Chapter 62

Having completed the human trials of the new potion and confirmed the effectiveness of the Zunana grass extract, I decided to move forward with mass production.

Even if it is highly effective, it can't be considered a viable business if I'm the only one refining it.

To truly be a capable businessman, I need to build a system where money comes in even if I do nothing.

...Perhaps I should be called an investor or entrepreneur rather than a businessman.

"Anyway, I plan to create a device that can mass-produce the extract efficiently."

"But even if we can mass-produce it, we need permission to sell it, don't we? I don't think it will be easy to get approval."

That's true.

While it might be fine to share it among individuals, selling potions on a large scale as a pharmacy would require the approval of the Alchemist Guild.

Given the potency and production capabilities of the new guild, the likelihood of getting approval is extremely low, as it could potentially eliminate existing alchemists.

So, here's what I'm thinking.

"I plan to sell the extract as a raw material."

"Raw material...?"

"Yes, the extract isn't a drug, so we don't need permission to sell it."

"But the sale of drugs made from the extract would still require permission. Would there be any alchemists willing to buy it?"

"Since it provides sufficient effects just by mixing it, we could sell it to adventurers along with other materials, but I'm trying to get the approval somehow."

Even if we use such methods, there's a high chance that the loophole will be closed.

"…So, you're thinking of selling the raw material to the Alchemist Guild and getting approval for the sale of new drugs in exchange for providing the processing rights?"

"Exactly. Selling the extract at a high price will benefit us, and the alchemists won't be eliminated."

By diluting it, it can be used in large quantities with existing drugs, so the demand is likely to expand.

This will create a win-win situation where we don't have to compete for limited demand.

Adventurers can challenge more dangerous and profitable enemies with peace of mind, and everyone will be happy.

If they get a little injured or use magic to consume the drugs, that would be even better.

"That might work. Should we go to the Alchemist Guild right away?"

"No, it won't make a difference whether I'm there or not, so I'll leave it to you. We don't have much time before the Broken Dungeon campaign."

With only two days to prepare, time is precious.

"Ah… Then, where are you going, Kaede-san?"

"I'm going to Eleara. For device manufacturing, the dwarves are the best. I have a plan."

"Understood. I'll go to the Alchemist Guild. Can I bring the potion from earlier to prove its effectiveness?"

"Yes, it would be better to bring it."

I also gave her the extract before mixing it with other materials.

With those, Merushia set off for the Alchemist Guild.

I then headed to Eleara.

It took about two hours to arrive, which is quite a distance.

Normally, it would take two weeks to travel this distance, so if I said it was far, I might get scolded by a traveling merchant.

"Hello, Gainto-san. I came to get some equipment that isn't related to coke or mithril. Is that okay?"

"…I'll do my best to help, but the Coal Mine Guild isn't a blacksmith. Is it something we can get?"

"Maybe… It's a device for distillation. Do you have any recommendations for a store?"

"If it's a distillation apparatus for alcohol, there's a blacksmith behind the guild."

"Thank you, I'll check it out."

Thinking about it, it was a mistake to ask a coal mine for a distillation apparatus.

I had forgotten because the prototype was completed so quickly with the coke.

I went to the store to place an order immediately.

However, there was already a device that looked like what I was looking for in the store, and it was made of mithril.

"Excuse me… Is this a distillation apparatus?"

I asked the dwarf who seemed to be the owner.

If I bought something thinking it was a distillation apparatus and it turned out to be a washing machine, it would be a disaster.

"Hmm? Yes, it's used for distilling alcohol."

The owner, who seemed friendlier than most dwarves, answered.

"Can I buy this?"

"There are no reservations, so you can buy it if you have the money. It costs 5.3 million tel, so it's not something an individual can easily afford."

"…Why do you have such an expensive item in stock?"

"It takes time to make, so it's better to have it ready if you have the funds."

"I want to buy it. Can you show me how to use it?"

"Do you have the money?"

The owner looked at me suspiciously.

If a young adventurer said they wanted to buy a device that costs as much as a house, anyone would be suspicious.

In such cases, the best thing to do is to prove it.

"Yes. If it meets the required performance, I can buy it right away."

I took out 53 large gold coins from my item box, which I had prepared in advance.

"Can I check?"

"Yes."

I handed over the gold coins.

"I'm surprised. Are you a noble or the son of a large guild?"

The owner quickly checked the large gold coins and returned them to me.

