WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Haruto

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Dark Fantasy Doctor Was Mistaken for a Saint ◈

Chapter 50: Entering High Society (3)

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The light in the crystal ball went out, and the study fell quiet once more.

I closed my notebook and set down my pen.

One thing Master had said lingered in my mind.

‘You’ll need either a guard knight around Rank 4, or capital that even a ducal house cannot ignore.’

The moment I heard that, I understood what my problem was.

‘I’ve only been making medicines that save lives.’

Whenever I made medicine, I had always put reputation first.

Since I had become the protagonist, I wanted to be remembered as the greatest doctor in history. That was why I had focused on medicines people urgently needed.

Rather than making excessive profits, I had even tried to lower prices as much as possible for those who needed them.

As part of that effort, I sold quinine to soldiers at half price, and the company covered insulin costs for children with congenital diabetes.

Thanks to those actions, Director Schun had avoided gaining the image of a vulgar nouveau riche.

But as those actions accumulated, my wealth had failed to keep pace with my reputation.

‘I’ve only been concerned with prestige projects.’

I thought becoming famous for good reasons would be enough.

I never dreamed it would have side effects like this.

‘Seriously, this is a misunderstanding story.’

Misunderstanding stories were great because life was easy, but this was the downside.

Things did not always go the way I wanted.

‘I need capital. Capital worthy of my reputation.’

A Rank 4 guard knight would not simply fall from the sky.

Rather than waiting until I could make someone like that one of my people, earning money myself was more realistic.

In the first place, hiring a Rank 4 knight required money. In the end, every problem came down to money.

‘Is it finally time to make this?’

I opened the luxurious hardbound research notebook sitting in the corner of the study.

It was what I called the transmigrator’s notebook.

The standard essential item for a transmigrator, where important memories were recorded immediately after arriving in another world.

When I opened it, I saw the handwriting from my childhood, before it had become refined.

[UK-92480]

One of the three medicines I had written down before I even made quinine.

It was one of the Three Sacred Treasures I could realistically produce.

Sildenafil.

A medicine better known to the public as Viagra.

However, it had one minor problem.

‘It’s famous for something rather different from saving lives.’

No, to be precise, it did save something.

Not a life, but a man’s pride.

There was nothing wrong with the medicine itself.

The only issue was that selling it might damage my image slightly.

‘It doesn’t suit Director Schun’s image at all.’

Think about it.

There was a scientist who spread philanthropy by developing insulin, quinine, and heparin.

Then, completely out of nowhere, that scientist began researching a medicine to improve male function and started selling it.

It did not fit the image at all.

And this world was a misunderstanding story.

Depending on the circumstances, people might misunderstand and think Director Schun researched the medicine because he had concerns about his own performance.

‘Saying I made it deliberately from the start seems a little questionable.’

There was only one way to solve this problem.

I had to make it clear that the medicine had been created unintentionally.

Fortunately, it was not difficult if I referred to the real history of Viagra’s development.

Viagra had originally been made as heart medicine.

But during clinical trials, they discovered that it had no effect on heart disease while bringing an entirely different part of the body back to life.

That was how Viagra became the undisputed king of erectile dysfunction treatments.

Director Schun’s path to developing Viagra needed to be designed that way as well.

However, Gustav’s role was more important than mine here.

I would only be trying to make heart medicine, while the trading company president needed to notice that side effect.

In other words, it could not look like I had intended this from the beginning.

‘Well, the president should be able to do it.’

It was easy to misunderstand because of his nouveau riche image, but the president was quite sharp.

He was diligent enough to study the principles behind the medicines his company sold and what they were used for.

Someone like that would be able to think of how Viagra could be used as well.

In the first place, no fool could run a trading company of this scale.

There was a reason I had entrusted him with full authority even after becoming a co-representative.

‘I should contact President Gustav.’

They said to strike while the iron was hot.

I immediately reached for the crystal ball.

* * *

[That is why clinical trials are essential, President. Since it is heart medicine, there must be no side effects.]

“I’ll keep that in mind, young master.”

[Please persuade the other Directors.]

“Ha ha. Leave it to me.”

The next day.

After hearing Julian’s explanation about the heart medicine, Gustav immediately began planning its development.

‘The young master guaranteed that this medicine would become an even better money-maker than insulin.’

After hearing the explanation, Gustav could not help agreeing.

