What Witch? This Alchemist is Breaking Bad!

“Healed!?”

Leon repeated the word instinctively; to his ears, it was like a thunderclap.

The special medicine that he and Rena had been pursuing to cure Saltification Disease had actually already been completed in Weiss’s hands?

“In fact, the last time we parted, I had already made up my mind to try researching in this direction. The research Mrs. Hesh left behind had found the right path. It would have been too much of a pity not to continue it,” Weiss said.

“But at that time, you didn’t mention it,” Leon said.

At the time, judging from Weiss’s tone, he had assumed that after he refused to send Sally to Saint Rosalia Prison, Weiss would abandon her research into Saltification Disease.

“After all, it was research that carried a certain level of risk, and I wasn’t completely confident that I could finish the project. I couldn’t just speak about it casually,” Weiss replied.

“So now you’ve completed it? You just said this medicine can cure Saltification Disease?” Leon stared at Weiss seriously as he asked.

“No, there are still some issues that need to be resolved. This medicine contains an extremely high concentration of magical power. If ordinary people take it, they will suffer severe arrhythmia. It cannot be taken long-term. That aspect still requires further refinement—” Weiss explained.

The surge of emotion that had just risen in Leon’s heart sank again upon hearing this, but then he heard Weiss continue: “However, Magical Beasts can tolerate it. I’ve already conducted experiments. So, a Witch should be able to use it.”

“A Witch?” Leon froze for a moment.

“Yes. Using this medicine on Magical Beasts can reverse the symptoms of Saltification Disease and achieve a curative effect, with minimal side effects. In theory, a Witch should be able to endure the same intensity of magical power. I’ve verified the efficacy on Magical Beasts, and I’ve also had a Witch take it to confirm that it’s safe for them. So, I think Mrs. Hesh could try this medicine. Of course, that’s on the premise that you agree.” Weiss looked at Leon as she spoke.

Leon hesitated slightly. Weiss genuinely believed that Sally was a Witch, which was why she thought it was worth a try.

But the problem was that Sally was not truly a Witch. According to Weiss’s explanation, using this medicine would cause severe side effects.

Unless Sally successfully transformed into a Witch!

If she were an ordinary person, becoming a Witch would require consideration of the risk of being targeted by the Church. However, Sally had long since been identified as a Witch by the Church, so there was no need to worry about that aspect.

Still, this would require her own consent. Moreover, to have Sally in prison undergo the ritual to become a Witch would likewise require the authority of the Director of the Inquisition to carry out.

“I’m willing to persuade her to try this medicine. But if you’re providing it, are there any conditions?” Leon asked tentatively.

No matter what, securing the option was the most important thing.

Although Sally’s condition had stabilized, she could die from complications at any time. Now that there was hope for a cure before him, he had to do everything possible to seize it.

“There are no conditions. I simply want to complete this research. Mrs. Hesh is both a Witch and a patient with Saltification Disease—she’s the most suitable sample. I only hope that once you begin administering the medicine to her, you’ll record any changes for me. If anything happens, contact me. If there are no issues, after one month of treatment, I hope you’ll allow me to conduct a diagnosis,” Weiss said.

“According to the schedule, I should be able to take over Bishop Becket’s duties next month. If she agrees, I can begin administering the medicine at that time,” Leon replied.

“This is the undiluted solution—forty milliliters in total. Store it in a cool, dark place. Take one milliliter each day and dilute it with ten milliliters of pure distilled water before drinking. Remember, it must be diluted, and it must not be mixed with Mana. Otherwise, it will affect the efficacy,” Weiss said as she handed the small black bottle to Leon.

“In theory, how long would it take to fully recover?” Leon carefully accepted the bottle.

“In experiments on small Magical Beasts, even early-stage symptoms required three months to be eradicated. Applied to a human, and at a late stage at that, I imagine it may take a year—perhaps even longer. But the specifics will depend on the results of the first treatment course,” Weiss answered cautiously.

“And regarding the formula—” Leon probed.

If this medicine had been improved from Rena’s potion, then it certainly fell within the category of Magical Potions. Both its preparation and secretly giving it to Sally would be serious violations of Church doctrine. Weiss operated within the Church; she might not always be able to move freely. If something went wrong, the supply of medicine might be cut off.

So if Weiss could tell him the formula, that would naturally be best. Rena could analyze and refine it based on the formula, and they could prepare subsequent doses themselves.

However, Weiss showed difficulty this time. “I’m sorry. This formula involves certain confidential matters. I can’t disclose it casually. And even if I told you, you wouldn’t be able to prepare it. One key ingredient can only be produced under the conditions of the Saint Rosalia Research Institute.”

Seeing the faint disappointment in Leon’s expression, she added, “I know it may sound like an excuse, but it’s the truth. Please believe me.”

