He had only introduced himself casually, but he hadn't expected Ferdinand to look so astonished. Even Saria seemed somewhat surprised, and the two of them kept sizing up Warfarin.
"Are you... Blood Mister, sir?" Ferdinand asked cautiously.
"Blood Mister? Oh, that was my pen name when I published papers in Columbia. I didn't expect anyone to remember it."
Warfarin waved it off dismissively. Noticing the puzzled look in Theresica's eyes, she straightened her chest with a hint of pride.
Kid, did you think all I could do was play games?
Unlike Ferdinand, Saria hadn't been paying constant attention to the celebrity Warfarin. Instead, she asked Theresica, "Theresica, did you come here for something special this time?"
"Yes, but let's find somewhere else to talk."
"All right. Follow me."
After more than a year, Theresica had returned to Rhine Lab Headquarters, but the place was completely different from before. Quite a few buildings had appeared around the headquarters, all decorated with Rhine Lab's logo. The inside of the headquarters had also been completely refurbished, losing its former roughness.
Saria led the way, taking Theresica into the Rhine Metal area. The first thing he saw was the remote-education work zone.
Several completely soundproof recording rooms had been set up. The people recording the lessons spoke animatedly into their cameras, while the completed courses were sealed and packaged before being sent to Kazdel under the name Flower Fertilizer.
Nearby, people were also poring over stacks of papers and writing furiously. These were the assignments and questions from the students in Kazdel receiving medical education. After being collected, they were sent here, where Rhine Lab's professionals answered them before sending them back.
Although this form of education was slow to respond and inefficient, Kazdel's first group of doctors specializing in common diseases had developed secretly and wildly under these conditions.
"That area is a laboratory prepared according to Columbia's standard requirements. It's for Rhine Metal's engineering department. It hasn't been unsealed yet, but it can be put into use at any time. Further ahead is the administrative office area..."
Seeing him look around, Ferdinand explained from the side. After taking it all in, Theresica couldn't help admiring it. In just one year, that small company had already grown to this scale.
"Ferdinand, I didn't realize you were so capable."
"We couldn't have done it without your financial support."
Ferdinand spoke modestly, but he was telling the truth. Other than during this period of war, Theresica had kept in constant contact with him. After the routine inquiries about his well-being came blunt questions about funding shortfalls.
Whatever amount he stated, the other party transferred directly. He never interfered with the experiments, and even when a project encountered an accident, he never willfully demanded that it be suspended. This was truly the only model client in the world!
After they arrived at the spacious office reserved for Theresica, everyone took their seats, and Saria spoke directly.
"You came here mainly because of Oripathy, right?"
"Yes, that's right." Theresica nodded. "You guessed correctly, Saria. That is indeed one of the reasons I came here."
"That makes sense. Once a war begins, Originium Arts gets used frequently. Being struck by spells and such also increases the number of Infected and worsens the severity of their infections."
Saria's expression darkened. She seemed to hate the word "war" intensely. She asked Theresica, "Do you have any rough data?"
"I do."
Theresica gestured for Salus to hand Saria the organized documents. They contained detailed records of the Originium conditions inside everyone in Kazdel, though their occupations had all been registered as ordinary people.
"Ah, is it really this serious?"
Ferdinand's eyes widened after reading it, while Saria's brows knitted tightly. Theresica could only sigh helplessly.
"The Sarkaz are an easily infected race to begin with. They recently fought a bloody battle against Kazimierz, and had no choice but to use Originium Arts desperately to survive. Kazdel also has no medication to suppress Oripathy. I'm afraid the situation will worsen over the coming period. I need to find a suppressive Oripathy drug that can be mass-produced as soon as possible."
Ferdinand pondered for a while after hearing that. "I'm in charge of the Energy Department, and Saria is in charge of the Defense Department. As for an Oripathy drug, we'll probably need to ask Parvis. I'll go get him."
Chapter 72: Throwing Money Around, Seizing Manufacturers
At Ferdinand's urging, Parvis walked into the office at an unhurried pace. Ferdinand had already explained the situation to him on the way.
"Vice President, your kind heart is precious, but unfortunately, Rhine Lab's current research direction regarding Oripathy isn't pharmaceuticals. Instead, we're developing personalized medical plans and providing precise treatment."
As he spoke, Parvis took out a report. "This is Rhine Lab's current method for suppressing the spread of crystalline lesions caused by Oripathy—Chimeric Therapy. Please take a look."
Theresica took Parvis's report and flipped through it, gaining a general understanding of it. The method made reverse use of the characteristic of Originium in its active state: the crystals attracted one another and formed clusters. Once obvious Originium lesions appeared in a person's body, high-purity stabilized Originium particles were artificially implanted to actively absorb the Originium produced by the lesions, thereby controlling the progression of Oripathy.