There was no need for a detailed inspection.

If it was something that required such a check, it would be immediately considered counterfeiting and the person would be treated as a thief.

"Can you show me how to use it?"

"Sure, leave it to me."

The usage wasn't that complicated.

Basically, you just light a fire and put the distillation target inside, and it does the rest.

However, you need to determine when to stop the distillation.

The mithril construction had no special meaning; it was just cheap and durable.

It felt like mithril was taking over the role of iron on Earth.

The erosion was so severe that it wouldn't be surprising if we entered the age of mithril-reinforced concrete.

"I'll buy this."

I declared and handed over the large gold coins.

"Thanks. We'll need to disassemble it for transportation. When do you want it delivered?"

"I can carry it myself. I have an item box."

"I don't think that's possible. Even if mithril is light, it's still a block of metal."

"No, I can do it. Can I try?"

"Since it's yours now, go ahead…"

I got permission and touched the distillation apparatus, trying to store it in my item box.

As expected, it worked.

"See, it went in."

"…Is the item box really that convenient?"

"Yes, it's very convenient."

It can store hot meals and transport tons of iron ore easily.

With some items, you can even use it for combat by dropping them from the sky.

"Well, I'll be going. I still have some things to do."

"Ah, yes… Come back if you need anything."

I got it more easily than expected.

Tomorrow will be a free day.

There are plenty of things to do, like mass-producing the extract, but the Zunana grass in my item box is in tons.

Even if I start production without waiting for the ship to be completed, there's enough.

When I returned to Fotoren, Merushia was already back at the store.

"This side can start tomorrow. How about your side?"

"It won't be done in a day or two, but it should be ready by the end of the week. The effects have already been confirmed by the other side."

"I see. I won't be here for a while starting the day after tomorrow, so I'll leave the pricing and negotiations to you."

"Understood. If we can start tomorrow, does that mean the equipment is ready?"

"Yes. …Do we have a place to put it?"

"It's manufacturing equipment, right? The warehouse would be better."

"Got it."

We then placed the distillation apparatus in the warehouse and focused on producing the Zunana grass extract.

Since we couldn't increase the efficiency per hour, we mobilized the staff and worked in shifts day and night.

By noon the next day, we had accumulated about 5 liters of extract when a researcher-looking man burst into the warehouse.

He had an unhealthy look on his face, probably from lack of sleep, and was calling for Merushia with a full smile.

Who is this guy?

Before I could ask, he opened his mouth with a creepy smile.

"Mr. Merushia! The drug you brought is a terrible counterfeit! Stop production immediately; it's a waste of the extract."

Who the hell are you?

Don't just show up and say whatever you want.

"Merushia, who is this?"

"…He's Dimmek, a researcher from the Alchemist Guild. What do you mean by counterfeit?"

A researcher.

I guess he's similar to a dwarf who only works with metal.

"Here. We made a drug from yesterday's extract, and in this short time, we were able to produce nearly four times the effect with the same amount of extract. The composition of your drug is that poor."

Dimmek took out a drug.

When I appraised it, it said it could heal about 350 HP.

It seems almost the same as what we made, as long as you're not dead.

"Don't worry, we've only made the extract so far."

"That's good. If you're going to make something like that, I'd like to buy it from you. I'll return it to you with double the effect."

He wants half of it.

Anyway, we're making this for the Broken Dungeon.

If a professional can make it into a drug, there's no reason to refuse, so I'll ask him to do it.

"I'm the owner, Kaede. I'm leaving for the Broken Dungeon tomorrow morning, but I'd like you to make as many potions as possible by then. Can you do it?"

"You're Kaede-san? Of course, it's possible. A revolution in potion science is about to happen. I'll work two days straight to find the optimal formula."

His unusually high energy was a bit overwhelming.

Maybe he's already been working for two days straight.

Maybe you should take the drug yourself.

"O-Okay. I'll leave it to you."

With that, the potion production plan was set.

By the next morning, 150 potions (each healing 400 HP) were completed (this time, we paid the processing fee in cash to ensure the quantity).

Dimmek handed me the completed potions and then collapsed, but he seemed to be just sleeping, so I had the staff carry him.

Now, it's time to go to the guild for the Broken Dungeon campaign.

I'll show the monsters the terrifying sight of adventurers continuing to fight even with arrows in their knees, armed with a large supply of full recovery potions.