The Masquerade of Stars (2)
It had been one year since my engagement to the House of Hausen. After becoming Charlotte’s fiancé, my daily life had… surprisingly, not changed at all. It was a repetitive cycle of commuting to Limbus Pit and occasionally attending my master’s lectures. It was no different from before I was engaged to Charlotte. In the end, I returned to Limbus Pit and spent my days seeing patients as usual.
"Next patient, please come in."
"It’s been a while, Teacher."
"Wangcho, it has been a while."
Wangcho stepped into the clinic, bringing with him the scent of the slaughterhouse. "How is your gout these days?"
"I switched from beer to wine, and it seems to have improved quite a bit."
"I see your pockets have gotten deeper."
Tap. Tap. Wangcho tapped his thigh rhythmically, hesitating for a moment. The scarred hyena beastman twitched his ears, scanning the surroundings. Then, he whispered in a low voice.
"Since we’re on the subject, Teacher, what on earth happened in the Smoke Alley?"
Smoke Alley. E-Sector. Located right next to D-Sector, it was a district dedicated to the processing of plant-based luxury goods like herbs, spices, and tobacco. This was the background behind why my master claimed to be from E-Sector when he disguised himself as a tobacco artisan.
"Well, I wonder."
"Teacher, didn't you tell me to keep a close eye on E-Sector a year ago?"
"I did, certainly."
"And a month later, the boss of that place vanished. Along with his entire family. What happened?"
I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut at that question. The reason the ruler of E-Sector disappeared was related to the Star Anise Incident. After that event, which had turned the faction of Prince Auguste upside down, the Investigation Bureau had looked into how poisonous star anise had been mixed with regular star anise. The investigation revealed that E-Sector, which processed the star anise, had intentionally mixed in the poisonous variety.
The circumstances were as follows: Originally, the Smoke Alley had been supplying star anise in two grades. Premium star anise for the nobility, and regular star anise for the commoners. They would pick out the high-quality ones for the nobles and mix the remaining stock with poisonous star anise to sell to the commoners. This incident occurred due to a mistake in that process. The mixed star anise, which should have gone to the commoners, was accidentally included in the premium line. And that poisonous star anise, as luck would have it, was used in the tea for delicate newborns. The result was, well, as you can see.
The organization that ruled E-Sector was "cleansed." And before they were cleansed, I had contacted Wangcho in advance.
— "Wangcho. Is there any organization you're fighting with lately?"
— "No? We're just doing the usual territorial posturing, that's all."
— "Then what about E-Sector?"
— "That old geezer in the Smoke Alley? Same as always. He’s always trying to sell drugs in our territory, and when he gets caught, we have a little scuffle. That miserly old man. I really need to clash with him properly one day and set him straight."
— "I don't think that will be necessary. E-Sector will be a bit noisy soon. I would appreciate it if you could clean it up when that happens."
— "What does that mean? Teacher? Teacher!?"
A few days later, the organization that had dominated E-Sector vanished overnight. While other organizations hesitated, fearing it was a trap or feeling uneasy, Wangcho’s organization, which had been prepared in advance, swallowed up E-Sector in one gulp.
And now, a year later.
"Teacher? Can you tell me now what happened in E-Sector?"
Wangcho’s organization had come to rule both D-Sector and E-Sector.
"Why are you curious only now, Wangcho?"
"No… it’s just… I was wondering if it was really okay for me to take it… and after I actually took it, I was worried if it would cause trouble…."
"Don't worry, Wangcho. It is a reward for the honest work you’ve done in supplying meat until now."
There was only one reason I had given Wangcho this information in advance. It was because he had kept my trust until now. Since we first met when I was ten, Wangcho had never once lied to me or tried to pull a fast one. He had never passed off dog meat as lamb, nor had he tampered with the ingredients of my medicine. Sometimes, he even protected my business deals at the cost of his own losses. E-Sector was a reward for such a Wangcho.
However, there was one thing I needed to correct.
