Chapter 213 There's another Integrator?
(POV: Lumiere)
Antibiotics...
In medieval times it'd be a significant advancement in healthcare.
Good knowledge of microbiology and medicinal properties were required to identify natural substances with antimicrobial properties.
For instance, experimenting with plant extracts like— garlic, honey, or herbs, known for their potential antibacterial or antifungal characteristics.
Devising methods to isolate and concentrate these beneficial compounds, potentially using distillation or extraction techniques.
The resulting formulations could be applied as topical treatments or administered orally to combat infections.
Anyone who was capable of doing all this could never be from this age.
It was simply impossible...
My guess... they're an Integrator.
There's no way news like this would've slipped under my nose if I was still as frequent in the kingdom.
If I'm being honest, staying in the Silva Citadel basically meant isolating yourself from the entire kingdom.
There's no human to give or collect news from.
Neither are there any humans willing to come give me the latest news.
And lastly, Sangria, the head of our intelligence team couldn't venture out of the boundaries agreed upon in the monster-mankind treaty.
Curiosity piqued, I pressed Lucilia for more information about the location of the Efistes Company.
"So, where exactly is this company situated?" I asked.
Lucilia wore a contemplative expression before finally disclosing, "It's situated in the Efistes, a neighboring Viscounty."
The name Viscount Lugnar flashed before my eyes, and I instantly knew who Lucilia was referring to.
"The one Lug— the one Viscount Lugnar manages right?"
With a heavy sigh, Lucilia reluctantly admitted, "Yes, that's the one."
Without a doubt, that means the one in charge of the company is Lug. To be honest, it doesn't make any sense at all, he doesn't look like the type of person who can produce such a thing. Unless maybe... someone else is the Integrator and they're in servitude to him.
"So," I took a bite out of my sandwich. "The company's run by him, if I'm not mistaken."
But of course, I was right.
I had to be right.
"Hmm, no, the company's is owned by his daughter, Lucretia Efistes."
My grip on the sandwich I was enjoying slipped, exemplifying my astonishment.
Fasit, noticing my reaction, gently touched my cheek and asked with concern, "Are you alright, Great Lumiere?"
Struggling to regain my composure, I stammered out reassurances, "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just... surprised, that's all."
Umbra's deep voice rang out, carrying skepticism, "Are you sure, Master?"
Summoning my resolve, I assured them both, "I am. Please, continue."
Lucilia sighed again before sharing another intriguing tidbit, "Lucretia Efistes, she's also referred to as the Golden Woman."
Fasit arched an eyebrow, silently urging Lucilia to continue.
"She's achieved remarkable financial success since taking charge of the company, making her one of the top five most accomplished businesswomen in the entire Human Continent."
To be frank, I expected results like these.
In deep thoughts, I blurted out, "She's not number one?"
Lucilia shook her head, "No, there're two other businesswomen who hold higher positions—one's in the Union of Free Cities, and the other's in the Zelos Empire, if I recall correctly."
Feeling a surge of nostalgia, I set my sandwich down on the plate with deliberate grace and rose to my feet. "I need to meet with the head of this Efistes Company," I declared confidently.
To them, it was me trying uncover their trade secrets.
But honestly, my main focus was on getting to see Lucretia again.
Still, if anyone else knew that, I wouldn't be seen as dependable. I just wanted to see how she was doing.
Only Serena would "fully" understand at this point.
"Alright, that's fine, we'll go.." she didn't offer any resistance.
I raised an eyebrow, "wait, really?"
Lucilia's eyes narrowed a bit, that same annoyance present on her face. "It's unbelievable," she exclaimed. "Her business has become a phenomenon! Nobles from all over are flocking to her products, leaving other merchants with no choice but to buy from her. Her dominance in the market is unparalleled."
If that was the case, it'd be bad for almost any company or trade I wanted to open. If the market in the Cross Kingdom turned into a monopoly— the Efistes Company could exclusively provide all the products or services, dominating the market and generally exerting powerful control over it.
I sighed.
Even Lucilia's annoyed proclamation was enough to tell me things were only getting worse.
"Is it really that good?" I inquired skeptically.
Fasit, with her usual calm demeanor, rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"If the nobles are abandoning their trusted suppliers, then there must be something extraordinary about the Efistes Company. It couldn't just be these... antibiotics," she mused.
Lucilia nodded vigorously, eager to provide further insight.
"They create products that you can't find anywhere else. One of their latest creations is something called chocolate, and let me tell you, it's absolutely delicious."
Unable to contain my curiosity, I gazed at Lucilia intently. "So, you've tried it?" I asked, a hint of amusement in my voice.
She blushed sheepishly, the corners of her lips curling into an awkward smile. "Well, um, I only tasted it to assess the competition," she admitted.
However, in perfect synchrony, Fasit, Umbra, and I chorused, "Sure, Lucilia, just to assess the competition."
Man, Lucretia was also making chocolate? I feel like I haven't used my knowledge for anything besides improving the Silva Citadel, I could really invent a lot of stuffs with the knowledge from the other world. That, coupled together with my knowledge in Magical Engineering could turn the tides.
Then again... money was a recurring factor for mass production.
Grinning, I redirected the conversation back to our mission. "But more importantly," I began, "we'll need Stellaria's [Spatial Magic] if we're going to the Efistes Viscounty."
Raising an elegant eyebrow, Lucilia questioned, "Are we going now?"
I nodded resolutely, a faint glimmer of anticipation in my eyes. "Of course. Why wait around?"
Lucilia's expression transformed into her usual bossy self. "Well, then, there's no way you're escaping without exploring the remaining sites," she declared firmly.
Damn it, that was the best excuse I had today— and somehow, I knew it wouldn't work.
Collapsing playfully onto the ground, exhaustion seeping into my bones, I groaned, "I'm so tired, though."
Unmoved by my dramatic display, Lucilia crossed her arms and retorted, "I don't care. This comes before anything else."
I sat up, blinking in surprise as Fasit's soothing touch lifted my head from the ground and cradled it on her tender thighs. Looking up at her, I admired the radiance of her face, though it was somewhat obscured by her massive jugs. Her voice, gentle and soothing, reached my ears as her hand caressed my chest, sending shivers down my spine.
"Perhaps Lady Lucilia has a point," Fasit suggested, her touch tracing patterns on my torso. "We should consider focusing on finalizing our plans for the remaining sites before we venture into the Efistes Viscounty."
I nodded, feeling the tension ease from my tired body. "You're right," I admitted, rubbing my chin thoughtfully. "If we can start the groundwork for the headquarters before we leave, it'd be more efficient."
Umbra, reclining on the other side of the picnic blanket, chimed in with his usual calmness. "It might also be wise to discuss our intentions with Viscount Randolph," he mused.
Lucilia nodded slowly as she drank a small glass of orange juice.
"Father has... expressed interest in forming a partnership with the Efistes Company."
"Oh yeah?" I said.
Lucilia's eyes narrowed in defiance, her voice tinged with annoyance. "That's true," she admitted grudgingly. "But I don't like anything about Lucretia. I just don't trust her or her business."
Curiosity piqued, I raised an eyebrow and prodded further.
"Why don't you like her?" I pressed, genuinely intrigued.
Lucilia folded her hands in her lap, her expression inscrutable. "It's not important," she replied dismissively, avoiding my gaze.
"Hm, you weren't saying that when you were eating her chocolates though," I snickered and Fasit joined me.
"Y-you guys are lame! Alright?!"
Meanwhile, Fasit's skilled hands continued their tantalizing massage on my chest, eliciting soft moans from my lips. The sensation both relaxed and invigorated me, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.
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