Episode 382
Melissa’s eyes widened at Zeke’s words.
“A new Alchemist Association?”
“Yes, the current union has monopolized the field for far too long. Stagnant waters breed decay. As a result, many people in need of medicine are suffering greatly.”
In his past life, Zeke remembered how the Alchemist Union failed to produce a proper cure for the Scarlet Fever and even belittled the remedy created by the twins.
The twins had eventually revealed the entire process, but initially, the union had offered to sell the remedy on their behalf. Al and Jeff had agreed, only to discover later that the union intended to sell the remedy at exorbitant prices for profit. In response, they had made the formula public across the continent.
Zeke had concluded that the Alchemist Union was rotten to the core, beyond repair, as they were willing to gamble with desperate lives for profit. Thus, he planned to establish a new Alchemist Association to break the monopoly and eradicate unfair profiteering.
Melissa, the princess, wore a complex expression as she cautiously spoke.
“I understand your intentions, Sir Zeke. However… to form a new Alchemist Association, we need alchemists. All the alchemists on the continent are under the union’s influence. Is it even possible to create a separate entity?”
Zeke nodded at her concern.
“That’s true, if we’re only considering the central continent.”
“Pardon? Are there alchemists outside the central continent?”
Zeke handed Melissa a potion and some medicine he had brought with him.
“Take a look.”
After examining the items, Melissa was astonished.
“This is… different from what the union sells. The scent and texture seem superior. How about the performance?”
Zeke nodded.
“They’re on par with what the union offers. Recently, a new city of Nagas was discovered in the southern continent. There are many Naga alchemists there with skills surpassing those of the union. What I brought is just a sample. There are many more potions and medicines that are cheaper and more effective.”
Melissa’s eyes widened in surprise.
“There are more potions and medicines like these? And they’re even cheaper?”
“Yes, if we establish a new Alchemist Association and sell our new medicines along with the potions and medicines from the Naga city, what do you think will happen?”
It was obvious.
The potion and medicine market, long dominated by the union, would quickly crumble.
The Alchemist Union’s power stemmed from the profits they reaped through their monopoly. If they lost market share and their funds dwindled, their influence would naturally decline.
Melissa examined the potion and spoke to Zeke.
“If we can sell these, it would be just as you say, Sir Zeke. But without the union’s approval, isn’t it practically impossible to sell them? Even if I use my influence in Alencia, it would be difficult to sell them in other countries.”
Zeke nodded thoughtfully.
“I’ve considered that as well. We can grant the approval rights to the new association itself.”
Melissa looked puzzled.
“Is that even possible?”
“The place that granted the approval rights to the union is the Holy Kingdom of Vadoka.”
“Oh!”
Zeke had decided to grant the approval rights to the new association as well.
Melissa’s eyes sparkled with newfound interest.
“That changes everything.”
With approval rights, a sufficient product supply, the distribution network of the Reinhardt Trading Company, and support from skilled alchemists, it was a feasible plan.
As Melissa showed her support, Zeke nodded.
“Very well. Let’s discuss this with the union this afternoon.”
The Alchemist Union was in a state of emergency.
Kunrad Mason, the head of the union, was in the top-floor meeting room of the Red Tower, tearing his hair out with other union executives.
“Damn it, so you’re saying Zeke Draker is one of the major shareholders of Feynan Pharmaceuticals?”
He gritted his teeth.
They had been scrambling to block Feynan Pharmaceuticals’ new drug, only to find out that one of its major shareholders was Zeke Draker, the most renowned knight on the continent.
As he vented his frustration, the vice president beside him spoke.
“That’s true, but it seems Zeke Draker’s involvement is personal and not related to the Draker family.”
Kunrad slammed the table.
“Do you think that matters? Zeke Draker is the guardian knight of the Draker family and a Black Knight. Do you think the Draker lineage will just let this slide?”
Kunrad had been the one to block Feynan Pharmaceuticals’ approval. Yet, as the situation worsened, he took out his frustration on the other executives, shouting at them.
Another alchemist executive spoke up.
“President, this isn’t the time to just be angry. We need to come up with a plan.”
Kunrad pressed his lips together, frowning deeply.
He then looked around at the executives with a sharp gaze.
“You all understand, right? If that new drug hits the market, our livelihoods are at stake.”
The executives swallowed hard.
Alchemy was an expensive profession.
Even becoming a wizard required significant funds, but becoming an alchemist was even more costly.
Acquiring the necessary equipment and materials was a major hurdle.
Thus, alchemists were always sensitive about money.
A hundred years ago, when Jabir Ibn Hassan patented the process of refining troll blood into potions, it led to the popularization of healing potions, changing the situation for alchemists.
They realized that potions and medicines were profitable and shifted their focus from pure research to creating and selling lucrative products.
Initially, they sold at reasonable prices, but over time, prices increased, and they even adjusted production to inflate prices.
After receiving approval rights from the Holy Kingdom of Vadoka, they strengthened their monopoly, making it impossible to sell unapproved potions.
