Now that we've decided to spend money… it's time to discuss how to earn it.
The order feels a bit backward, but what can I do?
This is just how my mind works.
I won't say I've returned to the 19th century and ended up like this.
Truth be told, even when I was in South Korea, I wasn't particularly financially savvy.
"It's not that I didn't have money… I just didn't have enough time, that's all."
I'd never earned a lot of money before.
Intern, resident, military doctor, fellow.
Even as a professor, the starting salary wasn't particularly high, and before that, it was even worse.
I never felt the need to learn about investments or anything like that.
"So… now you've finally come to ask about the progress, huh?"
The old man—Alfred's father—looked at me with a bewildered expression as I rushed in.
Why, though?
I didn't need to think too deeply about it.
When you think about it, this condom business…
It all started with my idea, didn't it?
I heard I have a decent share in it too.
10%?
I thought I was going crazy.
Sure, I gave them the idea, but I didn't do anything else, did I?
"If you hadn't saved my son's life twice, I might have stabbed you in the back… but then again, the Lord wouldn't let me get away with that."
Ah, I see.
So my share includes the price of his son's life.
Well… I guess it's not entirely unreasonable, then.
"Anyway, I handed out some of these for free during this social season."
"Ah… how did it go?"
"How did it go? I'd say this was probably the happiest social season in history. Think about it. Young men and women, hearts racing, gathered together, sharing a night of passion without the fear of pregnancy… incredible."
The old man muttered something about how he wished he were ten years younger, but as soon as his eyes met Alfred's, he trailed off.
If only he'd said twenty years, it might have been less awkward…
Ten years ago, he was already a married man with four kids!
"Anyway! It's been a madhouse! People are clamoring to buy them right away."
"Oh. So we need to open a store immediately, right?"
"No, no. Not yet. Orders are coming in as it is, so there's no need to set up a shop."
"Huh?"
"We've already applied for a patent. Even if we hadn't, I doubt anyone could replicate it without knowing the materials… but anyway, that's that."
"Ah, I see."
"We've gone off track. Here, take a look at this."
The old man rummaged under the table and pulled out a bundle.
Silver coins.
A staggering amount of silver coins came into view.
"You've already made this much?"
At this rate, it seems like the initial investment will be recouped soon.
The contract…
Once the investment is covered, I'm supposed to get 10%…
*Clink.*
As I was lost in my happy thoughts, the old man pushed the silver coins toward me.
"Huh?"
"Made this much? This is your share."
"What? No, already…? You've recouped the investment? Wait, is this 10%…?"
"You're worth it. Think about it. Among the people at those gatherings, sure, there are some like Blundell—you know, the guy who married well to change his fortunes—but most of them are already wealthy. The kind of people who've never earned a penny with their own hands."
Alfred's father, an icon of self-made success, didn't seem particularly resentful as he said this.
Why?
Because in this era, the most common and traditional way to become wealthy is through inheritance.
Those who became wealthy that way were the real rich.
Especially the nobility of the British Empire.
Thanks to lime juice, which helped them overcome scurvy, the Royal Navy became invincible, creating an empire where the sun never set, amassing immense wealth from all over the world.
Of course, there were also nouveau riche like Alfred's father…
But even he had to hand over most of his earnings to the nobility under the guise of investment fees and protection money.
"What do you think those wealthy people care about? Money? No. Money is just given to them. Power? Power is also handed to them. They'll only grow stronger. Women? Well, you can buy as many as you want, but noblewomen are out of the question."
"Hmm."
This was starting to sound a bit uncomfortable.
With my 21st-century mindset, this kind of talk felt a bit off.
Besides, I was a virgin until recently.
But whether I liked it or not, the old man continued.
I didn't stop him, either.
After all, having started this condom business, this was just… something unavoidable, right?
"They want children. Marriage is a must. Otherwise, they'd be ostracized in London's social circles… so they have no choice."
"Right, right."
Affairs.
Infidelity.
These weren't absent from London's social scene.
In fact, compared to 21st-century South Korea…
It was like the animal kingdom, with shockingly low moral standards.
Most of them went to church every week, so they probably thought they'd be forgiven if they repented…
'Still… messing with someone's precious, unmarried daughter is insane.'
