What witch? The Deadly Pharmacist!

The case is essentially closed, and the church's investigation process no longer poses a direct threat to the two of them. The real threat comes from the Earl's power. The Earl will not easily let them withdraw, but as long as they escape the Earl's sphere of influence, the chances of the Earl catching them will be greatly reduced.

“I must stay. If I can fulfill their demands, I will have a chance to save Mrs. Hershey. If I also leave, and they retaliate against me, Melissa may be in danger,” Leon replied.

He still wanted to find a way to save everyone, and for Leon personally, the Earl's offer was quite generous: a total of six million in payment, as well as the position of controlling the underground market in Southport County and the law enforcement power of the church in Hamel Town, which was very tempting to him.

"Without me, could you make magic essence of that purity?" Lena continued to press.

The purity of the magic essence extracted by Leon was about five percent lower than that of Lena's.

“They provided a batch of processed corpses, including blessed beings like Caron. After processing, they can be used to feed monsters for a long time. I should be able to refine that batch to about 80% purity. I’ll think of a way to get the rest. As for the medicine Mrs. Hershey needs, I can also make it as long as I have the raw materials. I can also try to continue the research,” Leon replied.

"But what if you don't meet their requirements? What will they do to you?" Lena asked, her expression showing concern.

“As long as I can guarantee a certain level of supply, even if I don’t meet their requirements, they won’t do anything to me. They will buy my goods, but they will take back the conditions they promised me,” Leon said.

“Then we can’t save Ms. Selene, right?” Lena asked Leon for confirmation.

“If we all leave, Mrs. Hershey will be sacrificed, and Melissa will be in danger, so at least I have to stay. The worst-case scenario is that Mrs. Hershey won’t be saved,” Leon said.

"So, you're now trying to persuade me to leave alone?" Lena squinted at Leon.

“Lena, last time I coerced you into cooperating with me. This time you have the right to choose. Do whatever you want without worrying about me,” Leon said softly.

"What do I want to do?" Lena suddenly stared intently at Leon.

“Yes…” Leon looked at Lena and suddenly felt a little uneasy. Lena clearly wasn’t very happy.

Lena bit her lip, then suddenly said with a resentful look, "Right now, all I want to do is hit you!"

Leon was stunned and speechless for a moment.

"What do you think I was feeling when I said those things to you? Now you're telling me I can just walk away and that I shouldn't worry about you? How can you say something like that? To you, what I said doesn't matter at all, does it?" Lena's eyes started to redden as she spoke.

“That’s not what I meant…” Leon was at a loss for words.

He then realized just how much determination Lena had made to muster the courage to confess her feelings and run away with him.

But now he has suddenly changed his mind and even told Lena that she can leave without worrying about him, as if everything between them can be easily severed. This is undoubtedly a hurt to Lena, who has made a heartfelt confession.

"Then what do you mean? Tell me!" Lena stared intently at Leon. "Before asking me what I want, shouldn't you explain your thoughts first?"

Leon remained silent for a long while before sighing, looking earnestly into Lena's eyes, and revealing his true thoughts:

"I want you to stay! I'm sorry, I was just being stubborn. Without you, this is really difficult for me... I keep saying I'll find a way, but I really don't know what to do. I want you by my side, I want us to save them together! Lena, can you help me?"

Upon hearing this, Lena sniffed, finally calming down, and muttered, "That's more like it. You asked me for this, so I'll reluctantly help you out."

Leon couldn't help but laugh when he heard Lena's answer. He was actually quite nervous when he asked Lena for her opinion. Although he said he hoped Lena would make her own choice, he was actually very afraid that Lena would really choose to leave.

But Lena had already made up her mind long ago, and after all this time, they finally chose to stay together.

Seeing Leon's grinning face, Lena turned her face away angrily: "What are you laughing at? How annoying!"

Leon thought for a moment and then tried to extend his arms toward Lena.

"W-What are you doing?" Lena glanced at him nervously.

"Look, the atmosphere has gotten this far..." Leon spread his hands, smiling awkwardly but politely.

Lena lowered her head, her face flushed with embarrassment.

But she still cautiously took a step closer to Leon, who took the opportunity to pull her into his arms and hug her tightly.

Lena crossed her arms and pressed her face against Leon's chest. After a while, she whispered:

"At this point, I no longer crave a stable life; I accept it. But I've become like this because of you, and you have to take responsibility."

"Mmm." Leon gently stroked her hair.

The girl in my arms was petite and gentle, making me feel tender and loving.

After a while, Lena finally pulled away from Leon's embrace. The two looked at each other and smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

Then, Leon looked at Lena's face and tentatively moved his face closer.

"What are you planning to do now?" Lena was startled.

“Look, the atmosphere has gotten this far…” Leon raised an eyebrow, repeating his old trick.

