What witch? The Deadly Pharmacist!

When Leon saw who it was, his heart sank, and cold sweat broke out on his back.

Caron Esso, the head of the Inquisition, wearing a military cloak, with a pipe in his mouth and a lantern in his hand, strode into the space.

Upon seeing Leon, a smile appeared on his face: "Hehe, it really is you."

Despite having a gun pointed at him, he showed no fear whatsoever; on the contrary, Leon's hand holding the gun trembled slightly.

Caron Esso discovered their business and unexpectedly appeared in the labyrinthine workshop, catching him and Lena red-handed!

This terrible situation was completely beyond his expectations!

"Oh, don't make that face. You didn't even consider this possibility? Actually, I found out about you two days ago, but I only confirmed it today that you're raising monsters here." Kalon looked around as he walked. "Heh, raising monsters in a maze? You're something else."

He walked to a corner, suddenly pointed in that direction, and asked Leon with great interest, "Are the monsters kept in there?"

"..." Leon did not reply or lower his gun; he was hesitating whether to fire directly.

For some reason, only Director Caron himself was present here, and there were no other Inquisitors.

If it were an ordinary person, he would be confident of hitting them with one shot at this distance, and once a person is shot, they will lose the ability to move.

But the information the shopkeeper gave him, and Caron's unusual composure, reminded him that shooting Caron now probably wouldn't kill him.

Caron Esso is a superhuman granted a rank by the Church, and he may very well have received the blessing of the God of War, which enhances his combat abilities.

He opened fire and started the battle; if he failed to kill Caron on the spot, he would be the one to die next.

This is like a boss far exceeding its own level suddenly appearing out of thin air in your own base!

Caron didn't hear a response and seemed indifferent, pacing off to look at the breeding pool.

Leon thought for a moment, shifted his position slightly, and quietly reached out his hand towards the test tube rack on the lab table.

Caron looked around the breeding tank, then turned his face back.

"Are you still going to hold that thing?"

He suddenly laughed, his eyes looking at a child pointing a wooden sword at him.

But the next moment his smile faded slightly, and he lifted his cloak and placed his hand on the pistol at his waist: "Put down the gun, Judge Seth."

Besides the gun, he also had a knight's sword decorated with a four-pointed star, which was issued by the church to the selected knights.

Leon hesitated for a moment, and Caron repeated, "Put the gun down."

This time he emphasized his words.

Leon finally lowered his gun; now was not the best time for him.

“Very good.” Caron smiled with satisfaction, his gaze passing over Leon and landing on Reina, who was trying to hide behind him. “That’s the witch who made the medicine for you? So young and yet she can make magic essence with a purity of eighty percent? How did you find her?”

Lena trembled, hugging her arms, and felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar when she saw Leon put down his gun.

When Caron lifted the handle of his cloak and placed it on his sidearm, Lena could clearly see his uniform and the badge on his chest.

Even if she wasn't very familiar with the internal workings of the church, she could tell that the other party was an Inquisitor, and... not a low-ranking one at that.

Leon, it seems, has given up the fight.

Leon didn't answer Caron's question immediately, but instead asked, "Director Caron, what exactly do you want from us all alone?"

After the initial panic subsided, he gradually calmed down.

Caron Esso claimed that he had found him two days earlier, but instead of arresting him at the department immediately, he waited until two days later, when he was certain that he was raising monsters in the labyrinth, before secretly coming here to catch them red-handed.

But Caron didn't bring a single subordinate with him; he just swaggered in all by himself. Even if he was absolutely confident in his abilities, there was no need for him to come alone. This guy wasn't the kind of boss who would worry about the safety of his subordinates.

All signs point to the fact that Caron is not there to arrest them.

"You're quick-witted. I didn't expect to have someone like you under my command. I misjudged you." Caron smiled and nodded. "Then I won't beat around the bush. From now on, you'll work for me, kid."

Leon didn't seem surprised; this answer was exactly what he expected.

“You should understand that I’m not talking about the Inquisition. You’re very bold and have a lot of ideas. I admire you for developing such a business! But it’s a bit unreasonable for you to use my channels to ship goods without telling me.” Caron shook his head with a smile.

