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Chapter 63
Harukara Pharmaceuticals Begins Operations
Harukara’s employment problem finally improved once the people of Nasukute town grew more accustomed to Rosary.
“I’ve managed to hire enough people!”
Haruka reported just a week after we took Rosary to Nasukute town.
“Seems like you can get your factory up and running then.”
“Yes! ‘Harukara Pharmaceuticals Nasukute Factory’ will soon be open for business!”
Harukara Pharmaceuticals… Is that going to be the name of her company…?
“With this, we can finally start mass producing ‘Nutritious Alcohol’! I’ve finally done it!”
Nutritious Alcohol — an energy drink that Harukara made that was an explosive hit everywhere. Though it has alcohol in it’s name, it doesn’t actually have any alcohol in it.
Harukara had always been using her knowledge as a medicine maker to create her merchandise. She’s also always had good business sense. ‘Nutritious Alcohol’ being such a hit was proof of her talents.
Unfortunately, thanks to a misunderstanding, she thought that the high level demon Beelzebub was after her and so she closed down the factory she had in her hometown.
“I’m about to make a lot of money! Of course, I’ll be investing the profits back to the town! First, I’ll construct the Harukara Well and provide an endless supply of delicious water to residents and travelers alike! After that I’ll construct the Harukara Hall and provide a venue for regular performances that are open to the public! I’m pretty sure in 50 years I’ll have my own statue in town!
“Putting aside the statue, it’s great that you’re thinking of doing something for the town.”
“By the way, do you already have a business permit? If you just start a business without permission, won’t someone be coming for you?”
Harukara is pretty oblivious to these sorts of things so I wanted to make extra sure.
“I’ve heard that the noble that’s serving as the governor of Nantelle province is especially particular when it comes to money. It could be dangerous if you don’t take care of it properly.”
“Fufun! I’ve got it all covered! I’ve already filed for a permit! I made sure to submit it to a Nantelle official! No problems at all!
Harukara puffed out her chest as she said that. Judging by how confident she sounded, it seems like she really did submit it properly.
“Oh, but after I submitted the documents, strangely enough I was asked if I wasn’t going to include a gift with my application.”
“Er, it kinda sounds like they were asking for a bribe…?”
“Of course not~ Would this province really demand something like a bribe? Well, I didn’t really understand what they wanted so I just sent them a ton of edible herbs from the forest.”
Harukara said that like it was nothing..
“Yes. Where I’m from, it’s acceptable to send someone stuff like edible plants or fruits as as a form of greeting. Thinking back, I would usually send something like a whole week’s worth of herbs.”
“Hey, uh, did they actually accept it? Or, well, I’d be pretty mad if I had to hand over a bribe without question…”
I have a bad feeling about this.
“I do wonder about that. Those herbs are really tasty though, so I’m sure they’ll love it. They’re a little bitter but that’s what’s so great about them~”
“Uhm, Harukara…? If anything happens, let us know right away okay?”
This is Harukara after all. An existence who regularly sets up flags. I can’t imagine things not going wrong.
“No way~  Master is just being overprotective~. I’m also a splendid adult you know~ I’m telling you, there won’t be any problems~ I mean, we’re pretty well known around Furata village you know~”
Yeah, but just around Furata village.
Nantelle province’s capital Vitamei is quite some distance away so I wonder if any news from around here even makes it there. And even if it did, would they even believe the news that a powerful witch and her family really lived here?
Well, since Harukara didn’t think there was anything to worry about, we just dropped the matter. It’d be nice if it really was nothing though.
A few days after that, Harukara’s factory commenced operations.
Since it was too early to start fully mass producing, they started off with just selling around Nasukute town to test the waters. The lineup of goods were ‘Nutritious Alcohol’ and other various health drinks. Most of them had strange names like ‘It’s Bitter! The Essence of Health’ and ‘Sleep Obliterating Fluid’.
Every single one of them sold well. Even though they were all new, each product had something that drew customers in.
As expected, Harukara’s business sense was amazing. She knew exactly what products would sell. In just a week, there was already enough demand to ramp up mass production.
According to Harukara, if things go smoothly she might be able to start work on a second factory. She probably already made plans for that too. Well, as long as she’s having fun working then I have nothing to worry about.
On that note, while Harukara currently goes to the factory daily to give out instructions, she’s planning to gradually hand off all production matters to her employees and turn herself into the president of the company. It’s her life. She’s free to do whatever she wants.
“Oh man~ If things keep continuing like this, even buying a whole town might no longer be a dream! It’s going pretty well isn’t it~”
Harukara talks happily every time she gets home.
“Here, I brought gifts for Farufa-san and Sharusha-chan. It’s rare books that I had the town book store search for me.”
“Yay! Haruka onee-san you’re the best!” “Thank you… Harukara-san…”
They were having trouble finding those books and they looked really happy to finally get their hands on them.
“For master and Leica-san, I had someone look for good alcohol. This is thanks for the one you got for me during our celebration party.”
“Look who’s a big spender”
“If you don’t spend the money you make it’s not going to stimulate the economy! I’m just doing the right thing!”
Looks like Harukara’s really got her act together.
However– A week later-
Leica came home one night in a panic.
“Oh, Leica, you’re home early today.”
Leica in dragon form had been dropping Harukara to and from the factory.
“I have bad news Azusa-sama! Harukara-san has been apprehended by the governor! She’s being suspected of committing a crime!”
“I knew something was going to happen…”
It might be best to head to town as soon as I can…