[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower":3,"chapter-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-10":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1334757,1778,"Chapter 10","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-10",10,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 10: It’s Not Over Yet (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The El-Terra Church was the state religion of the Empire, worshiping Terra, the Mother Goddess of all lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baldwin, one of the seven Archbishops of the church, was troubled by a recent development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of all things, it had to be the Cadena Flu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make matters worse, the flu had broken out in the Vins territory, a significant destination on the pilgrimage route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this rate, he’d have to halt the pilgrimage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...No, it’s unacceptable. Absolutely not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baldwin shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t endured decades in the cutthroat world of church politics, leaving no room for error, only to let a minor flu risk destroy all he had achieved for his ambition to become Cardinal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What nonsense.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought, eyes ablaze with ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Archbishop, the guests you requested are here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring them in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the door opened, two men entered and respectfully bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“El Sia. By your grace, we have safely arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“El Sia. May the Goddess bless our meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop returned their greeting with a nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“El Sia. Please, both of you, take a seat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seated at the head of a comfortable sofa, he began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you arrived in Sirin two days ago, but I was so occupied that I’m only now able to meet you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No worries, Archbishop. We understand how busy you must be. I’m Moira Main, a Level 5 mage from the Blue Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Neil Brion, Executive Vice President of NewTech Pharmaceuticals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blue Tower was one of the four Great Towers, and NewTech was a corporation known across the continent for raking in profits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what’s the status on the joint project to develop a cure for the Cadena Flu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira smiled at the Archbishop’s question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Progress is steady. As you know, the Blue Tower has a long history of potion making, and NewTech here is the top pharmaceutical company, producing everything from cold medicines and painkillers to addiction treatments. There’s no drug we can’t make, Archbishop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop’s face brightened at their confident assurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, hearing that eases my worries. So, how long until it’s complete?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re only at the clinical trial stage now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once we pass that phase, we’ll apply for official approval from the Empire’s Food and Drug Administration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that things were progressing smoothly, the Archbishop clasped his hands in prayer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“El Sia. The Mother Goddess is watching over this humble servant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, Moira spoke cautiously, reading his expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As you know, clinical trials are not a process that can be completed overnight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we rush just to meet a deadline, the treatment could end up ineffective or even dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In short, when can we expect it on the market?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll complete it within six months, no matter what.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Six months!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop’s face twisted with frustration, and he raised his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s impossible! I have to be in Vins territory in four months, according to church guidelines! No matter what, finish it and have it ready by then!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that schedule…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Silence!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fist hit the armrest of the expensive sofa, and silence settled over the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quiet was broken by a knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Archbishop, another mage has arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk. Bring them in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calming down, the Archbishop turned to the two men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why didn’t you tell me there was another person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pardon? There isn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just the two of us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then who…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the three of them turned to the door, a figure entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me see… the church greeting, if I remember… El Sia, was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newcomer had the elegance of a noble from a storybook, wearing a pristine white robe that perfectly suited the El-Terra Church.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a polite but not overdone bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings. I’m Oscar Crucian, Level 2 mage of the White Tower and Head of the Potion Department.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his head slowly, his eyes curving in a gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m here to share some good news.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Good news?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That phrase was commonly used by the church’s evangelists when visiting homes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But surely this man wasn’t here to preach to the Archbishop himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I dislike wasting time. What’s your purpose here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was an edge to his voice, warning that he would not tolerate anything trivial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Oscar replied calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve come to sell you a cure for the Cadena Flu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop looked at the two guests, clearly surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, how coincidental. We were just discussing that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, so that’s why you let me in without hesitation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar casually approached the sofa and examined the other two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Am I late? Have you already made a deal with them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, not yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop shook his head firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re still figuring out how to proceed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucky for me, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what about the White Tower?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, having gauged what the Archbishop wanted to hear, responded confidently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The White Tower is ready to make a deal immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a lie!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira of the Blue Tower jumped up, shouting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone knows the White Tower’s situation. What funds or expertise could they possibly have to produce a cure?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding Moira’s objection reasonable, the Archbishop nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Certainly a logical concern. Oscar... was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crucian. Oscar Crucian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right, Oscar Crucian. Do you really have the cure?