Chapter-11 · EP-174
Episode 174: Information Exchange (Part 3) – Susa's Proposal
(Note: I apologize. In Episode 173, I forgot that Susa had already been told how to raise the Healing Magic skill level by healing slimes, which caused a contradiction in the dialogue. I have partially corrected it.)
"The possibility of creating a Rank 6 potion…"
Hearing my words, Susa-san furrowed his brow deeply and raised his eyebrows as far as they would go.
This was bad, I was about to laugh…
Still, it seemed like a really big deal, but since I couldn't imagine just how big, I asked.
"Is a Rank 6 potion that big of a deal?"
"'Big deal' doesn't cover it. Even I have never seen a Rank 6 potion. I hear it can regenerate even if half your body is blown away."
"Huh? You mean half your body grows back?"
"Yes. A Rank 5 can repair lost limbs like arms and legs. The transaction price for a Rank 5 is several hundred million yen. I don't know how much a single Rank 6 would cost."
So, even a low estimate would be over one billion yen per potion?
That's more than winning the jackpot and secondary prize in the lottery combined.
It was so far beyond my imagination that I couldn't really grasp it.
"But still… a Rank 6 can't be that easy to make, right?"
"Your homeroom teacher here at the academy apparently has Healing Magic at skill level 3. If she casts Healing Magic on a Rank 3 potion dropped by a Quicksilver Slime on the 21st floor, a Rank 6 would be created. Defeating a Quicksilver Slime is easy for me. The two of us could probably make one Rank 6 in about a week."
A Rank 6 potion, which even Susa-san had never seen, suddenly became a realistic possibility.
And if we could make one per week, that would be four per month. The selling price would be over four billion yen. It might even exceed ten billion.
"The wealthy of the world have unimaginable fortunes. And what they desire most, even at any price, is their own lifespan. No matter the cost, no matter the quantity, Rank 6 potions would sell."
Finally, even I understood that this was a matter of generating an astronomical amount of money.
"That's not all. There are countless people with Healing Magic at skill level 2 who can defeat slimes. In other words, if this information becomes public, Rank 3 potions would flood the market. Potion prices worldwide would plummet. Conversely, by keeping this information secret and continuing to produce Rank 3 potions, you could amass a vast fortune."
Indeed, there were countless people who wanted potions. Without risking their lives exploring deep floors, just by safely defeating slimes and selling Rank 3 potions, they could live a life of leisure.
"However, if it becomes known that you possess this information, your life could be in danger. For now, only we in the Self-Defense Forces suspect you, but if foreign powers catch wind of it, you would undoubtedly be assassinated or kidnapped."
"Seriously? Then what should I do?"
"Argh!!!"
Susa-san scratched his head, looking tormented.
"This information is beyond my ability to handle. If the Self-Defense Forces get this information, they would probably mass-produce high-rank potions in secret. Then the Self-Defense Forces would amass vast wealth. Already possessing a dangerous asset like many high-level explorers, if they also had money, their power would become too great. Throughout history, it's never been good when the military has too much power."
Suddenly, Susa-san started criticizing his own organization, the Self-Defense Forces.
"What do you mean?"
"Most Self-Defense Force members are honest, but in any organization, the upper echelons are rarely good."
In Susa-san's mind, he was probably fearing a situation where the Self-Defense Forces, already possessing powerful soldiers like high-level explorers, would also acquire money they could use freely, making it possible for them to stage a coup and take over Japan.
But I had already told him the information, so there was nothing I could do.
Then, with a look of determination, Susa-san told me.
"Ichinose. I'll pretend I never heard this."
"Huh?"
"If I take this information back to the Self-Defense Forces, bad things will happen. So I didn't hear anything, and you didn't say anything."
"Even if you say that, I already heard about the unexplored area…"
"I'll give you that information."
Nice! Lucky!
But was that really okay?
"Even so, Ichinose, you're still in danger. As I said, if it's known that you have information on high-rank potions, not only the Self-Defense Forces but also other countries could put your life at risk."
"Y-you say that so suddenly… What should I do?"
"Rely on Duke Kujo. With the antidote factory situation, you're on good terms with the Duke, aren't you? He should protect you. If it appears that the Duke, not you, holds the high-rank potion information, other countries won't act rashly."
I felt that Duke Kujo would indeed protect me.
"Also, Duke Kujo would likely protect your interests from this information as well. That should be the best solution. Yes, that's good. And if the Duke commercializes mass production of high-rank potions based on this information, would you be willing to provide a certain number to the Self-Defense Forces? Then my mission would be fulfilled. Yes, that would be helpful. Could you propose that to the Duke?"
I see. To summarize Susa-san's proposal:
Leaking the potion rank-up information to the Self-Defense Forces would likely give them too much power, leading to potential problems – so that's a no.
However, continuing to keep it secret could put my life at risk from other countries – also a no.
Therefore, telling everything to Duke Kujo, having him protect me while commercializing mass production of high-rank potions, would allow me to receive a share of the profits and also help the Self-Defense Forces by selling to them.
So that seems like the best solution.
"I see. Understood. I'll do that."
Hearing my answer, Susa-san looked relieved.
"Ah, but you'll still help me level up, right?"
Just in case, I asked if he would still fulfill that promise. For me, that was the most important part.
Hearing my words, Susa-san looked exasperated and answered.
"A promise is a promise. I can't do it right away, but once things settle down, we'll go together."
Hearing that answer, I pumped my fist in my heart.