Time Healer Ceres - Chapter 108

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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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“You say you have the Black Key?”
Esel, the head of the Sky Organization, cut straight to the point without any pleasantries.
The moment his subordinate had relayed the news, he’d abandoned his breakfast and rushed here.
“Will you show it to me?”
Thunk.
The object was placed on the table almost as soon as he finished speaking—dropped rather than set down.
It was a key that gleamed black.
Esel picked it up carefully and examined it thoroughly, a silent groan escaping him.
‘So a second key has been found.’
What in the world was happening.
For all these long years, this key had left barely a whisper of evidence in the world, and now it was appearing simultaneously everywhere—why?
His mind was in turmoil, but Esel managed his expression with practiced ease and turned his gaze to the figure sitting across from him.
A man who sat with aristocratic composure as though this were his own home: Persha, the Grand Duke.
“I had no idea you possessed this key, Grand Duke Persha.”
Who could have imagined it.
That the Grand Duke would actually have the key that could be called the very heart of the Sky Organization.
“You must have found the other one too.”
……
At Kainel’s casual remark, Esel offered no response. He needed to first assess how much Kainel already knew.
“That’s why you’re watching her, isn’t it? Her.”
Esel remained silent even at what followed.
He was well aware that his subordinate Ben had already had his identity exposed to Seres and was now following her orders.
‘How did you find out?’
Seres had told him directly when she came to see him recently.
‘You want me to keep Ben with her?’
‘Yes.’
‘But why……?’
‘I have errands for him to run.’
‘I see…….’
‘What, do you object? Then are you prepared to pay another price for daring to surveil the key’s master?’
‘B-Ben would suffice? Shall I assign another as well? The more messengers, the better, don’t you think?’
In a position where he could not refuse the request of the key’s master, letting the surveillance slide by like this was far too fortunate a turn.
“That is not a matter I can speak to.”
Esel returned the key after his examination and bowed respectfully.
“Is that why you’ve come all this way to see me in person?”
“Among other reasons.”
To confirm matters regarding the key, and to satisfy his curiosity about other things.
Kainel seemed to have no intention of pressing for answers about the key Seres held, and he did not ask further.
“Do you know what Seres is doing now.”
“I couldn’t say. As for what I know specifically…….”
Clink.
“She is currently serving as Acting Lord of the Elrsia Countess Family. She has already received the approval of the Council of Elders, though it appears there continues to be minor friction with the Knights Order.”
The head of Sky, who had been trailing off, spilled out the information he possessed as soon as Kainel gave the key a light shake—as though he’d been waiting for it.
Because he’d understood that the question just posed was being asked as the key’s master.
Though the fact that the one Kainel was curious about was also the key’s master created a small dilemma, his only obligation was to provide truthful answers.
“The Elrsia Countess Family?”
Kainel’s brow twitched subtly at the last remark, though he had been listening without apparent interest.
“……Friction, you say?”
Chapter 30. The Test
“Eight to two.”
“Five to five.”
“Seven to three.”
“Five to five.”
“…Six to four. I cannot go lower than that.”
Juno, the secretary who had recently moved into the Elrsia Countess Family household to take charge of its affairs, sighed quietly to herself. Seres just kept repeating the same words no matter what Juno said.
“Isn’t it unreasonable to ask for half the profits when you’re entrusting us with both manufacturing and sales?”
Seres had made a proposal to the Elrsia Countess Family.
A Treatment Medicine for those afflicted with Magic Corruption—she said she would reveal its formula.
In exchange, she wanted half of the sales revenue.
There was no doubt whatsoever — she’d seen the medicine’s efficacy with her own eyes.
A drug that could replace that obscenely expensive Holy Water? Honestly, it was shocking.
If she hadn’t proposed it first, he would have broached the contract himself.
“Six to four. That’s my final offer.”
Even so, no matter how good the Treatment Medicine is, fifty-fifty seems a bit much, doesn’t it?
“Fifty-fifty.”
“Listen here.”
