What Witch? This Alchemist is Breaking Bad!

Leon hoped that Weiss would understand his hint. As a Fully Appointed Third-Rank Knight, her understanding of Blessings should have been above his, and she most likely knew what kind of Blessing Bishop Becket possessed from the Secret God.

Once their previous secret meeting was mentioned while they were under surveillance, trouble would inevitably follow—whether for her or for Leon.

Fortunately, Weiss finally caught on to his implication. The surprise in her eyes vanished in an instant, and her expression quickly returned to normal.

“Yes, it truly is a kind of fate. But if only I had gotten to know you earlier.” As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward the window.

Leon sensed something and followed her line of sight.

The windows of the Church building were not fitted with the oil-paper panes common in ordinary homes, but with expensive, transparent glass.

Through the glass of the seminar room, one could see the monastery garden outside. It was the cusp of spring and summer, and the courtyard flowers were in full bloom.

Leon was still wondering whether he had misunderstood her meaning when the scenery beyond the window suddenly grew slightly blurred, as though a thin mist had settled over it.

Such a phenomenon was common in the cold of winter, but in this season it appeared distinctly abnormal.

Before Leon had time to be startled, hurried words suddenly formed upon the misted glass, as if written by an invisible hand.

The message read: “Six o’clock, the usual place.”

The mist and the writing vanished almost as soon as they appeared, like a breeze drifting past the window. The glass returned to its clear and bright state.

But the message had already been etched into Leon’s mind.

He turned back to Weiss. She was staring steadily into his eyes.

“In the future, will you continue this line of research?” she asked.

“If I have the time, I will continue,” Leon replied with a nod, meeting her gaze.

That meant he had accepted the invitation she had just conveyed.

“That’s good. Since you’ve made your decision, I won’t press the matter further. After you obtain your rank, we will still have opportunities for academic exchange. If you are ever interested in the Creator Church’s research on atomic theory, you may write to the Saint Rosalia Research Institute at any time. As long as it isn’t confidential material, I can discuss it with you whenever you wish.” Weiss ended the conversation neatly and rose to her feet.

“Very well. Thank you for your understanding,” Leon said, standing as well.

Weiss escorted Leon out of the seminar room. After bidding each other farewell, Leon left the town church and walked toward the nearby Inquisition.

“Respectfully greeting you, sir!”

“Good afternoon, sir!”

Along the way, former colleagues saluted him with marked deference. Leon smiled and responded to each of them, “Good afternoon.”

He had never liked the aloof, superior manner Caron Eso had displayed when serving as Director. Even after his promotion, Leon had not adopted airs within the Inquisition.

When he first became a Captain, his former teammates’ attitudes toward him had hardly changed. Even their salutes had carried a trace of teasing.

After he was promoted to Deputy Director, however, people’s attitudes grew noticeably more formal—especially colleagues from other departments who were less familiar with him. His old teammates began saluting him properly, though they still chatted with him as warmly as before.

But now, he could feel that they were beginning to look up at him. Their expressions were tense when saluting, their eyes nervous, as though afraid of offending him in the slightest.

After he rendered great service and was recommended by Bishop Becket to participate in the Fully Appointed assessment, rumors had already spread that Leon would assume the position of Director.

Bishop Becket was a civilian official in the military division of the Church of the God of War, only temporarily assigned to the Inquisition. In time, he would certainly be transferred elsewhere.

Once Leon obtained his rank, given his outstanding performance in Hamel Town, he would be the best candidate to succeed as Director.

In the eyes of ordinary people, obtaining a Church rank was no different from becoming a noble—it meant entry into the upper class.

An unavoidable class divide had already formed between him and his former colleagues. To them, he was now the new Caron Eso. No matter how approachable Leon acted, he remained their superior—at most, a more benevolent one.

Still, Leon understood that if he was to manage this Inquisition as its superior in the future, a necessary degree of authority had to be maintained.

He went straight to Bishop Becket’s office. He had barely knocked when a voice came from inside.

“Enter.”

Leon opened the door, locked it behind him, and saluted the man seated behind the desk. “I’ve sent her away, sir.”

“Mm. Well done,” Bishop Becket nodded.

Leon felt slightly relieved. When he and Weiss had exchanged information, it had not been entirely foolproof.

But from Bishop Becket’s reaction, he did not seem to have noticed anything unusual.

“And this—” Leon produced the Black Secret God Emblem Badge.

“If you don’t wish to carry it, return it to me,” Bishop Becket gestured.

Leon placed the badge on the desk. Carrying something that could eavesdrop and monitor him made even going to the lavatory feel uncomfortable.

“These documents—fill them out. Then write a letter to Archbishop Miller. Attach my recommendation and send it to the District Church. After that, the Prophet Church will contact you in advance regarding the ceremony.” Bishop Becket handed him several personal information forms and application documents.

Leon stepped forward and took them, glancing through a few pages. It seemed that his decision to join the Prophet Church and receive the Blessing of the Supreme God had now been finalized.

“May I ask a question?” Leon looked up at Bishop Becket.

“About Bishop Weiss?” Bishop Becket sensed his meaning. “As I’ve said, that is not something you should know at present.”

