SWNOVELXO Chapter 46
The Saioji family, both the main and branch houses, are said to share a common fate, rising and falling together. Though they see each other as rivals, they fundamentally cooperate to run the vast Saioji Group.
“The main and branch houses don’t differ much in terms of assets or influence. The only real difference is that one is the direct line and the other is a collateral line.”
The Saioji Group, with its vast interests across multiple industries, has divided responsibilities between the main and branch houses.
“Ryugen-sama manages the automotive industry, real estate, and IT-related businesses… while the deputy chairman of Saioji Group, Oukai-sama, primarily oversees cutting-edge industries like genetic research.”
“So, the *Leaf Institute*…”
“Yes, Oukai-sama is essentially in charge of almost all biotechnology research facilities under Saioji Group, with the Leaf Institute at the forefront.”
That’s why Ryugen’s daughter, Saioji Shizuku, ordered that the existence of the *Magic Rose* should not be revealed to the Leaf Institute. It was a power struggle between the main and branch families… While outsiders believed Ryugen and Oukai were close cousins, those privy to the internal workings knew of the ongoing power struggle.
Currently, the battlefield for this power struggle involved the mysterious materials I had brought from the other world, as well as the world of Asphial beyond the **Moon Gate**.
“Both Ryugen-sama and Oukai-sama have already established numerous companies related to Asphial. However, since it’s a cutting-edge technology, Ryugen-sama predicts that Oukai-sama’s faction will have the upper hand for a while.”
The items I had casually negotiated for from the other world had apparently already sparked projects worth hundreds of billions. Huge investments had been made into researching devices capable of measuring magical energy, like mana. As more and more funds were funneled into these projects, it was only a matter of time before the rest of the world caught on.
… But I was the sole source of these materials. Could I really keep up with this?
Simply put, the Saioji Group was currently engaged in one of its most intense power struggles to date, with the main and branch houses fighting for control of the new frontier that was the otherworldly industries. It was like a tug-of-war, with billions already poured into this struggle.
Investors and those sharp in economic matters had already noticed this strange influx of funds, and it was only a matter of time before the secrets of the otherworld industry were revealed to the public.
Meanwhile, I was still making potions to woo an elf sold in the black market. Despite Ryugen-sama and Akira-san keeping me somewhat shielded from the power struggle, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed at how laid-back I’d been.
“Choosing Akane Village as the site was a good decision. A closed-off village society makes it easier to control information.”
“… Please don’t do anything to unsettle the villagers.”
After Akira-san finished explaining the main and branch houses of the Saioji family, she made a somewhat unsettling comment. Was this because I had learned about the internal workings of the Saioji Group?
For now, I just asked her not to cause any more unrest among the villagers like before.
—
“I tried it myself, but it didn’t transform into the Magic Rose after all.”
“So just exposing it to magic isn’t enough.”
“… If creating high-grade herbs for purple potions were as easy as just exposing them to magic, someone would’ve figured it out long ago. Perhaps it’s a specific property of the magic?”
After hearing about the Saioji family’s internal affairs from Akira-san, I informed Shizuku-san that I had established a cultivation base for the Magic Rose in Akane Village.
The deadline was one month. After considering the demand for purple potions in the black market of the royal capital, we decided to give cultivation a try.
… Of course, I hadn’t told her the original plan of making red potions or buying an elf slave.
At the same time, I informed Shizuku about the complex family dynamics I had learned from Akira. She merely responded with a short “I see,” seemingly unconcerned.
There wasn’t much we could do from this world anyway… It was a kind of resignation.
Rather than the family power struggle, Shizuku was more interested in the properties of my magic, which could transform ordinary roses into Magic Roses.
“It’s not an exotic attribute… Could it be an unknown attribute? Or is it related to your blessing skill?”
“I have no idea. I just found out myself.”
The Magic Rose is likely the only artificially created magical herb in this world. With it, we could potentially mass-produce high-grade potions, which are still difficult to supply consistently. That would undoubtedly lead to significant future profits.
Unlike me, who was preoccupied with such materialistic thoughts, Shizuku was deeply intrigued by my unique ability to transform plants into magical ones.