What witch? The Deadly Pharmacist!

“Bishop Beckett, I am only hosting you here because you presided over my son’s ordination ceremony, but you’ve come here to interrogate me?” Baron Turner replied in an irritated tone. “I’ve already said that I don’t know any Mr. Griffin, nor have I bought any medicine! What, you don’t believe me?”

“Your Excellency, I don’t really want to bother you with this, but we have heard some bad news about you…” said Bishop Beckett.

"What news? Bring the person who spread the news here to confront me!" Baron Turner's face showed anger.

Baron Turner was indeed one of Mr. Griffin Potter's key clients.

Bishop Beckett had served as his son's instructor when the son became a novice knight, so they had some acquaintance, though not a very deep one.

Bishop Beckett suddenly showed up today, his first purpose being to inquire about the deal between him and Potter.

Baron Turner was genuinely surprised to discover that Bishop Beckett had been transferred to investigate Potter's business, and that the investigation had even reached him.

However, the Baron was not worried. Simply buying potions without reselling them was not a serious matter; at most, he would be fined.

But the Baron still had no intention of betraying Potter. His businesses had dealings with Potter, and he really needed the potions Potter provided—he desperately needed them!

Although Bishop Beckett finally managed to find him, he didn't have any solid evidence. He only had information provided by informants or undercover agents, and these people couldn't reveal their identities, so they couldn't come forward to testify against him.

He also has connections in Southport County, so ordinary charges can't touch him, and he can even provide Porter with some protection.

Porter has very strong vested interests with his core clients, which is the fundamental reason why he is a local bigwig in Southport County.

"Please be patient. I'm not here to investigate today. I just want to have a brief chat and get a sense of the situation," Bishop Beckett said with a smile.

“I have answered all my questions. If you are here to reminisce, I welcome you. But if you are here to doubt me based on a few hearsay, then please leave!” Baron Turner said firmly.

“Alright…” Bishop Beckett looked somewhat helpless, his gaze shifting to a portrait on the wall. It depicted a gentle-looking young man whose face bore a resemblance to Baron Turner. “I’m sorry about what happened to Master Tirion.”

Baron Turner's son was a squire knight who was drafted into the army ten years ago and died in battle.

"He sacrificed his life for his country, and I am proud of him," the baron replied politely.

"Have you made a decision regarding the successor?" Bishop Beckett asked.

"It's not decided yet," the Baron said.

“It seems you have no intention of adopting your nephew. It’s true that your own children are better, you and your wife…” Bishop Beckett asked tentatively.

“Bishop Beckett, isn’t your question a bit presumptuous?” Baron Turner frowned warily.

Baroness Turner died young, leaving behind only one son, and the Baron did not remarry while his son was still alive.

After his son was killed in battle, Baron Turner lost his only heir.

He later remarried, hoping to have another child, but he was getting old and his health was gradually declining. Several years passed, and his second wife was still unable to conceive.

He tried every possible method, and finally, through the introduction of a certain circle, he began to try to purchase the longevity elixir through underground channels. According to his friends in those circles, the longevity elixir not only slows down aging, but also has miraculous effects on infertility.

Potions are expensive and require long-term use, but money is not a big problem for Baron Turner.

The effects of their continued use of the magic potion were very noticeable. His wife became more and more radiant, while he began to regain his youthful vitality and passion. Having another child seemed like a real possibility.

Bishop Beckett's inquiry into such a private matter was undoubtedly reopening old wounds, and it was clearly another act of spying—Bishop Beckett already knew his motives for buying the potion!

“I just want to say that I fully understand what you’ve done…” Bishop Beckett wanted to say something more.

"You understand absolutely nothing! You are utterly rude!" Baron Turner slammed his cane down in anger, rising to see his guest out. "Please leave!"

“I had no intention of offending you, please don’t misunderstand.” Bishop Beckett apologized immediately, then picked up the exquisite gift box beside him and placed it on the table. “By the way, I brought some local specialties with me this time, I hope you like them.”

He opened the gift box and took out a small glass bottle that seemed to contain amber-colored wine, but there was no label on either the gift box or the bottle.

“Thank you for your kind offer, but I don’t drink,” Baron Turner replied curtly.

“This is not wine.” Bishop Beckett opened the bottle, and an indescribably sweet aroma immediately wafted out.

Upon smelling this scent, the Baron's expression changed slightly. This unique fragrance was unlike any other spice; he had only ever smelled it on one other thing.

Elixir of Immortality!

This bottle of immortality elixir is worth no less than a million!

More importantly, a bishop possessing such heretical items without authorization and intending to distribute them to others is a serious crime.

He stared in shock at Bishop Beckett, who wore a half-smile: "What do you mean by this?"

“Your Excellency, you should understand that this is not a test. If I were to test you in this way, I would be in trouble myself.” Bishop Beckett recapped the bottle and pushed it forward. “I know your concerns. Rest assured, I will absolutely not let you suffer any loss. You can test this and then give me your feedback.”