“Frankly, this isn’t the only place that can make medicine.”
I’m giving it to you lot out of old loyalty, without even mentioning it to anyone else. So what exactly are you complaining about?
“It costs less than a tenth of Holy Water to manufacture, and the performance isn’t even in the same league as that rubbish.”
You saw it too — not just erasing Magic Corruption, but stopping hemorrhage on the spot.
And it even has the effect of healing ordinary wounds at remarkable speed, they say.
“You don’t think we’re capable of making that medicine ourselves?”
This is Elrsia Countess Family — the place overflowing with skilled healers like Herion.
If all of them concentrated their efforts on crafting the medicine, they’d surely be able to achieve some results…
“Fine. Give it your best shot.”
Seres let out a scoff.
It seemed like there wouldn’t have been anyone like that in the past.
After she first created that medicine, there wasn’t just one or two people from other places who tried to reverse-engineer it.
‘But they all failed.’
Some managed to create something similar, but in the end, the potency fell dramatically short compared to what she’d made, and they quickly faded away.
‘Well, if they want to walk that road, I’m not about to stop them.’
People grow by experiencing all sorts of trials and tribulations.
“Fifty-fifty.”
So there’s no way I’m budging. This is already generous on my part.
…….
A silent sigh escaped from secretary Juno’s lips once again.
There wasn’t a single flaw in what Seres said.
As the frequency of Black Forest outbreaks climbed higher, the price of Holy Water spiraled upward without end.
In these circumstances, to say that Treatment Medicine wouldn’t tempt them would be a lie.
Although she herself had just spoken about being able to make it somehow, Juno knew full well that it wasn’t so simple.
And if Seres sold the formula to someone else in the meantime?
By the time they finally produced the medicine, they’d be late to market and likely unable to sell it properly.
‘But still…’
Even so, it would be they who made and distributed everything…
“If you don’t like it, forget it.”
But Seres’s stance remained unyielding.
Then you should have managed the formula better in the first place. Who are you blaming?
I’m telling you again — I spent six months developing this medicine.
‘Lose such a precious formula just like that?’
Does that make any sense?
Does it make sense, you foolish things!
“We’ll take the contract.”
“Herion.”
Rather than let Juno keep wavering, Herion picked up the contract documents.
“If we let this medicine slip away, the Council of Elders won’t stand for it.”
“…That’s true.”
At those words, Juno finally took a step back.
It would indeed be foolish to let such a medicine slip away, just as Herion said.
If that medicine started being sold elsewhere, she could already picture the damage it would do to the family.
The title of the Empire’s greatest healing house might very well pass to someone else.
“I just sign here, correct?”
The contract stated that medicine made from this formula could only be sold by Elrsia Countess Family.
It also contained provisions that Elrsia Countess Family would handle all production and distribution, and would pass half of all profits to Seres.
“Right here!”
After signing both copies, Herion returned one to Seres.
“Looking forward to working with you, Seres!”
Pleased to have forged a connection, Herion beamed brightly and extended her hand.
“Yes. Let’s make this work.”
At that, Seres smiled faintly as well, clasping her hand firmly.
* * *
“You’re telling me the temple has stopped selling Holy Water?”
“Yes.”
“Is that bastard secretary behind this again?”
Tailo, the Knights Order commander, twisted his face in disgust. The news that had just reached him turned his stomach.
The money that had been slipping away as the temple purchased Holy Water over these months was considerable. There was a monthly allocation of Holy Water distributed to the knights, after all.
For those who wielded swords, Holy Water was essential equipment. They had to carry it at all times as a precaution against the Black Forest, which could erupt anywhere without warning.
Skimming off some of that Holy Water to raise funds was something he’d done routinely.
When word came that the servant who’d been helping him with this arrangement could no longer procure Holy Water, Tailo felt fury rising in his chest.
Just how far did she intend to strangle every revenue stream?
“The secretary didn’t do this.”
“Then who?”
“The new Acting Lord. That’s whose doing it is.”
“What?”

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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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