What witch? The Deadly Pharmacist!

According to the original plan, less than an hour after the sermon began, Bishop Beckett was supposed to have completed his plan to frame and then arrest Weiss.

Leon guessed that perhaps the Count or Bishop Beckett would let him know some of the details after the plan was completed. Bishop Beckett had previously told him something similar, that he would know sooner or later. Before the plan was carried out, the fewer people who knew the details, the better.

And indeed, even though Leon intervened after the fact, he still managed to disrupt the Count and Bishop Beckett's plans.

To orchestrate such a plan, they must have known for a long time that Weiss had become a witch for the church's secret research project. To be able to infiltrate Weiss so deeply, they must have put in a lot of effort.

"Dear Sir".

As soon as Leon sat down in the lounge area, a well-dressed waiter quickly approached, bowed deeply beside him, and said in a low voice, "Count Frey asked me to convey a message to you. He is waiting for you in the private room. Is now a convenient time for you?"

count?

Leon was a little surprised, but he straightened his clothes and stood up: "Okay, please lead the way."

As the attendant walked down the corridor, he was somewhat nervous. After all, he had just done something that the count would consider an act of betrayal, and now the count wanted to see him. He had no idea what to expect.

They arrived at the door of the private room, where a woman in a suit and tie, who looked to be in her thirties, stood. Judging from her posture alone, it was clear that she had received considerable training and was probably the Earl's personal bodyguard on this trip.

After the waiter led the way, he politely took his leave. The bodyguard glanced at Leon and said, "It's my duty. Please allow me to search you."

Leon obediently raised his hands. In fact, no weapons were allowed to be brought into the club, but once inside the Count's private room, the people around the Count still had to ensure his safety.

However, it seems likely that the count was waiting for him alone inside.

Leon passed the security check, and the female bodyguard opened the door for him.

When Leon entered the room, the private room was smaller and darker than he had imagined.

Besides the dressing room, there was only a tea table and long sofas on either side of it.

The count was sitting on a sofa to one side. Instead of brewed tea, there were wine bottles and glasses on the table, along with lit scented candles.

"You've arrived. Please have a seat," the count said, glancing at Leon.

“Okay.” Leon sat down opposite the Earl.

The count's aura was completely different that day. He was not the composed, elegant, confident, and steady leader who seemed to have everything under control. Instead, he slumped in his seat, swirling a glass of strong liquor in his hand, exuding a slight smell of alcohol, and with a solemn expression.

Although he still possessed an imposing presence, his aura was somewhat diminished compared to usual, and one could even say he appeared a little dejected.

Leon sat for a while before the count spoke: "When I came here just now, you didn't seem to be here."

Leon felt a slight tension, but quickly regained his composure. This question did not mean that the count suspected him. He had been away for so long, it was normal for him to inquire about the reason, and he had expected it.

“I heard the bells and went out to check. It seems something big happened in the parish today, quite a commotion,” Leon calmly gave his prepared answer.

"So, you already know what happened?" the count asked.

Leon nodded slightly: "Saint Weiss Rogers of the Church of the Creator transformed into a witch in full view of everyone and summoned monsters to attack the people, causing many casualties. This matter has almost spread, and now the entire parish is under martial law."

Hearing such a commotion outside, it's perfectly normal to go out and investigate; this is not a reason to be suspected.

"Is that so?" The count looked out the window, peering through the half-drawn curtains at the knights hurrying along the street. This night was destined to be a sleepless one for many in the church.

Leon waited for a long time without hearing the next sentence. After thinking it over, he lowered his voice and spoke up: "Excuse my boldness, Your Excellency, is this matter directly related to us?"

The count turned his gaze back and asked expressionlessly, "How much did Beckett tell you?"

“He only told me that Weiss Rogers was our enemy, and his father, Archbishop Rogers, was even more so,” Leon replied briefly.

If you think about it for a moment, it's clear that what happened today couldn't have been a witch exposing herself in public; someone must have deliberately sabotaged it.

Having been exposed to this extent by Bishop Beckett, and being deliberately instructed to be on standby elsewhere at the time of the incident, coupled with the Count's sudden appearance, it is only natural for someone who knows the inner workings of the Count and Bishop Beckett to realize that the Count might be involved in the incident.

“I’ve been planning this for a long time.” After a long silence, the count said in a low voice, “Five years? No, I’ve been thinking about retaliating since twenty years ago.”

"An eye for an eye? Who are you referring to?" Leon asked tentatively, seeing that the count seemed willing to bring up the topic.

“Bernard Rogers,” Earl Frye said.

Bernard Rogers was the name of Weiss's father, Archbishop Rogers.

"What exactly is your grudge against him?" Leon pressed.

Almost everyone thinks I've had a smooth life and that I'm a winner destined by fate. Not many people know about the regret I experienced twenty years ago, and you're one of them. Today was all planned out, and I should have told you about it at the celebration banquet.