"No, don't go too far!" Lena was both annoyed and amused, and reached out to push Leon's face.

“This isn’t child’s play, you can’t just hug me and call it a day.” Leon grabbed Lena’s hand, put his arm around her shoulder, and moved his face closer to hers.

"No... I... I'm not mentally prepared..." Lena tensed up, her face turning bright red.

But in the end, she closed her eyes.

As Leon said this, he admitted that he was also a little nervous. Their lips met for only a moment, a fleeting kiss like a dragonfly skimming the water. After they separated, Leon looked down at Lena, and Lena also lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

After a moment of silence, Lena spoke shyly, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

“It was too fast just now, I didn’t get a good feel for it…” Leon smacked his lips thoughtfully, “Let’s try again.”

"No, get away from me!" Lena pushed Leon away in embarrassment and anger.

Seeing Lena's reaction, Leon couldn't help but laugh again. After a moment, he suppressed his laughter and said to Lena earnestly, "Thank you, Lena, really."

“Well, we’re accomplices after all…” Lena muttered to herself. She thought for a moment, then looked at Leon and asked, “So what do we do next?”

“Let’s wait. We can only start construction after the case is closed and Chief Aaron is transferred. I need to find a new place to stay first…” Leon said as he thought about the next steps.

"Are you looking for a place to stay?" Lena asked instinctively.

“The Hershey family’s house has already been seized, and it was mortgaged long ago,” Leon replied.

"Well..." Lena hesitated, as if she wanted to make a suggestion.

Leon sensed something and stared intently at Rena, waiting.

"Then why don't you... just move in with me..."

"OK!!"

Leon interrupted before Lena could finish speaking.

"I haven't finished speaking yet!" Lena was a little dumbfounded.

"I've heard you, I'm going to the barracks to pack my things right now!" Leon couldn't wait.

“I…I meant you should sleep in the empty room my grandmother left behind!” Lena emphasized, pointing to the room on the other side.

“…Of course, that’s what I think too.” Leon paused for a moment before agreeing.

Seeing the man's intense gaze, Lena suddenly felt a sense of crisis: "Maybe I should just forget about it..."

She was already picturing the man sneaking into her room while spouting nonsense like "the atmosphere's all set." Letting someone like that into her house was like inviting a wolf into the house.

"Not staying in an empty room? Then which room do you want to stay in..." Leon instantly misunderstood Lena's meaning, his gaze already drifting towards the direction of Lena's room.

"Go sleep in the cellar!!" Lena said angrily.

Chapter 81 Farewell Party

The Inquisition of Heretics, Director's Office.

Bishop Beckett entered his open office and knocked on the door to remind Aaron, who was still engrossed in his work: "Sir, everyone is gathered in the hall, waiting for you."

Aaron looked up and saw Bishop Beckett chuckle softly, then looked down again: "Wait a minute, there are a few more documents..."

“Leave this small matter to me. You should leave something for the next director,” Bishop Beckett advised, stepping into the room and lowering his voice to continue, “Your power is meant to change this country. You are about to move to a higher stage, so please focus your energy on more important decisions. Leave these trivial matters to those who are better suited for them.”

“Bishop Beckett, isn’t it the same for you? Are you really planning to stay here for another year?” Aaron looked at Bishop Beckett to confirm.

Shortly after the case of Caron Esso’s disappearance was closed and the case report was submitted to the Cardinals, Aaron was transferred to a territory directly under the central government. This indicated that the Cardinals had basically recognized his achievements and were offering him a promotion, allowing His Highness the Prince to gain more power in the Church as a sign of their support.

Bishop Beckett, who was nominally assisting Aaron, also had the opportunity to go along, but at this time, Bishop Beckett took the initiative to apply to take over Aaron's position as the head of the heretical court and handle the aftermath and handover work.

But in Aaron's view, Bishop Beckett was the one who truly deserved the credit.

“Even the smallest things have to be done. The work in a directly administered diocese is very busy, I can’t handle it, and besides, I had a bit of a falling out with one of the bishops there when I was younger, so it’s best to keep some distance. I quite like it here; spending a year in a small town is like a vacation.” Bishop Beckett chuckled self-deprecatingly, then his expression became serious again. “I can’t always be by your side, can I?”

“You make a good point,” Aaron nodded.

Bishop Beckett was ultimately not one of his own, but a bishop of the Church of War, who was only temporarily assisting him because of Count Frye's introduction. For Aaron, who was still training himself, he absolutely could not become dependent on Bishop Beckett's assistance.

“Let’s go then, let’s not keep everyone waiting too long,” said Bishop Beckett.

Aaron nodded, then got up and left the office with Bishop Beckett, heading to the hall where the entire Inquisition was already assembled and lined up neatly.