The surgery required a sterile ward and professional surgeons, as well as injections to keep the Originium particles active. The entire procedure also cost quite a bit of money.
After finishing the report, Theresica handed it to Warfarin, then looked toward Parvis. "Does Rhine Lab really have no medication capable of suppressing Oripathy? Even a tiny bit of effectiveness would do."
"...I'm very sorry. Rhine Lab truly hasn't begun research in that direction, but if that's what you want, I can establish a new research team tonight."
Parvis was a little nervous. The young Sarkaz before him could be said to be the most comfortable client he had encountered throughout his years of research. All his funding came from the other party, so whether emotionally or rationally, he should do something for him.
"I was too anxious. You didn't do anything wrong."
Theresica took several deep breaths and calmed himself down. Columbia had countless medical companies, and Parvis's focus on personalized treatment could indeed quickly recover the investment.
Those people weren't like him. They didn't have an entire Sarkaz race weighing on their shoulders, and he couldn't transfer his own anxiety onto them.
"Thank you for your understanding." Parvis visibly relaxed.
"Since Rhine Lab doesn't have one, we'll have to import the medicine. But honestly, Columbia's prices are a little beyond what I can accept."
Theresica thought for a moment before asking, "Are there any Oripathy suppressants on the Columbian market whose patent protection has expired? I want to import them and produce generics in Kazdel."
"I'll handle this. The drug administration should have the data. I'll ask someone to get it for you." Saria sounded very confident.
"Thank you, Lady Saria. I owe you one."
"Don't mention it. You're also the one paying for the Defense Department's funding. How could we just take it for free?"
Saria's words made the other two smile faintly, but Parvis asked at that moment, "Producing generic versions of drugs whose patent protection has expired is indeed a good way to reduce costs. But does Kazdel have the ability to produce them?"
At that question, Theresica's expression became uncomfortable again.
Kazdel might currently be developing in every respect, with the entire nation flourishing. But whenever technology was involved, Kazdel was completely helpless. Its industrial machinery had all been imported through various means. Common medicines were imported from Siracusa, civilian equipment was copied from Siracusa, and the semi-automatic crossbows, airships, and Siphon Drones were all innovative ideas unrelated to technical expertise.
Kazdel had merely mastered how to use those things. As for the underlying principles, they understood absolutely nothing.
That evening, Ferdinand treated them to dinner, and Kristen, who had been immersed in the laboratory all this time, finally emerged as well. She was extremely excited about Kazdel mass-producing airships. She said that her parents had had similar ideas when they were alive, but had only ever experimented with them. They never would have expected Kazdel to mass-produce them directly! If they could learn of this news, they would surely be delighted!
After learning that a company established by Theresica was producing them, she also proposed quite a few improvements. Theresica carefully wrote every one of them down.
After returning to the hotel that night, Theresica paced back and forth, thinking about how to obtain medicine for Kazdel.
"Theresica, Kazdel really doesn't currently have the ability to produce medicine domestically."
Watching him, Warfarin advised, "Medicine production first requires sterile workshops. Then you need mature chemical raw-material suppliers, processing manufacturers, and testing procedures for every supporting stage. Where is Kazdel supposed to find all those people right now?"
"What about Chimeric Therapy?"
"I can perform it myself, but I can only care for a very small number of people."
Hearing Warfarin's answer, Theresica sighed helplessly before looking toward Jian and Salus.
"Looks like you two need to make preparations."
"As you command." "Just give the order."
That very night, the Shapeshifters transformed into Feline members of Victoria. Led by Salus and the disguised Jian, they sought out the owners of various pharmaceutical factories.
The hired thugs and security guards were nothing but kindling before these professional soldiers from the Shapeshifters. Groups of several dozen thugs were wiped out in less than two minutes.
Standing inside a villa where blood covered the floor, Jian suddenly punched a hole in the security door, then forcibly tore the entire metal door apart down the middle.
"Wow, how savage."
Salus smiled as she spoke, completely ignoring the blood still dripping from her sword. Jian paid her no attention. Instead, she walked up to the wealthy merchant trembling before her, clutching his wife and daughter, and pulled out a contract.
"Company. Acquisition. You don't want your children to starve to death, do you?"
Jian slowly raised the weapon in her hand. It was a weapon from Yan, and she liked it very much, just like her name.
Under the light, a slender shadow swept across the wealthy merchant's face. She continued, "The price is the market price. You neither lose nor gain."
"I'll sign! I'll sign!"
The wealthy merchant's spirit collapsed at that moment. He took the contract and quickly signed his name, afraid that if he was even a second too slow, the thing above his head would come down.