"So you want to take a cut from our business?" Leon asked Caron to confirm.

"Hmm?" Caron suddenly frowned, as if he had heard something that bothered him. "Another cut? 'Your' business? From what you're saying, you're collaborating with that heretical witch? And she gets a cut too?"

Leon didn't reply. He gave Lena a 50/50 split, which was probably incomprehensible to someone like Caron.

"Really? You finally got a handy tool, and you're already obsessed with it?" Caron shook his head with a smile. "This will lower my opinion of you. It seems I still have a lot to teach you."

"Chief, just tell me directly, how many do you want?"

Leon stared at Caron and asked, not to mention whether he would consider letting the other party get involved in his business, he could only wait and see how things developed for now.

“These rules certainly need to be redone. I haven’t thought of anything yet, but before that, you need to understand your place. I don’t want to hear that kind of question a second time!” Caron’s voice suddenly turned cold.

He was reminding Leon that this was not a negotiation, and from now on, he would set the rules. What he said was law, and Leon had no right to question his terms.

Leon stared at Caron without saying a word.

"Alright, don't be so serious." Caron's tone suddenly softened. He took a puff of his pipe and smiled at Leon. "You'll get your share of the benefits, we can discuss that later, but before that... why don't you go out for a bit?"

Chapter 41 I'll make sure you die a quick and painless death

Upon hearing Caron's request, Leon's eyes widened slightly, and he subconsciously glanced at Lena behind him.

Caron meant for him to leave so he could be alone with Rena for a while.

"Go outside and keep watch for a while. You can only come in when I say you can, understand?"

Caron then explained his orders in detail again.

His eyes were fixed on Leon, as if trying to see into the depths of the other's mind through his eyes.

Leon realized that this was a test of obedience.

Next, Caron will interrogate Lena alone, which may involve torture or even some unspeakable things—interfering in this kind of business is already apostasy, and Caron probably won't care about the church's regulations. The only question is whether he's worried that Lena might poison him.

But no matter what, what Lena is about to encounter is bound to be bad.

Reina also realized the fate that was about to befall her, and her face turned even paler.

"And your answer? You're planning to disobey orders right here?"

Caron looked Leon over with amusement, tapped his pipe down, extinguished it, and then placed his hand back on the gun handle.

If Leon shows any disobedience, he will execute Leon here.

He needs a subordinate to handle this business, preferably his own inquisitor.

Leon is the best candidate to personally develop this business, but it doesn't necessarily have to be him. The witch is absolutely essential here.

After a long silence, Leon finally made his choice.

"Understood, sir. I will obey your orders."

He voluntarily placed the gun and dagger on the lab table, pushed them aside, and then stepped to leave.

At that moment, he felt a slight resistance suddenly appear behind him.

Leon turned his head and saw Lena grabbing his clothes with tears welling up in her eyes, her eyes full of pleading.

"I'm sorry," Leon replied softly, continuing to walk forward.

"Ah..." Lena watched in despair as Leon's clothes slipped from her grasp.

Caron watched with amusement as Leon walked straight toward the entrance. Just as Leon passed by him, he suddenly called out to Leon, "Wait a minute."

Leon stopped in his tracks, looked at Caron, and asked in a respectful tone, "Is there anything else, sir?"

"What did you just take from there and hide on your person?" Caron squinted at Leon. "Did you think I didn't see it? Show it to me!"

He pretended to be observing the breeding pool, but he did not let his guard down regarding Leon's situation.

He actually saw Leon take something from the table and hide it on his person, but he didn't point it out on the spot, just to confirm it here.

If Leon was feigning respect but actually preparing to ambush him with something, he would still have to execute him.

Leon was silent for a moment, then put his hand in his pocket and took out a small test tube containing small, granular crystals that were tinged with pale red and pale blue.

This is a small amount of magic essence that Lena placed on the test tube rack to use as an activator for potions.

"Magic element?" Caron, who had been on guard against what Leon might pull out, suddenly laughed out loud. He stepped forward, snatched the test tube, shook it, and teased Leon, "You think you can sneak out with just this little bit?"

