Chapter 126
Chapter 126
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: In Joy or Sorrow (2)
In the past, supply was always absolutely insufficient for any kind of product.
Because of that, pre-Industrial Revolution goods were guaranteed a certain level of demand and value simply by existing.
But starting with 19th-century industrialization, humanity's production skyrocketed, ushering in an era of overproduction where the world churned out cheap goods in abundance, just waiting for consumers to snap them up.
To outsell the competition amid all those mass-produced items, a certain strategy emerged.
Marketing.
Opinions vary on the precise definition of the term, but in a specific sense, it was about creating a perceived need and desire in consumers for a particular product.
The prime example was advertising.
Let's take a quick look at one of the world's top multinational corporations today, a certain beverage manufacturer that rose to prominence.
Just a few decades ago, carbonated drinks were seen as something refreshing only for summer, thanks to their fizzy chill.
That meant the company suffered chronic sales slumps every cold winter.
After much deliberation, they came up with one iconic ad.
A jolly Santa Claus in a red suit.
It was a poster showing Santa, with his bubble-white beard, setting down gifts in front of a Christmas tree against a backdrop of falling snow outside the window, while chugging an ice-cold carbonated drink.
That image imprinted the beverage as a symbol of winter and the holidays in people's minds.
The same went for those nostalgic ads with polar bear families enjoying the drink—still fondly remembered by some.
Thanks to promotions layering on images of winter warmth and family togetherness, the soda gained a reputation for being refreshingly crisp even in the cold, creating year-round demand regardless of season.
Building on a history of such successful marketing triumphs, the beverage maker eventually soared to become one of the world's most recognized multinational giants.
And the takeaway from all this?
In an age of mass production and mass consumption... the sales of any product aren't determined by quality alone.
Image and storytelling.
These intangible elements were just as crucial as performance in drawing consumer preference.
So, what does any of this have to do with the current situation?
The godfather said,
"It seems some folks are analyzing the emergence of the Radiance Church... as a form of that kind of marketing."
"What?!"
I was a bit startled by the unexpected comment, but then the godfather continued with more details.
"As you well know, Eve... the hospitals in the city these days mostly hand out sky-high bills, and even the insurance companies reject claims at extreme rates, fleecing the common folk. Naturally, people have grown so distrustful that they eye anything stamped with an insurer's logo with suspicion."
I nodded.
In fact, even Prosper Wellness—the market leader boasting a monopoly—only covered about 40 percent of the city's population. That meant half the city despised insurance so much they didn't even sign up.
The godfather spoke again, pointing to the crucifix hanging around my neck.
"But the Radiance Church has presented itself as a religious group from the start, differentiating itself from the established medical world. That image helped ease public skepticism, even winning over folks who'd written off the whole industry. Seeing that... some are saying our group's new brand is posing as a religion as a strategy to reach the masses."
"......"
It was a little disconcerting that outsiders still viewed the church as just some 'special marketing ploy,' but on second thought, it wasn't a bad outcome.
'The more they think that, the more the truth about the miracles stays shrouded in mystery.'
Whether it was charity born of faith or corporate disguise marketing, outside perceptions hardly mattered.
At that point, I couldn't help but ask,
"So, why are you telling me all this?"
"To cut to the chase, Syneron Medica has proposed a partnership with the church."
"Huh?"
I was caught off guard by his answer.
Syneron Medica. Ranked 16th among the city's top 100 corporations, a colossal pharmaceutical giant.
For them to reach out first...
Of course, a collaboration proposal wasn't all that strange in itself.
Insurers, hospitals, and pharma companies were locked in an inseparable symbiotic structure.
But there was something off about it.
"Don't they know our medical venture isn't exactly profitable yet?"
The godfather nodded in agreement.
"True enough—they'd have to know. But everyone eats losses when first entering a market. They seem to be treating the current low margins as an initial investment. What matters to them is the growth trajectory."
The Radiance Church had shattered even Prosper Wellness's monopoly and started devouring the industry.
Conquering an entire sector in just a few weeks? That alone proved the 'innovative religious marketing' was delivering results.
"They're betting that from here, it'll leverage that loyal customer base to ramp up profitability."
"Hmm..."
Truth be told, it wasn't wrong.
No matter how much good intentions kicked off the medical business, we weren't planning to operate at a loss forever.
We intended to gradually increase revenue from followers who could afford it—and even then, our prices would still be far cheaper than traditional hospitals, keeping us competitive.
Anyone who'd experienced Eleos Medical Center once wouldn't go back to paying several times more for insurance-covered care.
That's why the godfather said Syneron was highly rating the church's momentum.
"With Lumina Group's distribution network and Tesselation's financial backing, they think the church could dominate the entire city medical market before long. So... their partnership offer came with some rather serious terms attached."
"What kind?"
The godfather hesitated for a moment before shifting to another topic.
"Eve... I've always worried about the path our little saintess is on."
His voice grew more solemn.
Deep concern filled the godfather's eyes as he looked at me.
"Your heart for the desperate shines so brightly with pure goodwill... but Eve, if you keep changing the world as you wish, you'll inevitably make enemies of the established order. So I'm always anxious that someday, even our group and Miss Oberth's power might not be enough to shield you from the dangers ahead."
"Godfather..."
