I blew on the hot tea in my cup.
The conversation I had with Brunhild earlier lingered in my mind.
"The reason I can interfere in the earthly realm from the spirit realm? It's simple! I'm not dead yet."
At first, I didn't understand what she meant.
Then she explained further.
"My body is still trapped in the tower. Only my soul managed to escape. That's why I want to climb the tower again."
That was it.
Brunhild had two reasons for climbing the tower.
One was to become a perfect god, and the other was to reclaim her lost body.
"Now, tell me how you know about the talisman."
"I heard about it."
"Heard? From whom?"
"From a magician of the Glazier family."
It wasn't a lie.
In my previous life, the one who discovered this talisman was a magician from the Glazier family.
Of course, he was later branded a heretic and expelled from the family when I was fifteen.
'It was inevitable.'
He was a side branch member who coveted the head's position.
I sipped my tea and looked out the window.
The late-night chirping of crickets tickled my ears.
Siegfried and Brunhild, who had stopped quarreling, were now laughing and playing as if nothing had happened.
'How carefree.'
Well, I didn't have it too bad either.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
"It's Kang Gradera."
I put down my teacup and spoke in a low voice.
"Come in."
The door didn't open.
A shadow slipped in through the small gap under the door and stopped in front of me, the darkness swirling as Kang Gradera began to speak.
"I apologize for appearing like this. I was followed on the way here—"
"Followed?"
"Yes, it seems someone discovered my identity while I was carrying out your orders."
"There shouldn't be anyone with such skills in Bourbon."
Before leaving for the tower, I had given Kang Gradera an order.
To keep an eye on Marquis Pierre while I was gone.
Though he seemed quiet for now, he could still raise an army for revenge.
"A man named Bongshin hired powerful mercenaries from various places through a guild. There were at least a hundred, including some well-known fighters from the west."
"Mercenaries?"
"Yes."
"What's their purpose?"
"It seems they are targeting you."
So, it's come to this.
I thought hearing the name 'Strange' would keep him in check, but he was scheming behind the scenes.
I had anticipated this to some extent, but his resolve was surprising. This could escalate into a full-blown war between families.
'Does he understand the consequences?'
Even with imperial blood, killing me would lead to unavoidable war.
Kang Gradera continued cautiously.
"However, I don't think they will come after you right away."
"Really?"
"Yes. While the mercenaries are strong, they aren't enough to start a war against the Stranges. It seems they have another plan."
"Indeed. Continue to monitor Marquis Pierre until I give further orders. As for the pursuers, lure them to a quiet place and eliminate them. We can't afford to let this drag on."
Kang Gradera responded with a heavy tone.
"Yes. Also, I heard an unusual rumor from a trading company associated with Marquis Pierre."
"An unusual rumor?"
"They say that Bongshin will soon stop the supply of high-grade potions and that those who need them should buy them in advance. In a few days, the price on the black market will be ten times higher."
Who would suffer the most if the supply of high-grade potions was cut off?
Just thinking about the answer revealed what he was planning.
'Foolish man.'
He should know what happens when you make an enemy of the Stranges.
Even the emperor avoids such actions.
'But of course.'
If the supply of high-grade potions stops, we would suffer greatly.
If unprepared, even Father might have to halt his tower ascent.
"How many companies supply high-grade potions?"
"At most five, at least three or four. They are all connected to Bourbon."
"And the manufacturing?"
"The manufacturing? You mean who makes the potions?"
"Yes."
"Currently, only the companies under Bourbon manufacture them. But with the ingredients, any company could do it."
"With the ingredients?"
"Yes, Bourbon controls the ingredients. But the technique for making high-grade potions is known. It falls within the realm of intermediate alchemists."
So, if we can secure the ingredients, any company can manufacture high-grade potions.
We might be able to act before Pierre can pressure us.
"Kang Gradera."
"Yes."
"Do you know what ingredients are used to make high-grade potions?"
"Roughly. The ingredients for beginner, intermediate, and high-grade potions aren't vastly different. Only one is unique."
"One ingredient?"
"Yes."
Whoosh—
From Kang Gradera's shadow, black smoke rose and transformed into flower petals resembling dog paws.
"Blue Cannabis."
"Blue Cannabis?"
"Yes, a flower found only in ogre habitats. It grows from the ground after slime that feeds on ogre feces absorbs into the soil."
"So, with Blue Cannabis, high-grade potions can be made?"
"Yes. The other ingredients are easily obtainable low-grade items from the market."