Count Fry poured wine into his glass, speaking in a calm tone as if he were talking about someone else, "Back then, the inquisitor who arrested my lover was Bernard Rogers, who was an inquisitor at the time."

Leon thought to himself, "Just as I thought."

He had learned from Weiss that Archbishop Rogers had served as an Inquisitor for Heretics, and he had long wondered if this experience had caused him to have a grudge against the Earl.

“I was just a trainee knight at the time and had no other options. To prevent Rogers from pursuing me further, Elena committed suicide. Ophelia was only three years old at the time. For Rogers, it was just one of hundreds of cases in his career, and he may have already forgotten about it.”

But I can't forget it! No matter how successful I became after that, no matter how much power and achievement I gained, that feeling of powerlessness from back then has never disappeared. The count's gaze remained fixed on his wine glass. "I had no other choice but to take revenge on him."

"So you plotted to frame his daughter?" Leon asked the Earl for confirmation.

"..." The count did not answer, but simply picked up his wine glass and took a sip.

"Excuse my bluntness, but Weiss Rogers seems to have nothing to do with this feud. Why go to such lengths to deal with her? This kind of arrangement probably isn't enough to ruin Archbishop Rogers' reputation, is it? Won't it just arouse his suspicion?" Leon asked.

The fact that Vice became a witch was a research project approved by the Cardinals. It's not like the Cardinals wouldn't be able to see that Vice was framed. Even if Vice had to be sacrificed to appease the public, it would be difficult for Archbishop Rogers to suffer an irreparable blow as well.

With the power the Earl has accumulated, even if he attends a Holy Spirit Festival, Cardinal Zevin, who is the diocesan rector, would have to personally and politely receive him.

While Archbishop Rogers was completely unaware of the Earl and had no defenses against him, the Earl actually had many ways to directly bring down Archbishop Rogers. Instead of going to great lengths to target Weiss first, he would have added many variables.

“This is necessary. Rogers must die, of course, but simply letting him die would be too easy for him; he's not the kind of person who's afraid of death. I want him to experience, like me, the pain of losing someone he deeply loves and being powerless to stop it, before dying with resentment! Only then can it be called revenge!”

The count's tone suddenly became more serious, and for the first time, Leon felt this kind of emotional outpouring from the count.

Only when it comes to revenge does this calm and elegant ruler reveal his impulsive side.

"So, what's the situation now?" Leon asked cautiously.

"...It failed." The count was silent for a moment, then finished his drink and sighed softly.

"What happened?" Leon asked knowingly, wanting to find out what information the count had and whether he suspected anyone.

"At such a crucial moment in the plan, someone suddenly interfered. A werewolf took Weiss Rogers away, as if he had appeared out of nowhere, and even escaped the entire city's pursuit..."

The count suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh as he spoke, then unconsciously tightened his grip, and the wine glass shattered in his hand.

Leon instinctively stood up, but the count remained unmoved. Even with his hands full of broken glass, not a single drop of blood flowed from them.

“Fate is really unfair, don’t you think?” the Count said slowly, staring at Leon.

Looking into the count's eyes, which were already somewhat intoxicated, Leon suddenly realized how devastating the failure of this plan had been for the man; he shouldn't have been drinking at a time like this.

The Earl had already vaguely realized that after the tracking device that Alec had set up on Weiss was dealt with, their hope of capturing Weiss had become slim.

Such a huge psychological gap is why he came here to confide in Leon, believing that Leon could understand the helplessness he once felt.

"How is Bishop Beckett now?" Leon asked.

"He's injured, but he's still leading the search," the count replied.

"Can I help too?" Leon asked.

"Go ahead," the count replied casually, not caring much about it. Even Bishop Beckett and Alexie were helpless, so he wouldn't place much hope on anyone else.

Leon rang the bell to summon the waiting waiter, instructing him to clean up the broken glass that the count had smashed, and then he took his leave from the count.

After leaving the club, he turned and glanced at the window where the Earl's box was located.

Given the Earl's obsession with revenge, there is probably no room for negotiation when it comes to dealing with Weiss.

If the Count's revenge is directed at Archbishop Rogers, it is irrelevant to Leon—in fact, the Count's revenge is none of his business.

But if the Earl insisted on targeting Weiss, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

Once he took the step of rescuing Weiss, there was almost no chance of turning back. Even if he handed Weiss over now, or confessed and negotiated with the Earl, the Earl would never trust him again. How could he expect mercy from someone who had committed betrayal?

Moreover, he didn't want to hand it over. Regardless of his relationship with Weiss, Weiss was key to saving Selene. The Earl's revenge plan violated their terms of the deal. The Earl didn't want to experience that feeling of helplessness again. Did he really want to?

