What witch? The Deadly Pharmacist!

Fred blinked, unsure what to say. It was the first time Leon had treated her with such sincerity and gentleness, and she felt an immediate surge of affection for him, yet she was completely at a loss. For a moment, she felt somewhat uneasy.

Chapter 703 Protecting the Remains of the Saints

"So you've been treating me like a discarded pawn all along. I thought you'd at least cherish me a little." Fred's voice carried a hint of amusement.

Leon then explained to Frey his experience in the future foreshadowed by the blessing of Astartes. Frey listened with great interest and asked several questions along the way.

“Those are just illusions of the future. It’s precisely because I want you to live that I need to be more cautious and try more things. If I had decided to sacrifice you from the beginning, I would have had more room to maneuver,” Leon replied.

"Oh? Shouldn't someone who can climb to the top of the underworld be willing to give anything that can be placed on the altar, as long as it can bring power? Or is it because I will have even greater value to you later?" Freyde teased.

“I don’t like that approach. Power is meant to give you control over your destiny, not to make yourself subject to it. Fred, you know me, you should understand that I don’t really like sacrificing those around me. I’ve experienced that kind of forced sacrifice, believe me, it’s not pleasant,” Leon replied.

Leon had experienced the feeling of having to choose between Lena, Mrs. Hershey, Weiss, and others to sacrifice. In a way, he had come to this point in order to avoid making that choice.

He desires an extraordinary life and naturally hopes to achieve a relatively perfect ending, and losing certain people would be a regret for him.

"So, does that mean I can be considered one too?" Fred suddenly smiled happily in the mirror.

“Yes, especially after this experience, I’ve even started to feel a little guilty towards you,” Leon said.

“So, after this is over, I can ask you for some compensation,” Fred said with a faint smile, but after a pause, she changed her tone, “but if it really takes my sacrifice to defeat that queen, then go ahead and do it, Leon.”

"I really didn't expect you to go to this extent for me." Leon was somewhat taken aback. "Do you think that in that situation, I would just use a curse to force you to do it anyway?"

"No, this is my own will. I didn't say I was going to be loyal to you or anything. I'm assisting you to do something more interesting than being a mediocre empress. If my sacrifice can thwart the most powerful witch queen in the world, then it will be meaningful to me."

"Leon, I don't pity my own life. I hate losing more than dying, and I hate accomplishing nothing. I think you can understand me." Fred said, looking into Leon's eyes through the mirror.

Leon nodded slightly; he could indeed understand that, in some ways, Fred was very similar to him.

“I understand, but I still think it would be more meaningful for you to survive and participate in something bigger. I’m glad you’re the one fighting alongside me at this time, so I hope you survive,” Leon replied.

“Me too,” Fred smiled knowingly, but quickly composed herself. “But I think we shouldn’t be too optimistic. Will the future really unfold exactly as predicted in Saint Astartes’ Blessing?”

“I can’t be sure, but at least the calculated future makes sense and is worth considering. And I have indeed passed Astartes’ test, because I can now access his remains.”

When Leon said this, he was already standing in front of the Astartes remains, able to observe them closely and even touch them.

"Have the remains of Astartes been deified?" Fred asked.

“Yes.” Leon observed carefully. Astartes’ remains stood quietly, his face covered by a silver mask. “But as a sacred relic, it is very well preserved.”

As they had anticipated, Astartes' true form had been salted into a grayish-white stone statue by the curse of the labyrinth.

Unlike ordinary people who are petrified by salinization or the effects of cursed blood, his body remains perfectly intact after hundreds of years. Leon's attempts to touch it did not cause it to collapse, and when he slightly lifted the mask, his facial features were also completely undamaged.

Historically, Astartes was a powerful figure who helped the current royal family unify the empire, personally integrated the four major churches, and then personally led the empire on a massive expansion. In portraits and sculptures, he is depicted as a tall and imposing middle-aged man.

