"This is great! Trial and error? Nonsense. I'm sure about this. This is possible. My 20 years of construction experience tells me, so. We can do this!"
"This will surely become successful… of course, it may take a while, but with the Marquis' name…"
"At worst, we can take some losses, but it will never be bad for our people."
"Of the production items detailed here, actually, I made one of these items with my servants today, and it was successful. I can guarantee a profit."
The reaction at the vassal meeting was explosive.
Evan combined modern people's views and his game knowledge of the Yo-Ma series to create a reasonable market analysis.
It didn't fit with the audience's common sense.
"No… is this really the work of the second young master? This? Really?!"
"I heard that he's been doing a lot of crazy things these days, but this? That cutie?"
"If you didn't say that it was a child's work, the trust would have been higher… however… it's still good. It would be worth trying, at least."
Everyone did not believe that Evan made this proposal, but their conclusion was nonetheless the same.
It is a plan worth trying even at the expense of losses.
However, when Eric explained that he and Evan would handle one part of the business, the pharmaceutical side, it demanded more discussion.
"But why? Isn't that the least profitable field? You could have asked for something bigger and better."
The loyal vassals of the Marquis of Sheridan, Viscount Miharen, asked. He was the cousin of the butler, and he was also in a position similar to the butler of the Marquis. He is also someone whose words the Marquis gives weight to.
"The pharmaceutical sector is a representative industry that is regressing without development, a declining industry. There are no new drugs to be developed as the priests could heal a lot of wounds and diseases, and when in the dungeons, there are many herbs that have excellent healing effects even without turning them into medicine."
The pharmaceutical industry is declining… no, it didn't develop at all. In the first place, there are alternative resources such as priests who could heal sickness and wounds through abilities given by the gods.
In fact, the temple wasn't very pleased with the idea of medicines. They wanted healing to be done by divine power, not human science. This is because healing is one way the temple secures donations.
"That's right. The pharmaceutical business isn't just about buying herbs at low prices and selling them back at a little profit. Do we have a potion maker? There are only a few people who do potion-making…"
"But Evan decided this. The first thing we could do to help the people is through the pharmaceutical industry."
No matter how good Evan's idea is, he's too young to attend the meeting.
Only those who were adults and had a certain authority and wisdom within the Marquis' circle could attend.
However, Eric is the successor to the Marquis, so he could attend. His role in the meeting is to represent Evan's position.
"The only people who could benefit from priests are explorers who enter dungeons or those who have enough money to donate to the temple. There are many who did not get treated. In situations where people do not have money or access to priests, the only chance they have is through medication."
It is the truth. Common people could not easily ask a priest to come to them. Many people die without receiving appropriate measures.
With a proper pharmaceutical industry, with inexpensive healing potions and an efficient production system… that would drastically reduce the mortality rate of the poor.
"Did Evan really say that?"
"He did. I guess he's heard a lot of stories from the children that have been introduced in the mansion recently. He went to the slave market to find them…"
"I think it's good if he does not get too close to them. He only thought of this idea because he had these children… I don't think the temple would like this very much."
The room fell silent at the words that one of them threw.
Yes. Wasn't the temple the biggest reason for the pharmaceutical industry's failure?
Investors didn't dare touch this field as it was hard to expect a big profit for it, and they did not want to risk the temple's anger.
"It's decided," the Marquis said in a firm tone. "The temple will not dare to interfere, and the common people will be aided."
"Then, Marquis, a conflict with the temple…"
"They won't dare go against us," the Marquis laughed before he continued.
"The biggest earner in a dungeon city is the temple. Explorers give them a lot of money. Because they are our state religion, we have left them to take root in our city. But if we are dissatisfied with the work they are doing for the people, we can let them go."
There was, of course, a reason why the Marquis was confident.
Although they are collectively called as 'the temple', there were many sects serving different gods.
In the dungeon city, the denomination that served the Earth God dominated. Of course, there are other priests who serve different gods, but their shoulders droop against the Earth Church, which was considered the state religion and receives official support from the government.
"But what if I throw them out of the city for a new denomination to take over the temple? Will the new denomination still oppose the pharmaceutical industry? Of course not," the Marquis chuckled.
"But the Earth Church is the state religion, Marquis. The Majesty…"
"If we really get to such an extreme situation, I will have a discussion with His Majesty. My sons simply want to help the people. If I can't help them achieve this, I have no qualifications to be their father!"
The Marquis' resolve was like steel. He couldn't refuse his beloved sons, and he has a just cause, so there was nothing to worry about. If the emperor asks for his audience, it was within the emperor's power, but he was ready to take a noose on the neck!
"Woah, Marquis. After you have decided on your will, there is really no one who could change your mind."
"Your words are like an iron horse charging. Cool!"
"We will do things that were unimaginable. I'm thrilled, and I yearn for it!"
The vassals, who hesitated because they understandably didn't want to be hanged by the emperor, suddenly expressed their opinions in favor of the Marquis.
"Then, I have made a decision. I approve. Business expansion, including the production of new products under my name as the Marquis, and the founding of the Brotherhood Pharmacy."
As soon as the Marquis' permission was granted, Evan started moving with Eric and Maybell. Of course, the most important things were securing a site, securing a pharmacist, and, above all, procuring materials.
The others may think that they are purely procuring ingredients for drugs, but Evan had another purpose in mind!
I will collect poisonous herbs from all over the world!
It is good to take care of the lives of the people, but shouldn't I have to stay alive to keep doing that?
Evan's resolve was firm.
However, he had to wait until the business is running smoothly, else it would be obvious if he started taking part in their limited supply. He decided to put up with it for a while.
But the main problem now is…
"What? No pharmacists?"
"Yes, sir. In this city, the temple has terrible influence, so it seems that pharmacists did not want to come…"
An unexpected setback. There was no pharmacist who could actually run the pharmacy. The reason was what Maybell explained. No one wanted to enter the city for fear of the temple!
A thought also came to Evan's mind. Until Yo-Ma Great War 2, there were quite a few shops where a player could purchase herbs and potions, but in Yo-Ma Great War 3, which takes place in a dungeon city, it was strangely difficult to find shops that sell potions.
It turned out that it was because of the temple! He didn't know that backstory!
In the end, I would have to find a pharmacist or learn alchemy myself, he thought.
It was one of the things he did in the past life, in order to keep saving Evan. He was probably the first of all Yo-ma Great War 3 players who earned the achievement' Alchemy Master'. That's why he was confident in handling the pharmaceutical industry.
However, people wouldn't want to drink medicine produced by a nine-year-old boy.
He badly needs to find a pharmacist. Even just someone who knows the basics. Evan was a genius of pharmaceuticals, and he could teach the pharmacist himself.
Several days went past without finding a suitable pharmacist.
"The field of brick production has already begun to pay off…" Evan noticed.
"They are giving us some subsidies. What should we do, Evan? Should we receive it?" His brother, Eric, looked confused.
"Isn't Uncle Randolph that was in charge of the brick production business? No, I don't think we should take it. He will sooner take control of this one if we allow him…"
"Evan, are you really my brother?"
It was hard to pretend to be a nine-year-old when because he was running a business.
As Evan tried to think of something silly to say, so he could pretend to be innocent, he was saved by a knock on the door.
"Young Master, this is Shine."
"Why, Shine? Did you find a pharmacist?"
"No…"
The door opened slowly. Shine, wearing a servant's uniform appeared.
Then, someone familiar walked in behind him.
"I brought you… a person who can find talent," Shine answered.
"Young Master, it's been a while. Save your trouble and worries. If you are looking for someone, it will be fastest to leave it to me."
The head of the slave market where he bought Shine and Belois!