"But Wangcho, you shouldn't be mistaken about one thing. E-Sector is not a gift I am giving you directly."
"Pardon?"
"I only gave you the opportunity; it was Wangcho’s own strength that seized it."
This was the truth. All I did was inform him in advance that the owner of E-Sector would disappear. It was Wangcho’s ability that calmed the chaos in E-Sector and fully absorbed the district afterward.
"So, there is no need to be suspicious about E-Sector anymore. Since you handled the aftermath yourself, it is rightfully your share."
"…."
Wangcho stared at the ceiling for a moment. The hyena beastman, blinking his golden eyes in silence, muttered in a voice close to a sigh.
"Anyway. That old geezer. I told him at least not to sell drugs to our kids…. He finally crossed the line."
"?"
Drugs? Suddenly? It seemed Wangcho was having another absurd misunderstanding. I couldn't even guess what kind of image I had in Wangcho’s head by now.
"Understood, Teacher. It might not be much of a substitute, but I will completely clean up the drug business within two years."
"There's no need to go that far."
I waved my hand at Wangcho, who was declaring the eradication of drugs with a determined expression. "Just supply the existing drugs to our merchant guild, and please manage them strictly so they don't leak out to the general public."
"Pardon? Drugs in the merchant guild? Could it be that the high-ranking people…."
"That’s not it. Drugs can be excellent medicine if used correctly. That’s why management is important."
"Understood. If there is anyone who touches the guild’s goods, I will hang them up in the slaughterhouse."
"No, there’s no need for that…."
The more I spoke, the deeper the misunderstanding seemed to get. But since he was saying it with a face that looked ready to offer his own heart, it was awkward to say anything more. So, I decided to just leave it be. After all, Wangcho was most reliable when he was misunderstanding things.
***
"Ah, come to think of it."
After finishing Wangcho’s gout treatment, and with no next patient, I spent some time chatting with him for the first time in a while.
"Wangcho, how is Eri doing these days?"
"Her? Don't even get me started."
Wangcho stopped his limping gait and turned his body halfway. "She’s having some territorial scuffles with guys from other districts lately. Since we took E-Sector, guys from other districts have started poking around."
"And?"
"Every time that happens, I take Eri along."
Wangcho shuddered, sticking his tongue out. "That girl. She uses magic, but she’s also skilled with aura, isn't she? She absorbs every aura application technique I teach her and transforms it into her own. Honestly, if she weren't your bodyguard, I would have made her the second-in-command of my organization."
Oh. Wangcho rated Eri even higher than I had thought. Wangcho was a powerhouse who could defeat even Department Head Shen, a mage, if the conditions were right. For such a Wangcho to evaluate her like this—it was certain that there were only a handful of people in the entire Empire who could defeat Eri among her peers.
"Right. I heard she’s learning things from that guy Otto and the fire-wielding guy we saw last time?"
"She’s learning martial arts and magic from them, respectively."
"What, are you making a decisive weapon?"
"I’m just helping her unfold her talent."
"Whew. Must be nice. I wish I had just one good person like that around me when I was young."
"Wangcho, you are that good adult. Thank you for looking after Eri well."
"…."
Wangcho narrowed his eyes. Then, he asked, "Are you leaving Limbus Pit soon?"
"…Did you know?"
"You spoke as if we were parting ways, so I had to pretend not to know."
As expected, Wangcho was sharp. "Well. You aren't the type of person to stay in a place like this. I had thought a day like this would come eventually."
"I’m not leaving forever. I’ll come by a few times a year."
"Yeah…. Still, I should tell the prostitutes and my kids. Lately, these guys have been living recklessly, trusting only your treatment. I should tell them to live like they used to, since the clinic won't be open all the time anymore."
"Ah, there’s no need for that."
"Pardon?"
I had prepared a surprise, knowing he would say that.
"The clinic will continue to be open. No, other clinics will be opening as well. Wangcho, you just need to guide them to the one closest to their homes."
"What do you mean by that…."