Medicines that had to be taken continuously always contributed more to sales than medicines used for temporary treatment.

Insulin, used only by diabetes patients, bringing in more revenue than quinine, used by almost everyone in the South, was the clearest example.

Quinine was only taken while one was sick, but insulin had to be injected every day.

That consistency made it contribute more revenue despite having fewer patients.

‘Heart medicine must be the same.’

Heart medicine had to be taken every day, just like insulin.

Moreover, heart medicine was another untapped market without competing drugs.

There was digitalis, a heart medicine, but its side effects were so severe that calling it competition was embarrassing.

There was a strong possibility that this heart medicine would become one of the company’s flagship products, no less than insulin.

‘I can’t make any mistakes.’

Just as insulin had led the company’s period of prosperity, there could be no mistakes with this heart medicine.

That was why Gustav called a board meeting the very next day after receiving the call.

[What? You want us to come out in weather like this?]

[How important can this matter be?]

[Fine. I’ll go at once.]

The next morning.

The Merkuer Trading Company headquarters, third-floor meeting room.

The Directors who had pushed through the heavy snow took their seats along both sides of the long table.

One Director, who was usually too busy treating patients to attend board meetings, was absent again today.

An emergency board meeting began early in the morning, with seven of the eight Directors in attendance.

“Forgive me for calling you in weather like this.”

Gustav entered the meeting room last and waddled toward the seat of honor.

Before Gustav could even sit down, Director Knopf, who had received the agenda in advance, spoke.

“President, I have reviewed all the documents on the heart medicine. It certainly has the potential to become a long-awaited undertaking for our company, on par with insulin. If it would help us release this medicine as soon as possible, I would have called this meeting even in weather like this.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“However, I have one question.”

Touching his brow, Knopf spoke.

“Clinical trials again?”

There was no hostility or irritation in his voice.

Only deep fatigue.

Gustav spoke as though rebuking Director Knopf.

“Not again. Of course we must conduct them, Director Knopf.”

“I understand what you mean. But I am questioning whether we truly need to do them.”

Knopf removed his glasses, wiped them, and continued.

“Other trading companies do not conduct clinical trials. Pharmaceutical trading companies and every other kind of trading company alike, none of them do.”

“We have done well so far. Why change now?”

“As you know, President, clinical trials are not cheap. Director Schun bears the entire development cost, so that costs us almost nothing. But clinical-trial expenses alone make up seventy percent of our costs. Aren’t you curious what our net profit would be if we reduced that?”

“...”

Gustav seemed slightly swayed by Knopf’s words.

Trading companies in this era generally operated in the way Knopf described.

When there was a problem, they covered it with money. If money did not work, they sent people.

Then they made the problem disappear.

It was much cleaner and more cost-efficient.

Gustav knew that very well.

A few years ago, he might have agreed with Knopf.

He might have falsified the records to make it appear the medicine had undergone clinical trials behind Director Schun’s back and released it anyway.

But Gustav could not do that now.

“I understand what you are trying to say, Director Knopf.”

“Then...”

“However, there is one point we need to address. Why do you think this company maintains a monopolistic position in the vaccine business?”

“Is that not because Director Schun created it?”

“No. Consumers are not that simple. The market always puts price first.”

Gustav tapped the table once.

“The vaccine patent has already been released. Other trading companies analyze the ingredients, produce similar medicines, and price them lower than ours. Yet consumers still seek only our products. Do you know why?”

This time, Director Knopf shook his head.

Gustav answered.

“It is because of these clinical trials. We have never been careless with a clinical trial. Consumers remember that, which is why they only seek our vaccines. They think other companies’ vaccines are dangerous, and in truth, side effects often occur.”

The meeting room fell silent.

“We have not even advertised that fact. What is our company’s slogan now?”

“...A future you can trust.”

“That is right.”

Gustav nodded.

“But as you know, Director Knopf, trust is like a sandcastle. One mistake can make it collapse in an instant.”

“...I was too short-sighted.”

Knopf put his glasses back on and lowered his head.

Gustav waved a hand.

“It is fine. I was once like that myself. Just do not do it again. However, there is one matter we need to make clear.”

“...?”

“I believe we should be very clear about the fact that you just tried to deceive Director Schun.”

Gustav planted both hands on the table.

The amusement vanished from his usually half-playful eyes.

At the same time, the other Directors’ expressions hardened as they looked at Knopf.

