What Witch? This Alchemist is Breaking Bad!

Inquisition, Director’s Office.

Bishop Beckett walked into the office with its door left open and knocked to remind Aaron, who was still buried in his work.

“Sir, everyone has already gathered in the main hall. They’re just waiting for you.”

Aaron looked up, saw Bishop Beckett, and smiled softly before lowering his head again.

“Just a moment. There are still the last few documents…”

“These little things can be left to me. You should at least leave some work for the next Director,” Bishop Beckett persuaded as he stepped into the room.

Lowering his voice, he continued, “Your strength is meant to change this country. The stage you are heading to next is a higher one. Please devote your energy to more important decisions. Leave these tedious matters to those better suited to them.”

“Bishop Beckett, isn’t the same true for you?” Aaron looked at him to confirm.

“Do you really plan to stay here for another year?”

Shortly after the disappearance case of Caron Eso was concluded and the case file submitted to the College of Cardinals, Aaron received a transfer order to take up a post in a directly administered territory under the Central Authority.

This indicated that the College of Cardinals had essentially acknowledged his achievements and was offering him a promotion, allowing His Highness the Prince to gain greater authority within the Church as a show of support.

Bishop Beckett, who nominally assisted Aaron, had also had the opportunity to leave together with him.

However, at this moment, Bishop Beckett had voluntarily applied to temporarily succeed Aaron as Director of the Inquisition here, handling the subsequent cleanup and handover work.

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

“Even trivial matters need someone to handle them. Work in a directly administered diocese is extremely busy—I can’t really handle that. Besides, I had a bit of a grudge with one of the bishops there when I was younger, so it’s better to keep some distance,” Bishop Beckett said with a self-mocking smile, his expression then turning serious.

“I quite like it here. Staying in a small place for a year—consider it a vacation. And I can’t accompany you at your side forever, can I?”

“What you say makes sense,” Aaron nodded.

Bishop Beckett was, after all, not one of his people, but a bishop of the Church of the God of War, temporarily assisting him only because of the Earl Foyle’s introduction.

For Aaron, who was still honing himself, he absolutely could not develop a reliance on Bishop Beckett’s assistance.

“Then let’s go. We shouldn’t keep everyone waiting too long,” Bishop Beckett said.

Aaron nodded.

Only then did he stand up and leave the office together with Bishop Beckett.

They walked all the way to the main hall, where the entire Inquisition had already assembled, standing in neat ranks.

On a long table to the side, wine glasses were already arranged and filled.

There were also some light snacks.

“Salute! To Director Dias!!”

The moment Aaron appeared, everyone saluted him in unison amid the shouted slogan.

This small reception was held according to tradition to see off Director Aaron, who was about to be transferred.

Although he had been here for less than two months, the personal charisma displayed by this new Director had already earned the respect of the vast majority of the members.

Frankly speaking, this was to a large extent also because the previous Director, Caron Eso, had been utterly inhuman.

Aaron returned a composed smile, raised his hand to signal everyone to relax, and then spoke some customary remarks.

“The smooth resolution of this case could not have happened without everyone’s strong support. Although we are parting for now, it has been my honor to work alongside all of you. I know you must already be eager to drink, so I won’t say much more. Let us raise our glasses as soon as possible.” 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Everyone laughed, then lined up to take a glass of wine.

The three captains stood at the front, leading everyone in raising their glasses to Aaron.

Leon was among them.

Carolyn, who served as secretary, walked over and presented wine glasses to Aaron and Bishop Beckett, pouring the wine for them.

Aaron then raised his glass and said, “To the glory of the gods. Cheers!”

Everyone drank it all in one go, and the small reception officially began.

The atmosphere grew even more relaxed.

Holding his glass, Aaron wore a natural and proper smile as he accepted conversations and blessings from his subordinates one by one.

Leon waited for a moment with his glass, then finally stepped forward to speak.

“Director Dias, congratulations.”

The Earl had once mentioned that Aaron’s identity was special.

Aaron’s evaluation of him was also a key reason why the Earl was willing to invest in him.

Although Leon still found it difficult to determine Aaron’s true identity, he could imagine that building a relationship with Aaron would certainly be beneficial for him in the future.

However, for now, Aaron was still someone Leon needed to be wary of.

After the case was closed, Aaron seemed not to have conducted further investigations, but Leon still did not dare to lower his guard.

A week ago, Rena had agreed to let Leon move in with her, but Leon did not go immediately.

Instead, he temporarily rented a room at an inn.

The Earl and Bishop Beckett knew that he had an unusual relationship with Rena, but in Aaron’s eyes, he and Rena should have had no particular interaction.

“Thanks to everyone’s support,” Aaron nodded, taking the initiative to clink glasses with Leon.

“And thanks to you as well.”

“You flatter me,” Leon replied politely.

Aaron hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said to Leon, “Leon, regarding Miss Sally and Melissa, how do you view the matter now?”

This was the first time he had mentioned the two women to Leon in a private tone.

Leon was connected to both of them, and before the case was concluded, it had been inconvenient for Aaron to bring up this topic with him.

“Just as Mrs. Hesh said, her illness and their debts were not lies. She was forced into becoming a witch,” Leon carefully chose his words.

“Saying this might not fully conform to Church regulations, but my view of them hasn’t really changed.”

“In fact, I think the same way. But the law is the law in the end,” Aaron said.

“That said, in my view, this matter is not without room for mediation. I have already done my utmost to call for a lighter sentence. After all, Miss Sally herself doesn’t have long to live, so there should be a chance. As for Miss Sally’s illness, I contacted the Saint Rosalia Research Institute, hoping they might have a way to alleviate her suffering. Bishop Beckett will handle the follow-up.”

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

One of the conditions for Leon supplying goods to the Earl was to save Sally.

In this regard, Rena’s magical potions were far more effective than the Church’s holy water.

With Bishop Beckett present, there should be no need to worry about Sally being transferred to Saint Rosalia Prison—after all, her body could not withstand long-distance transport.

Contacting the Saint Rosalia Research Institute was, in Aaron’s understanding, the best way he could legally help Sally.

“And then there’s Melissa,” Aaron continued.

“At the reform institution in Caster Town, there is a retired bishop I know—an amiable and reliable person. I’ve entrusted her to take good care of Melissa. Although the reform institution is rather strict, she will receive a good education there. If you’re willing…”

“I will look after her!” Leon nodded vigorously.

That said, he still had not gone to see Melissa.

Before he could truly ensure Sally’s situation, he did not dare to give Melissa any promises lightly, nor could he be certain how Melissa currently felt about him.

“Thank you, Leon,” Aaron said with a smile, raising his glass proactively.

“If there were more people like you in this world, it would be much better.”

“You as well, sir,” Leon replied, clinking glasses with Aaron and draining his wine in one go.