What Witch? This Alchemist is Breaking Bad!

“Quite an excessive father, isn’t he? Letting a daughter who cannot stand in the light help him manage businesses that cannot stand in the light.” Ophelia said to Leon in a self-mocking tone.

Leon listened, considered his wording, and replied, “But looking at it another way, aren’t those most important businesses of the Earl intended to be entrusted to you for inheritance?”

Running a Mana trade underground and maintaining connections with the Great Witches of Moirland, to the Church, the Earl Foyle was undoubtedly a heretic among heretics.

Yet according to the information Leon had, there were no internal records about him within the Inquisition. Instead, there were rumors that the upper echelons of the Church knew his identity but dared not touch him. This was likely thanks to the network of connections the Earl Foyle had cultivated within the Church.

On the surface, the Earl Foyle remained a glamorous grand lord. His other family members showed no signs of involvement in Underworld business. His eldest son studied at a Church school in the Central Diocese of the Imperial Capital, while his twelve-year-old younger son still lived within the territory. The Countess was the daughter of a powerful Marquis from the eastern region.

The Earl Foyle’s legitimate industries within his territory were enough to keep his current family prosperous for several generations. They had no need to interfere in underground dealings.

Yet the underground kingdom he had built with his own hands was not something that could simply be abandoned.

If Ophelia was indeed the child of the Earl and the Witch who had sacrificed herself twenty years ago, then she should be his eldest child. She had accompanied him since he was merely an Apprentice Knight, yet she was an illegitimate daughter who could not be publicly acknowledged. Even if made known, under the laws of the Empire, the inheritance rights of illegitimate children were not protected.

Judging from the fact that she had become a Witch and was here conducting an inspection on the Earl’s behalf, she had likely begun helping him manage this side of the business long ago.

In that case, she should be the heir to the underground kingdom the Earl had built.

“Let me make a hypothetical. If I inherited my father’s enterprises, what would you think?” Ophelia asked, a subtle smile on her face.

Leon considered. It was not his place to comment on the Earl’s choice of heir, so he selected a prudent response. “I would continue to do my own duties well, whether for the Earl or for you.”

“Fenrir, have you seriously considered your own future in this line of work?” Ophelia suddenly asked.

What did she mean?

Leon could not quite grasp her purpose. After thinking it over, he replied, “This venture here has only just begun. The matters at hand are already more than enough to keep me busy. I haven’t considered things that far ahead for now.”

“Sounds like you’re a diligent worker. I hope that’s what I’ll see inside the Labyrinth as well,” Ophelia said.

“I will do my best not to disappoint you,” Leon replied.

The carriage arrived at the mine. Passing through the gates of the fortified settlement, they made their way to the Labyrinth entrance. Leon helped Ophelia down from the carriage and first gave her a brief tour of the mining stronghold.

“So this was originally the territory of Viscount Arend? And you’re merely stationed here under the pretext of an Inquisition investigation, while renting their pier?” Ophelia asked after hearing the situation.

“That’s correct,” Leon answered.

“Sounds like the local lord could become a hidden danger. Why not simply kill Viscount Arend and his heir? Hold them underwater until they drown, throw them ashore, then find a few witnesses to say they saw their boat run aground. Given the destitute state you described, no one would look too closely.

Their land would be reclaimed and auctioned off again. With my father’s help behind the scenes, we could acquire the territory. Or are you planning to purchase his title by marrying Viscount Arend’s daughter?” Ophelia asked Leon.

Leon paused slightly. Ophelia had proposed murdering Viscount Arend and his daughter as casually as if discussing breakfast, even listing it as the primary option.

It was clear that such murder was an ordinary method to her. Only at this moment did Leon truly realize that although she appeared to be a young, fragile woman, Ophelia carried the blood of that supreme ruler of the Underworld, and she was the heir personally groomed by the Earl.

“Viscount Arend is a very manipulable fool. He was once set up by a local gang and incurred gambling debts of thirty million. I’m dealing with him through his Creditor’s Representative, and the results have been good. There’s no need to go that far for now,” Leon replied.

“And what about marrying his daughter to obtain the title?” Ophelia pressed.

“I haven’t considered it for the time being,” Leon answered.

“Is that so? That’s just as well.” Ophelia seemed thoughtful, then shifted her gaze toward the mine entrance. “Take me into the Labyrinth.”

“Of course.” Leon led her inside.

They passed through the long, narrow Tunnel and entered the brightly lit interior of the Labyrinth. Leon’s subordinates were busy around the Breeding Pools.