If they're lucky, this matter can be kept secret forever, but what if something unexpected happens...?

"No, I can't keep taking chances like before. Haven't you suffered enough?" Leon suddenly woke up and reminded himself.

He had previously tried to continue his magic production business with Rena in the labyrinth of Hamel Town, hoping for a lucky break, but was driven to the brink by the Count and Bishop Beckett. How could he possibly underestimate them now and pin his hopes on luck?

Now that he has taken this step, he must be prepared to be enemies with the Earl!

Why did he suddenly propose in Chapter 156?

Late at night, Leon returned to his room, unlocked it with his key, and quickly locked it again.

The room was dark, with no lights on.

He assumed that Weiss was too tired and had fallen asleep. He walked to the bedside and used his night vision to observe, but he couldn't see Weiss anywhere.

Leon was a little surprised. He turned around, lit the lamp, and said, "It's me. I'm back. Come out."

The room was completely silent; there was no response.

Leon immediately tensed up. Had Weiss left the room? Would she dare to act on her own under these circumstances?

Leon began searching the room, glancing under the bed and behind the curtains, before finally finding Weiss curled up asleep in the closet.

Leon's heart finally settled down, and he reached out to push Weiss's shoulder: "Weiss, wake up."

Weiss suddenly woke up as if from a nightmare, and only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Leon: "You're finally back."

"Are you asleep?" Leon asked.

"Sorry, I felt a little better last night, and then I suddenly felt really sleepy and fell asleep without realizing it..."

"Why sleep in the closet?" Leon continued to ask.

"I always feel a little uneasy when I'm outside, and I'm always worried that someone might suddenly barge in," Weiss replied a little shyly.

She had never experienced being hunted like this before, and as soon as Leon left, the fear returned to her when she was alone in the room.

Even though she was exhausted, she didn't dare to lie down and rest. She finally found some peace of mind by hiding in the closed wardrobe.

“Okay, then…” Leon hesitated for a moment before pointing to Weiss’s arms, “Why are you holding my clothes that I took off?”

"Huh?" Weiss paused for a moment, following Leon's gaze downwards.

She was curled up in the closet, sleeping with the gray monastic robe that Leon had taken off, when she noticed the robe that Leon had taken off while she was restless in the room.

When Leon transformed into a werewolf to rescue her, he was wearing this monk's robe.

At first, Weiss just wanted to check if there was any bloodstains or damage on it, so she picked it up and looked at it.

Then she discovered that wearing this garment inexplicably eased her tension. She didn't know if it was because she had been wearing this garment while Leon was carrying her, which reminded her of the feeling of having someone to lean on.

Without realizing it, she crumpled the clothes into a ball and hugged them to her chest like a pillow. She didn't let go of them even when she went to rest in the closet. Then, when sleepiness came over her, she just... fell asleep.

How did I fall asleep like this?!

As the memories flooded back, Weiss felt her blood rush to her head. Although she kept a straight face and no expression, her whole face turned crimson.

“I just… well…” Weiss answered somewhat awkwardly, “felt a little cold, so I grabbed something to cover myself with, yes, that’s it.”

"I see." Leon was still a little confused.

There are blankets in the room, aren't there?

However, he noticed that Weiss was staring at him with a slightly pleading look in her eyes, and he vaguely realized that she did not want him to pry into the matter.

This is indeed nothing to worry about; he has other more important things to discuss with Weiss.

"Let's go out and get something to eat first. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long." Leon offered his hand.

Weiss finally regained some composure, took Leon's hand, and carefully emerged from the wardrobe.

Leon led Weiss to the table, took out the pies, smoked ham, and cheese he had brought from outside from his basket, poured Weiss a glass of water, and gestured for her to eat first.

"Thank you." Weiss and Leon sat down at the table together and began to eat somewhat awkwardly.

Although she wasn't actually very hungry, she knew that if she didn't eat something after such a rapid exertion, her condition would likely worsen later.

"The holy water you asked me to buy is all here." Leon took out several more types of holy water that he had purchased from the Holy Healing Order, which were entrusted to him by Weiss.

The potion remaining in Weiss's body had become considerably weaker than before. However, to completely remove it, a little medicine was still needed, and fortunately, Weiss herself was the best apothecary.

“Thank you very much,” Weiss said softly.

“It’s one in the morning now. Let me briefly tell you what I’ve learned outside,” Leon began. “The diocese knights haven’t found any clues about us yet and are still patrolling around in vain. Bishop Beckett has already succumbed to his injuries and is receiving treatment.”

The parish issued an emergency announcement, declaring that an investigation revealed you had been ambushed and disappeared before your speech by heretics lurking in the city. The person appearing at the speech was a witch from that heresy in disguise, part of a conspiracy by the heretics to smear the church. How many people believed this is unknown.