“It’s Elixir, Dammit!”

The fundamental fuel required to operate countless artifacts and magical circles.

A substance that, depending on how it’s synthesized with other materials, can create all sorts of useful magical compounds.

The material that powers all the empire’s trains, automobiles, trucks, ships, and airships.

The source of light for the magical lamps illuminating the streets of the empire.

A basic household necessity used for heating, cooling, cooking, and even heating bathwater.

Even now, magicians sweat and toil to find more ways to harness its utility in real-time.

That substance is the elixir.

I’m no expert in economics.

But even I know that elixir is the ultimate hot commodity—priceless and invaluable, surpassing gold in its worth.

The reason the currencies of the Arkhal Empire and the desert kingdom of Tramarta in the west are the only ones recognized as continental standards is that these two nations alone produce elixir. 

It’s only possible to purchase elixir using their currencies.

In any case.

It’s absurdly expensive and ridiculously useful.

A material that guarantees one’s rise to immense wealth the moment they obtain it.

But why?

Why is that bursting out of an abandoned factory in the middle of the capital’s slums? Why?!

No, this can’t be real.

If there had been an elixir source in the heart of the capital, it couldn’t have gone undiscovered until now.

Do you know how valuable elixir is?!

People scour the land with their eyes burning to find it!

And yet it’s been sitting under the capital this whole time? That makes no sense!

“This is strange. Lady Witch, why hasn’t this elixir source been discovered until now?”

“The mana-absorbing stone… It was truly enormous. I’ve never seen a stone of that size before. 

I believe it swallowed all of the elixir’s mana waves, making it impossible for anyone to detect the source until now. Typically, elixir sources are found by detecting the faint mana waves they emit from underground.”

“Grace! Oh, grace! Lady Witch, what’s the estimated yield of this source?”

“We’d need a more precise investigation to know for sure… but judging by the flow and the mana concentration, I’d say there’s at least 100 billion barrels, at the very least. That’s a conservative estimate—it’s likely more. The larger the deposit, the higher the mana concentration, which also makes it easier to refine. This elixir has the highest mana concentration I’ve ever seen.”

Everyone turned to stare at me at once.

Inside, I was screaming.

But, of course, I couldn’t let that show on my face.

Instead, I smiled.

“This is a blessing.”

“Oh, Saint !! You knew all along, didn’t you?!”

“To think you bought that worthless land!”

“To see greatness hidden beneath a pile of garbage, rubble, and a crumbling factory… Truly, Saint, you are remarkable! Thank you!!”

Please don’t talk to me.

It’s as if the entire world wants to see me smited by the goddess herself.

And just like that, I had once again been elevated to the status of a miraculous, saintly figure.

No!!

I want you to fail!!

Why is everything going so well for you?!

Curse me as a useless fraud of a saint and just leave me alone!

Only then can I quietly disappear and avoid divine retribution!

“But how are we going to monetize this elixir that’s flowing out?”

“Exactly. None of us here have any expertise in elixir-related technology.”

“And no one here has experience running a company either.”

While everyone was mulling over the problem, my gaze locked onto one person like a magnet.

Yes!!

It’s not over yet!!

I still have Jonathan Karma, the ultimate trash businessman who ran a doll factory into the ground!

If anyone can mess up even elixir, it’s him. Of course, it is!

“We have Jonathan Karma, don’t we?”

At my words, everyone turned to look at him.

Even though his skin was now clear thanks to the modifications I made to his body, he still wore shabby clothes and looked nothing like a successful businessman.

It was obvious.

To still look like that at his age, he must have zero business sense.

And look at that face—it practically screams Scrooge.

He looks like someone who breathes fraud and embezzlement.

Perfect!

Fraud! Embezzlement! Incompetence!

You’re exactly the kind of person I need right now!

“This is clearly the goddess’s guidance. Jonathan Karma, please establish a company, refine the elixir, and sell it. I trust you. You’re the only one for this task. I believe you were chosen precisely for this moment.”

I made sure to speak loudly and clearly so everyone could hear.

That way, when he inevitably ruins everything, they’ll all blame me!

When the company fails, I’ll be instantly labeled as an incompetent and corrupt fraud of a saint!

Everyone will curse me and leave, and I’ll finally be safe from the goddess’s wrath!

Jonathan Karma began trembling, seemingly moved by my words.

“...Fate is truly ironic. It pushes you into hell when you struggle with all your might, yet offers opportunities when you’ve given up everything. Perhaps the saying is true—no matter how cruel and devastating life may be, you have to stay alive to seize those chances.”

Jonathan Karma stood up from his seat, bowing deeply toward me.

“This is the life you’ve given back to me, Saint. I will stake my life to ensure success. I will make you the richest man in the empire.”