"Our merchant guild has recruited healers in charge of clinical trials this time."
A few months ago, the results of the sildenafil clinical trials finally came out. The result was that its effect as a heart medication was somewhat disappointing. Compared to digitalis, the existing heart medication, its performance was not overwhelmingly superior. However, an "unintended" side effect was discovered during the clinical trials.
'As expected of the Guild Master. He was conducting proper clinical trials.'
The side effect was the enhancement of male function. I had told them to save the heart, but a completely different part had come to life.
— "D…Director. The test subject who volunteered for the clinical trial… his… vigor won't subside…."
— "Uh… why do the patients keep wanting to stay in bed?"
— "Yes? You want to participate in the experiment too, Guild Master? The other directors as well? Yes??"
Immediately after that effect was discovered, there were various happenings in the guild, but anyway, after that clinical trial, one project began in our guild.
"Our guild will now conduct consistent clinical trials for all our medicines. We plan to test even the drugs that have already yielded results."
Perhaps there were "side effects" we didn't know about. Just as sildenafil had been. With that hope, the guild’s board of directors unanimously agreed to this project. However, there was one problem in this case. The cost would skyrocket astronomically if we recruited all the test subjects as volunteers like we were doing now. To solve that problem, the Merkur Merchant Guild took one special measure.
"Could it be…."
"Our guild’s clinics are currently being installed all over Civitas Square. They will soon be installed in Limbus Pit as well. Exclusive healers contracted with our guild will be stationed there."
And those healers would "test" our guild’s various medicines on the residents.
"Of course, we will only test drugs that have passed Phase 3 clinical trials. You don't have to worry about serious side effects."
"…."
"Residents will be able to receive treatment at a low price if they agree to the trials. The guild will be able to obtain data on the drugs."
It was a WIN-WIN relationship for everyone. Citizens who found the price of holy magic burdensome could receive cheaper treatment in exchange for agreeing to clinical trials. The company could extract clinical trial data without spending much money. Finally, it was also profitable for the healers. Since the amount of holy magic they could use in a day was limited anyway, they could earn a hefty sum through these clinics. This was all the "good influence" of sildenafil—Viagra.
… Sigh. It would have been great if the medicine wasn't an aphrodisiac.
"So you don't have to worry too much just because I’m not here. If you feel lonely, you can send a letter from Wangcho’s side occasionally."
"…."
Sniff.
"?"
I turned my head sharply at the sound coming from Wangcho’s side. What is this? Is he crying? A mafia boss who hooks people on meat hooks and carves them up is crying over something like this?
"Teacher… I am truly grateful."
The hyena beastman took off his hat and bowed his head, as if to hide his tears. "Until you go up, I will somehow make Eri reach the 1st-Class level. Even if I have to pass on everything I have."
"There’s no need to push yourself too hard…."
"No. I’m ashamed because this is the only thing I can do for you compared to what you’ve done for me."
Wangcho put his hat back on and wiped the moisture from his eyes. "Once again, thank you as the representative of our streets, Teacher."
***
When I returned to the mansion after parting with Wangcho, the house was in disarray. Servants were rushing through the hallways, the warehouse door that was usually closed was open, and there was a burnt smell somewhere. For reference, the burnt smell was from someone burning clothes while ironing. I saw that servant being scolded by the head maid in the corner. I grabbed a busy maid passing by.
"What’s going on?"
"Ah, you’ve returned, Young Master. Preparations for the Founding Festival are in full swing. Dinner might be a little late today."
I was going to cook dinner anyway, so it didn't matter if the servants were busy. Anyway, I understood the reason. The Founding Festival. It was roughly the Empire’s version of the Lunar New Year. Once for the New Year, once for the Founding Festival. There were two major holidays in the Empire like this. Hearing that, I understood why the servants were so busy. When the Founding Festival arrived, my parents had many places to go. Freya was also busy because she had to go out to meet her friends. The reason the servants were busy was also for this reason. Organizing the clothes the masters would wear, preparing to entertain the guests they would bring. It was an event that made the whole house busy in many ways.