Baron Turner slowly sat down, his face grave, and lowered his voice: "Is there any problem with the source of this?"

“Your Excellency, the real problem now is with your old friend who is currently supplying you. You have a need, but he is now being watched by the Church. You can certainly choose to protect him, but with these terms, it’s uncertain whether others will agree,” Bishop Beckett said sincerely.

“Who exactly are you…” Baron Turner looked at Bishop Beckett in disbelief.

"Your Excellency," Bishop Beckett said with a serious smile, "would you be interested in becoming friends with the Earl?"

……

A few minutes later, Bishop Beckett emerged from the Baron’s residence and boarded his carriage.

He closed his eyes, held his breath, and after a moment, a floating mark slowly appeared in front of him. This was the blessing of the Starry Night God, a divine technique that could transmit intangible things such as light, shadow, and sound to a coordinate a thousand miles away.

"The matter is settled, sir. Baron Turner can go to the church to report Potter at any time. Combined with the information we already have, Potter is finished," said Bishop Beckett.

"You should understand that what's happening here must not be known to His Highness Aaron." A refined and composed male voice came from the mark.

“Of course,” Bishop Beckett replied.

"Have you found the source of the 'Fenrir's goods' mentioned by the informant, that batch of magic essence with a purity of over 80%?" the voice continued to ask.

“I’m very sorry, but we still have no clue. We’ve investigated all the smuggling routes in Southport County, but we still haven’t found anything,” Bishop Beckett replied apologetically.

"...No need to investigate, it wasn't smuggled in, this stuff is locally produced," the other party said after a moment of silence.

“There shouldn’t be such a great witch here,” Bishop Beckett said.

Only a few registered witches of the church can refine magic essence to 85%.

"That purity only appeared after Caron Esso disappeared," the voice prompted.

"Could it be?" Bishop Beckett frowned.

The purity of magic essence is not solely determined by the witch's level of magic power.

“I have an idea,” the voice replied after a moment’s consideration. “The credit for capturing the main culprit will be given to Your Highness, but do not act rashly. Once we deal with Mr. Griffin, Fenrir, the supplier behind him, will definitely be on alert. We cannot give him any chance. I instruct you to first dispatch a legion to Southport County, and I will give you further instructions then.”

“Yes, Your Excellency,” Bishop Beckett replied respectfully.

Chapter 61 I hadn't even killed him yet, and he was already dead?

A few days later, the urgent tolling of bells echoed throughout the Inquisition, and Leon and the others quickly assembled in the Inquisition's training grounds and lined up.

Leon looked around, and his other colleagues were exchanging bewildered glances, as if no one knew the reason for the gathering.

The alarm bell that just rang was a call to action for a full mobilization. Theoretically, it would only ring for a collective task that requires the participation of everyone, such as launching an attack on a criminal organization of a certain size, or putting out a fire.

But at the inquisition in Hamel, Caron never mobilized the entire force for any serious case, and after Leon took office, the summons bell was only rung once during a drill when superiors were inspecting the area.

Once everyone had lined up on the training field, the new director, Aaron, quickly appeared on the high platform.

After inspecting all the team members on duty, Aaron put his hands behind his back and said:

"Just now, the church received reliable information from an important witness. We learned the identity of Mr. Griffin, Henry Porter, a representative of the Golden Ring Merchant Guild, a very wealthy man with many businesses in Southport County, especially in Hamel Town. I think most of you here have heard his name."

Leon was shocked to hear this. Mr. Griffin had been operating an underground trading business in Southport County for more than ten years without any problems.

His colleagues reacted similarly; Mr. Griffin was a local bigwig and a key target of investigation by the Hamel Town Heresy Tribunal.

However, Caron had never launched a major investigation into this target, while the new director, who had only been in office for a little over a month, had so quickly obtained solid evidence that Potter was Mr. Griffin and was going to uproot this local tyrant.

"Further investigation revealed that we have also located one of his criminal hideouts, a winery in the northwest of town, where the suspect, Porter, is highly likely to be today. We will now conduct an emergency raid on him, and I will be leading the operation."

Based on intelligence, there is a very high probability that armed forces are present at this outpost. All personnel on duty, under the leadership of their respective team leaders, are to prepare for combat. I will directly command Team Three. We will board the vehicles and depart in ten minutes. Now, move out!

Aaron waved his hand, and the inquisitors present immediately lined up in order to prepare.

Leon followed the other team members to the preparation room, put on his uniform and mask, and received an extra gun and ammunition, a church longsword, a water bag, and a small bag of emergency food and medical supplies.

Inquisitors rarely encounter real witches and heretics, but they frequently clash with hunters who smuggle monster materials and gangsters, so they have considerable combat experience.

One carriage after another, filled with inquisitors, drove out of the Inquisition. Leon and the other team members huddled in the swaying carriages, pondering their next move.

Father Auden had warned him that Potter was not careful enough in his competition with the Earl, and there was a high possibility that something bad would happen to him.