I smiled with satisfaction.

Perfect. Look at that boastful attitude—it screams disaster waiting to happen.

The richest man in the empire? That’s the kind of line conmen love to throw around!

This is excellent.

Mr. Scrooge, hurry up and ruin it all, just like you did with the doll factory.

“Even if you fail, it’s fine. No matter how many times you fail, I will continue to rely on you. After all, this is a bond guided by the goddess herself.”

I was laying the groundwork.

Even if he botched everything, I would keep him on, forcing High Priest Yodel to grit his teeth and suffer until he’d explode from frustration.

Do it, Jonathan Karma.

Wreck the finances of the Lilia Order into oblivion.

Moved to tears, Jonathan’s eyes glistened.

“I promise… I will succeed. As you wish, Saint, I will make it happen.”

Yes, yes. Go ahead and ruin everything.

Smiling warmly, I stepped forward and hugged Jonathan Karma tightly.

Despite all the absurdities, there was still a slim chance I could escape the goddess’s wrath without dying.

After the conversation ended, the Saint returned to treating the impoverished. 

He worked tirelessly, healing and healing without pause. 

His face showed no signs of fatigue, and he always carried a gentle smile.

Watching his quiet, steadfast efforts from behind, one could almost see a halo emanating from his head.

This is what a true saint is.

Not merely someone who heals wounds, but a being who soothes both the heart and the soul.

Jonathan Karma gazed reverently at the Saint’s back for a long while before finally walking away.

“Lady Witch, may I have a moment of your time?”

Jonathan first approached Erfa.

“I believe you heard what the Saint said earlier. Could you spare some time? Please come to my home.”

“Of course,” Erfa replied without hesitation, following Jonathan to his residence.

Though the house was modest, Jonathan showed no embarrassment—he knew he wouldn’t have to stay in such a place for long.

“This is my wife, Olivier, and my daughter, Cecilia.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Erfa, a witch of the Magic Tower.”

After a polite exchange of greetings, the four of them gathered in the living room.

Jonathan explained the Saint’s request, and both Olivier and Cecilia nodded enthusiastically.

“Of course! We must do it, absolutely!”

“Let me help, too! I’ll do everything I can for the Saint!”

Seeing their passionate resolve, Jonathan nodded firmly.

“As expected. The Saint has healed us all—not just our bodies, but our souls. We owe him our gratitude. Let us be thankful for this second chance.”

Hearing this, Erfa’s curiosity was piqued.

“Did the Saint heal your illness as well, Jonathan?”

“No, he healed my daughter’s sickness.”

Jonathan calmly explained the events to Erfa, who couldn’t hide her astonishment.

“Rotting Disease? That’s infamous as an incurable illness, yet he…”

“We exhausted all our resources, trying every possible medicine and treatment, but all we could do was slow its spread and reduce its contagiousness. Yet, with a mere wave of his hand, the Saint eradicated it completely. I will repay this debt of grace, no matter what.”

Jonathan turned to Erfa .

“We will need various technologies for refining elixir. Ideally, we should recruit experts from the Magic Tower who have researched elixir-related fields. I believe you’re more than capable of making such recommendations.”

“Of course. Many experts in elixir technology reside in the Mars Branch of the Magic Tower. 

Even Tower Master Orgen himself is among the top three elixir refinement specialists on the continent.”

“Perfect! Please arrange for us to meet with them. While I’d love to recruit them as researchers for our company, if that’s not possible, I’d settle for a technical partnership. I trust you can help persuade them.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll do everything I can to assist.”

“Thank you. That’s all I’ll need. The rest will be up to my wife, my daughter, and myself.”

“You’ll be dealing with an enormous amount of money to handle elixir. Will you be okay? Would you like me to recommend professional managers or experienced businesspeople?”

At Erfa’s suggestion, Jonathan smiled.

“I know Tower Master Orgen. I used to meet him occasionally in my youth. When you return to the tower, ask him about me. He’ll tell you everything about my family.”

Intrigued, Erfa left Jonathan’s home and headed straight to Orgen’s office at the Magic Tower. 

When she mentioned Jonathan Karma’s name, Orgen burst into laughter.

“Jonathan Karma ? Hahaha! It’s been ages! How do you know that name, Erfa?”

Erfa recounted what Jonathan had told her, and Orgen’s surprise deepened.

“His daughter had Rotting Disease? Good heavens. What a life full of tragedy.”

“What kind of man is he?”

“If not for his incredible misfortunes, he would have become the richest man in the empire by now.”

Orgen chuckled heartily.

“Jonathan Karma was a self-made legend. From being a penniless street beggar, he built one of the largest distribution networks in the empire. Twenty years ago, there wasn’t a single businessman who didn’t know his name.”