Ch.242Chapter 242 – The Secret Formula of the Medicine Brought by the Heavenly Horse

The plague, believed to have originated from Glesius Academy, spread throughout the Empire in an instant.

Cities large and small across the Empire, including Archenium where Glesius Academy was located, simultaneously declared lockdowns.

This was not only to prevent infected people from leaving but also to stop uninfected individuals from entering cities and becoming infected.

“The speed at which this plague is spreading is alarming.”

“Indeed. Even for a highly contagious disease, this is unusual.”

If there was any silver lining… perhaps it was that the plague had almost no mortality rate?

According to investigations so far, those infected with the plague showed symptoms of decreased bodily functions, frequent coughing, and lethargy.

However, beyond that, it caused no significant harm.

Moreover, people who could handle mana or aura either didn’t contract the plague or, if infected, recovered enough to resume daily activities after about a week.

However, complete recovery required drinking holy water containing blessings or taking medicine made from special ingredients.

“I found it rather curious that the ingredients for the remedy come from spices grown in the Eastern Continent and the Archipelago Alliance.”

“There was a similar disease in the place where this one lived. I heard that many great families distributed remedies in their names to strengthen their influence. That’s why documents containing the formula for the remedy were kept in our Cheonma Divine Sect. For when a similar disease might occur again, to elevate the name of our sect in the world.”

As Cheonhyeryeong said, what she had brought from the Cheonma Divine Sect’s archives was a secret formula book containing methods to create a remedy for the currently spreading plague.

Thanks to the formula book she brought, Glesius Academy and Archenium were able to overcome the plague relatively faster than other cities.

Although the ingredients were quite costly, merchants from other regions actively cooperated by providing their goods since it could definitively cure the plague.

“Of course I must help when it’s a request from none other than Count Severio! However… could you use your ability just once for me? My bedroom activities with my wife have been rather unsatisfactory lately…”

My ability played a significant role in gaining the merchants’ cooperation.

Merchants who regained their vigor for nighttime activities through my ability sold their goods at prices below cost.

It was unexpected for me, but ultimately it saved money, which was fortunate.

Where did the money to buy these goods come from, you ask?

Naturally, it wasn’t my… money, but rather funds that Sister Regina allocated from Glesius Academy’s budget.

She said that since the money was being used to purchase items to treat the academy’s students, any future audit could be easily handled.

“What if the remedy formula is incorrect and causes side effects in students?”

“We have you, don’t we?”

“Ah.”

A simple yet brilliant answer—any side effects could be resolved with my ability.

But then I asked, couldn’t I just use my ability to heal people directly?

“The number of people infected with the plague across the Empire has exceeded 1.2 million… do you intend to meet and treat each one individually?”

“I see I was mistaken.”

Hmm. I might have managed a thousand or ten thousand people, but 1.2 million was a bit much.

Since I needed to swing my hammer three times per person, treating 1.2 million people would require 3.6 million swings.

That meant I would have to treat people without any rest whatsoever.

All I could do was pray fervently that the remedy wouldn’t cause any side effects.

The production of the remedy proceeded smoothly.

Glesius Academy had many professors with outstanding skills, including several who specialized in alchemy.

“How do you feel after taking the remedy?”

Among them, Professor Emelda Carmen was working the hardest.

“Until just a while ago, I didn’t want to do anything, but now I’m hungry and want to eat.”

“That’s good. The illness seems to have cleared up, but let’s monitor your condition a bit longer just to be safe.”

She not only oversaw the production of the remedy but also carefully examined the students who took it to check for any side effects.

Perhaps thanks to the active cooperation of Professor Emelda Carmen and other alchemy professors?

The remedy created according to the formula book that Cheonhyeryeong brought showed perfect effectiveness against the plague.

“I don’t know where you found it, but this plague remedy made according to the formula book is incredibly effective! Most students who took it have had their symptoms completely disappear within a day or two.”

“Is the production of the remedy difficult?”

“Not at all. You just mix the ingredients in specific proportions, then dilute them in a large amount of water, and that becomes the remedy. However, since expensive spices are used as ingredients, the production cost is quite high.”

As Professor Emelda Carmen said, the production cost of the remedy was by no means cheap.

For now, we could obtain spices at lower prices thanks to the cooperation of merchants I had helped… but how much money would be needed to supply this nationwide?

The cost of ingredients used to create the remedy for Glesius Academy students alone amounted to 30,000 gold coins.

And this was only possible because merchants cooperated and provided materials below cost.

If they had charged the original price plus profit, it would have cost at least 100,000 gold coins.

“What do we need to supply the remedy to 1.2 million people?”

“Hmm… More spices. I considered mixing in other medicinal herbs, but the formula book says that would reduce its effectiveness.”

I felt slightly deflated at the mention of needing more spices.

That meant we needed to procure spices that were both plentiful enough to treat 1.2 million people and of good quality…

“Oh?”

At that moment, a conversation I had with Sister Regina suddenly came to mind.

‘So… you want to acquire spoiled spices and ‘fix’ them with your ability to sell to people?’

‘Yes. Wouldn’t that generate enormous profits?’

‘That’s not a bad idea.’

The plan was to use my ability to restore spices that would otherwise be discarded after spoiling during their journey on merchant ships.

Since spices don’t grow on this continent, they must be imported from across the sea.

No matter how well sealed, spices in containers are inevitably exposed to sea moisture.

Additionally, the bottom of ships, despite being waterproofed, always remain damp as seawater gradually seeps in.

That’s why people in the spice trade consider it a divine miracle if more than half of their spices arrive in good condition.

In other words, more than half of the spices spoil or deteriorate during sea transport.

This meant that, potentially, I could restore more than half of the spices in circulation.

However, my strength alone wouldn’t be enough for this.

Moreover, there was a possibility that merchants might take advantage of this to make excessive profits.

“Hmm…”

I thought this matter would need to be discussed with His Imperial Majesty and the Chancellor.

Surely the top two power figures in the country could find a solution?

◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈

It’s been a while since I’ve seen His Imperial Majesty, but he looks much younger than before.

Well… his once thinning hair has become fuller, perhaps due to the disappearance of stress.

“Hmm. Is that so?”

Having been granted an audience with the Emperor, I explained the treatment plan for the plague currently troubling the Empire.

“Doesn’t it seem like a good idea, Your Majesty?”

“Indeed. Using the Count’s ability to restore discarded spices for making the remedy would certainly eliminate this mysterious plague quickly.”

Fortunately, His Imperial Majesty showed a very positive response.

“Let’s begin immediately. I will issue an imperial decree, so do your best.”

“Your grace is as vast as the ocean.”

With the Emperor’s active cooperation, a major turning point in the plague crisis had arrived.