Leah’s hatchling suddenly flew over and perched on the railing.

“…What do you want?”

The hatchling drooped its ears at his stiff tone. Helix flinched despite himself.

“Cooo.”

“…I meant why aren’t you with Leah instead of being here.”

He found himself explaining in an apologetic tone. Despite his awkward words, the hatchling smiled brightly and wagged its tail.

“Nothing will come of you hanging around here. Go back.”

“Coo coo.”

The fidgeting hatchling looking for approval was both cute and pitiful. Helix furrowed his brows.

“I don’t understand why dragons act this way.”

“Coo.”

The gray eyes beneath those furrowed brows gazed at the hatchling for a moment.

‘Well, what sin could a baby have committed?’

No matter how evil dragons might be, it wouldn’t be right to treat such a hatchling like a villain from the start.

“Chirp.”

He sighed.

“Fine. Go to Leah.”

As Chirpy left Helix, he grinned inwardly.

‘I’ll be back, silver human.’

Someday he would win him over with his cuteness and make him admit, ‘Dragons… they’re cute creatures.’ Chirpy strengthened his resolve and flapped away.

***

Meanwhile, an unexpected person had returned to the Piert family laboratory – the court physician who had been caring for children at the magic school in the north.

As soon as she heard the news, Leah visited the Piert family research facility with Helix. The physician, who had his nose buried in an experiment table, greeted the two.

“Lady Leah! Sir Helix! It’s been a while! Are you in good health?”

Leah scolded him.

“I’m healthy, of course. But why do you look so gaunt?”

“Haha…”

The physician gave an awkward smile. She asked seriously.

“You seem to have lost weight too. And you came back in such a hurry. What happened? Was the northern winter too cold? Did something difficult happen at the magic school?”

“No. I just felt it was time for me to step aside.”

The physician continued.

“After you publicly announced yourself as a mage, Lady Leah, you also opened the magic school. You even recruited teachers.”

“Is that why? Is someone mistreating a founding contributor? Just tell me! I’ll create a vice principal position for you!”

“No, that’s not it!”

The physician jumped up.

“You see… I enjoyed researching mana with the children at first, but children are still children, even if they’re mages. I couldn’t handle it…”

“Ah, I see…”

Leah became solemn, finding this somewhat understandable.

“So you were drained from teaching that didn’t suit you. I suppose it would be difficult for a court physician who’s only ever dealt with medicine and herbs.”

“Sniff. Thank you for understanding, Lady Leah.”

The physician regained some energy after having his hardships acknowledged. He also explained why he had returned to the research facility rather than the Piert family mansion. After being drained from teaching, he had visited Louise’s herb garden to experience nature without people around, and ended up becoming deeply immersed in herbal medicine.

“Especially when I combined the effects of herbs grown by Louise, it turned out to be quite fun.”

“Oh? Did you use wild ginseng?”

“Yes. This solution contains wild ginseng extract.”

Helix interjected.

“What are you researching now? It feels like cold medicine to me.”

“How did you know? How?”

The physician asked in surprise. After all, Helix had only glanced at the experiment table once when he entered.

“I could identify the herbs used by their smell. If those herbs were combined, it seemed like it would be cold medicine.”

“Wow.”

The physician stuck out his tongue.

“I knew Sir Helix had extraordinary abilities, but you truly amaze me every time I see you.”

“Don’t we already sell cold medicine? Are you planning to relaunch it?”

Leah asked. The physician shook his head.

“Rather, I’m trying to make higher quality cold medicine. Young Lord Rikeil has been suffering from body aches. Since he hasn’t recovered after resting for days, I suspect it might be influenza.”

“Influenza, you say.”

“Yes. Perhaps because winter has come early this year, influenza is already spreading.”

Leah looked at Helix upon hearing the physician’s words.

“Helix, can you help make that?”

“It’s not difficult, but what are you thinking?”

Her eyes sparkled.

“I want to stockpile a lot of medicine.”

***

Leah continued.

“If it’s medicine being made for our eldest brother, the effectiveness must be certain.”

“Yes, I’m confident in its efficacy.”

The physician puffed his chest with a proud smile.

“It’s medicine that I and other researchers have worked hard on. Once we reinforce the concentration control method, it will be complete.”

“Well done. Let’s release this as a product in the market too.”

Having been sick for a long time, she was sensitive to outbreaks of influenza and disease. This world still had too few types of medicine. Medicines were also difficult to obtain. That’s why the Piert duchy had started a pharmaceutical business to try to save her.

Leah said, “If we release more types of cold medicine to the market before the severe cold wave begins, we can reduce the number of people suffering from colds.”

“Leah, you really are…”

Just as Helix was about to be overcome with emotion, she continued with a devious smile:

“And after gaining reputation and public favor with inexpensive cold medicine, we’ll release a premium version. Hehehe… a special grade cold medicine loaded with wild ginseng and honey!”