“The Magical Beasts we mainly raise are Head-Hunting Rabbits and Slimes, which reproduce quickly and are used primarily for Mana extraction. We also cultivate organisms needed for Magical Potion products, such as Mandrake Grass and Giant Scorpions. Animal-type Magical Beasts are kept in the Breeding Pools. When slaughter is needed, we isolate the individuals, spear them from above, then retrieve the bodies. Plant-type Magical Beasts grow in the fields over there—”

Leon introduced the breeding operations within the Labyrinth.

“How many Magical Beasts are there in total?” Ophelia suddenly asked.

“Excluding cultivated plant-types, there are currently around two hundred and thirty surviving adult individuals,” Leon replied.

“For a Labyrinth of this scale, that’s rather few. How many do you expect next year after breeding?” Ophelia asked.

“The Labyrinth is still in its active phase and may yet generate new Magical Beasts. For now, we’re considering keeping the numbers at a scale we can manage simultaneously,” Leon said tactfully, expressing that he had not planned further expansion.

In truth, after becoming the Lord of the Labyrinth, whether new Magical Beasts continued to appear here was entirely under his control. As long as he kept the ambient mana stable, no new creatures would form.

However, to avoid suspicion, he periodically generated some low-level Magical Beasts throughout the Labyrinth and had his subordinates deal with them.

“You should find a solution to these issues. At present, the organization’s Mana demand is far from satisfied by your production scale. There’s still room for market expansion,” Ophelia said, clearly dissatisfied.

Folding her arms, she scanned the surroundings before shifting her gaze toward the Temple in the deepest area.

“So this is the Moilai Temple mentioned in the report? It truly is in the style of Ancient Ailanders,” Ophelia murmured. “I heard you encountered a Drake inside?”

“We suffered a bit, but fortunately Mr. Johnny stepped in and easily dealt with it,” Leon said.

“I once asked Uncle Johnny to handle some matters for me, but he didn’t give me face. Yet you, a newly joined Cadre, managed to invite him. I heard you two hit it off?” Ophelia said.

“Not quite to that extent. Whether he accepts probably depends on his mood,” Leon replied.

“That may be so.” Ophelia smiled faintly. “So your Witch and Apothecary are both inside?”

“The Apothecary is arranged in a Hidden Chamber outside. Only the Witch responsible for Mana extraction is inside,” Leon said.

“A wise choice. This Temple is best not frequented by those who are not followers of Moilai,” Ophelia nodded. “Take me to see your Mana extraction workshop.”

Leon led Ophelia into the Temple, the attendant following closely behind.

Upon entering, the Moilai Altar stood in the open space, with their workshop arranged beside it.

Rena waited inside with her face covered, having prepared the laboratory for Mana extraction. Seeing Leon bring the inspector in, she bowed somewhat nervously to Ophelia.

“You are Rena Lothark? I heard you’re only seventeen this year?” Ophelia examined her.

“Yes,” Rena replied softly.

Ophelia continued observing her with an indifferent gaze that made Rena uncomfortable.

Just as Leon was puzzled by this scrutiny, Ophelia suddenly turned to the instruments on the table and let out a soft laugh. “So you’re placing ordinary distillation equipment on the altar. How many times do you usually process it?”

“The altar here is quite efficient. One extraction and one purification are sufficient,” Leon replied.

“And that yields eighty-percent-purity Mana, relying only on those First-Level Magical Beasts?” Ophelia nodded lightly at Rena. “Impressive.”

“Thank you—” Rena answered quietly.

“Demonstrate,” Ophelia instructed.

Rena began the Mana extraction process. After observing the entire procedure with folded arms, Ophelia gave a soft, nasal chuckle. “This method certainly matches my impression of Witches who inherit their craft individually. Quite common. But the efficiency is… difficult to praise. Extracting this way leaves considerable mana residue in the crude solution. Because of that, you’re losing at least fifteen percent of your Mana.”

“We’ve made a fool of ourselves before you,” Leon replied.

“Father sent me to help you improve the process, though I find it rather troublesome.” Ophelia raised a hand, and the attendant immediately handed her a notebook. “I’ve already organized it. Study it yourselves.”

She tossed the notebook toward Leon. He caught it and flipped through. It indeed contained refined Mana extraction procedures and diagrams of required instruments—clearly more complex than simple distillation apparatus.

“Also, you should retain some unpurified Mana and blend it with the purified product to control the purity level. Magical Potions made from lower-purity Mana can be priced lower. The combined mid- and lower-tier consumer markets can generate considerable profit. That’s all the guidance I can offer,” Ophelia continued.

“Thank you for your valuable advice,” Leon said, somewhat bewildered. Improving the process in the laboratory was supposed to be the focus of this inspection, yet Ophelia seemed largely uninterested and brushed past it perfunctorily.

“There’s one last thing I want to confirm.” Ophelia suddenly raised her hand and pointed back and forth between Leon and Rena. “Answer me honestly—what exactly is the relationship between the two of you?”