Of course, Vargas’s request was flatly rejected.
Eustia’s skill, One Followed by Heavenly Fortune, didn’t activate all the time. It was ultimately luck, so using it multiple times required countless trials and errors.
It was essentially the same as doing potion research the normal way. Why would a princess like her do such grueling work?
She had even attached the condition of an introduction, and she only agreed because it was my request.
“It’s really a shame. We could speed up potion research several times over…….”
Vargas couldn’t hide his dejected expression.
Honestly, I also wanted her to stay at the lab.
By churning out innovative products onto the market, we could expect positive effects.
Without much effort on my part.
Unless I kidnapped Lady Eustia or something.
But reality wasn’t like that.
“Don’t be too disappointed. There’ll be another opportunity someday.”
“You seem to have good business sense, too—wherever you learned it. The colors, fragrances, paper packaging, and storage boxes were all the lady’s eye.”
“Ah, that? Must be thanks to my experience in Delriat.”
She must have copied the packaging from the cordyceps pills.
Of course, I didn’t expect her to add color and fragrance.
Anyway, the soap factory was gradually increasing production.
The unpackaged ones were sent to the public showers for now.
The liquid soap we’d been supplying endlessly wasn’t made by us.
It was all bought from the Sierre ducal house.
I hated fattening their pockets, but it couldn’t be helped.
There were no alternatives at all.
But now, I planned to dominate the soap market.
A product that was much cheaper, longer-lasting, and even scented.
It was practically a thug of a product, so they had no choice but to be forced into options.
Either slash prices drastically or go for a luxury strategy.
Honestly, liquid soap was more convenient.
It foamed much faster, for one.
And it could satisfy the nobles’ vanity. Ah, of course, the second option wouldn’t mean much. Luxury strategy isn’t something only they can do.
I called out to Vargas, who was sitting dejectedly.
“Can you add other scents or colors?”
“Of course. I can use my dyes, but fragrances are a bit limited. The materials are too expensive, or they fail in production sometimes.”
“But it’s possible to vary them?”
“Yes.”
“Then, make something a bit more luxurious than this cucumber soap.”
“Cucumber?”
“Ah, something like that.”
The light green Lady Eustia chose felt pretty good.
For this era, at least.
But to my modern Korean eyes, it looked like nothing but cucumber soap.
“Pink or light purple would be nice.”
“I’ll experiment first.”
“Good. Ah, right—you know Theo gets 1% of the tool workshop’s net profits.”
“Of course.”
“I’ll give you a similar contract, so work hard.”
“R-really?”
Up until now, Vargas had been working in exchange for cordyceps pills.
Plus research funding, so it could be seen as not a bad deal.
But was that really enough?
The fashion business was running well thanks to him.
Zippers and universal dye were practically revolutionary.
And with soap added, just giving cordyceps felt a bit stingy.
The soap factory shares should be a decent reward.
He’d probably blow most on research, but it’d be solid motivation.
I watched Vargas’s retreating figure with a satisfied expression as he dashed off excitedly. When had that potion-bombing sorcerer from Nermeia become so reliable?
It was truly astonishing.
“That’s done—shall I check other places?”
Aside from the new soap factory, there were no major changes in the Dapan Group.
The other businesses were progressing smoothly.
You could say they’d entered a stabilization phase.
They’d be fine as is for a while.
I planned to be away again, after all.
I need to talk with Vice President Xavier before leaving.
If there were new business ideas, I had to plan them in advance.
After touring all the businesses, I returned to the mansion.
Then, for the first time in a while, I strolled through the nearby fields.
The well-drained, gently sloping hills were vineyards.
The flatlands were wheat fields.
With spring fast approaching, the land was filled with waves of green.
“Nice.”
A warm, lyrical atmosphere.
This was the typical scenery of a noble house.
But I was far from ordinary.
Beyond the wheat fields, a modern industrial zone would appear.
Normally, it should have a negative image.
Areas dense with factories inevitably led to environmental destruction.
Here, there were no restrictions on sewage, wastewater, or soot emissions.
I handle it properly, but other places……. Ah! Come to think of it, I was going to do water and sewage, and waste businesses too.
That seemed like something to push after returning from the Crawford Principality.
I’d just hint to Vice President Xavier to prepare in advance.
As I walked, lost in such thoughts, I sensed someone approaching.
“You’re incorrigible, Your Grace. Working right after returning.”
“Lady Eustia, it’s been a while.”
“So, are you ready?”
“For what?”
“You have to receive it. The introduction.”
“Ah! So the match is set.”
“Yes, you wanted someone so pretty that I had trouble choosing.”
I looked at Lady Eustia incredulously.
Well, isn’t that obvious?
Personality or wealth could be considered later.
First, she had to appeal to me for a meeting to happen.
Of course, the same for the other side.
“I prepared someone special, so don’t worry.”
“Hehe! I trust you, my lady.”
With inflated expectations, I headed to the Crawford Principality.
In Korea, there was an old saying.