But upon seeing the statue that Astartes had transformed into, Leon discovered that although Astartes was very tall, he was actually quite thin. His face was younger than advertised, but he was unremarkable in appearance, the kind of person you would forget if you saw him on the street.

But this does not affect his status in world history; even after his death, his influence remains significant.

"Those three important figures from the Church of the Prophet must have come into contact with this sacred relic, right? How did they manage to overcome the trials?" Fred asked.

The Church of the Mystic Gods had investigated and suspected that the Stuart Grand Inquisitor, Pope Morgan, and Director Kress, who possessed omniscient miracles, had entered the ruins and received enhanced and blessed power from the resurrected remains of Astartes. If so, they should have passed the same test.

“The blessing of omniscience allows them to find the most suitable solution when reliving the past. They have no intention of breaking the seal on the labyrinth, nor will they trigger Queen Iris’s problem. Perhaps Astartes also tacitly allows future generations to seek his power,” Leon replied softly.

"So, does that mean he tacitly approves of you?" Fred said.

“Who knows? He’s already dead.” Leon said, and began to carefully try to move Astartes’ remains.

He needs to move the remains to a relatively safe shelter. The remains seem to have a blessed power that locks in time for self-protection, but this power may be weakened when the maze is unlocked.

When the red mercury incendiary bomb explodes, the mineralized remains should have some resistance to high temperatures, but the impact may cause the remains to shatter. He should find a suitable shelter for the remains.

From a historical perspective, Astartes was seen by Leon as an outright aggressor and war criminal, and the historical conflict between the Empire and Moyland stemmed from his actions back then.

But this time he still had to thank Astartes for the blessing that gave him the opportunity to rehearse the future; otherwise, if he had been forced to confront Queen Iris's clone directly, he would most likely have been defeated.

This was his way of showing respect to the saint.

Fortunately, he quickly found a suitable place and carefully placed the remains there.

"Where did you put the remains? Is that a pool?" Fred could see in the magic mirror that Leon was carrying Astartes' remains into a dry pool.

"I guess this is a breeding pool for monsters. You can also find some animal skeletons here, after all, the witches of Eland can also make potions."

As Leon spoke, he found another huge water vat. With the brute strength of his werewolf form, he lifted the vat and tried to cover the remains. Finding that the standing remains were too tall, he found some tools and dug a hole in the ground. He then planted Astartes' remains about thirty centimeters deep, like planting rice seedlings, before finally managing to cover the vat.

"That should do it." Leon clapped his hands, looking as if he had accomplished a great feat.

“Although he is indeed dead, I still think you should show more respect for the saint’s remains,” Fred expressed her opinion tactfully.

Chapter 704 The Queen Who Doesn't Understand People's Hearts

The entrance to the labyrinth where the Fountain of Youth is located is directly behind the statue of the Earth Mother Goddess in the temple.

In the rehearsed future, Leon did not travel from the temple to the Fountain of Youth, but he had at least two previous experiences escaping from the location of the Fountain of Youth to the temple, and he still remembered the route.

This time, he entered the maze and followed the route with ease, quickly arriving at the location of the Fountain of Youth.

Inside the enormous grotto, a pool of shimmering white spring water spread out before him, its surface smooth and even, like a piece of polished jade.

Everything here is exactly as he saw in the rehearsal, which is a good omen, meaning that the probability of the Astartes' Blessing Calculation being accurate is very high.

Leon took out the jar containing magic essence to check it, but did not rush to pour the pure magic essence crystals into the spring water.

He sensed the movement of the magic mirror, took it out, and saw Freyd's face.

"Miss Lamia has arrived." Freyd said, turning the magic mirror to the other side, reflecting the images of Lamia and Reina. "And then Miss Reina followed."

Leon had originally ordered the witches Lamia, Rena, and Dolucy to retreat to a neighborhood far from the monastery. The red mercury incendiary bomb was expected to explode deep underground in the labyrinth ruins, so the impact on the surface should be relatively minor, but it was still possible that flames might leak out from somewhere.

