The Strongest Man’s Fake Wife Wants to Live Chapter 26

“Even though the Empire won the war against the monsters, for those living near the Abyss, that victory still doesn’t feel real. Far too many people are losing their lives to monsters. You must know especially well that monster aura is fatal to the elderly, the weak, and children. Even if they are lucky enough to survive, it leaves lasting aftereffects that remain with them for the rest of their lives.”

Pesha looked at Duke Pontroy’s right leg.

That limping leg was the reason Duke Pontroy carried a cane.

“Since you spent your childhood in the east, Duke Pontroy, you probably know this well, but most aura contamination is caused by infection through wounds. No matter how much you purify the aura, it quickly spreads through the wound, so there’s no way around it. That’s why I thought, what if I made a medicine that could lightly disinfect wounds while also having an aura-purifying effect?”

Duke Pontroy then spoke in a serious tone.

“You used a disinfectant? Disinfectant and infected wounds are like oil and water. It would be unbearable because of the pain.”

“That was how it used to be. So I artificially crossbred medicinal herbs with both effects. That way, it can prevent the wound from spreading through disinfection while also exerting its purification effect.”

“You’re saying such a thing is possible?”

“It’s a medicine made from a newly created plant, so the production process is a little complicated, but I can guarantee that the effect is genuine.”

Duke Pontroy stared at the potion without being able to close his mouth, then lowered his gaze to his right leg.

As though she had expected that, Pesha continued.

“That’s right. I can heal your leg too.”

“What?”

“You don’t believe me, do you? I’ll prove it by healing that leg.”

Duke Pontroy was an illegitimate child born between a maid and the previous Duke Pontroy, rather than the duchess.

The previous duchess resented this and drove the maid out, even refusing to write her a letter of recommendation, making it impossible for her to find work.

With no other choice, she fled all the way to the distant east, where she gave birth to her child and began struggling to survive along the eastern front.

At the time, Owen had not yet been born and brought an end to the long war, so the east was practically a den of monsters.

In such a dangerous place, a young child was an easy target, and it was said that the duke’s mother died from contamination while protecting him from monsters.

Thanks to his mother’s sacrifice, the duke barely survived, but he was left with a limp.

Not only that, but every night his contaminated knee would throb, leaving him in agony.

No matter what miraculous medicine he used throughout his life, he had never been able to heal that leg.

‘Though he’ll be freed from the pain after meeting Io and her purification power.’

The decisive reason Duke Pontroy helped Io in the original story was that the very place Io wanted to change was the eastern region, where his childhood memories and pain were rooted.

Even the reason he had immediately shown goodwill toward Owen was probably because he was grateful to him for driving the monsters out of the east. So unlike Marquis Clark, he would recognize the value of this potion.

“Are you really saying you can heal my leg?”

“If you don’t believe me, you can try this prototype right here.”

Duke Pontroy stared at the potion in his trembling hand, then, after a brief silence, suddenly asked another question.

“What terms did Marquis Clark offer?”

“He said he would handle everything from production to distribution, so he wanted me to hand over the formula and take four-tenths of the profits.”

It sounded reasonable on the surface, but Duke Pontroy must have immediately seen through the traps hidden in those terms.

Sure enough, he let out a hearty laugh as though he found it utterly ridiculous.

“Marquis Clark’s greed has gone too far. To be so greedy over a deal that could save people’s lives and, furthermore, change the future of the Empire.”

Pesha could sense the firm resolve in Duke Pontroy’s attitude.

‘It worked. I can make a contract with Duke Pontroy.’

Pesha inwardly rejoiced and asked,

“What do you think? Would you like to join hands with us?”

“Let’s call a lawyer first to mediate the contract.”

“But we haven’t even decided on the terms yet.”

When she tilted her head in confusion, Duke Pontroy returned the potion bottle to her and said,

“I’ll give you seven-tenths of the sales, not the profits. I’ll take care of all the troublesome matters, such as securing land to grow the new medicinal herbs and distributing them to the public. I’d like the Countess to handle only the formulation.”

“What?”

This time, Pesha’s eyes widened in surprise.

She had already been willing to sign the contract simply because he showed no interest whatsoever in the formula, but she had never imagined he would offer her seven-tenths of the sales rather than the profits.

It was practically the same as saying he had no intention of profiting from this medicine.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Are you worried there’ll be nothing left for the Pontroy Merchant Guild? Don’t worry. I made this decision after calculating everything. Having the exclusive distribution rights for this medicine won’t cause me any loss, even with such an extraordinary offer.”

“But……”

“My servant will draw up the contract shortly, and once we finish signing it, we’ll have a lawyer notarize it.”

Duke Pontroy looked back and forth between the bewildered Pesha and Owen, who still hadn’t lowered his guard, then chuckled warmly.

“Isn’t the matter settled now?”

“Are you really sure this is all right?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Now that our business is finished, are you returning to Count Namoi’s territory?”

“Yes, we should. We came here to find a buyer for the new potion, after all.”

In truth, Pesha had not planned to return immediately. She had intended to somehow meet Io before leaving, but it was true that she had already accomplished her main objective.

“Then since you’re here anyway, why don’t you at least make an appearance at my party before you go?”

“A party?”

Seeing Pesha look bewildered, Duke Pontroy kindly explained.

“Tomorrow is my seventy-fourth birthday. I’ll attend the party without my cane, using the potion the Countess gave me. There’s no way you two can miss it.”

If Duke Pontroy personally used the potion and demonstrated its effects, there could be no better publicity.

She absolutely had to attend such an event, and there was another important advantage as well.

‘If it’s a party for Duke Pontroy’s birthday, won’t Io come too?’

If Io came to the party, Pesha could spare herself the trouble of coming up with some unnatural excuse to make the two of them meet.

There was just one thing she was worried about before that.

Pesha rolled her eyes around before stealthily glancing at Owen.

Would this be a welcome proposal for Owen too?

He had almost no noble acquaintances, and he didn’t enjoy parties or inviting guests over.

It might have been his innate personality, but the way the nobles had looked down on him during his time in the capital must have played a major part as well.

Pesha was hesitating over this when—

“Thank you for the invitation. Should we come to the Pontroy residence tomorrow?”

Unexpectedly, Owen was the first to answer, accepting without a hint of reluctance.

As though he liked Owen’s straightforward response, Duke Pontroy left their lodging with a satisfied expression.

The problem now lay with the two of them.

More precisely, with Owen.

‘Is that man really okay?’