The physician exclaimed:

“Oh, that would sell well!”

“Of course! The so-called Premium Cold Medicine! We’ll sell it at a high price to the nobles!”

Helix briefly held his forehead.

“…Leah, sometimes I can’t tell if you’re running a scam or doing good deeds.”

“Just say I have a high understanding of money and public sentiment.”

Helix shook his head and said:

“I think I can help with the cheaper cold medicine. If we can achieve similar effects with less expensive ingredients, we could make more of it.”

Leah smiled brightly.

“Great! Cost reduction is always welcome.”

***

Count Trow and Lord Yan Trow. The father and son united in purpose after a long time.

Forced into a corner and filled with resentment, they had nothing to hesitate about. They pondered:

‘How can we fulfill the Crown Prince’s orders while escaping ourselves?’

The Count suggested a plan first.

“What about attacking that silver-haired man who sticks close to Leah Piert? Grand Duke Sharit, whatever failed small country’s title that is, appearing with such a title must irritate many. What if we frame him as a con artist impersonating nobility?”

Lord Trow lacked confidence.

“If we do that now, we might get stoned in the public square.”

“But if we create a scandal involving that pretty-faced silver-haired man, wouldn’t it work?”

“Leah Piert wouldn’t stand still. The people of the capital would probably applaud even if she rained fire on our mansion.”

Besides, Leah herself only participated in social circles because of family business; she didn’t particularly favor them.

So what if they spread rumors in social circles? She would likely seize the opportunity and announce, “The Peiren social circle is too filthy to bear!”

“Then how would people react? There’s a festive atmosphere because a mage has appeared in Peiren.”

“…They would probably try to kill those who created the scandal.”

The Count pressed his temples.

“If that subtly cunning woman says, ‘I’ll stay in the City Union to heal my wounded heart!’ and leaves for recovery or vacation, the capital’s people would all be in uproar.”

“They might all come charging at our mansion with torches.”

Why did Leah Piert have to gain magical abilities and cause this mess? As Lord Trow bit his lip:

“Then what about tarnishing the Piert ducal family?”

His ears perked up. Indeed, his father had exceptional thinking when it came to such schemes.

If they couldn’t target Leah Piert personally, why not attack the Piert ducal family that supported her!

“That sounds good. But how? Everyone is enthusiastic about them.”

“We have Rikeil Piert.”

A cunning smile formed at the corner of Count Trow’s mouth.

“The young lord?”

Lord Trow was about to say it was nonsense but closed his mouth. Rikeil Piert, the young lord, was formidable and capable at a young age. However, Ruyan Piert was a Swordmaster, and Leah Piert was a fire mage.

‘We have no chance in direct confrontation.’

Compared to them, what Rikeil Piert led were just a few merchant groups belonging to the Piert family. Trading battles were the only area where they could attempt some tricks against their military might.

“Do you have a good plan?”

“Since it’s winter, medicines for colds and pneumonia will sell well.”

Count Trow said, “Let’s copy and sell the medicines from the Piert merchant group.”

***

A few days later, at a small pharmacy located in an alley in the capital.

“You’re really giving me these medicines at this price?”

“That’s what I said. Have you been deceived all your life?”

The pharmacy owner kept glancing at the cart and boxes while paying.

They were boxes of medicine from the Piert merchant group, currently so popular that people were paying premiums for them.

“No, it’s just that you’re selling items worth their full price at a bargain.”

The merchant who suddenly appeared offered to sell these medicines at an astonishingly low price.

To the pharmacy owner’s suspicion, the merchant lowered his voice.

“Consider yourself lucky. These items shouldn’t normally be sold at this price, but since the ducal family is so powerful these days, I need to get rid of them quickly.”

“What do you mean?”

“They’re diverted goods, you see. Even warehouse keepers need to earn some drinking money occasionally, right?”

“Ah, so that’s it…”

The pharmacy owner also lowered his voice. Though he was essentially buying stolen goods, he felt reassured.

‘If that’s the case, it makes sense to sell at this price.’

The pharmacy owner’s face brightened at this unexpected windfall. He quickly received the medicine boxes from the merchant and paid.

The merchant stuffed the money into his pocket and began pulling his cart.

“Well, I’ll be going now. If anyone asks, keep quiet about me. Understood?”

“Yes, yes. Of course!”

When the merchant’s cart completely disappeared from view, the pharmacy owner hugged the box with a broad smile.

“Heave-ho! How much can I get if I sell all this at full price? Haha, what good luck… Oops.”

The medicine box was heavier than expected, perhaps because it contained many potions. A few bottles slipped from the box as he staggered.

“Oh, oh…!”