Leon never expected that this incident would happen so quickly and so suddenly.

Without any warning from within the Inquisition, and without even using any Inquisitors, the new director suddenly learned of Mr. Griffin's identity and criminal hideout, and immediately took action, giving him no chance to prepare for the matter.

It now appears that Director Aaron and Bishop Beckett were able to uncover the crimes committed by the deputy director and Martin before taking office, indicating that they possessed investigative power outside the Inquisition and were extremely efficient in doing so.

The winery they're heading to now is probably the place where he previously discussed business with Potter. If Aaron's intelligence is accurate, Potter could very well be captured there.

If Potter can escape capture, or if he is caught, it would be best if he could find a way to get away with it.

But if Potter gets caught and convicted, things will get a bit complicated.

The Inquisition will follow Potter's trail to investigate the high-purity magic he recently acquired and find out who Fenrir was who supplied it.

Leon knew perfectly well that he couldn't let Porter get caught, no matter what.

The convoy stopped beside a hill, and Leon got out of the car with the inquisitors. All twenty-five inquisitors on duty at the Hamelin Inquisition were there that day.

Strange, even Director Aaron personally took charge, so where is Bishop Beckett?

Leon then realized that he had not seen Bishop Beckett at the training ground or when he set off in the carriage. He only saw Aaron in uniform with his sword, acting as the commander.

Aaron personally led everyone to quickly climb the hillside. At the top of the low slope, Aaron squatted down and looked into the distance for a few moments. He then said to the team members behind him, "We can already see the location of the winery from here."

Leon glanced around and saw a vast field. The manor, like a miniature map, sat on the field, surrounded by plantations. The building was about one or two kilometers away from here as the crow flies.

This is the winery he visited last time.

“Sir, this winery is too big. We don’t have enough manpower to surround it.” The team leader advised Aaron, “The location of the manor is also too open. We can hide here, but it will be difficult once we go down the mountain. If we launch a collective attack from any direction, we may alert the enemy if we have too many people. There may be a secret escape route in this manor.”

"Furthermore, the number of people inside is unknown, and we haven't yet confirmed which building the suspect is in. Many areas are in blind spots. Shouldn't we keep watch for a while and confirm that the suspect has left the hideout before taking action?" the second team leader added.

Aaron thought for a moment and shook his head: "If we wait until they leave this stronghold before taking action, the criminal evidence at the scene may be disposed of in advance. We must try our best to catch them red-handed and prevent the suspects from using means to escape punishment after being arrested."

Leon observed for a moment, then spoke in a low voice: "Sir."

Aaron turned to look at him: "Judge Seth, what do you want to report?"

“Look over there, the vegetation on that side of the hill is lush and extends right into the plantation. If it were just one or two people, they might be able to approach the estate from there undetected,” Leon said.

Aaron turned to look at him and agreed: "Indeed, so you mean... send a scout in to investigate?"

“Yes,” Leon replied.

Upon hearing this, the other team members cursed Leon inwardly; this kind of infiltration work would be fatal for anyone.

If, as the intelligence suggests, there are multiple armed gang members inside, infiltrating would result in an attack if discovered. The people waiting here would be too far away to provide timely rescue, and it would basically be a dead end!

“It sounds feasible for now…” Aaron said, scanning the crowd. For a moment, no one dared to meet Aaron’s gaze directly.

Nowadays, in this inquisition, there are almost no people willing to go through fire and water for the church.

"Then I'll carry out the infiltration. It would be best if I could come back. If I sound the horn or fire a shot, you can proceed with the assault," Aaron said after scanning the room.

Everyone looked at Aaron in shock, never expecting that this commander would lead by example.

It is said that when Director Caron first took office, he dared to personally fight with the underworld, but he was not brave enough to infiltrate a criminal base with unknown circumstances without backup.

However, upon closer reflection, it's not surprising that Director Aaron, a regular third-tier knight, possesses strength far beyond that of ordinary people.

But then Leon spoke up: "Sir, what commander would risk his life like that? Let me go."

The other team members looked at Leon in shock again, as if they were meeting him for the first time.

Although Leon wasn't exactly a veteran, he was still pretty much at the level of someone who just coasted along, so he shouldn't have had any enthusiasm for this kind of dangerous mission.

Is someone willing to risk their life to impress the new director in order to get a promotion?

Aaron looked at Leon in surprise, unable to make a decision for a moment.

“If you make a mistake, the operation will fail. Even if I am discovered, you can still command the assault and capture. It is our duty to defend the Church's laws with our lives. Please make a reasonable judgment.” Leon looked firmly into Aaron's eyes. “Please give the order.”

Aaron sensed Leon's determination, thought for a moment, and nodded: "Be careful in everything."

……

Twenty minutes later, Leon quietly slipped through the plantation and successfully infiltrated the manor.

He wasn't worried about being discovered. He was Fenrir, who had done business with Porter here and had shown his face here before. Even if he were discovered, it wouldn't be a big problem.