I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 54

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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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Chapter 54

Deep green leaves, broad and delicate, their white veins spreading across the surface like intricate patterns.
Brokia—an ornamental plant from the Port Kingdom.
Marshall Grandmother had purchased it through the bank’s delivery service.

“Tsk. I asked them to send everything they had. Only three plants?”
“Three is plenty!”
“But can we really make premium recovery potions from this? The plant only costs five hundred cona each. The shipping alone cost more.”
“Just wait and see, I’m telling you.”

To be honest, the formula for making recovery potions from Brokia was developed by Marshall Grandmother herself.
I had discovered the written formula in her room, and I often used it to craft recovery potions. Because of this, the formula was etched clearly in my memory.
We hastily rented a room at a nearby inn.
All we needed was one Brokia plant and the base materials typically used in standard recovery potion crafting.

“Ugh. It burned!”
“The heating temperature was a bit too high. This is why we need a skilled alchemist.”

First attempt. One plant failed, but the second succeeded.
Marshall Grandmother dripped the completed recovery potion onto a portable-grade appraisal device, then murmured in admiration.

“…It’s premium grade.”

A premium recovery potion.
Unlike mid-grade recovery potions, which were ineffective against fatal wounds, premium recovery potions could rapidly heal fatal injuries and all manner of wounds.
This was why Brokia’s value climbed to one gold coin per plant.
‘The Alchemists’ mid-grade recovery potions fetch two gold coins, don’t they?’
Despite the trembling-hand-inducing price, recovery potions sell. The Empire is vast, and recovery potions are used everywhere.
Five years later, Marshall Grandmother would earn substantial wealth from licensing fees alone.

– But why did you provide the formula? Wouldn’t it be more profitable if you monopolized it and made and sold them yourself?
– Because I lacked the materials.

The primary reason Marshall Grandmother had never manufactured and sold recovery potions was a matter of material procurement.
Brokia, imported from the Port Kingdom, struggled to survive the Heishal Empire’s climate as poorly as a pumpkin seedling would. Since cultivation was difficult, stable material supply required imports, and in my memories, the Alchemist Guild held the monopoly on Brokia imports.
‘But if we move first now and secure both the monopoly import rights and the manufacturing method?’
There was no point in explaining—commercial recovery potions commanded whatever price one asked.
Yet the monopoly import rights alone felt precarious. If word ever spread that commercial recovery potions could be made from a plant that an individual privately imported, the supply route could be cut off.
‘The best approach is to hide that Brokia is a recovery potion ingredient and establish our own material supply route! The monopoly import rights are just insurance in case cultivation fails.’
The core of this business venture was cultivating Brokia.
The Wild Dog Tribe Mountain would be the key to that. I’d learned something from Zikal when we fixed the spring.
‘And if Father, as the Wild Dog Tribe leader, and Baron Voltman split the profits from Brokia cultivation—we’ll be filthy rich!’
I glanced sideways. Theon was kneeling before the door, eavesdropping on the conversation drifting from the living room.
Hehe. I wondered how delighted Theon would be when he learned about this.
My body tingled with anticipation to see that expression. I refocused on the conversation.
“Brokia—a plant from the Port Kingdom with air-purifying properties. Cultivation is said to be difficult, but do you think it’s possible?”
Marshall Grandmother asked Baron Voltman.
“Well, it’s a plant I’ve never seen before—.”
“It’s possible.”
Zikal interjected into Baron Voltman’s hesitant response.
“The Wild Dog Tribe’s land has an inexhaustible spring. As long as the spring exists, any plant will survive.”
“Ah, I see.”
“But we’ve never actually cultivated anything ourselves. We have no intention of growing human plants. However, we can grant access to those present here. Of course, with the permission of Reytan, the Wild Dog Tribe’s leader.”
Good. The conversation was flowing exactly as I’d envisioned, and excitement began to build.
Marshall Grandmother asked Baron Voltman.
“Then could you cultivate it secretly on that land? No one must know that you are growing this plant.”
“Secretly? …I don’t understand the reason, but very well. I’ll do it that way.”
“Excellent. As for compensation—”
“No, that’s settled.”
What?!
I jumped up from my seat in shock. Theon, Jeffrey, and Anne all turned their gazes toward me, standing abruptly in the center.
But I had no mind to heed their stares.
Baron Voltman had flatly refused Marshall Grandmother’s offer of compensation.
“Considering the favor I received this time, cultivating one plant is hardly difficult.”
“Is that so?”
No, this won’t do!
I could vividly picture the smile playing at Marshall Grandmother’s lips.
Grandmother was my benefactor and Father’s, but when it came to money, one couldn’t let her guard down.
She might claim she had no choice since she’d tried to pay Baron Voltman fairly according to my conditions, but he’d refused.
‘Can I step in?! Can I talk about profit margins in front of Father?!’
It was then, as I peered through the door crack at the corridor floor, fidgeting nervously.
“Profit distribution.”
Father, who had been observing the situation until now, finally spoke.
“If you’re going to borrow the Wild Dog Tribe’s land and entrust cultivation to Baron Voltman, I should discuss profit distribution with you as the leader.”
“Reytan, that won’t be necessary. It’s not a rare plant.”
“No. You said it has air-purifying properties, but Marshall must have an entirely different use in mind. Is it for medicine? Marshall?”
“Tsk.”
He’d caught the scent of money.
Marshall Grandmother clicked her tongue.