A long table to the side was already set with wine glasses, wine poured, and some snacks.

"Salute! Respect to Director Diaz!!"

As soon as Aaron appeared, everyone saluted him in unison amidst chants.

This small party was a traditional farewell to Director Aaron, who was about to be transferred. Although he had only been there for less than two months, the personal charm he displayed had already won the respect of the vast majority of the members.

Frankly speaking, this is largely because the previous director, Caron Esso, was simply too inhuman.

Aaron returned a polite smile, raised his hand to signal everyone to relax, and then began to say some pleasantries: "The successful resolution of this case would not have been possible without your strong support. Although we are about to part ways, it has been an honor to work with you all. I know you are all eager to drink, so I won't waste any more words and let's raise our glasses as soon as possible."

Everyone laughed, then lined up and each took a glass of wine. The three captains stood at the front and led everyone in raising their glasses to Aaron, with Leon among them.

Caroline, who was serving as the secretary, came over, presented glasses to Aaron and Bishop Beckett, and poured them wine. Aaron then raised his glass and said, "To the glory of the gods, cheers!"

Everyone drank their drinks in one gulp, thus beginning the small drinking party, and the atmosphere became more relaxed.

Aaron, holding a wine glass, accepted the conversations and well wishes of his subordinates with a natural and polite smile on his face.

Leon waited a moment with his wine glass in hand, then finally stepped forward and said, "Director Diaz, congratulations."

The Earl had mentioned that Aaron's identity was special, and Aaron's evaluation of him was a key reason why the Earl was willing to invest in him. Although he still couldn't be sure of Aaron's true identity, he could imagine that building a relationship with Aaron would definitely be beneficial to him in the future.

However, Aaron is still someone he needs to be wary of for now.

After the case was closed, Aaron didn't seem to conduct any further investigation, but Leon still didn't dare to let his guard down.

A week ago, Lena agreed to let Leon move into her house, but Leon didn't go right away and instead rented a hotel room temporarily.

The Count and Bishop Beckett knew that he had an unusual relationship with Lena, but in Aaron's eyes, he and Lena should have no connection at all.

"Thanks to everyone." Aaron nodded, clinking glasses with Leon, "And thanks to you too."

"You flatter me," Leon replied politely.

Aaron hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and asked Leon, "Leon, what's your opinion on Ms. Sally and Melissa's situation now?"

This was the first time he had spoken to Leon about the two men in a personal tone. Leon had connections to both of them, and he had been hesitant to discuss the topic with Leon until the case was closed.

“As Mrs. Hershey said, her illness and their debts were not deceiving me. She was forced to become a witch. It may be a bit against church rules to say this, but my opinion of them has not changed.” Leon carefully chose his words.

“That’s what I think too, but the law is the law. That being said, I don’t think this matter is without room for negotiation. I’ve tried my best to appeal for a lenient sentence, after all, Ms. Celie doesn’t live much longer, so there should be a chance. As for Ms. Celie’s illness, I’ve contacted the St. Rosalia Institute, hoping they can find a way to alleviate Ms. Celie’s suffering. The Church of Beckett will handle the follow-up,” Aaron said.

Leon glanced at Bishop Beckett, who returned a calm look.

One of the conditions for Leon to supply the Count was to save Selene. In this regard, Lena's potion was more useful than the church's holy water. With Bishop Beckett around, there shouldn't be any concern about Selene being transferred to St. Rosalia Prison, since Selene's body couldn't withstand long-distance transport.

Contacting the St. Rosalia Institute was, in Aaron's opinion, the best way to help Sally within the legal framework.

"And then there's Melissa. There's a retired bishop I know at the reformatory in Caster. She's a kind and reliable person, and I've entrusted her with taking good care of Melissa. The reformatory is strict, but she'll receive a good education there. If you'd like..."

“I will take care of her!” Leon nodded vigorously.

That being said, he has not yet met Melissa—he dares not make any promises to Melissa until he can truly guarantee Sally's situation, and he is also unsure of Melissa's current feelings towards him.

"Thank you, Leon." Aaron smiled and raised his glass in a toast. "If only there were more people like you in this world."

“You too, sir.” Leon clinked glasses with Aaron and drank their drinks in one gulp.

Chapter 82 Bishop Weiss

In the early hours of the morning, in the central part of the Empire, at the Saint Rosalia Prison Research Institute.

A nun pushed a cart into the laboratory preparation room and found that people were already inside.

The tall pharmacist stood in the preparation room, wearing a protective waxed robe and gloves, but not yet wearing a mask, revealing his fair face.

"Bishop Weiss!" the nun quickly greeted her, "You've arrived so early!"

Saint Weiss of the Church of the Creator turned around upon hearing this. During her work, she had tied up her long hair, including her bangs, revealing the eye that was usually covered by her bangs.