A flower found in ogre habitats.
Those monsters don't appear near the Legion, and their numbers are sparse in the central region, making them hard to find.
'…Huh?'
I turned my head to see Rox sleeping soundly on the bed, oblivious to Kang Gradera's presence.
Slap!
"Rox, wake up. It seems you need to head south."
* * *
The Bourbon Trading Company was a major player, supplying potions across the continent.
When rumors spread that they would stop supplying high-grade potions, small merchants in the Legion borrowed money to stock up on supplies.
They believed that no one would dare manufacture and distribute high-grade potions while under the watchful eye of the Bourbon Trading Company, even if they had the ingredients.
This assumption was the root of the problem. Within two days, most merchants in the Legion were in a major crisis.
"Beastfolk have started selling high-grade potions?"
Pierre clenched his fists in fury.
Even the old Bongshin reporting the situation couldn't hide his bewilderment.
How on earth did the beastfolk acquire high-grade potions? Bourbon controlled both their manufacture and supply.
"Yes, that's correct."
"How did they get the ingredients?"
"They received them through an unnamed adventurer from the south... but we need to investigate further."
"What?"
Pierre slammed his fist on the table.
Bang!
He stood up abruptly, raising his voice.
"So you still don't know who's behind this?"
Bongshin hung his head low.
"I'm sorry."
"Fools…."
"I will investigate immediately. There are only a few suppliers of Blue Cannabis, so we can find out quickly."
"And once you find out? Do you plan to kill him? Spread rumors across the continent that I went on a killing spree over money?"
"No! I mean, we can purchase them at a higher price than the beastfolk."
"…."
"Leave it to me. I will handle it within three days."
Marquis Pierre propped his chin on his hand, deep in thought, then exhaled deeply and spoke to Bongshin.
"Could it be that Strange has caught on?"
"Impossible. If they could get the ingredients, they would have acted already."
"Yes… right…. Do this: buy all the high-grade potions being sold by the beastfolk through the trading companies in the Legion."
"High-grade potions?"
"Once we monopolize the potions, we can sell them at a higher price."
"Yes, Marquis Pierre."
"And bring me that person."
"That person?"
"…The unknown adventurer supplying Blue Cannabis to the beastfolk."
* * *
Verdin, the youngest son of the Strange family, had climbed to the 10th floor of the tower.
Not only that, but news spread across the continent that he had successfully defeated the 'Goblin Champion,' a feat no one else had achieved.
This not only elevated the reputation of the Strange family, known for their swordsmanship, but also solidified the family's standing after the departure of Gunter and Hysteria.
"Conquering the 10th floor of the tower at just eight years old. It makes my achievements feel insignificant."
Lois, the head of the Strange family, chuckled softly, proud yet concerned about his son's extraordinary talent.
Most children from noble families challenge the tower after graduating from the academy, but Dean had reached such heights without even enrolling.
However, Lois didn't dwell on it.
'Dean is my son.'
With Strange blood running through his veins, he wouldn't easily perish anywhere.
This was proven by his sharp, eight-year-long life.
"Isn't that right, Beth?"
Beth, the head knight of the Strange castle, responded immediately.
"Young Master Verdin is indeed talented, but I don't think it diminishes your achievements, my lord."
Lois laughed heartily.
"I asked a tricky question."
"No, it's fine."
Beth felt pleased by his question. He had never asked anything outside of orders before, and now he was showing emotions.
It felt more human. It was a glimpse into Lois's heart, something Beth had never seen before.
"Valentine visited the castle."
"Yes, while fulfilling an imperial request, he noticed unusual movements from Bourbon and asked me to inform you."
"Bourbon? You mean Marquis Pierre."
"Yes."
Lois propped his chin on his hand.
"What unusual movements?"
"They're halting the supply of high-grade potions monopolized in the market."
"High-grade potions?"
"Yes, we don't know the reason yet. Valentine cautiously speculated it might be related to the recent conflict with Young Master Verdin."
Most users of high-grade potions were knights of the Strange family.
Thus, the target of this maneuver was clearly us.
'They've thought it through.'
Pierre is strong.
Dean alone can't handle him yet.
If I intervene, the situation will escalate further. There's no need to antagonize Bourbon, who is close to the emperor.
Lois paused in thought, then shook his head slightly and continued.
"Tell Verdin that if he wants war with Bourbon, I will fully support him with troops."
"...?!"
"But he must ensure he has a just cause."