What Witch? This Alchemist is Breaking Bad!

“All personnel, salute!!”

Inside the main hall of the Hamel Inquisition, all the Inquisitors had gathered. Under Leon’s lead, they lined up and saluted Bishop Beckett, who was serving as Director.

On a small table set to the side, wine glasses filled to seven-tenths sat alongside an assortment of small refreshments.

It was a farewell reception, just like when they had once seen off Aaron.

The Church’s transfer order had been formally issued. Today was Bishop Beckett’s final day as Director of the Inquisition. After this, he would return to a civilian post within the military branch of the Church of the God of War, and the position of Director would be taken over by the current Deputy Director, Leon, who had just obtained rank and Blessing from the Prophet Church.

Bishop Beckett stood upright before the crowd with his hands clasped behind his back and nodded in acknowledgment. “Thank you all for your kindness. I appreciate that, at this parting, you have given me the same treatment you gave to Knight Dias when he left. Truly. I understand very well that, in your hearts, I certainly cannot compare to Knight Dias—especially in the eyes of those young, unmarried ladies.”

The crowd chuckled softly at the joke, and Bishop Beckett continued, “But in any case, though this was only a transitional handover, over these past half a year you have given me tremendous support. It has been my honor to work alongside you. In the time since Mr. Griffin Henry Potter’s death, we have successfully dealt with the remaining heretical forces within Hamel Town and firmly brought the local illegal trade under control——” 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Leon listened along with the others without revealing anything on his face. He knew that the illegal trade in Hamel Town had not disappeared; it had merely become more concealed and more regulated.

After he had taken control of South Harbor County, the scattered Underworld forces had almost entirely lost the ability to touch the business of Magical Potions and Mana. He produced extremely high-quality Mana locally; the smuggled Mana from outside simply could not compete. Coupled with pressure from both the Hamel Inquisition and the mercenary forces he had organized—exerting influence in both the black and white worlds—no Magical Beast trade chain outside his control could survive locally.

As for his own business, the Hamel Inquisition would not even investigate it. Moreover, he firmly controlled internal intelligence; not a single clue would leak out. Aside from himself and Bishop Beckett, there were also a few ordinary Lower-Ranking Inquisitors arranged by the Earl. Almost no one knew that, compared to last year, the illegal trade in this area of Hamel Town had in fact grown dramatically.

“——What gratifies me most is that during my tenure, a rising star has been born among us. Inquisitor Set, congratulations on your promotion to Intermediate Inquisitor.” Bishop Beckett fixed his gaze on Leon. “I am very pleased. If it is you, you will certainly be able to shoulder this position well.”

“It was all thanks to your guidance.” Leon saluted Bishop Beckett again.

That was not entirely mere politeness. To Leon as he was now, Bishop Beckett had been like a patient teacher, instructing him step by step on how to gain a firm foothold within the Earl’s sphere of influence and how to use the Church’s rules to acquire power.

Though Bishop Beckett had supported him primarily for the sake of the Earl’s interests, he had carried out that support dutifully and skillfully. The help he had provided Leon could not be considered small.

In that sense, Leon was quite willing to respect the man—even back when they had stood as opponents. After all, the relentless pressure he and the Earl had once applied had truly driven Bishop Beckett into a desperate corner.

“My time ends here. Next, I leave it to the younger generation. Let us invite the new Director to speak.” Bishop Beckett stepped aside and gestured for Leon to come forward.

Amid applause, Leon walked up as requested. Turning to face everyone present, he began, “When I first joined the team, what I hated most was long-winded speeches from superiors. I believe many of you feel the same. So I will not waste words. Thank you, Director Beckett, for your guidance. Thank you all for your support. Without everyone here, there would be no me today. So allow me——to raise a glass to all of you!”

By the final sentence, Leon had already turned, taken two wine glasses from the table—one in his own hand and the other handed to Bishop Beckett.

“Everyone, please raise your glasses,” Leon said, lifting his own.

The crowd stepped forward to take their glasses. Led by Leon, they took their first sip.

“There is one more thing. You may listen while you eat—it’s good news.” After drinking, Leon continued, “It is almost the end of June, the midpoint of the year. I have applied for an allowance from above. I hereby announce that at the beginning of July, everyone here will receive an extra month’s salary as a bonus!”

Instead of cheers, the statement was met with exchanged glances.

An application for such an allowance approved? Based on their understanding of the Church, that was practically impossible. What Leon said sounded like a poorly delivered joke.