While low-grade potions were unaffected, mid-grade potions and above required union approval for sale.
The rarer the potion or medicine, the higher the price, which in turn increased the value of alchemists, allowing them to sell at even higher prices.
In the past, alchemists were seen as inefficient and were derisively called fake wizards, struggling to survive. But now, they were among the wealthiest professions.
The Alchemist Union had played a significant role in this transformation over the past century.
However, the union’s original purpose of protecting alchemists’ rights had long been overshadowed by its focus on profit.
In this context, the introduction of Feynan Pharmaceuticals’ affordable and effective new drug threatened to destabilize the entire pharmaceutical market.
Kunrad’s concern was precisely this.
He addressed the executives.
“Listen carefully. Even if the Draker family gets involved, we must remain steadfast in our stance. Stay vigilant. If anyone betrays us…”
He left the sentence unfinished, but everyone understood the implication.
An alchemist who fell out of favor with the union could never return to its fold.
The vice president rubbed his hands together and reassured Kunrad.
“President, don’t worry too much. Is there any alchemist in the central continent who can obtain materials or tools without the union’s help? They’ll likely come to negotiate with us, so don’t worry too much…”
At that moment, the meeting room door opened, and a secretary entered to whisper something to Kunrad.
Upon hearing the message, Kunrad’s eyes widened in shock.
“Z-Zeke Draker and Princess Melissa have come here in person?”
Kunrad was taken aback, not expecting Zeke Draker to come to the tower himself.
The vice president quickly moved to Kunrad’s side and whispered urgently.
“President, remember what you just said. We must not waver.”
Kunrad took a deep breath.
He had insisted they couldn’t afford to lose their composure, but Zeke was the guardian knight of the Draker family.
It was hard to muster the courage to face him.
“Damn it, but we can’t just turn away the Draker’s guardian knight and the princess of Alencia.”
Then Kunrad had an idea.
“Yes, let’s bring them here. If we confront them with the other executives, it might be more manageable.”
He instructed the secretary.
“Escort Sir Zeke Draker and Princess Melissa here.”
The doors to the grand meeting room opened, and Zeke Draker and Princess Melissa entered.
Kunrad, seated in the center, put on a solemn expression and greeted them in a low voice.
“Welcome to the Red Tower, Sir Zeke Draker, the Knight of Salvation, and Princess Melissa of Alencia…”
“Interesting. Is this how the Red Tower treats its guests?”
Zeke’s single remark chilled the atmosphere in the meeting room.
Kunrad was caught off guard, not expecting Zeke to express his dissatisfaction so openly.
‘I’d heard the Knight of Salvation was gentle and devout…’
Zeke lounged back in his chair, crossing his legs as he surveyed the alchemist guild executives gathered in the conference room. His gaze eventually settled back on the guild president.
He spoke slowly, deliberately. “I assume you know who I am, Kunrad Mason.”
The mention of his name made the president flinch, a cold sweat breaking out as he instinctively glanced at the vice president.
The vice president, catching his eye, shook his head slightly.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, the president addressed Zeke in a stern voice. “Sir Zeke Draker, this is the Red Tower, responsible for all alchemists on the continent. As their representative, I must ask you to show some respect.”
Zeke chuckled softly. “Why should I show respect to those who haven’t earned it?”
The vice president, unable to contain himself, stood up and shouted at Zeke. “Sir Zeke! How dare you be so rude! Even as a knight of the Draker family, you cannot disregard the Red Tower like this. Leave at once, or we will lodge a formal complaint with your family!”
The president trembled inwardly at the vice president’s unexpected outburst. ‘Has he lost his mind?’ he thought. While the vice president’s words weren’t entirely unjustified, few would dare speak so boldly to a Draker knight.
Yet, the vice president had done just that.
Zeke nodded calmly at the vice president’s reprimand. “I see. A formal complaint to the family, is it?”
He murmured to himself as he pulled out a document, flipping through its pages while scrutinizing each guild executive in turn. Under his sharp gaze, they couldn’t help but shrink back.
After a long pause, Zeke finally spoke again. “Well, I came here with good intentions, hoping to give you a heads-up. But if you’re refusing, there’s nothing more to say.”
The president was taken aback by Zeke’s words. ‘Wasn’t he here because of the new potion?’
As Zeke made to leave, the president, flustered, raised a hand. “W-wait, Sir Zeke!”
Zeke turned to him. “What is it? Do you have something to say?”
Sweating profusely, the president stammered, “What brings you here? Since you’ve come all this way, shouldn’t we at least discuss it?”
“When you were just telling me to leave?” Zeke replied, arching an eyebrow.
The president shot a glare at the vice president before adopting a more conciliatory tone. “Ah, well, the vice president is just very proud of the guild. We’ve been under a lot of stress lately with various issues, so his emotions got the better of him. I hope you can understand.”
Zeke regarded the president’s attempt at an apology with a steady gaze before sitting back down. He opened the document again, pondering for a moment before looking up.
“The Alchemist Guild has been linked to demon summoning activities,” he stated bluntly.