“Of course I believe you. I know very well the risk you took in doing this. If you’re unwilling to reveal the formula, there must be reasons you cannot compromise on,” Leon replied, meeting her gaze.

In terms of profit, the formula for a special medicine to treat Saltification Disease was not that valuable. Simply providing the formula would have carried far less risk than handing over the prepared Magical Potion itself.

Weiss had already taken tremendous risk by giving him the prepared medicine. If she refused to disclose the formula, there must be an unyielding reason behind it.

“Thank you for your understanding.” Weiss appeared to relax slightly.

“Then let’s exchange secure contact addresses,” Leon suggested.

Secretly administering Weiss’s prepared Magical Potion to Sally carried certain risks for both of them. He had to ensure that neither the Church nor anyone on the Earl’s side learned of it. Their future means of contact had to be discreet. In South Harbor County, he had several secret contact points.

“Well—” Weiss hesitated slightly.

“Is it inconvenient for you?” Leon asked.

“I was just thinking… perhaps there’s a better method,” Weiss said after a moment’s thought.

With that, she opened a box inside the carriage and took out two handheld vanity mirrors, handing one to Leon.

“This is?” Leon cast her a questioning look.

“This is a Church sacred artifact—a prototype I developed,” Weiss said as she raised her own mirror to her face. “Take a look at yours.”

Leon lifted the other mirror as instructed and was astonished to find that it did not reflect his own face, but Weiss’s.

He glanced at Weiss. Without a word, she adjusted her mirror’s angle to show him—it reflected Leon’s face.

Weiss blew lightly onto her mirror. A layer of white mist immediately formed on its surface. At the same time, Leon’s mirror also seemed to fog over from within.

Weiss traced words onto her mirror with her finger. The same words appeared on Leon’s mirror, only reversed.

Leon understood. What these two mirrors displayed was the image that the other mirror should have reflected. Each holding one of these magic mirrors, it was as though they were looking at one another through a pane of glass.

“Can this mirror transmit sound?” Leon asked.

“It can, but you must speak very close to the surface for the two mirrors to resonate clearly. Using it for eavesdropping like the Secret God Emblem would be quite difficult,” Weiss said, tapping her mirror. Leon’s mirror emitted the same “tap tap” sound in response. “Of course, if you’re uneasy, you can seal it away somewhere secure when not in use. If there’s something you need to communicate, you can leave a written message on the mirror. The other person will see it.”

In that way, as long as the mirror was stored securely, they could retrieve it when needed to see each other’s messages, or arrange a suitable time for a face-to-face conversation through it.

Weiss carefully explained other precautions regarding the use of the magic mirror. After listening, Leon could not help but sigh. “This feels even more impressive than those teleportation divine arts. Even ordinary people can use it.”

At that, a faint, almost imperceptible bitter smile curved Weiss’s lips. “It’s not quite comparable. Teleportation divine arts can transmit objects after advancing in rank. Moreover, the Church doesn’t actually encourage the development of tools like this. The College of Cardinals prefers sacred artifacts that only Blessing Recipients can use and that carry a certain threshold. When I first proposed this mirror, the plan was shelved. I completed it privately.”

“Those people are truly blind. Something that ordinary people can use has far greater practical value!” Leon said.

If this could be mass-produced, this world would enter the era of mobile communication ahead of time—complete with video calls. It was practically an epoch-making invention!

“It’s too early to speak of practical value. This device requires rare materials and the sealing of Blessing power to create. The cost is extremely high. I’ve only made this one pair. Don’t lose it, and don’t let anyone else see it!” Weiss warned.

“Understood.” Leon nodded earnestly.

“In the future, when you have time, would you mind discussing your academic research with me? To propose such an Atomic Structure Conjecture, you must have studied quite a few related cutting-edge theories, right?” There was light in Weiss’s eyes as she spoke.

Leon realized that Weiss’s decision to give him this magic mirror was not merely for convenient communication about the medicine’s efficacy. She was genuinely interested in him as a person.

“Of course,” Leon agreed, silently praying that the knowledge he remembered would be enough to maintain his scholarly persona.

“Actually, regarding the atomic model you proposed, I have some thoughts—” Weiss eagerly began discussing it on the spot.

After a long while, the carriage stopped at the entrance of a secluded, deserted alley.

After bidding farewell to Weiss, Leon stepped down from the carriage and watched it depart.

Looking around to confirm there was no one nearby, Leon took out his pocket watch and opened it. To his surprise, it was already past eight-thirty.

They had talked for that long—

If he departed from Hamel Town now and returned to Arend Island, then went up the mountain to the house near the Labyrinth, it would likely be after eleven.

Before leaving, he had sent word to Rena, informing her that he had urgent matters to handle and would be back late. Still, even he had not expected it to be this late.

He wondered whether Rena would already be asleep by then—