Chapter 19
The Military Affairs Ministry, which oversees all matters concerning the military of the Empire.
Princess Victoria One sat in her Audience Chamber located within the ministry’s building. Her posture was impeccable, her back ramrod straight and her hands resting on her knees.
For hours, she had maintained this pose without the slightest waver. Someone unaware of her thoughts might mistake her rigidity for punishment, but there was a reason behind her stillness.
‘I have been too complacent.’
What troubled her were the harrowing scenes she’d witnessed at the military hospital.
Patients pleading with the nurses for morphine, crying out in agony, others gulping down medicines made from the roots of poisonous herbs instead of the coveted morphine. Though she had visited the hospital dozens of times to offer encouragement, she had never seen such a sight before.
She had thought she was providing enough support, perhaps even flaunting her influence. She had consistently sent supplies to ensure the hospital ran smoothly. She awarded bonuses to the medical officers periodically, and on many occasions, she had contributed to the hospital’s funds by apportioning her Imperial Princess subsidy. Thanks to her efforts, the military hospital boasted superior facilities compared to most other institutions.
But now, as she looked at it, the conditions were abysmal.
A ward crammed with fifty critically ill patients, beds pressed together, and a medical staff too small to cater to everyone sufficiently. She couldn’t understand why she had just realized this now.
‘What I thought was adequate was just an illusion.’
Had she paid closer attention, she might have identified the deficiencies earlier. Why had she been so indifferent?
Frustrated, Victoria unconsciously clenched her fist.
“Your Highness!”
The man beside her, observing her distress with concern, finally raised his voice. It was Hayden, a middle-aged man in a flamboyant red coat, Victoria’s maternal uncle and a General of the Army. He was also the backbone managing the political duties usually handled by Princess Victoria, especially since Third Princess Anais’s recent downfall, which left him even busier navigating the nobles flocking to curry favor with his niece.
“Your Highness. This is not something that needs to weigh so heavily on you,” he said.
“On what basis do you say that, Uncle?”
“Broken limbs and gunshot wounds naturally cause suffering. Yes, it is pitiable, but military hospital facilities are already among the best in the Empire. Many other hospitals are nothing but chaotic beds stacked with disabled and vagrant patients…”
“These patients aren’t vagrants, but active-duty soldiers,” Victoria said, cutting him off.
“…Hmm.” Hayden hesitated.
“On my way out of the hospital, I noticed nine patients being evacuated. All had lost their ankles due to Elf traps. They’ve even started coating those traps with venom these days.”
“Such pain eventually subsides if endured.”
“No, I wouldn’t be so quick to assert that.”
Victoria’s rebuke only made Hayden scratch his head.
It was understandable. Hayden hailed from the illustrious Wolphall family, one of the most prestigious in the Empire. They owned stakes in cornerstone mining operations and had produced several Generals. A family so well-off wouldn’t ever understand the common soldier’s plight, as they could always summon healing from a saintess.
Victoria glanced at her uncle for a moment, her mood complicated, before resuming her speech.
“Uncle, there was an incident during my first year at the Academy. I fell during a horse-riding training session.”
“Your Highness, why are you mentioning this…?”
“My legs both snapped. It was the first time I saw my own bones. I fainted from shock, but later, I woke up healed, thanks to the Academy Chancellor who teleported a saintess for my treatment.”
“…”
“I’ve never truly experienced that level of pain. It’s likely the same for you. People shouldn’t speak on matters they do little to understand.”
Victoria wasn’t necessarily an advocate for equal treatment. There were only three saintesses in the world, granted their abilities by the gods, and even the Empire was fortunate to have one. Their powers, however, weren’t infinite. It was said that treating more than two or three severely wounded individuals in quick succession could deplete their divine strength.
Reality could not be ignored, but…
“At least, it’s my duty to alleviate their suffering.”
“The method you’re thinking of involves morphine, correct?”
“It needs to be officially introduced. After seeing the patients today, I’m certain of it. And when I think about it further, morphine isn’t only needed in hospitals but also on the battlefield.”
“But doing so would benefit the Second Princess… No, never mind.”
He almost voiced his concern about enriching Princess Siena through this endeavor.
Victoria understood her uncle’s perspective.
If Alan Medoff, her closest ally, were to become renowned through the morphine trade, it would naturally strengthen Siena’s influence. Supporting a rival like her was far from beneficial.
Nevertheless, Victoria’s resolve remained unchanged.
“I’ve already decided.”
“But Alan Medoff has reportedly stopped his business. If there’s no one selling morphine, where do you plan to source it?”