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar took out a small wooden box from his robe and set it before the Archbishop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A sample of the Cadena Flu cure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop opened the box, examining the vial before nodding thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. But there’s no way to know if this is genuine or not...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to consider something for a moment before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we were to make a deal, by when, and how many doses could you supply?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Archbishop Baldwin!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling betrayed, Moira raised her voice, but the Archbishop shouted back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you! You’re in no position to speak up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But, that’s not what I meant…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Weren’t you the ones unprepared for this transaction?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that’s only because we’re waiting for the Food and Drug Administration’s approval... Ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira looked back at the vial, realization dawning on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, that cure. Has it received approval from the FDA?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nope.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! I knew it. Archbishop, see, the White Tower is in the same boat as us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Ahem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop discreetly placed the vial back on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how urgent things were, he couldn’t risk purchasing an unapproved, untested cure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Moira continued to make her case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Archbishop, once we get approval from the Food and Drug Administration, we’ll be able to match the quantities you need through factories across the continent. There's no other place here with a faster production process than ours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Above all, that treatment was created by the White Tower. I guarantee that a treatment developed through the collaboration between the long-standing Blue Tower and NewTech, the continent's top pharmaceutical company, would be far more effective.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop, after nodding once, turned his gaze toward Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you think? If you have nothing in particular to say, I’d like to have a deeper conversation with these two.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I acknowledge that we have not received approval from the FDA and are lagging in production speed. However…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, mocking smile spread across his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't it a bit ridiculous for the Blue Tower to boast about its long history? Especially in front of the White Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira Main's face stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that same moment, a killing intent sharp enough to make an ordinary Level 2 mage struggle to breathe pricked at his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll give you a chance to take that back, assuming it's just a foolish slip-up from a lowly Level 2 mage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, it's only a slip-up if I was wrong…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, unaffected by the killing intent, looked back with a genuinely puzzled expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don’t you answer this directly? Which was the first mage tower established in this continent's history?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Are you seriously trying to flaunt a five-year head start?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just five years?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar emphasized those words and shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting. Those five years you call 'just five years'…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those are the years that every Blue Tower master has longed to close the gap on, at any cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s five years that, no matter how many thousands or tens of thousands of years pass, will never be bridged.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once recorded, it's a truth that can never be changed, a root that can never be erased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you seem to be disregarding our treatment, but did you forget that just twenty years ago, the White Tower held a monopoly over the potion market?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph, that’s a past no one remembers now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A past no one remembers….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira instinctively shivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even she didn’t know why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When that young mage’s gaze turned cold, her body just reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case, there's no helping it. I’ll just have to make you remember.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean we're going to take back the potion market that we entrusted to the Blue Tower for a time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Heh, haha! Hahaha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira threw her head back, shoulders shaking with laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After laughing for quite some time, she wiped the tears from her eyes and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I must be pitiful indeed, to have listened so seriously to the words of a monkey who can't tell heaven from earth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira shook her head in exasperation and turned to the Archbishop, who had been quietly observing the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well. Your Excellency, we’ll be ready within four months, so let’s proceed with the contract.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you take responsibility for those words?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. The Blue Tower will give it our all to obtain approval from the Imperial FDA. If I fail, I’ll lay my neck on the line.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop nodded slowly in response to her confident statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're willing to say that much, then I suppose there's no reason for me to hesitate any longer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was essentially a declaration that negotiations with Oscar had fallen through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop was just returning to his desk to find a pen to draft the contract when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A priest burst into the room and shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Excellency!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How improper! We have guests here; why the commotion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry, but a message has come in through the communicator.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A message?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop looked curiously at the communicator the priest had brought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where’s the message from that would cause such a fuss? Could it be from His Holiness the Pope…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, it’s from Lord Vins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Vins?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Archbishop Baldwin rarely showed surprise, but this time he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder—he had never even met Lord Vins before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suppose we'll find out by listening. Hand it over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking the communicator to his ear, he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"El Sia. This is Baldwin, faithful servant of the Earth Mother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ah! El Sia! First, let me express my gratitude for Your Excellency’s boundless grace.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Gratitude?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop’s expression became puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t done anything deserving of thanks, so what gratitude was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1850,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.509Z",1,"novelbin.me","dda4d3014460730b8515a1564929d7fe8930062969b0f068b8a1ba0a2cba9c2a","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-11","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-251",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]