'Well, it has nothing to do with me.'
It wasn't something I needed to worry about. Usually, only my parents were busy during the Founding Festival, and I would just stay home and do research. This year, I was planning to do research on how to promote Viagra at home. I was just about to head to the back door of the kitchen, thinking that.
"Ah, Young Master. You’ve finished work. You’ve come at just the right time."
Butler Wilhelm approached from the end of the hallway. The silver-haired old butler approached with his back straight. "Since Young Master and Eri will also be participating in this year’s Founding Festival, we plan to fit the clothes and practice etiquette starting today."
"Me?"
"Aren't you seventeen this year?"
Ah, right. The Founding Festival was not just a simple festival. It had a special meaning for noble children who were turning seventeen. If up to sixteen was the time to make a name for oneself in high society, seventeen was the time to go out and find a fiancé in earnest. The Founding Festival served as the seat to announce that beginning. If it were a martial arts novel, sixteen would be the time to debut in the martial world, and seventeen would be the time to participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
For reference, the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was like the world’s greatest youth competition where all the up-and-coming talents gathered to show off who was better. However, one question arose at the butler’s words.
"I already have a fiancé. What happens in this case?"
In short, the Founding Festival was a place to find a fiancé. I couldn't understand why I, who had already found one, needed to go there.
"That is true. Therefore, this Founding Festival will be the place to officially announce the engagement relationship with the House of Hausen."
"I see."
"It’s unexpected. That there is something you don't know, Young Master."
"I haven't looked into that side in detail."
Since I had been thinking I wouldn't have to go, wasn't it natural that I wouldn't know since I hadn't studied it separately? Following that, the butler also spoke to Eri, who was standing next to me.
"Eri, let’s fit your clothes starting today as well."
"Huh? Me too?"
Eri mumbled from behind with bread in her mouth. I didn't ask where she had gotten it. It was obvious she had stolen it from the warehouse on the way.
"Why am I going?"
"Eri, you have also effectively shouldered the seal of the Nihilit family. Therefore, our family will manage your social activities as well."
He said that, but there was a more practical reason hidden. Usually, a mage recruited by a family doesn't know the laws of noble society well. So, the family manages the parts the mage doesn't know well. This is because the family might manage a portion of the rights the mage obtains when they succeed later. Of course, looking at how Mother treats Eri these days, it seemed like she was doing it just because she was like a daughter.
"You don't have to feel burdened. This Founding Festival is also a place to announce to other families that the Baron Nihilit family has recruited one exclusive mage. Perhaps you might also be able to form good connections at the Founding Festival, Young Lady."
"Good connections?"
"Yes. Isn't it about time for you to be at that age, Eri?"
Eri seemed to not like the butler’s words. She stopped chewing the bread and started thinking deeply about something. Soon, she answered with a somewhat bitter feeling. "I’ll think about that. By the way, is there a lot of delicious food there?"
"The Empire’s best chefs will have gathered to prepare the food."
"Okay. I won't eat lunch that day."
The butler nodded with a bitter smile. Then, he smiled again and turned his gaze to me.
"And Young Master. At the Founding Festival, there are times when we offer gifts to the Imperial family. Most of it will be prepared by the family head, but it would be good for you to think about it once as well."
"Understood."
"Then, excuse me. Please tell the servants if you need anything."
The butler left the spot after leaving those words. I stood in the hallway and fell into thought for a moment. A gift. It would be good to give a gift that reveals the family’s characteristics. However, the Nihilit family wasn't a family with that much of a distinct characteristic. Hmm. 'If the Imperial family member is a man….' Would sildenafil, which hasn't been released yet, be a gift?
'No, that wouldn't be right, would it?'
Even with the misunderstanding trope correction, it didn't seem right. Then, excluding sildenafil, what kind of gift could I give to the Imperial family? After that, I stood in the hallway for a while, thinking about a gift that would remain in the Imperial family’s memory.