He appeared calm and collected, but he was actually still somewhat wary of Leon. Someone who was bold enough to do this kind of business right under his nose might not be so cowardly as to not dare to kill him. Even though Leon acted submissive, he was not completely at ease.

But when he discovered that Leon was thinking of sneaking away with some more magic essence at this time, trying to grab as much petty profit as possible, his vigilance suddenly dropped, and he even became a little contemptuous.

He has guts, but that's about all he's got. In the end, he's just a worm.

“I promise it won’t happen again,” Leon replied, bowing his head.

"Go out," Caron said, putting away the magic essence.

Leon walked over, and Caron turned away.

Lena stared blankly as Caron's figure turned around and blocked her view, tears welling up in her eyes.

Liar, you promised to protect me...

A chilling despair engulfed her like a whirlpool.

However, at that moment, Leon quietly turned around and glanced behind him.

Caron finally lowered his guard and turned his back to him; there couldn't be a better opportunity.

His hand silently reached inside his coat and pulled out a small flintlock pistol. It wasn't a weapon from the Inquisition, but one he had bought on the black market for self-defense.

After a moment of preparation, he suddenly turned around and fired a shot at Caron's back!

Leon had rehearsed this shot in his mind many times; it was his most fluid and skillful shot ever!

He pulled the trigger, the bullet left the chamber, and gunfire erupted. A small hole was torn in Caron's clothes, splattering a little blood mist, before the sound of gunfire began to echo in the cave.

Caron's body jolted, but he didn't even stagger forward, let alone fall down.

The stinging sensation activated Caron's body, and the next moment he drew his gun and turned around with unimaginable agility for his burly frame, his bloodshot eyes blazing with fury.

Leon Seth, the bug he had just let go of while he was off guard, actually bit him again when he wasn't looking!?

That's just asking for trouble!!

Caron pulled the trigger, and another shot rang out.

Leon had anticipated the possibility of Caron's counterattack and was prepared to dodge, but the bullet still pierced his shoulder, causing a spray of blood.

The excruciating pain jolted him awake, but before he could even press his hand against the wound, Caron had already thrown away the gun that needed reloading and pounced on him like an enraged brown bear.

With a whoosh, the longsword was drawn, and Caron closed the distance with a few steps and a big leap, his knight's sword flashing a silver light as he slashed straight down at Leon.

Leon scrambled to the side, narrowly avoiding the blade, and nearly lost his balance and fell.

Kalon's strike was too forceful, and it struck the ground with a loud thud, embedding itself into the solid rock. However, Kalon pulled it out immediately.

"So fast! And what kind of strength is that!?" Leon was shocked.

Caron's movements combined speed and power, like a ferocious beast, but he was also very skilled with both gun and sword. Leon was clearly prepared to dodge before he attacked, but he was still beaten badly by the opponent's counterattack.

More importantly, that shot—he clearly hit Caron precisely in the back, which should have pierced his heart—but Caron was completely unharmed except for a little blood splattering out!

The old shopkeeper wasn't exaggerating; this son of a bitch is truly invulnerable!

A monster with the strength of a brown bear, the skill to use weapons like a veteran, and an invulnerable body is simply invincible to ordinary people!

Caron continued his relentless attack on Leon, who kicked over the experimental table and was then cleaved in two by Caron's sword.

Lena stared in astonishment at the scene, then suddenly realized that Leon was only pretending to be agreeable; in reality, he intended to kill Caron!

She looked around in a panic, grabbed the flintlock pistol issued by the church from Leon's table, but became even more flustered: "This, how do I use this?"

She immediately realized that she couldn't use this thing at all, and it wouldn't help Leon either. Leon had just shot that man in the back and the man was perfectly fine!

Suddenly, she thought of something, her gaze swept across the room, and settled on the breeding pool in the corner.

Leon dodged and weaved, gradually being forced to the wall.

Caron was much faster than him. He only needed to occupy the entrance and then corner him, and Caron would have no chance of escaping.

“You’re not the first person to shoot me, you idiot who doesn’t know his place and status…” Caron shook his head as he approached, his gaze on Leon already like that of someone looking at a dead man. “I won’t let you die a quick death.”

“But I’ll make sure you die a quick death.” Leon said, panting as he backed away, continuing to create distance.