***

“Thirty percent of sales revenue.”
“Impossible. There’s nothing left.”
Under Father’s sharp questioning, Marshall Grandmother finally admitted that Brokia was a recovery potion ingredient.
“Recovery potions are difficult to make precisely because the materials are hard to obtain. And the fact that you’re asking for secret cultivation of such a finicky plant suggests Marshall views this as a business she doesn’t want competitors stealing. I think a partnership contract rather than a supply agreement would be more appropriate.”
And Father was now negotiating with Marshall Grandmother over profit distribution between Baron Voltman and the Wild Dog Tribe.
“Even accounting for byproduct value and distribution costs, it’s only around two percent of sales revenue.”
“Do you think monopoly rights just fall into your lap? That’s money too, you fool.”
“The minister granting import permits must have borrowed money from Marshall. Since Brokia is currently an inexpensive plant, you could easily secure monopoly rights without paying the minister bribes.”
“You’ve got my ledger memorized, haven’t you? Still won’t work. Manufacturing rights fees alone cost ten percent. Fifteen percent of sales revenue.”
Father and Marshall Grandmother’s fierce negotiation continued. Occasionally, Baron Voltman’s voice could be heard mediating, and Baroness Voltman’s voice discussing plant cultivation methods with Zikal.
“Come have a snack.”
As the debate dragged on, Baroness Voltman called the minors from the room to the dining table. The snack was sweet apple pie.
By the time night fell outside, the numbers were finally settled.
“Stubborn woman.”
It was thirty percent—Father hadn’t conceded a single percentage point from his proposed terms. Baron Voltman and the Wild Dog Tribe each received fifteen percent.
I sat at the table sipping juice, internally astonished.
‘He actually won against Marshall Grandmother…!’
So that was why Grandmother didn’t underestimate Father.
“Let’s draw up the contract.”
Father said lightly to the grumbling Marshall Grandmother with a smile.
Three copies of the contract were drafted that way.
Each representative: Marshall Grandmother, Baron Voltman, and our Father.
“…Is this really all right?”
Baron Voltman muttered in bewilderment, holding the contract.
He must have known how much recovery potions sold for. They were widely used even on the battlefield.
He no longer had to worry about living expenses.
As if the accumulated sorrow of poverty had become too much to bear, the tip of Baron Voltman’s nose reddened. Baroness Voltman’s eyes grew misty as well.
“Is it all right to receive the advance payment too? I was worried about how we’d get through this winter….”
Anne, now settled in the living room, was already sniffling.
I whispered to Theon, sitting beside me at the table.
“Theon.”
“Yes.”
“From now on, Theon will spend all of Theon’s allowance himself.”
Theon’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at me. I let out a small laugh.

***

“It’s been a week since we last met, Miss Berry.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I couldn’t bring myself to meet Madam Frea’s gaze.

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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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