DTBTHS Chapter 29

Rebecca understood immediately what Ariadne was trying to avoid and what she sought to gain the moment she heard the child's plan for publicly releasing the Elixir.

'Public donation followed by mass production.'

By donating the recipe, she fundamentally blocked any possibility of antagonizing the Temple over the Elixir.

Additionally, by donating something that anyone could see was more profitable to monopolize, she gained trust and reputation.

It was a shocking event, so rumors would spread rapidly. She could quickly publicize the Elixir's existence while ensuring everyone clearly recognized where it originated.

And if she prepared for mass production while releasing Elixir into the black market, she could capture the market faster than the Temple, which would only begin preparations after receiving the recipe.

There was also the method of quietly buying up all the key ingredients beforehand. Though monopolizing ingredients entirely would be difficult—it would ruin the hard-earned reputation.

In any case, with these conditions, there were infinite ways to dominate the market.

Something that had been difficult to obtain even with money on the black market, and moreover, a miracle potion recognized by the Temple.

The moment it hit the market, it would sell like hotcakes.

After that, it wouldn't matter if the recipe leaked or fakes circulated.

By then, people would already have the firmly embedded perception that 'Ariadne Eldier's Elixir' was the genuine article.

'Since she's donating the recipe to the Temple, trust in the quality becomes certain too. When it's medicine you're trusting with your life, naturally you'd want to buy something reliable rather than a fake.'

As a trading company owner, she knew all too well how important it was to dominate a market through preemption.

It was even a market where no other competitors would emerge. Superficially, the Temple possessed the recipe.

There were no competitors besides the Temple, and even if the Temple produced Elixir in earnest, they couldn't compete in terms of volume or distribution.

The Temple, which couldn't operate a trading company, would at best only be able to produce small quantities using priests and sell them directly.

She couldn't extract excessive profits like a monopoly would allow, but even with fair pricing, she would accumulate tremendous wealth.

'The Elixir has that much value.'

Seeing how the child specifically crafted a plan involving the Temple, the Elixir must definitely be effective for purifying contaminated land as well.

'Everyone on the continent will want to buy Elixir just for treating the Taint, but if it can even purify contaminated regions...'

And all this without friction with the Temple. Rather, it would create a thick friendly relationship. The more she thought about it, the more her skin prickled.

'Releasing small quantities into the black market while spreading rumors is also excellent. She can raise funds for mass production, and the very fact that it's hard to obtain can build anticipation.'

Moreover, thinking more coldly, she could test and adjust for side effects or repercussions of the new medicine in advance. Without the investment in testing or the risk of losing credibility.

'Surely she didn't foresee even this much.'

In any case, it was hard to believe this was an idea that came from a child's head.

'Did she really plan all this considering everything? An eight-year-old?'

She set down her pipe and rose from her seat. She couldn't possibly sit still.

"Father, the guest room is prepared, so stay as long as you'd like. I'll be going now."

"Hm? Where are you going?"

"Weaver. I'm leaving immediately."

"Right now?"

"Yes, I need to see my niece as soon as possible, even if it's just one day earlier."

Rebecca smiled brightly and left the room in a hurry with her close aide. The Archmage, left alone, grumbled gloomily.

"I want to go see my granddaughter too..."

Rebecca Garcia descended upon Weaver like a storm.

She had come in such haste that when she arrived at Snowstorm Castle, there was no one to greet her.

"They went on a picnic?"

Rebecca asked again, flustered. The butler answered politely.

"Yes, both the Master and the Madam have gone on a spring picnic to the lake."

"Neither of them has the personality to leisurely go on picnics. Training or subjugation, maybe. What wind blew through?"

"Young Lady Ariadne has become quite healthy, you see."

"Ah, for the child's sake then. Everyone must dote on her quite a bit?"

"Yes, she is a lovely person."

The butler answered with a pleased smile. Rebecca looked at him curiously. For this blade-sharp butler to show such a relaxed expression.

'She's not just a clever child, apparently.'

"Then where did Erich go? He's supposed to be confined, isn't he?"

"The young master also went on the picnic. Young Lady Ariadne requested it, so he was specially permitted to go out today."

"Everyone really did go. When will they return?"

"It would still be too much for the young lady to stay out overnight, so they'll return by evening."

Rebecca's expression became peculiar. Somehow every reason mentioned was Ariadne.

"I'll show you to your room."

"No, I'll just go directly to the picnic location. Silver Mirror Lake, right?"

"Yes."

