What Witch? This Alchemist is Breaking Bad!

“Greetings, Bishop.”

Leon came back to his senses and hurriedly saluted Bishop Weiss.

“You know each other?” Bishop Becket noticed Weiss’s reaction and asked.

“At the beginning of the year, Bishop Weiss and Archbishop Rogers came to conduct an inspection. I happened to meet the Bishop once at that time,” Leon answered.

“Then Bishop Weiss truly has an impressive memory, to be able to remember even a lower-ranking inquisitor so clearly,” Bishop Becket said meaningfully, first looking at Weiss, then sizing up Leon.

Bishop Weiss’s rank within the Church was Fully Appointed Third-Rank Knight, the same rank as Aaron and one level higher than Bishop Becket.

As for Rogers, he was an Archbishop on the verge of being promoted to Cardinal.

When such figures traveled together, even the Director of the Inquisition would have to follow behind them with deference.

At that time, Leon had merely been a lower-ranking inquisitor, at best a background figure standing off to the side.

How could Bishop Weiss possibly remember him?

Bishop Becket’s scrutinizing gaze made Leon feel as though needles were pricking his back.

He could sense that Bishop Becket was extremely concerned—perhaps even wary—about the fact that he knew Bishop Weiss.

Could it be that the two did not get along? Or that they belonged to opposing factions within the Church? Leon pondered silently.

“At the time, I noticed that he had old injuries caused by long-term use of holy water, so I casually helped him diagnose them,” Bishop Weiss calmly explained.

“You have injuries?” Bishop Becket asked Leon.

“Yes. I was once grazed by a crossbow bolt coated with monster venom. Even now, there are lingering aftereffects,” Leon said, pointing to his upper arm.

Even after obtaining the Witch’s Blessing and gaining the ability of Cursed Blood—whose potency surpassed even cockatrice venom—Leon found that the aftereffects left by his injuries had not disappeared.

Perhaps it was because curses and poison worked on different principles.

He seemed to be immune only to his own curses.

In any case, his injuries still needed to be dealt with somehow.

Fortunately, he was no longer short on money.

“That truly must have been hard on you,” Bishop Becket nodded.

Then he glanced at the inquisitor outside the door and at Leon before giving instructions.

“Alright, you may both return to your duties.”

“Yes, sir.” Leon and the inquisitor saluted at the same time.

Bishop Becket then turned his gaze back to Weiss and was about to ask her purpose when Weiss suddenly spoke first.

“Bishop Becket, may I ask that he stay behind?”

As she said this, she pointed at Leon, who was just about to leave.

Not only Bishop Becket, but Leon himself was momentarily stunned, unable to understand Weiss’s intention.

Bishop Becket pondered for a moment, then turned toward the team member still standing uncertainly by the door and nodded at him.

“Close the door for me.”

“Yes!” The team member closed the office door and left.

Seeing this, Leon could only remain standing by the door, awaiting orders.

“Please, have a seat, Bishop Weiss,” Bishop Becket gestured for Weiss to sit in the guest chair.

“Might your visit this time be related to the case we previously handled?”

Hearing this, Leon finally realized it.

If Bishop Weiss had come for Sally’s case, then asking him to stay made sense.

The submitted case report had mentioned his relationship with Sally.

Keeping him here was likely for the convenience of questioning him if necessary, something Bishop Becket had immediately perceived.

“Yes. I have reviewed the case files and also saw your request to continue detaining the involved witch, Sally Hesh, here. Knight Dias also contacted the Institute, requesting that we assist in alleviating the suffering of the criminal afflicted with Saltification Disease.Her circumstances are deeply sympathetic, so I wished to formally discuss with your unit the possibility of transferring her to Saint Rosalia Prison,” Bishop Weiss explained in a formal tone.

Leon immediately grew tense upon hearing this, but he maintained his composure and subtly cast a glance at Bishop Becket.

The detention area of the Inquisition was capable of performing prison functions.

Citing Sally’s illness, Bishop Becket had applied to have her detained here.

This was part of the arrangement between Leon and the Earl.

By keeping Sally here, Leon could still have access to her and, with the convenience granted by Bishop Becket, secretly administer medication to her.

In fact, Sally’s detention cell had been receiving medication normally all along.