Married men having affairs with married women was fine.
Does that even make sense? Well, apparently, it was.
Some even kept mistresses.
If not that, they could just play around with commoners…
At this point, you'd think there'd be no shortage of options at social gatherings, but humans always want what they can't have, right?
"But now, with this, they don't have to worry about pregnancy. For them, this is nothing short of a miracle. How much do you think they'd pay for one? Some are even offering a silver coin!"
A silver coin.
That's an eye-popping price.
For the old man, a merchant, of course…
And even for me, who's just along for the ride.
There's no downside to having money.
Especially in this era… I have so much to do.
"Well… it's not just for contraception but also for preventing sexually transmitted diseases… so it's even more important for commoners. If it's too expensive, that might be a problem."
But that doesn't mean I've forgotten its original purpose.
It's not like I'm some morally upright nobleman.
It's just that this era feels so wretched from my perspective.
Even here…
In the British Empire.
Now I understand why communism emerged.
Marx would only be about 12 or 13 years old now, but even a kid would see that something's wrong with this.
"Hmm… I see what you're saying. But look."
The old man jingled the silver coins in front of me.
*Clink, clink…*
It's mesmerizing.
I feel like I'm losing my mind.
"Right, right."
"This is just the beginning. It's not like I'm doing much, but it's pouring in. Ah, you were the one who suggested giving some away for free. I thought you were crazy at the time, but haha! Who knew it would turn out like this!"
The old man kept jingling the coins as he spoke.
"Of course! I don't plan to ignore the wretched state of London's society. Didn't I rise from the same circumstances as them?"
Hmm.
I'm not sure about that…
Weren't you in a much better position than the workers?
If a landowner like you started talking like that, you'd probably get beaten to death before you could finish…
"Right! That's true."
"Exactly. But there's no need to rush. I've heard that even syphilis can be cured by eating… what was it? Rotten bread?"
"Ah, that."
It does work.
If you're lucky, it really does.
But after trying it a few more times, it felt a bit like Russian roulette.
If it looks like you're going to die, you'd have to eat it, but prevention is always better than cure.
And for that…
Condoms are essential.
In this era.
"It's not foolproof… if you have no choice, you might have to use it, but if you can avoid it, you should!"
"Ah, right. But listen. Our factory isn't fully set up yet. It'll take a lot more money."
"Hmm."
That's a separate issue from the business itself.
It's also something I know nothing about.
It might be a complete lie, but…
What's the harm in a little exaggeration?
It's not like I, as a freeloader, have any right to be picky.
"So let's delay it a bit. We're currently negotiating with the French… you know how they are. The French are quite… liberal, aren't they? The ones responsible for the French disease. If we sell to them at this price… imagine how much we'd make!"
"Hmm, the French."
That does sound tempting.
I thought it was just a meme, but French nobles seem to be on another level.
Almost like… animals.
Of course, the British might just be exaggerating because they hate the French so much…
But what can I do?
I'm British too.
"Right. The French are quite liberal."
"Exactly! If we say this is just for the season, they'd want it year-round."
That's crossing a line, but it's not like anyone's here to hear it.
Freedom of speech, right?
"Right."
"Here's what we'll do. Mass production will take time—let's say six months. During that time, we'll sell at this price. Once production ramps up, we'll lower the price."
"Sure. You handle the business side. I never expected to make this much money."
"What are you talking about? Once the French start buying in bulk, it'll be several times more."
"I'll look forward to it."
Right.
We can always adjust later.
If it weren't for me, would this even exist right now?
From a broader perspective, I've already saved countless lives.
And it's not like I'm going to live lavishly with this money.
Well, I might a little…
But I don't plan to live well just for myself.
'Whoever sent me back here…'
It must have been some being we call God, and there must be a reason, right?
It's definitely not to bring about the end of humanity.
If that were the case, they'd have sent someone who's good at doing bad things.
Not a doctor whose only skill is saving lives.
'What I need to do is… clear.'
Somehow, I feel like if I don't do this, a bolt of lightning will strike me down, and they'll drag me back, yelling, "You useless fool!"
I know it sounds ridiculous, but…
Isn't the fact that I'm here in the first place just as ridiculous?
'I'll do some good deeds. I can't let them drag me back.'