The Church of Storms has finally taken action on Bansy Harbor? Klein clenched his fist and placed it to his mouth before coughing. He asked calmly without any qualms, âWhat happened?â
Elland didnât notice any abnormal reaction from Gehrman Sparrow. He retracted his gaze and surveyed the area.
âI donât know what exactly happened. I only know that it mightâve involved the upper echelons of the Church of Storms.
âAnd for a period of time before that, all routes that lead to Bansy Harbor were canceled. This mightâve been a so-called omen.â
Involved the upper echelons of the Church of Storms? No, it should be the most elite forces. I suspect that the pontiff of the Church of Storms, that Grounded Angel, had personally taken action. He mightâve even used a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact. After all, he might be facing a King of Angels, one thatâs even older than the Fourth Epoch, as well as âHisâ descendants⊠Klein nodded and calmly asked, âWhatâs the outcome?â
He wasnât the least bit surprised that the Church of Storms had only taken action on Bansy Harbor in the past few days. Even though the Mandated Punishers were known for being rash and irascible, there was still a protocol that needed to be followed for serious matters like this. For example, they needed to make a confirmation, evacuate a portion of innocent residents, or seal off the surrounding sea. All of this needed time.
Elland was unable to read Gehrman Sparrowâs true emotions as he sighed with a smile.
âThere wonât be a Bansy Harbor for a very long period of time.â
⊠As expected of the Church of Storms⊠Klein secretly clicked his tongue, feeling even more curious about the detailed process.
He wanted to know whether Red Angel Medici had appeared, and if âHeâ really was sleeping near Bansy Harbor. He wanted to know if âHeâ had been wiped out by the Church of Storms and wished to know what happened to the natives in Bansy Harbor. He wanted to know what it meant for them to speak in such a staccato manner, and he wished to know what secrets were hidden in the Green Lemon Restaurant and the telegraph office.
Unfortunately, with Bansy Harborâs destruction, it was difficult for him to obtain any actual answers.
Perhaps the internal record of the Church of Storms would mention them, but Klein had no way of getting them. With The Hanged Manâs rank, there was no way he could gain access to such confidential information.
Iâll have to nurture Mr. Hanged Man into a High-Sequence demigod before I can know the answers to my questions⊠Klein sighed silently and said without a change in expression, âThat place is indeed very dangerousâŠâ
Before he finished his sentence, his throat itched as he coughed violently.
âYou fell ill?â Elland asked, puzzled.
He originally imagined that Gehrman Sparrow was like him, a Beyonder whose physique had been considerably enhanced. It was unlikely for Beyonders like them to fall ill before they grew weak from age. But from the looks of it, his previous guess mightâve been wrong.
Klein answered tersely without giving an explanation.
A question of no value or meaning⊠It would be odd if he isnât ill after an intense battle with Ailment Maiden⊠Danitz grumbled in contempt from the side.
Elland chuckled and said, âI can recommend you an Apothecary thatâs better than a hospital or clinic.
âThatâs his Beyonder job. He has a tiny herb store in the alley diagonally across Red Theater. Heh, heâs known for selling male enhancements, but thatâs not what heâs best at.â
Does every Apothecary develop such medicine? Thatâs right. Itâs absolutely one of the most profitable medicine based businesses. Itâs only odd not to do it if theyâre capable of doing it⊠Klein nodded slightly in response.
âWhy havenât I heard of him?â Danitz asked, surprised.
âHe only came to Bayam in the past few months. When was your last visit here in the City of Generosity?â Elland asked with a chuckle.
When I took your crappy boat⊠Danitz answered silently in his mind.
He carefully recalled and discovered that in the past few months, apart from this period of time, he had passed by Bayam once during the early days of his vacation. At other times, he was drifting out at sea in search of treasure. Otherwise, he was at other places or harbors enjoying himself, so it was true that he wasnât aware of any minor changes in the City of Generosity.
âIâve already spent quite a few days in Bayam. Iâve been to the Red Theater several times, but Iâve not heard anything about this Apothecary! This can only serve to imply that his male enhancement medicines are limited in effect!â Danitz bragged as he said stubbornly.
Elland smiled and didnât debate with the great pirate. Instead, he said to Gehrman Sparrow, âIf itâs only an ordinary ailment, the Apothecary will only charge a slight premium.
âAnd for you, it doesnât matter if itâs expensive. Whatâs most important is to recover your health as quickly as possible. No adventurer wishes to stay in a sick state. This implies danger and that you might become the target of someone else. It implies the increased risk of losing control.â
Indeed, maintaining a good state is a rather important matter for Beyonders. However, the price is still very important, alright? If that Apothecary were to charge 1,000 pounds, then I might as well buy medicine from the hospital. Or I can describe the situation of my illness and get that vampire, Emlyn White, to make me some medicine! Although I already have 6,000 pounds in savings and have several Beyonder characteristics, I still need to consider it. I still want to add a mystical item with lethal offensive power and seek out clues to the High-Sequence potion formula⊠Klein mumbled inwardly.