Director Schun held a status unlike that of the other Directors on this board.

The other Directors had joined as executives only after the company neared Grade 1.

Director Schun, on the other hand, had raised this company from the brink of ruin to its present position.

Every one of the company’s main products had been born from Director Schun’s hands, and that would continue to be the case.

Even the position of representative director had been forced upon him after he repeatedly refused the role of joint manager.

Knowing that, none of the Directors present dared to upset Director Schun.

Yet Director Knopf had proposed deceiving Director Schun and forging clinical trials.

For a moment, he had crossed that line.

“Director Knopf. I understand that you are still adjusting after coming here from another trading company. But if you work that way here, you may not live out your natural lifespan.”

Under Gustav’s sharp warning, Director Knopf nodded.

“...I will never do it again.”

“Good.”

Gustav smiled brightly.

“Then we will put it to a vote. We will vote on allocating a budget for clinical trials of the heart medicine. Refer to the attached materials for the size of the budget, and raise any objections now.”

No one raised an objection.

The sound of pens brushing against paper filled the meeting room.

A little later, the secretary collected the ballots and counted them.

“Seven in favor, none opposed. The motion has passed.”

“Good.”

Gustav rose from his seat.

“That concludes the morning meeting. After a thirty-minute break, we will discuss how to prepare the distribution network for this medicine.”

* * *

During the break.

A coffee pot and teacups sat on a table in one corner of the meeting room.

While Gustav was briefly away, three Directors stood with cups in hand and chatted.

“By the way.”

One Director began while tilting their teacup.

“What brought this on? Why heart medicine all of a sudden? Director Schun was not originally interested in that field, was he?”

“Could it not be because of the scholarship foundation?”

“The scholarship foundation? Director Schun’s new hobby?”

“That is right.”

“What does that have to do with heart medicine? Was there perhaps a scholarship student with a weak heart?”

“Not that. I heard that, while speaking with one of the children at the last scholarship-student meal, Director Schun thought of something called GIK treatment. It is a heart-protection treatment where glucose, insulin, and potassium are mixed and infused.”

“Ah, I read about that. It should raise insulin’s net profit as well.”

“I suspect that was where it started. While researching GIK treatment, he must have realized there were no medicines for heart conditions.”

“So he got an idea from a conversation with one scholarship student and even developed a new medicine?”

The Director let out a sigh mixed with admiration and resignation.

“Ha ha. Geniuses really are different.”

“That is simply the kind of person he is. He saw a pig pancreas and thought of insulin.”

“Exactly. How could ordinary people understand a genius like that?”

The Directors all nodded and emptied their teacups.

* * *

After the board meeting ended.

Gustav Pfeiffer returned to his office after walking through the third-floor corridor of the headquarters.

When he opened the door, his secretary had already arranged documents on the desk.

“President, Director Schun’s side contacted us once more while you were in the meeting. It concerns an apprentice accounting position.”

“Ah, right.”

Gustav dropped into his chair and touched his forehead.

“Her name was Valeria, correct?”

“Yes. She is a student scheduled to enter the High Division of the Imperial Academy this year.”

“Hmm.”

Gustav scanned the documents his secretary handed him.

A scholarship-foundation résumé, academic records, and Director Schun’s letter of recommendation were attached.

“If it is Director Schun’s request.”

Setting down the documents, Gustav spoke.

“Tell her that she will work here as an apprentice accountant before entering the High Division.”

“Even if it is Director Schun’s request, is it all right to entrust that kind of work to a student?”

“Other trading companies all do it. High Division students usually build experience through one of these apprenticeships before entering school.”

“Students need experience?”

“Professors naturally want to raise students with experience as their personal disciples. That is how the world works.”

“Students have it rough in many ways.”

With a bitter smile, Gustav looked down at the documents.

The girl in the photograph had neatly tied-back black hair and wore a gray shawl over her uniform.

For a sixteen-year-old, her cool, sharp eyes gave the impression that she would handle work cleanly and decisively.

“For now, send her copies of the ledgers we processed five years ago as an assignment. It will let us test how capable she is.”

As he looked down at the girl’s photograph, Gustav thought to himself.

‘To come for a visit at a time like this. She truly is a fortunate scholarship student.’

Author’s Note

I am sorry for the delay.

An urgent situation came up, and I had to drive for several hours, so I could not even post an announcement.

Footnotes:

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