Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 63

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“What kind of help do you need?”
“Join me in the Side Effect Suppressant business. Once we can manufacture the Magic Tower’s Side Effect Suppressant in large quantities, we’ll need a merchant guild to distribute it.”
With those words, Diena pressed an improved Magic Tower Side Effect Suppressant into his hands. She was certain that Barcan would sell it to those who needed it most.
Surprise bloomed across Barcan’s face. This was an offer he couldn’t help but find attractive. In other words, she was proposing to share the distribution rights to the new Side Effect Suppressant with him.
‘High-ranking nobles who need the Side Effect Suppressant would be mad with desire to get their hands on this.’
Even setting that aside, lower nobility would scramble however they could to obtain this suppressant. Barcan stared at the syringe for a moment, then injected it into himself. Instantly, darkness purified within him and his body felt lighter.
‘It’s just like when Diena used her ability on me.’
Of course, the effect was weaker than that.
He remembered the time when Diena had used her ability on him directly. That rapturous sensation the moment her hand touched his skin.
The improved Magic Tower Side Effect Suppressant was excellent, but it couldn’t compare to when Diena used her ability directly.
Those who had tasted her ability would never be satisfied with a mere suppressant. He would ensure it never came to that, though…….
“Barcan?”
Lost in thought, Barcan slowly lifted his head. He saw Diena tilt her head quizzically, their eyes meeting.
Despite having just used the suppressant, a desperate thirst seized him. Barcan realized this fact and blinked hard. He was considerably flustered.
But he was careful not to show it, and steered the conversation elsewhere.
“……That’s not quite right, though, is it? I wouldn’t exactly be the one helping you.”
“No?”
“There are plenty of people lined up to take this business if our house doesn’t want it.”
“But there aren’t many merchant guilds with the scale needed to manage this business—ones I can actually trust.”
Diena gazed at him with serious eyes.
Malacar nodded and added his agreement to her words.
“The military strength to protect the suppressant matters too, after all.”
“Yes. There will be many who want to possess the Side Effect Suppressant, so we’ll need the power to protect it. I don’t trust the other five great houses, so there’s no one but House Cardian who can handle this. In a way, the Magic Tower and I have no choice.”
The corner of Barcan’s mouth twitched slightly. To his ears, all he heard was that Diena could trust no one but him.
“True, the other five great house bastards are a bit much. Even I’d say I’m the most trustworthy.”
Malacar, who had been watching his reaction for a moment, spoke up.
“So, will you do it?”
Barcan nodded.
“I’d be a fool to refuse. It’s obviously going to be a successful venture no matter who looks at it.”
Malacar narrowed his eyes.
He sensed that Diena had a tendency to give generously to those of House Cardian. No matter what, Diena’s effort was the greatest, and he felt she ought to be properly compensated.
Moreover, Barcan was renowned as a bloodless, cold-hearted businessman when it came to commerce. He was not a man who would accept losses.
This was the sort of thing that needed to be settled firmly from the contract stage. But could a mage like him win against Barcan through clever negotiation—a man who left even seasoned merchants struggling?
‘Momentum is what matters first.’
With that thought, Malacar stepped forward and asked directly.
“What’s the split?”
“What percentage were you thinking?”
Malacar quoted a ratio that even he felt was unconscionable.
“Eight to two—how’s that?”
“Fine by me.”
And he closed his mouth.
There was no way. He’d thought that if Barcan were his usual cutthroat self, he might even slash it to five-five or six-four. After all, as Diena had said, House Cardian was the only trustworthy option they had.
Since the principal himself had laid bare that fact, Barcan could have seized on it and leveraged it. Yet he’d accepted the ratio Malacar had called out, expecting him to refuse, far too readily.
Faced with this unexpected turn, Malacar’s eyes widened.
Was this bastard always this much of a pushover?
“I didn’t expect you to accept so readily. With the volume we can currently produce, wouldn’t that be a loss?”
At Malacar’s words, Barcan coughed dryly and answered.
“It’s a decision I reached after judging more coldly than anyone else.”
Malacar eyed him suspiciously. It didn’t seem like a remotely cold judgment at all.
Barcan continued.
“Even if we don’t see much profit right now with the limited distribution volume, once the improvements are complete we’ll see considerable gains. I have no intention of spoiling the contract terms just to let a good partner slip through my fingers.”
Barcan’s words weren’t wrong. But they weren’t particularly convincing either. The Side Effect Suppressant still wasn’t certain to be completed. The only thing one could rely on was the encouragement of the genius Diena, saying it would succeed.
Of course, he took comfort in that assurance, but this wouldn’t be the thinking of a man with Barcan’s cold temperament. To enter into a contract like this based on a future Side Effect Suppressant was purely a gamble.
“……Well, you’ve thought it through very well.”
But Malacar decided to let it slide.
This too wasn’t a lie. After all, whatever profit came would go to his brilliant student Diena. Hoping that Barcan would prove even more of a pushover, Malacar nodded with a satisfied expression and didn’t press further.
* * *
The Imperial Capital.
Ardin slowly opened his eyes in bed.
“The Crown Prince has opened his eyes!”
The physicians who had been around him rushed forward with a fuss.
“Your Highness, are you well?”
“How do you feel? Shall we prepare something sweet right away?”
“Is there any difficulty moving? Or perhaps you feel the urge to destroy something?”
Their faces were tense with anxiety. Naturally so. The manifestations of Ability User Rampage were remarkably varied. Sometimes it left pain only in the Ability User themselves, and sometimes darkness took control of their body and they attacked those around them.
Consequently, the aftereffects of Rampage ranged widely as well. It was rare for it to pass without incident, and in most cases severe aftereffects followed. In severe cases, one could lose consciousness or even lose their Ability altogether.
That was why the physicians could do nothing but regard Ardin with tension.
And Ardin was…….
Bewildered by a strange sensation he’d never felt before.
“Oh, this is really strange?”
At his first words, the physicians stared at him, their faces gone pale.
“W-what exactly feels strange, Your Highness?”
“I feel this good.”
Faced with this completely unexpected remark, the physician asked seriously.
“Has something happened to your mind? Do you feel a tingling when you experience pain, or do you want to feel more pain? Is it something like that……?”
At the physician’s words, Ardin frowned and spoke.
“What are you talking about—I’m just telling you how I feel. I feel good. I don’t feel any pain at all.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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