Though she was now a Garcia, Rebecca was also a daughter of Weaver, born and raised there. She was familiar with the surrounding geography.

She headed immediately to the lakeside. Thanks to riding the spirit beast summoned by her aide Fothen, it didn't take long.

At the shore of Silver Mirror Lake, a field bloomed abundantly with colorful spring flowers.

Below the field, a transparent lake formed from melted glaciers could be seen.

Spirit beasts lay lazily scattered here and there across the field.

A white leopard sparkling like ice, a translucent pale green eagle like carved emerald, a black horse like a steel sculpture, and even a red snake composed of blazing flames yet not burning a single petal.

Surrounded by those large and mystical creatures, the people of Weaver were enjoying their picnic.

The spirit beasts who recognized Rebecca didn't block her approach.

She walked toward them and nearly fell into a daze.

'What is that?'

The fierce-looking Margrave had a flower crown on his head and was smiling like a fool. He was struggling with those large hands of his to weave tiny flower petals.

The Countess, who had been like the strict incarnation of a knight, also wore a flower crown. She had given up on making crowns and was decorating various spots in a small girl's abundant hair with flowers.

'That child must be Ariadne Eldier.'

From the direction Rebecca was approaching, she could only see the back.

Flowers the Countess had attached were woven throughout the long, radiant platinum-blonde hair that looked like cut sunlight, giving off a strong spring feeling.

The child was trying to place the flower crown in her hands on Erich. Erich was dodging here and there with his face bright red, making a fuss.

Though the boy was shouting loudly, he must not have truly disliked it since he didn't get up from his seat. Eventually the girl placed the crown on his soft silver hair.

Erich's expression became somewhat tolerable. The way his arms trembled as he reflexively tried to swat it away but stopped was worth seeing.

'Erich actually tolerates something like that?'

Veronica was so absorbed in watching that spectacle and laughing out loud that she seemed oblivious to everything else.

'This is the first time I've seen that dazed Veronica laugh like that?'

When she got a bit closer, Veronica's laughter stopped abruptly and she glared at her sharply. It was a murderous gaze intense enough to make Fothen, who was beside her, raise his hand to his sword in alarm.

"She's not an enemy, Nica. You've seen her before."

The Countess said with a smile and rose from her seat.

"Welcome, Lady Rebecca."

"It's good to see you, Lady Seliana."

The Margrave followed in greeting her.

"You arrived earlier than expected, Rebecca."

"So you're not happy to see me, brother?"

"Picking a fight the moment you arrive—definitely my troublesome younger sister."

Erich also stood quickly to greet her.

"It's been a long time, Aunt."

"It has been. Oh my, our nephew has grown a bit taller. The flower crown suits you well."

Erich's expression became one of wanting to die from embarrassment. Rebecca chuckled and looked at her other niece.

"Now, where's my other niece?"

The girl with flowers attached throughout her curly hair grasped her dress hem firmly with small hands and curtsied.

"It's my first time meeting you, Aunt. I'm Ariadne Eldier."

The child who greeted her clearly smiled brightly with flushed cheeks.

Large, deep blue eyes sparkled like glass beads within her curved eye-smile.

Rebecca found herself unconsciously pressing the child's soft cheeks. Ariadne blinked in puzzlement.

"Ah—"

"What are you doing?"

The Margrave snatched the child up in alarm. Rebecca muttered in a daze.

"No, I was checking if she's actually a living person."

"I thought that too. I also want to touch the young lady's cheeks."

At her words, Veronica interjected in a rarely quick tone. When Rebecca nodded repeatedly toward Veronica, Erich suddenly stepped forward.

"Aunt, she—I mean, that child has a weak body, so you mustn't touch her so carelessly like that. Go wash your hands first."

All eyes turned to Erich in an instant. Erich frowned as if finding this strange.

"Did I say something wrong?"

Ariadne sat alone in the drawing room with Rebecca Garcia.

When the Margrave and Countess tried to stay with her, she told them it was fine. Since the other party wasn't a stranger but family, everyone withdrew obediently.

'Rebecca Garcia...'

In the original work, she was someone whose name didn't even appear. Only the trading company's name came up in the novel.

Erich Weaver had mentioned just once in passing that his aunt was the owner of Garcia Trading Company.

'I thought she'd resemble Mother, but they don't look much alike.'

She was a far more striking beauty than what Ariadne had vaguely imagined based on her mother.

She wore splendid clothing with large jeweled accessories, yet her features were more vivid than those adornments.

Rebecca took out her pipe then paused, glanced at Ariadne, and put it back.