Looking kind, or seeming studious.
Saying someone has a nice impression all meant they were ugly.
On the other hand, looking like a gigolo meant handsome.
Anyway, that was for men.
It was a bit different for women.
They say women don’t introduce someone prettier than themselves.
The current situation felt exactly like that.
The woman Lady Eustia brought was petite with delicate features.
Individually, each part was pretty.
But overall harmony?
Uh, um……. How do I escape this?
That was my first thought.
Of course, I was a bit looks-oriented.
But I wasn’t excessively picky.
If she was decently okay, I’d have gladly continued the meeting.
But this time, she was far from my type.
“If we’ve met, isn’t it polite to introduce yourself first?”
A haughty attitude and a sharp tone.
I was a bit taken aback, but nodded.
It wasn’t exactly wrong.
But if the atmosphere was awkward, couldn’t she introduce herself first?
I thought that, but decided to go along for now.
It was a meeting arranged by Lady Eustia, so I had to show minimum courtesy.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Abel Carius.”
“I’m Alice Soltri.”
Wondering who she was to be so arrogant, she was from the Soltri marquis house.
The same family as Izkaya, who’s marrying Lady Eustia.
Judging by age, probably siblings.
Come to think of it, that slightly vacant look is similar.
Anyway, the issue was navigating this situation smoothly.
It was no exaggeration to say I’d met a second Lady Eustia.
She had feelings for me once, too.
No, wait. This might make me seem conceited, but it’s true.
She tried to feed me cordyceps pills when we were alone.
What else could that mean?
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
As I racked my brain, Alice’s question came.
I must not have spoken for quite a while, as she looked offended.
Pouting, that is.
“There’s some business at home. It’s important, so it’s on my mind.”
A plausible excuse.
No, not much distortion, actually.
The water, sewage, and waste businesses were only roughly conceptualized.
“The imperial capital—I’d love to visit sometime.”
Alice’s sparkling eyes and envious expression.
She was expressing interest with her whole body.
What did that mean?
Take me, absolutely.
If I stay longer, I’ll be hopelessly entangled.
I was currently at the wedding party of Lady Eustia and Izkaya Soltri in the Crawford Principality.
It was a kind of reception, practically a social debut.
That’s why heated gazes poured from all directions.
Like a pack of hyenas hunting prey—it’s too scary!
Still, getting swept into the crowd was better than getting linked with Alice Soltri.
No unnecessary rumors, either.
I tried to slip away from my seat.
But at that moment.
Grab!
Alice suddenly seized my wrist.
Then, with a bold expression, she spoke.
“I’ll ask straight.”
“Yes?”
“What do you think of a woman like me?”
“Ah, well. You resemble Defcon, I suppose.”
“Huh? What’s that? First time hearing it…….”
“Ahaha! Just something. It’s good. Good.”
“Ah.”
I tried to brush it off vaguely.
Still, it was a meeting set by Lady Eustia, so I’d be polite and leave.
But suddenly, Alice said this.
“Lately in Crawford high society, people with good pronunciation are popular. So I’m practicing this. Try it. Wang-bam-ppang wang-bam-ppang wang-bam-ppang wang-bam-ppang.”
Wait, hold on.
Someone resembling Defcon doing that?
My head spun, feeling like I’d lose my mind.
“Do it.”
“Ah, wam-bam-ppam?”
“No, wang-bam-ppang. Wam-bam-ppang wang-bam-ppang wang-bam-ppang wang-bam-ppang.”
It was such forceful indoctrination that I worried only wang-bam-ppang would remain in my head.
Thinking I couldn’t take more, I quickly stood.
Then, I pulled over Cordell McNeil, who happened to pass by.
This notorious playboy was throwing glances everywhere.
“This is my close bodyguard knight. Cordell McNeil, from the imperial guard.”
“Oh my! How cool.”
“This guy has great pronunciation, too.”
“Really? Nice to meet you. I’m Alice.”
She seemed to like him, as her expression brightened.
Cordell did look like the epitome of a gigolo.
And the imperial family was every noble lady’s dream.
A guard knight was impressive, too.
“Uh? S-suddenly?”
Cordell McNeil whispered in confusion.
I nodded with a meaningful smile.
“Lady Alice?!”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be back shortly—would you chat with this friend? The wine upset my stomach.”
“Oh my! Hurry back.”
I naturally seated Cordell and escaped the spot.
With this playboy’s eloquence, he could satisfy Alice Soltri.
And escape easily enough.
“Think of it as protecting your charge. It’s your duty.”
“What do you mean, Your Grace?”
“Hehe! You’ll find out soon.”
Cordell’s grip tightened.
But I snorted and lightly shook it off.
In pure strength, Cordell was no match.
Soon, cheerful conversation came from behind.
I left the banquet hall with a satisfied smile.
“Ah, finally using my bodyguard properly.”
Shortly after, Cordell’s plaintive voice echoed, chanting wang-bam-ppang repeatedly.
Lmao, poor Cordell