Just in case, Leon still hoped they could stay in a safe place as much as possible and absolutely not go near the monastery.

But this time he still had to inform Lamia to come again, because during the rehearsal of Astartes' blessing, he had already used up all the new life blood of Lamia that he had drunk in advance.

He had to have Freyd bring in another portion after the Great Labyrinth was unsealed; otherwise, he would have no way to resist Queen Alice's evil curse and would have no chance of surviving at the last moment.

So he had Freyde send someone to contact Lamia again, but unexpectedly, Reina also came along to check on the situation.

"Are you messing around again?" Lena asked first, inquiring about his situation.

“I don’t think this is too reckless within the framework of our plan,” Leon replied with a smile.

"Stop talking nonsense. The new life blood I gave you could have healed you even if you had suffered the same severe injury as when you fought Alexie. But you used it all up before you even unsealed the labyrinth, and you've already suffered such a serious injury before you even met your sister!" Lamia said, frowning.

"It's already a bargain that I found a way to win after just one serious injury. I only need to do it again. Lamia, please give a portion of the Blood of Rebirth to Fred and bring it over. Also, you'd better give Fred some more Blood of Rebirth, as her resistance to curses is not as good as mine," Leon said.

"Do you think the Blood of Rebirth is some kind of panacea? I can heal myself with the Blood of Rebirth without any cost, but there is a limit to how much your body can use. With a dose like this, your body will not be able to withstand it after the third use, and you will experience uncontrollable demonization."

"Princess Norren's physical condition is not as good as yours, and she also has the blessing of the Mystic God. The blood of new life can heal her, but the side effects will be greater. She can only bear so much," Lamia said irritably.

“One more use is enough, that’s really good news,” Leon said with a smile.

"Why can you still laugh so easily? We're about to..." Lamia sighed anxiously, "I haven't been able to sleep since just now."

"It seems you can only take in a little bit of what I say after all," Lena sighed helplessly, as if she had expected it all along.

Leon has now exhausted his life force, which means he has suffered a fatal wound.

“Miss Lena, you certainly know Leon’s ways best. The fact that you advised him that way just shows that you understand he would do it,” Fred said from the side.

"It sounds like you're quite supportive of him doing this?" Lena looked Frey up and down.

“I look forward to fighting alongside him, and I’m even willing to die for it. I might be able to do that better than you. No offense intended, but I think I understand him better in this respect.” Fred’s expression showed a hint of confidence.

“Your competitive spirit is written all over your eyes, Your Highness. I know what you think of him,” Lena replied calmly. “However, he needs not only someone who can fight alongside him to seize everything, but also someone who will stay by his side when he loses everything. You can’t do that.”

Fred felt like she'd punched a pillow, and remained silent. It seemed that Lena was used to dealing with competitors like her.

"Leon, I won't say much more. Just come back alive," Lena said, looking at Leon in the mirror, her tone as calm as if she were telling him to come home soon.

“Yes, I know,” Leon replied naturally.

"I know best how strong my sister is. Don't be too reckless. Run when you need to. Don't give up even if you're cursed by her blood. There's always a way to escape." Lamia put her blood into a test tube and handed it to Fred, also giving Leon a word of advice.

After the two left, Leon exchanged glances with Frey in the magic mirror, then looked towards the Fountain of Youth: "Now I'm going to begin."

“I’ve already memorized the route you gave me, and I’ll get there as quickly as possible. Don’t take any risks,” Fred reminded her.

“I know,” Leon replied, then poured the magic essence into the Fountain of Youth, and then retreated, dragging the red mercury incendiary bomb behind him.

As the magic element activated the source of the labyrinth, a vast amount of magical power surged forth, just as Leon had witnessed, finally breaking the balance between the divine power of Saint Astartes and the magical power of the Great Labyrinth.

“It’s off!” Leon said to Fred, feeling the restraints dissipate once more.

"Yes." Before Fred could even finish her reply, she had already moved, rushing into the ossuary.

