There was a moment that made Li feel as if she were experiencing déjà vu.

The reason she refused this time was of course because Amira was with her.

It would be difficult to walk around the Royal Castle with a child who would be extremely hard to explain.

Especially when the person standing before her, looking utterly desperate, held the position of Chief Court Magic Pharmacist.

There was no telling when he might see through the concealment magic.

With that in mind Li refused swiftly and turned her back.

“Please! I want you to help me!”

Li had already given him the medicine for hair.

So she could not help but wonder why.

More importantly the Chief’s eyes were bloodshot and bright red.

His cheeks also looked somewhat sunken.

Li suspected that he had once again been given some unreasonable demand.

“Hmm. Li Earlychar Karasebed Quewa. I will not ask anything about that child there. I will say nothing either. So please help me, I beg you!”

Hearing the Chief speak without caring about his dignity anymore Li let out a quiet sigh.

She could feel Amira gripping her hand tightly.

“It cannot be helped. Please keep this child confidential. You may ask my father about the circumstances.”

“I do not know what you are talking about but please, I beg you Li Earlychar Karasebed Quewa.”

Li judged that he had no intention of continuing any negotiations.

And so she ended up being led straight into the Chief Pharmacist’s room.

The matter itself was simple.

The hair medicine Li had created worked.

And not just as expected.

It worked far better than anyone had anticipated.

However, that success caused a division.

Those who had hair and those who did not.

The Chief Pharmacist had personally tested the medicine just a few days earlier.

And those who had hair were saved.

The problem lay with those who did not.

Until now they had all been united by the single issue of thinning hair.

But now a crack had formed among them.

After the division between those who had hair and those who did not the latter group became even more radical and aggressive.

“They were nothing more than small fry among us anyway.”

“Hmph. What do you mean the ‘hair faction’? A real man should belong to the ‘no-hair faction.’”

“Perhaps we should teach those hair faction fellows a lesson.”

And so on.

Apparently unsettling remarks had begun coming from the no-hair faction.

As a result the pressure eventually fell upon the Chief Court Magic Pharmacist.

In other words: Do something about the no-hair faction.

The hair faction was relaxed.

But the pressure from the no-hair faction had become exhausting.

However there was a problem.

Even if he was told to fix it something impossible remained impossible.

It was written clearly in Li’s report.

You cannot grow something that is not there.

Naturally the Chief Court Magic Pharmacist was not incompetent.

He had conducted his own experiments carefully.

For example he pulled hair from an area where it grew and placed it onto an area where there was none before applying the medicine.

He thought perhaps it would grow that way.

In modern terms it was similar to the concept of hair transplantation.

However the hair had not been transplanted together with the roots.

The result was merciless.

Even after hearing such a story Li could only feel troubled.

If there were some method effective for the no-hair faction it would be ideal but Li herself was not particularly knowledgeable in that area.

Just when she thought this was truly troublesome the Chief spoke.

“How about creating a magic medicine that could serve as an alternative?”

The Chief Court Magic Pharmacist explained his idea.

Create a medicine that solves a problem shared by both the no-hair faction and the hair faction.

Then distribute that medicine to the no-hair faction first to calm their anger.

In the end there were concerns that the problem might resurface over time.

However it was impossible to solve the issue immediately.

So the idea was to redirect their attention.

“If it works it should at least buy us some time.”

However the problem was whether there even existed such a convenient issue.

“There is one possibility that comes to mind.”

The Chief said this with a thoroughly exhausted expression.

“It is medicine for athlete’s foot.”

‘I see,’ Li thought.

Athlete’s foot has a long history with humanity.

After all, the environment created by leather shoes carries the risk of developing it.

Incidentally in her previous life Li had once suffered from mild athlete’s foot.

She cured it using antifungal medicine.

Because of that experience Li developed the habit of wearing well-ventilated sandals at an early stage.

At home she mostly wears sandals or slippers.

They are also sold through the trading company run by her family but they are mainly popular among commoners.

After all nobles must maintain appearances so they do not sell very well.

However in certain circles they have gained enthusiastic popularity.

Li’s own family are among the most devoted users.

Her mother in particular has become so fond of them that she says she ‘cannot live without them.’

But putting that aside.

Li let out a small sigh and nodded.

“Understood. Please send the request through my father again.”

“Of course. I am sorry. At the very least I will have the finest materials we possess delivered to you.”

“I will gladly accept them... and Bonaccorti-sama please take this as well.”

Li took out a small candy pot from the pouch at her waist and placed it on the desk.

“These are candies that will give you a little energy. Please do not overwork yourself. You look quite dreadful.”

“Hmm,” the Chief Pharmacist murmured while touching his cheek.

“I will gratefully accept them.”

“Then please excuse me.”

And with that Li left the Chief Pharmacist’s room.