"Magic merely ensured that the seeds thrived in harsh conditions without remaining in the plants or affecting ordinary people's bodies. The plants simply grew with optimal medicinal properties. Perhaps the parts beneficial to the human body were enhanced as well."
"A medicinal herb that grows only on the Snowy Plateau, with excellent efficacy and scarce yields, would not be overpriced if sold at a high price after certification by an authoritative institution."
"There is an extremely vast market in the East. They clearly want these villagers to make money even more than we do, so perhaps we can speak to whoever leads them. The production process and results can withstand any inspection."
"It seems you don't need my advice." Loki smiled. "You've drawn far too much experience from the Immortality Factor industry."
"This is completely different." Strange waved a hand. "The medicinal herbs are genuine, and their effects are excellent. Magic can shorten the growth cycle and increase the active ingredients in the herbs. It isn't creating something from nothing."
"I don't think the Immortality Factor counts as creating something from nothing either." Loki propped his face up with one hand, picked up a pastry with the other, tossed it into his mouth, and said, "Nearly 100% of the patients at Arkham Asylum owned by Schiller believe they gained the effects of slowed aging, or even restored youth, from the Immortality Factor."
"That's only because Schiller's asylum has a good environment, and he tirelessly gives the patients psychological evaluations and resolves their emotional issues. At least 40% of aging is psychological aging. If that gets resolved, doesn't it count as slowing aging?"
"So it isn't entirely a scam. They simply bought a package, and the truly useful part of that package wasn't the Immortality Factor."
"They got lucky." Strange snorted.