“I intend to persuade Alan Medoff. Personally.”
“…”
Having sensed her determination, Hayden refrained from further interference, although he clearly had thoughts he kept to himself.
“To be honest, I have my own apprehensions.”
Was Alan Medoff, Siena’s right-hand man—often dismissed as a waste of space among knights—truly driven to help wounded soldiers out of the goodness of his heart? Or was he merely seeking to elevate the fallen honor of his liege?
Though circumstances suggested the former, there was still no certainty, especially given the high price of morphine.
“Confirming his sincerity is also my responsibility.”
Ignoring the cries of suffering patients wouldn’t jeopardize Victoria’s position. It wasn’t as if the patients could stage an uprising. Their voices would likely quiet down after a week or so, no doubt.
But the competition with her siblings wasn’t the immediate priority.
Victoria’s objective was clear: secure the essential drugs that could significantly reduce the suffering of frontline soldiers.
‘Someday, this will become my strength.’
She was prepared to endure sacrifices for this. It wasn’t merely about sacrifices; it was about doing the right thing. She resolved to act swiftly.
—
Princess Victoria knew she would soon buckle under the pressure and step in personally. I expected her to present her conditions tomorrow or even tonight.
But not like this.
“Sir Alan. I apologize for the late visit.”
It was a little past 1:00 AM. Without warning, Victoria arrived at my house, accompanied by some officers and bodyguards. I was in the midst of brainstorming ideas for a psilocybin cultivation badge when her carriage’s approach startled me. Upon spotting the royal crest of the Imperial Court, I quickly prepared to meet her with due respect.
‘I don’t yet know her intentions.’
She appeared composed, a striking blonde with piercing blue eyes, but her expression was unreadable. The late hour seemed to have taken its toll, as she looked slightly tired.
“Sir Alan. Let’s be clear, I didn’t offer you the medal to steal the morphine formula. I simply wasn’t aware of your expertise in herbalism. I thought someone else was involved… But I did provide a pretense.”
“Your Highness, I…”
“Regrettably, my intentions were sincere, but upon reflection, the situation could have easily been misinterpreted.”
“…”
Whether it was I misunderstanding her goodwill or Victoria fabricating an excuse was unclear.
Still, I didn’t believe she came merely to clear up misunderstandings. Perhaps she was here to ease tensions and formally propose a deal?
Though sudden, it wasn’t unwelcome. Recalling the trading conditions I had mentally prepared earlier, I waited for her offer.
But then, out of nowhere, an unexpected question was posed.
“Sir Alan. I heard you manufactured medicine for the wounded. But… there’s one thing that makes me skeptical.”
“Please, ask away.”
“From what I’ve learned, the required dosage of morphine is minuscule. While the military hospital may be able to measure it precisely with specialized scales, I find it hard to imagine that being feasible on the battlefield. Don’t you agree?”
“That’s correct.”
“So, what happens if the patient overdoses? For instance, if they consume twenty times the normal dosage…?”
“They’d die. Or, possibly, something worse than death.”
“How did you plan to address that issue? Have you even thought about it?”
This unexpected line of questioning required more than casual dodging; her expression was too serious. Therefore, I decided to respond thoughtfully.
“Once sufficient funds are secured, I planned to create pills.”
“Pills?”
“Yes. By adding inactive ingredients, such as starch, the pills would be easier to handle. This would allow non-experts to use them correctly and reduce the risk of overdosing. Though, thorough management would still be necessary.”
After my reply, a momentary silence hung in the air.
Had I provided the answer she sought? Victoria’s expression became more relaxed, as if satisfied.
Her eyes tightly closed, lips muttering, “This man is sincere.”
Later, she reopened her eyes.
“Sir Alan.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Once, you were under Siena’s command, perpetrating disgraceful acts. It seems you’ve turned to studying herbalism as a means of atonement, culminating in your treatment of Empress Lianhua and the creation of morphine.”
“…”
“I misjudged your intentions and wrongly assumed you merely sought fortune. That error was mine.”
The Imperial Princess admitting her mistake and offering her apology was unusual enough, but there was more.
After staring me down for a while, Victoria finally stated her main purpose.
“I wish to make amends for my earlier oversight.”
“Your Highness.”
“I will mobilize all my resources to pave the way for you to supply the military. This isn’t just a temporary solution to your current predicament. The Empire’s army needs your morphine.”
An explanation, an apology, and an offer.
Having conveyed her business, Princess Victoria waited for my response, her lips curved in an expectant smile.
It was an unexpected turn of events.