“Some of you may be wondering how that could be possible. You may have misunderstood. What I applied for was not an allocation of funds from above, but rather approval for me to use the money I have earned from my business ventures outside to provide a designated donation to the Church—specifically to reward my colleagues for their dedication at their posts thus far! And I have already received approval!” Leon announced loudly.

Only then did those at the reception realize Leon was serious. Cheers erupted one after another. The Inquisitors raised their glasses to toast him in return, and the atmosphere of the reception quickly became lively.

When the reception drew to a close, Bishop Beckett, surrounded by the crowd, stepped out of the Hamel Inquisition and boarded the carriage sent by the Church. Leon also climbed aboard, accompanying him until they left Hamel Town.

Inside the swaying carriage, Bishop Beckett and Leon sat facing one another. Bishop Beckett spoke first. “Using money to win people’s hearts is a fine method, but remember not to overuse it. Both the whip and the sugar are necessary. If this kind of ‘designated donation’ becomes too frequent, there will be procedural issues.”

“Yes, I understand,” Leon nodded.

“I won’t elaborate on future work arrangements. You can handle them yourself. The three people I’ve left behind—make full use of them. They are very trustworthy,” Bishop Beckett said.

“Understood.”

Leon responded, yet he clearly understood that Bishop Beckett’s notion of “trustworthy” referred to trustworthiness toward Bishop Beckett himself. Those three had been carefully selected by him and were undoubtedly loyal to Bishop Beckett and to the Earl’s faction.

Whether they could be considered trustworthy from Leon’s side was another matter. Bishop Beckett’s statement presupposed that Leon was deeply bound to the Earl’s faction.

However, ever since Leon had formed a connection with Weiss and established a long-term relationship, he had begun to realize that what he was doing was something the Earl would absolutely not permit.

Yet he had not wavered. He had joined the Earl’s faction primarily to rescue Sally, and Weiss was now an extremely important key to saving Sally.

His agreement with the Earl was to manage the Labyrinth well and ensure a stable supply of Mana in exchange for the many external conditions needed to save Sally. Matters concerning Weiss were not part of that agreement.

The three people Bishop Beckett left behind could naturally be used in matters where Leon’s interests aligned with the Earl’s faction. But in certain other situations, he might need to remain somewhat cautious. If they discovered his contact with Weiss, they would undoubtedly report it.

In a sense, the people Bishop Beckett left behind could even be regarded as the Earl’s faction’s eyes placed to monitor him.

Leon had already made preparations in secret. From among a batch of subordinates with acceptable records, he would select a few who had drunk Cursed Blood and whose loyalty was relatively assured. After he officially took office, they would gradually enter the Hamel Inquisition through specific channels. He had to plant people who truly belonged to him.

“How is your output now?” Bishop Beckett asked.

“By acquiring corpses to maintain a portion of purity, Mana of over eighty percent purity now reaches one hundred and fifty grams per quarter,” Leon replied.

“Compared to the previous quarter, that’s not a very large increase,” Bishop Beckett said.

“But over these six months, it has already exceeded twice the Earl’s original annual target,” Leon smiled.

“You have performed excellently. Naturally, the Earl places high expectations on you. Now that you have rank and can ensure your own safety, act boldly and expand production as much as possible,” Bishop Beckett advised.

“There are still many issues in controlling the Labyrinth, but I will do my best to try,” Leon answered.

He no longer lacked money. Any further expansion would mainly benefit the Earl, not himself.

“The Earl’s expectations of you may far exceed your imagination. Think about it—at your young age, you now control the Earl’s largest source of supply within the territory. You hold rank within the Church and have won the Archbishop’s favor. And Mr. Johnny also holds you in high regard. With just these conditions, other cadres cannot compare to you.”

“Thank the Earl for his appreciation,” Leon replied politely, assuming Bishop Beckett was merely speaking courteously.

“Well, you will understand soon enough.” Bishop Beckett smiled meaningfully. “Do you remember what the Earl told you? After you take up this post, someone will come to inspect your Labyrinth?”

“I remember. I have already begun preparations,” Leon replied. “But the Earl did not tell me who that person is.”

“If the Earl did not say, it would not be appropriate for me to reveal it either. When the time comes, even without an introduction, you should be able to sense it yourself,” Bishop Beckett said with a smile and a reminder. “Remember—under no circumstances must you show any disrespect to that esteemed person!”