Mad Rosetta - Chapter 23

—————

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

—————

Rosetta Gone Mad

Chapter 23

Even a Seedling Deserves Careful Watering (6)

‘I might end up striking her in the head like Bargo does.’

Since I had been consistently disrespectful, perhaps she would treat me the way her brother did.

Marmint regarded Rosetta with that thought, her gaze sharp and assessing.

“You worked with the Doctor… No, I know you researched Panilnia Flower.”

“How could you possibly know that?”

“Is that all? Though the Doctor adopted you, he used you as an assistant. Without proper compensation, Dr. Drabe Beaumont simply seized the meals you prepared and claimed them as his own achievements.”

“…What?”

“Moreover, I know perfectly well that he left this world without returning the research funds I provided or delivering any meaningful results.”

“…”

“So I’ll ask you directly, Marmint. How much have you discovered about Panilnia Flower? This is a matter of great importance to me, so I hope you’ll answer truthfully.”

She was a kind woman who provided good meals, certainly. If I regarded it as mere charity given to a beggar, it was bitter, yet it brought a certain peace of mind.

I no longer wished to have my life wounded by the words of others, to be tossed about by their tongues.

Moreover, because she knew the details of my circumstances so thoroughly, Marmint felt a creeping dread. She flicked nervously at her fingernails.

“Did you… conduct some kind of background investigation? Who do you think you are?”

“…These are facts one can uncover without resorting to underhanded methods, if one truly wishes to know. Besides, it seems we both need each other’s help.”

“I don’t need any help! Do you think I haven’t seen people like you before? I don’t even want to look at herbs anymore, and I don’t care if I’m cast out from this household, so just leave me alone!”

Marmint was surprised by her own outburst, unable to understand why she was so agitated.

I simply hoped that she wouldn’t end up drenched in cold water again for coveting something she could never possess.

Despite her persistent huffing and puffing, Rosetta regarded Marmint with an unwavering gaze as she opened her mouth.

“You refuse without even hearing the terms of the deal. How unreasonable.”

“It was something entrusted to the Doctor in the first place, not my responsibility, was it? Whatever you ask, I don’t want to—”

“How about 30 million shillings as the commission fee.”

“I don’t… huh? What?”

“What do you think? 30 million shillings as the request fee.”

“….”

“Research expenses paid separately?”

At the sum Rosetta mentioned—an amount that could upend a life—Marmint’s hand holding the beverage trembled violently.

It was enough to live idly for an entire year.

At a figure substantial enough to fund studies abroad immediately, Marmint’s lips, which had hastily formed her refusal, quivered.

“Really… truly?”

It was far too large a sum to refuse.

* * *

【It actually works.】

Sing muttered with a touch of deflation, and I laughed quietly as I observed Marmint, who now appeared lost in thought.

They say not everything in this world can be solved with money, yet most things can.

Especially for a child seeking to escape from adults, financial concerns regarding food, clothing, and shelter would inevitably weigh heavily.

Considering that by common standards, monthly living expenses per person fell short of one million shillings, it was only natural that Marmint’s resolve would waver.

I finally felt ready to have a proper conversation, so I leaned forward.

“I told you already. What I want is a transaction, not a favor. A proper transaction requires that both parties have something of value to exchange.”

“…What exactly do I need to give you, then?”

“That depends on how far you’ve progressed with your research. So tell me everything you’ve discovered while studying Panilnia Flower, Marmint.”

Marmint swallowed dryly, as if lost in thought for a moment.

I found it rather frustrating, but I decided to hold my tongue.

A child who had been exploited by adults her entire life wouldn’t readily trust a stranger and divulge her secrets—I harbored no such naive expectations.

【Ho, I thought you’d demand an immediate answer and lose your temper. You’re quite patient, aren’t you.】

“….”

【At this rate, we might even reduce those pillows that burst four times a week down to one or two. Mm-hmm, quite impressive.】

Please, just shut up….

I was glaring at that creature, who patted my head while spouting words that were neither praise nor insult, when—

“…Panilnia Flower contains toxins.”

Marmint’s lips finally parted.

“To be precise, the substance produced in the pollen-generating region induces violent behavior in animals. It’s essentially a plant unsuitable for medicinal use, and considering its effects on animals, cultivation should be prohibited.”

“…If someone were exposed to Panilnia for an extended period, is there a way to treat them?”