"I've signed it. You can let us go now, right?"
The wealthy merchant held the contract out with both hands and pleaded in terror. Jian didn't really understand contracts, so she handed it to Salus behind her. After seeing Salus nod—
"My master said these matters must remain secret."
Splurt—
The wall decorated with exquisite wallpaper was instantly stained bright red.
A squad of Shapeshifters waiting outside entered and began cleaning up. Their appearances slowly changed as well, until they finally became the wealthy merchant.
As long as they weren't targeted by their competitors, manufacturers in the Oripathy drug industry rarely suffered losses in Terra. At first, Theresica had tried to use enormous orders to force them to lower their prices, but they refused.
He had then tried to acquire them, but no one was willing to sell their own businesses. With no other options, Theresica grew desperate. He remembered that he was a man with a knife, so he had Jian and Salus take action.
In one night, he had gained control of several pharmaceutical manufacturers. From the chemical raw materials for Oripathy suppressants, to crude processing, to pharmaceutical processing, the entire production chain had been connected. Now all they needed was for Saria to provide suitable formulas.
Over the coming period, these manufacturers would gradually be acquired publicly by Rhine Metal. They would then produce the medicine directly in Columbia and supply Oripathy suppressants to Kazdel. The only costs would be labor, materials, storage, and transportation.
Perhaps one day, the last of those costs would disappear as well.
"Sarkaz, thank you all for your sacrifice."
Theresica murmured softly before instructing Salus, "Donate the savings of these wealthy merchants to Columbian welfare institutions in batches, using my identity here."
"Why do you want to do all this, my lord?"
"I don't know. Perhaps hundreds of years from now, after I die, my soul will receive a little less condemnation."
Theresica spoke casually, but beneath Salus's smiling face was a strange displeasure.
"What are you saying? You won't die."
"Is that so? Even long-lived races eventually reach the end of time."
"No. You won't."
There was a hint of stubbornness in Salus's voice, but Theresica didn't argue with her.
"Is that so? That wouldn't be bad either. It's almost dawn. Let's go back and rest."
Chapter 73: Poaching Talent
Without any outsiders knowing, Theresica had already found manufacturers to produce the medicine, and the acquisition process had officially begun the very next day.
Inside the office, Ferdinand looked at the acquisition contracts before him in astonishment. Then he teased Saria, who had arrived late that day, "You're a little slow."
"Organizing the documents took some time."
Saria took a large stack of files from her backpack and handed one to each person. "Based on the patients' physical conditions and the severity of their infections, I organized six medications. Their patent protection has already expired."
Ferdinand looked at them with some curiosity. "How come I've never seen any of them on the market?"
"Of course you haven't. Technology is constantly being updated. Pharmaceutical companies release new products and devote themselves to producing them. Buyers also pursue better effects, so these older drugs are quickly eliminated from the market."
Parvis had a deep understanding of this, having conducted research into Oripathy. He explained to Theresica, "I vaguely remember these drugs. Their suppressive effects on Oripathy are quite ordinary, but they have the advantage of causing no harm to patients. However, that went against the market's demands, so they were withdrawn after a year or two."
"As long as they have some effect, that's good enough. We can't ask for too much right now. Besides, the fact that they're harmless to the human body suits my wishes perfectly."
After noticing Warfarin nod slightly, Theresica decided to produce these several Oripathy suppressants. The ones Saria had selected suited him very well.
We haven't known each other for long, but this Wyvern woman sees right through me.
At that moment, Ferdinand took out a check from a Columbian bank and placed it on the desk.
"These medications aren't cheap to produce, and you also spent quite a bit acquiring those manufacturers by force. Rhine Lab's profit dividend from last year was put on hold because we couldn't get in touch with you. We'll give it to you today."
Theresica took the check. The amount wasn't actually much to him, but he was still somewhat surprised that Rhine Lab had already turned a profit after only one year.
He smiled and accepted the check.
"Don't worry. I've recently made some money from Ursus and Yan, so I have no problem investing these funds. Since I'll be here for the next few days, let me take a good look at Rhine Lab's achievements over the past year. I won't be stingy if there are promising projects."
"No problem!"
Both Ferdinand and Parvis, who conducted research, couldn't help smiling.
Under Ferdinand's leadership, Rhine Lab advocated encouraging researchers to establish projects independently and conduct free research. As a result, the company had countless projects.
Quite a few researchers throughout Rhine Lab knew that there was a well-funded client behind the company who never interfered with research projects. However, he had always invested only in the projects of a few directors and those they approved. Yet today, he had actually come to headquarters to review every project?!
Didn't that mean everyone would have a chance to meet the financier?!
Before you continue