222 MONOPOLY OVER THE POTION
Selassie's eyes narrowed. "The Assassin Guild? That complicates matters... but he must still die for killing Milwe."
Easiese nodded in agreement. "It's a question of honor now."
Their conversation was interrupted by an advisor rushing into the room. "We have news. The Lilleo-Megane pharmacy has reopened, and they're launching a new product—a magic-gathering potion."
Selassie's brow furrowed. "Magic Gathering Potion? Are you certain?"
"Yes, my lord. It is said to be the invention of the pharmacist Megane. It's very effective and is selling like hot cakes with orders piling up like mountains."
Selassie exhaled sharply. "That woman... We should have brought her to our side when we had the chance."
"We didn't know she was this capable," Liama said defensively. "She's just a woman."
Selassie shot her a withering glare. "Your prejudice cost us a golden opportunity."
"It's not too late," Easiese interjected. "We can still take her from Lilleo Gullee. She can be bought or threatened."
"If not we shall steal her formula," Selassie added thoughtfully.
Another advisor stepped forward. "There's more. We have news that Lilleo Gullee is negotiating to purchase several medicine farms around Sodom City."
"What kind of farms?" Selassie asked.
"Spike Cactus farms, my lord."
Selassie's eyes narrowed. "Spike Cactus? Why would that bastard buy so many useless farms? What is he planning to do with them?"
The advisor shook his head. "We don't know yet."
Selassie's lips curled into a calculating smile. "Then find out. Whatever game he's playing, we'll uncover it—and destroy him before he succeeds."
-----
[The Pharmaceutical Association]
"Pharmacist Megane, we've been waiting for you," Liama greeted her with a forced smile as she entered the grand hall of the Pharmaceutical Association.
Megane's expression remained cold. "Why is the Cergontyn family suddenly so interested in me? When I was desperate and begged you to consider my formulas, you wouldn't even look at me."
Liama's smile faltered but quickly returned. "We apologize for the past. Let's not dwell on it. Instead, let's talk about your future. Your talents deserve a larger stage than that small pharmacy of yours. Join us, and we'll offer you the position of Director in the Cergontyn family's pharmaceutical empire."
Megane folded her arms. "I'll need time to think it over."
Liama leaned forward. "What's there to think about? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"I'll talk to you later," Megane replied, dismissing him. "Right now, I'm scheduled to give a demonstration of my latest formula to the Pharmaceutical Association."
Liama smiled tightly. "Of course. Please, give it some thought."
-----
In the demonstration hall, the most esteemed pharmacists of Sodom City were gathered, including President Willy Moore.
"This formula is proprietary," Megane announced as she stood before the crowd. "It should never be publicly disclosed. I'm sharing it today solely for the advancement of our science."
"We are deeply grateful for your generosity, Pharmacist Megane," President Moore said, his voice filled with respect.
Megane began listing the ingredients of her formula, detailing the intricate steps required for its creation. As she named the components, Liama, seated at the back of the room, took note with growing curiosity.
"And the main ingredient…" Megane paused for effect, "is Spike Cactus."
"Spike Cactus?" Liama murmured under his breath, his brows furrowing.
He remembered something important.
Megane continued her demonstration, expertly building the fire under her cauldron and adding the ingredients in precise order. When it was time, she carefully retrieved a sample of Spike Cactus from her bag and added it to the brew.
The process was long and meticulous, but by the end, a single vial of shimmering liquid emerged from the cauldron—a Magic Gathering Potion.
"This is remarkable," President Moore exclaimed as he inspected the potion. "A breakthrough for the science of our association!"
Even Liama was invited to examine the potion. After careful inspection, he had no choice but to acknowledge its authenticity.
Once the demonstration concluded, Liama approached Megane again. "What about my proposal, Megane?"
"Like I said, I'll think about it," Megane replied curtly before signaling to her bodyguard, Grammers, to escort her out.
As she disappeared down the hallway, Liama's façade crumbled. "That bitch," he snarled, slamming his fist against a nearby table.
Easiese stepped forward to calm him. "At least the potion is genuine," he said.
Liama's eyes glinted with determination. "Did you record the entire process?"
"Yes," Easiese confirmed. "But there's something else. Lilleo Gullee is about to sign the agreement to purchase every Spike Cactus farm in Sodom City within the hour. What are your thoughts about that?"
Liama's face darkened. "I remember that. We don't have time to waste. Inform Father immediately—we must acquire those farms before Lilleo Gullee gets his hands on them."
"Why the urgency?" Easiese asked, confused.
Liama turned on him sharply. "Didn't you see her formula? The main ingredient is Spike Cactus! That's why Lilleo Gullee is buying up those farms. If he controls the supply, he'll have a monopoly on the potion. Even with the formula, we'll be too late to compete with him for production."
Understanding dawned on Easiese's face, and he nodded. "I'll alert Lord Selassie immediately."
"Move quickly," Liama growled. "We cannot let that bastard get the upper hand."
------
[The House of Cergontyn]
"Dear farm owners, this is a marvelous opportunity for you," Selassie, head of the Cergontyn family, said with a charming smile. "We are prepared to purchase your Spike Cactus farms."
One of the landowners stepped forward. "But we've already agreed to sell to the Gullee family."
Liama, standing by his father's side, leaned in. "We'll double whatever the Gullee family is offering for your farms."
"Double?" The owners exchanged glances, the offer clearly tempting.
"That's a lot of money," one murmured. "The Gullee family offered us ten million silver dinari for each of our farms."
Selassie's jaw tightened. "Ten million dinari?" he repeated, struggling to mask his surprise.
"We already know Spiked Cactus is the main ingredient of the new Magic Gathering potion that can help mages breakthrough to new heights of magic. Whoever controls this resource can control the production of this elixir, that is why Lilleo Gullee will pay an astronomical sum for our farms," a farm owner explained.