"When that crisis comes—and it might—you'll need real power. A faction to support and protect you. But right now... I feel we're still a bit short. That's why—"
The godfather said gravely,
"Syneron Medica proposed an engagement to you, Eve, as the church's leader, alongside this partnership."
"...An engagement?"
The news hit so suddenly that I was left utterly dumbfounded.
Watching me, the godfather explained again.
"As you know, Eve, Syneron Medica is one of the world's top pharma giants, on par with the megacorps. If you could join their ranks, even if your miracles' secret ever came out, you'd be safe."
"W-Wait a second. Are you saying... I should do a political marriage?"
Seeing my flustered face, the godfather softened his serious expression into a gentle smile.
"Of course, it's not a demand by any means. No need to decide right now. Your will comes first, Eve. I'm just saying this option is now on the table."
"......"
Even hearing that, it all felt so abrupt to me.
'But...'
I could vaguely sense the godfather's feelings behind it.
The rapidly growing church would soon stick out like a sore thumb in this city—like a nail that wouldn't stay down.
To protect ourselves, we might need far greater power ahead.
'Still, a political marriage... really?'
Well, an engagement for now, technically.
Either way, it was a method I'd never imagined in my wildest dreams, leaving me rattled.
Marriage was, after all, humanity's oldest and most reliable alliance between powers.
But... even so...
'Me, in this body... getting married?'
The unimaginable future made my head spin a little.
I'd grown accustomed to daily life in this saintess's body over the past few months...
But loving someone was a whole different matter.
So I asked, feeling profoundly uneasy,
"Uh, so... if I were to accept the engagement... who would it be?"
"The nephew of Syneron Medica's president. A handsome young man in his mid-twenties, I believe."
His description nearly made me blurt out a horrified "Eek!"
'And it's a guy, no less...'
The more I heard, the more instinctive revulsion welled up.
Of course, political marriages weren't about love—they were contracts, formal arrangements for mutual benefit.
So... if I played my cards right, I could maintain a nominal relationship and enjoy one-sided protection.
At least until I gathered enough faith to return to my original world.
'Do I have the luxury to be picky about methods right now?'
With unknown crises looming, could I cling to my fragile pride or identity...?
'No, that's hugely important too. Yeah, super important...'
As I wrestled with tangled thoughts, the godfather soothed me.
"I say it again, Eve—your happiness comes first. This proposal is just one option from them. Rejecting it changes nothing. So take your time, no pressure, and think it over carefully."
We were on our way back to the cathedral.
Vroom—
Leaving the busted AV in Lumina Group's hangar, we sped down the highway in a standard car.
I let out a small sigh.
'Who knew I'd lose control like that just from startling her.'
Esty must have been pretty shocked too.
Honestly, if my closest friend suddenly announced marriage to some random guy, I'd freak out too.
I reflected inwardly.
'Gotta watch my jokes from now on.'
As I thought that, Esty spoke up from the passenger seat.
"I understand the explanation. So, Eve... you're not actually considering accepting that engagement proposal, are you?"
"Well... um..."
I pondered briefly before answering.
"Obviously, I'm turning it down."
Haa— For a split second, I swear I heard a sigh loaded with immense emotion.
But when I glanced over, Esty wore her usual blank expression.
"...?"
Tilting my head, I turned back to the window.
Sure, I'd mulled it over a bit.
If we needed power to protect the church, maybe a purely formal tie could work.
But it felt fundamentally wrong somehow.
'Anyway, I'm someone who's going back to my original world.'
Even a loveless engagement would be deceiving the other side if I just took the benefits and bailed.
Above all, the psychological barrier of such a tie with some faceless man was insurmountable.
So I'd decided to refuse from the start, and what I'd told Esty was just a joke.
Thus, the little commotion at Lumina Group's hangar wrapped up.
Or so I thought. But—
"......"
"Yoanna, what in the..."
"No! I oppose the engagement!! Totally against it!!!"
I stared in shock at the girl sprawled eagle-spread in front of the cathedral's main gate.
Yoanna was wailing like a seven-year-old throwing a tantrum.
Her rolling on the ground and flailing drew stares from all the followers and priests.
It was embarrassing even for me.
"Yoanna, calm down for a sec..."
"Just kill me instead! Aaaah!!"
"Haa."
I pinched my forehead with a sigh. There was only one culprit who'd have spilled this.
I shot Esty a peeved glare.
"Why'd you tell her... You knew it'd put me in a spot."
"........."
Why, indeed? The old Esty never would've blabbed private talks between us.
Especially not to Yoanna...
'I even said I was refusing... Why on earth...'
But before I could get an answer, my pocket communicator started buzzing.
"........."
I pulled it out on reflex, but a bad feeling stopped me from answering.
Sure enough, a short text popped up on the screen.
[Eve. Where are you? Pick up now.]
And then the communicator blared again.
"........."
I alternated glances between Yoanna thrashing on the ground and the device, fixing Esty with a resentful stare.
But her blank face just averted its eyes slightly.
And that faint air about her... oddly triumphant? Was I imagining it?
I muttered in dismay,
"No way... Are you getting back at me for that joke earlier...?"
Her brazen reply came,
"I have no idea what you mean, Eve."
I finally snapped and shrieked,
"Yes you do! Don't play dumb!!"