“Sir, Bishop Weiss is passionate about research. She’s interested in the medicine studied by Sally Hesh, and she’s interested in my conjectures as well. In the future, if I have contact with academic figures in the Prophet Church and publish something, it may attract her attention again. You’ve told me only that she is an enemy of the Earl, yet I know nothing of the reason. When you are no longer here, how am I to handle her on my own?” Leon said.

“You make a fair point…” Bishop Becket pondered briefly before looking up at him. “Have you heard of the Rose School within the Church?”

Leon shook his head. “I haven’t.”

“The Church often regards thorns as symbols of the Primordial Witch Moilai and of witches in general. You are aware of that, yes?” Bishop Becket said.

“Yes.”

Leon certainly knew. In artistic depictions of the Primordial Witch Moilai, thorns were ever-present. The Church used the imagery to allude to witches. In the Holy Scriptures, there was a famous metaphor describing witches as serpents covered in barbs.

“Within the Church, witches are an absolute taboo. Yet at the Saint Rosalia Research Institute, many academic personnel believe that Moilai’s heretical power is not without value. They advocate reform—loosening the restrictions on Moilai’s power, studying it thoroughly, and applying it.

“These individuals gradually formed a school of thought. One bishop once said: since the gods can create the world itself, they can naturally cause roses to bloom among thorns.”

“Roses among thorns—meaning witches? So they are called the Rose School?” Leon immediately realized that Bishop Becket was referring to the same academic group Weiss had mentioned before.

In this world, the word “thorn” could refer to any prickly shrub. Roses themselves were a kind of thorned plant, yet they produced pleasing blossoms and could be made into herbal medicine.

The Rose School used the rose as a metaphor for witches—dangerous and barbed, yet still possessing value. The great gods would not object to developing that value. In fact, Leon had discussed similar ideas with Weiss.

“Correct. ‘Rose School’ was originally a term of derision used by others within the Church, but it was accepted by them. Most of the Rose School consists of the younger generation of researchers within the Creator Church. The Saintess of the Creator Church, Weiss Rogers, is a core figure among them. They have repeatedly proposed relaxing restrictions on research into witches’ Magical Potions. Their ultimate goal is to bring Magical Potions into practical application.” Bishop Becket looked at Leon. “You understand that such a stance fundamentally conflicts with our interests.”

Leon naturally understood.

Without the Church’s strict prohibitions, the Magical Potion trade could never be so lucrative.

It was precisely because the powerful and wealthy could not obtain Magical Potions through legitimate channels that the Mana and potions acquired at the risk of execution yielded such enormous profits.

If the Church itself were to sell Magical Potions as it did Holy Water, the profits would be diverted to the Church—and it would crack down even more harshly on private enterprises like that of the Earl.

If the Church went further and legalized the production of Mana and Magical Potions among the populace, the situation would be even worse. Countless competitors would emerge legally, profits would plummet, and the Earl’s status as supreme ruler of the Underworld would have to be maintained through other industries.

Thus, although the Rose School appeared to advocate loosening restrictions, its interests were fundamentally opposed to the Earl’s.

Leon, however, did not particularly care. On the contrary, he might even support the Rose School more.

He had already earned enough to last a lifetime. He would prefer to see witches’ powers brought into the open for the benefit of the world. If the Church relaxed its laws, then when he eventually washed his hands of the business, he would no longer have to live in fear over his involvement.

Still, Leon asked, “But can their proposals truly be accepted by the Church?”

“Of course not. They remain a minority within the Church,” Bishop Becket said.

“At present, the Rose School poses little threat to us. Bishop Weiss is not someone who wields real power. Why must we be so wary of her?” Leon asked.

Bishop Becket’s explanation did not fully account for their caution.

“The issue does not lie with her, but with her father—Archbishop Rogers. That man’s influence is not something to be ignored lightly,” Bishop Becket said.

“Is he also part of the Rose School?” Leon asked.

“No. His reasons are different. What you may know ends here. You need only understand that this father and daughter stand in absolute opposition to us. Avoid entangling yourself with them as much as possible. One day you will learn the answer. Do not be impatient.” Bishop Becket spoke earnestly.

“Understood.” Leon did not press further.

Bishop Becket had still revealed nothing particularly useful. As for the Rose School, Weiss had already told him about it; now he merely knew its name.

“I’ll attend to these matters first,” Leon said, preparing to withdraw.

“Wait. There’s one more thing,” Bishop Becket called out.

Leon’s heart tightened.

“Don’t forget what the Earl mentioned. After you assume your new position, someone will come to visit your Labyrinth. Make preparations to receive them as soon as possible.”

“Yes.” Leon exhaled inwardly in relief and took his leave.

He returned to his office, handled several matters, and when the clock neared six, he gathered his things and quickly left the Inquisition.

He still remembered the “usual place” Weiss had mentioned. He soon arrived at the third intersection east of the Inquisition, remaining alert along the way for possible surveillance or pursuit.

This was where they had met privately before.

Soon he saw the familiar black carriage approach slowly and stop before him. The door opened of its own accord.

Leon boarded the carriage and caught the familiar scent of incense. Weiss sat opposite him.

“Now, we should be able to speak freely,” Weiss said.