“Yeah. I worked really hard obtaining all of the ingredients for it.”
“These mushrooms can be made into something similar. The effects will increase my concentration to its utmost limit and raise the processing power of my brain.”
“What use would you have for something like that?”
“I’ve become a little too strong. I can’t keep up with my own body. This drug should allow me to unleash all of my strength when I’m faced with a powerful enemy. There’s also a certain skill I want to experiment with. I need to plumb its very depths. Watching the hero fight taught me something, and the key to matching her will be high mental ability. I can’t do that without this substance.”
My goal was to craft something based on the refined narcotics of my previous world. Scouring through old legends and records of ceremonies, I’d sought out the ingredients I required.
Tasting the mushrooms left no doubt in my mind. They were exactly what I’d been looking for. If I mixed them with a few other chemicals I’d already had waiting, I’d have the compound I sought. As it happened, the tea leaves I’d treated Maha and Beruid to today were also part of the mixture.
“Seems dangerous. But considering what you’re trying to do, dear brother, it is necessary. I’ll hurry to get the foundation for a stable supply established,” Maha stated dutifully.
“Sounds good. Sorry for relying on you so much.”
I ask for way too much from Maha. Someday, I’ll need to return the favor.
“That’s all right. I receive plenty of compensation. Let’s go on a date. You went on one with your cute girlfriend yesterday, and you can’t refuse me after I’ve done so much for you, right? We have a reservation at a delicious restaurant.”
“Okay, I’ll get Dia and Tarte, too.”
“No. I said a date. I also have a room at a hotel waiting, but I’ll cancel that. Knowing your personality, I’m sure sleeping with another girl the day after your first experience would be impossible for you, dear brother.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Maha’s eyes narrowed, and she put a finger to her lips. “You’re welcome. Hmmm, judging from that response, I feel like it could happen if I just give you time to find room in your heart to justify it. That will be the moment I ensnare you.”
I had to be cautious. Having that sort of relationship with Maha wasn’t disagreeable, but I didn’t like engaging in unplanned activities.
“It’s easy to be on my best behavior around Dia and Tarte, but you’ve always got me at your whim, Maha,” I remarked.
“If you’re looking for a submissive woman who supports her man…I don’t think I can beat either of them on that front. So I’ve got to fight my own way. In keeping with that, allow me to take the lead on our date.”
Maha and I had a great time together. Letting your partner take the initiative occasionally wasn’t so bad.
I was glad I got the materials I needed for the drug before I fought any demons. Undoubtedly, it would make a huge difference. I also thought there was a chance I’d be able to choose the skills I gave to Dia and Tarte using My Loyal Knights while on the drug.
As soon as I was back in Tuatha Dé, I intended to get to work mixing and testing the narcotic.
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