High-Sequence potion formulas were impossible to put a price on in this mysterious world. Therefore, Klein only thought of buying the relevant clues.
After Elland left, Klein took the 700 pounds and gave Danitz 200 pounds.
Wearing his hat and holding his cane, he coughed and wiped his snot before stepping out the door in preparation to take a carriage to the vicinity of the Red Theater.
Danitz was very curious about the Apothecaryâs medicine. He pasted two mustaches on his face, wore a cap, and followed. With Kleinâs guidance, he already knew that using a scarf to hide his face was an act that strongly attracted attention in Bayam. He took his advice to buy some fake mustaches.
âŠ
In the alley diagonally across the Red Theater, the moment Klein entered, he saw a man furtively come out of a nameless herb store. The moment the man saw someone, he hurriedly lowered his head and rushed off.
Donât worry. We wonât be guessing what medicine youâre buying⊠Klein coughed twice again, increased his pace, and walked into the dark herb store.
He scanned the area and was surprised because the boss was someone he knew.
The boss was wearing a black robe that resembled a village witch doctor. He was in his thirties, with black hair and brown eyes. His face was round and his body chubby. He was none other than the chubby Apothecary who often liked to use sarcasm at the gathering held by Old Mister Eye of Wisdom in Backlund. Klein had once recognized him at a circus.
He stopped showing up at Old Mister Eye of Wisdomâs Beyonder gathering because he left Backlund⊠Klein coughed and took two steps forward.
âMake some medicine for me.â
On the chubby Apothecaryâs shoulder stood a round-eyed owl. The man and the bird looked up at the same time at Klein.
After a brief examination, the chubby Apothecary revealed a warm smile.
âFriend, itâs cold outside. Donât do those deeds out in the open, although itâs true that it can be rather exciting.â
What the hell⊠Klein was first stumped before he understood what he was getting at.
When batting Tracy, I was influenced by her Pleasure powers. Blood flowed down to my nether regions, and my desires undulated. This resulted in my body emptying out, making it faster and easier for the ailment to strike me. When escaping, the ice-cold sea was fine since I had theurgical spells protecting me. But the wind on the way back was rather cold. It worsened my sickness. In conclusion, doesnât this look like getting sick as a result of having pleasure out in the open? As expected of a Apothecary; he has sharp eyes⊠Klein maintained a composed expression and just looked at him without answering him. All he did was wait for him to concoct the medicine.
Danitz turned his head to look out the herb store as he held back his laughter with great difficulty.
What dogsh*t Apothecary is this? He canât even distinguish the ailments released by Ailment Maiden! he thought in glee.
When the chubby Apothecary didnât get a response, he dully opened some cabinets, took out some common or strange herbs and insect carapaces, stuffed them into a paper bag, and handed it over.
âPut it all in water and cook it for half an hour. Drink the liquid thatâs left over.
â4 soli.â
Itâs a little expensive⊠Klein glanced at Danitz.
The latter immediately took out the money automatically.
As the chubby Apothecary collected the money, he bent his back and suppressed his voice to say with a chuckle, âI have medicine that can make you stand out in that area. The kind that has mummy powder added. Need it? I guarantee you that youâll be satisfied.
âI know you might be very strong, but men always seek to be stronger.â
Firstly, I need to have a girlfriend⊠Klein coldly shook his head and rejected the chubby Apothecaryâs recommendation.
The chubby Apothecary straightened his back in disappointment.
He turned his gaze and sized up the two before asking, âAre the both of you adventurers?â
âYes,â Klein answered simply.
The chubby Apothecary rubbed his hands and said, âI have a request, but youâll only be paid after completing it.â
âHow big is the reward?â Klein pinched his nose.
â100 pounds!â the chubby Apothecary shouted as his heart pained for the money. âHelp me find someone. His name is Roy King. Heâs my teacher. He got me to meet him here, but I havenât seen him after waiting for months. And I have no way of contacting him.â
âIs there a portraitâCough! Or a photograph?â Klein inquired.
The chubby Apothecary took out a photograph from a secret pouch by his waist and handed it over.
It was of a relatively young man. His hair was neatly combed back and he wore glasses. He appeared very gentlemanly.
âYour teacher?â Klein asked.
I might believe it if youâre the teacherâŠ
The chubby Apothecary coughed dryly and said, âHeâs at least sixty, but he looks young.â
A Beyonder power or a mystical item? Klein nodded in thought and began asking about the specifics.
After confirming that there werenât any items he could use to divine, he took the paper bag and left the store.
After he disappeared from the alley, the owl standing on the chubby Apothecaryâs shoulder suddenly said, âDarkwill, that guy might know you.â