Leon waited silently, counting the time in his mind as he had rehearsed before, sensing Freyd's location, and activating the Red Mercury in advance.

Meanwhile, in Queen Moyland's bedroom.

Queen Alice, who was reclining on the chaise longue, was suddenly awakened from her meditation. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and golden light shimmered in them.

She sensed it; the great labyrinth of Elland City, which had once been sealed, had been activated!

In just a moment of thought, she realized who had done it, and that only one person could do such a thing.

Is his ambition really that great?

Queen Alice has always felt that she can't really see through Fenrir. Or rather, she's not good at judging people at all. Possessing unparalleled power, she has a natural, condescending distance from everyone.

She doesn't need to understand others, hates her enemies, and only needs to exploit others.

The only person she was closely connected to through blood ties had been abandoned by her own hands.

"I thought I could find a glimmer of hope from you, but alas, Fenrir."

In any case, if Fenrir obtains the blood of Moirai, the threat he poses to her is immeasurable, and this must be dealt with.

After Queen Alice finished speaking, she closed her eyes again, her consciousness quickly sinking into the illusion of the tea party, and then flowing into the great labyrinth that held the past enmity between Eland and the Empire.

Chapter 705 The Queen of Loli Size

As the spring water before him gradually turned from shimmering white to red, Leon suddenly felt the power of blessing begin to surge involuntarily.

It wasn't surprising that the surging magic from the Fountain of Youth activated the Moirai magic within him, but at this moment, the blessing power of the Supreme God also became active, and it wasn't the kind of turbulent feeling of a pebble falling into water, but rather a feeling of slowly rising like the tide.

Leon was actually quite familiar with this; he would have this feeling whenever a blessing brought signs of a breakthrough.

There was this omen when he killed the count last time, and then after he killed Alexia and first came into contact with the witches' gathering, the power of the Supreme God's blessing successfully broke through to the second level.

This, to some extent, validates the hypothesis that the blessing of the supreme god requires influence over the course of history, and that when the precursory conditions for such a massive influence are met, the power of blessing will also manifest itself.

Now that Leon has broken the seal on Astartes and this omen has appeared, the conditions for achieving a formal breakthrough are self-evident.

Perhaps due to some principle of blessing, this omen did not appear in the predicted future, but only in the actual timeline.

Leon was delighted to sense this premonition, which meant that a future in which he survived would have a profound impact on the world was possible.

Only when the power of the Supreme God's blessing reaches the third level will he have the opportunity to utilize the power within the remains of Saint Astartes.

He confirmed Freyd's location, began to infuse the incendiary bomb with divine power, and started silently counting the time.

"Leon!" Fred rushed into the cave following the route, quickly approached Leon, and handed him the test tube containing Lamia's newborn blood.

Leon took the test tube, opened it, but didn't drink it right away.

The Fountain of Youth, now blood red, bubbled up as if boiling. Freyde alertly used her Blessing power to sense what lay beneath the surface, but amidst the dense magical interference, she could only vaguely catch a glimpse of a figure that appeared to be humanoid, rapidly rising to the surface.

With a splash, Queen Alice, now in her dragon form, broke through the water and flew out. The moment she spread her wings, her oppressive aura swept over her like a tidal wave.

Freyd tensed up and began to cast the blessing of the sacred land.

Queen Alice paid no attention to Freyd, keeping her eyes fixed on Leon the whole time.

"You..." She stopped mid-sentence, her attention drawn to the blood in the test tube in Leon's hand.

Now she is the master of this labyrinth, able to sense the life within it. The blood in this test tube has a strong and vibrant life force, which, apart from dragon blood, can only be found in the blood of a witch who possesses a powerful blessing of rebirth.

"Lamia's blood." Leon noticed Queen Alice's wavering and raised the test tube to her. "To you, Your Majesty."

Under Queen Alice's astonished gaze, Leon drank the blood in one gulp, and at the same time, with a powerful flick of his other hand, he threw the incendiary bomb, which had begun to glow red, at the queen.