Leon was even able to quietly bring her some food and daily necessities, allowing her to live somewhat more comfortably inside.

However, if Sally were transferred elsewhere, matters would fall beyond their control.

Leon would not only be unable to find ways to help her, but even making contact with her would become extremely difficult.

“Bishop Weiss, we already mentioned in the report that this prisoner’s Saltification Disease is in its late stage. Her physical condition is extremely poor, and she cannot withstand long-distance transport.Moreover, the blessing she possesses—Cursed Blood—is extremely rare. There is also a risk of unforeseen incidents during transport. Taking all factors into account, we still believe it is more appropriate to detain her here,” Bishop Becket said.

“But she will die very soon if she stays here. If she is transferred to Saint Rosalia Prison, we can attempt to provide her with proper treatment. Knight Dias, who is responsible for the case, made this request to us for that very reason, did he not?” Weiss said.

Leon finally understood.

Weiss’s intention in requesting Sally’s transfer to Saint Rosalia Prison was, in fact, similar to Aaron’s—

Both were trying to help Sally.

But to a certain extent, this was a case of good intentions causing harm.

Here, Sally was still able to secretly receive the special medicine developed by Rena, who had been researching Saltification Disease for a long time.

If she were sent to Saint Rosalia Prison, how decent a level of treatment would the Church really provide to a witch? Even if approval were granted, the Church had never developed special medicine targeting Saltification Disease.

How much effect could holy water possibly have on it?

One had to remember that earlier, Melissa had gone deeply into debt to use holy water on Sally, yet could only watch helplessly as Sally’s condition worsened day by day.

“In that case, the Saint Rosalia Research Institute could send the holy water currently under development here under the name of experimental assistance.We could also cooperate in administering medication to the prisoner. There is no need to deliberately transfer her back and forth,” Bishop Becket said.

“Frankly speaking, the Church’s research into Saltification Disease is still very superficial.At present, holy water does not have any particularly effective results against Saltification Disease. However, I examined the special medicine she developed, and it does indeed have a certain degree of efficacy against the disease.”

As Weiss said this, Bishop Becket could not help interrupting.

“Are you planning to administer potions to a person? Does this comply with Church regulations?”

“At Saint Rosalia Prison, potion experiments are permitted within certain limits, as long as the subjects are prisoners and approval is obtained from the Tribunal. I am personally very interested in the potion developed by this prisoner. Furthermore, she suffers from Saltification Disease and possesses the rare blessing of Cursed Blood, making her inherently valuable for research. As for the issue of transport, the Institute is willing to assist in resolving it. May I meet the prisoner to better understand her condition?”

When Weiss said this, there was a faint gleam in her eyes, forming a sharp contrast with her previous cold demeanor.

Leon could sense that Weiss was not only trying to help Sally, but was also deeply interested in researching her—more precisely, interested in the witch who had developed that special medicine.

The problem, however, was that the one who had developed the medicine was actually Rena.

Sally herself could not produce such a special medicine.

In fact, she was not a witch at all.

Without any blessing, she could not even refine mana.

Let alone sending her there—even allowing Weiss to meet her once carried the risk of exposing the truth.

This made Leon tense once again.

“I’m afraid that… this may not be very convenient,” Bishop Becket chose to refuse.

“Why? I hope your unit can provide a suitable reason,” Weiss clearly was not willing to give up easily.

“The reasons are rather complicated,” Bishop Becket replied as he thought, then suddenly shifted his gaze toward Leon, who was standing to the side.

“How about this, Bishop Weiss. You can ask Inquisitor Set about the details. Since you have read the case files, you must have quite a few questions you wish to ask him. He is quite familiar with the prisoner’s situation. I still have many urgent matters to attend to. If you do not mind, the reception room is still available. Would it be alright for Inquisitor Set to receive you for now?”

Leon stared at Bishop Becket in astonishment.

Bishop Becket returned him a smile, the meaning of which was abundantly clear: “You’re the one who needs to get her to leave—do your best yourself!”

Bishop Becket unhesitatingly dumped this troublesome matter onto Leon.

After all, keeping Sally here was Leon’s own request.

“Very well.” Weiss rose decisively and turned toward Leon.

“Then let us have a private discussion.”

“Yes, Bishop,” Leon could only reply, steeling himself.