“Well, they would experience difficulty controlling their emotions. Someone who was previously calm could become violent….”

“….”

“The prognosis varies depending on how long they were exposed, but simply neutralizing the toxin should improve their condition.”

“…An antidote. Could you make one?”

Damn it, my legs trembled uncontrollably. It was the anxiety.

I felt as though my mind could only find peace once I resolved this wretched nervous condition as quickly as possible.

Unless one experienced it firsthand, they could never understand how utterly miserable it felt to have one’s body refuse to obey.

‘If someone were to provoke me at the Spring Stage….’

Should I lose control and resort to violence, the stigma of Benatra’s shame would undoubtedly become permanent.

“…I was already planning to research that, but things fell through when the Doctor passed away.”

Marmint, who had been chattering away about her area of expertise, had long since grown composed.

Despite her youth, she appeared both admirable and impressive.

“There’s a tree called Asau—its roots are used as medicinal ingredients. When the cause of nerve problems has been traced to a plant, there have been cases where its neutralizing reaction was remarkably effective.”

“…So you’ve found a condition.”

“Pardon?”

“Create an antidote for someone poisoned by Panilnia toxin for approximately two years. If you succeed, thirty million shillings will be yours.”

Marmint, who had been staring at me with confusion, instinctively realized this concerned me and gasped, covering her mouth.

I saw no need to burden a child with such personal matters, so I simply continued speaking calmly.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you much time. I’d appreciate it if you could resolve this within a month at most.”

“That’s—that’s impossible on such short notice! What do you take pharmaceutical manufacturing for? I need to verify there are no side effects, observe the progress, and besides, Asau roots are so expensive I can’t even guarantee I can obtain them!”

“How much would it cost?”

“What?”

“How much.”

To reiterate: most worldly matters can be resolved with money, one way or another.

Marmint clicked her tongue at my relentless insistence.

Yet at the same time, she seemed somewhat excited at the prospect of handling expensive medicinal ingredients.

“Since the Doctor has passed away, you’ll need a separate research lab. Or perhaps there’s a place you used privately before?”

“Ah… well, there is a research lab in the Household, but…”

The way she trailed off suggested she couldn’t guarantee whether she’d be allowed to use it.

‘Of course. Now that Dr. Drabe Beaumont, who built up the Household, has died…’

Marmint had undoubtedly been marked as a troublesome child within the Household.

Even if they’d accumulated wealth over the years by exploiting the child’s talent, I knew there was no other family member besides Dr. Drabe Beaumont who was versed in herbalism.

In short, there were limits to how much they could leverage Marmint’s abilities under the deceased Dr. Drabe Beaumont’s name.

Either way, everywhere I looked, there were people thriving through exploitation.

“I can prevent Doctor’s Family from interfering with your research. If you wish to leave that Household entirely, I can arrange that as well.”

“Wh-what…? No, why would you…?”

“You don’t seem to dislike the idea.”

Marmint’s face went blank, as though she’d just heard a dream she’d never dared imagine spoken aloud by another person.

‘Why? Because the Debut Tante is less than a month and a half away, and time is truly running out now.’

Thus I deemed it necessary to clear the path for my promising pharmacist’s future.

Moreover, it was unbecoming of someone in a position of power to merely watch as they not only exploited a child far younger than themselves, but also oppressed her—I had to intervene.

“If you need a reason, I’ll provide one. I need the antidote you create, and to receive research results quickly, I believe a researcher requires proper motivation. If removing Doctor’s Family from the picture helps with antidote production, then naturally I can arrange it.”

“…”

“You look uncertain. Your will is what matters here—I have no intention of forcing you.”

【This seems like a matter that requires some persuasion, darling.】

I know, you’re right.

Even Sing, who dragged out his complaints, showed signs of discomfort—perhaps worried about Marmint’s future given the remaining family members.

It was nothing to quietly bring ruin upon the Doctor’s Household, so his grumbling was merely lip service.

Yet I couldn’t help but think that if the child were to bear guilt later for abandoning her family by my own hand, that too would be far from a good outcome.

Youth was terribly fragile—there was so much that needed protecting.

“I… I want to leave this place…”

“Very well, then.”

At my indifferent response, Marmint’s nose bridge wrinkled.

It looked so much like a child holding back tears that I worried I had answered too carelessly.

—————

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

—————