What Witch? This Alchemist is Breaking Bad!

Leon nodded to Bishop Weiss in greeting. When he had been wearing that emblem capable of being used for eavesdropping, he had truly felt uncomfortable all over.

Even now, having arrived here, he still felt somewhat uneasy. He fumbled over himself again, even though he had already checked repeatedly.

“This carriage is absolutely safe. I also inspected the surroundings in advance. You can rest assured.” Bishop Weiss gently touched the wall of the carriage. The runes engraved upon it flickered faintly, appearing and disappearing in a subtle glow.

Leon realized that this carriage was far from ordinary. Since Weiss had said it was absolutely safe, there should indeed be some form of protection in place.

Only then did he finally relax slightly.

“So at the time, you meant that someone was monitoring us?” Bishop Weiss confirmed with Leon.

“At the time, I was carrying the emblem given by Bishop Beckett. With it, I could contact him. I believe he could hear our conversation. I’ve already returned the emblem now. It wouldn’t have been appropriate for him to know about our previous meeting in this carriage,” Leon said.

“Bishop Beckett does indeed possess the Blessing of the divine art of Shadow Passage, just as I suspected,” Bishop Weiss understood at once.

“Shadow Passage? That’s the kind of divine art that can transmit sound?” Leon asked for confirmation.

“Yes. Were you carrying it during a mission at the time? According to Church regulations, Bishop Beckett should have informed you proactively that you must not carry the emblem while speaking with me.” Weiss showed a puzzled expression. “Or was that precisely what he instructed?”

Since this divine art of the Secret God could be used for eavesdropping, the Church naturally imposed restrictions on it.

Except in situations strictly required for missions, a Transcendent who possessed such a Blessing was prohibited from using it to eavesdrop on other Church personnel without permission—especially superiors. Weiss’s rank was slightly higher than Beckett’s.

If Bishop Beckett had asked Leon to carry the emblem, it was undoubtedly a violation of regulations. However, as long as no confidential matters were involved, it would not be considered a serious offense.

Leon nodded. He had no intention of taking the blame for Bishop Beckett in this matter.

“What was the reason?” Bishop Weiss asked.

“I’m not entirely sure. Do you have any past conflicts with him? Or differences in ideology?” Leon asked in return.

Although he had quietly informed Weiss about Bishop Beckett’s eavesdropping, the specific reason involved the Earl, so he could not explain too clearly.

The fact that he was manufacturing Mana for the Earl absolutely could not be hinted at.

“I have had no real interactions with Bishop Beckett. However—within the Church of the God of War, there are indeed many who oppose us,” Bishop Weiss said after a moment’s thought.

“You mean your school of thought?” Leon ventured.

“Yes. Our school has long been criticized within the Church. It is not easy to change long-held traditional views.” A trace of melancholy crossed Weiss’s expression. “Did Bishop Beckett ever mention this to you?”

“He mentioned it once. He said your school is called the Rose School, and he even advised that even if I were interested in academic research, it would be best not to join you,” Leon replied.

“That is no surprise.” Weiss fell into thought.

If Weiss concluded on her own that Bishop Beckett had eavesdropped because he opposed the Rose School on traditional grounds, that would naturally be best for Leon. That way, it would not involve the Earl—or Leon himself.

Moreover, it was not a lie. The explanation Bishop Beckett had given was indeed opposition to the Rose School—though not out of adherence to tradition, but because it threatened the interests of the Earl behind him.

Still, Leon remained curious about why the Earl was hostile toward Archbishop Rogers and Bishop Weiss. During his conversation with Bishop Beckett, the most useful information he had obtained was that the matter had more to do with Weiss’s father, Archbishop Rogers.

After some thought, Leon decided to probe cautiously. “However, he did mention Archbishop Rogers.”

Weiss showed a look of surprise.

“Your Excellency, if I recall correctly, Archbishop Rogers is your—”

“He is my father,” Weiss admitted calmly. Within the Church, it was not uncommon for a bishop’s child to become a bishop, or a knight’s child to become a knight. Family inheritance was entirely natural in this country.

“When Bishop Beckett mentioned you, he also mentioned Archbishop Rogers. But he didn’t explain any connection between them. Do you have any idea? I mean no ulterior motive—just that since Bishop Beckett recommended me for the qualification to take the Fully Appointed Assessment, I ought to pay some attention to his connections,” Leon offered a reasonable excuse.

“I cannot imagine what connection he might have with my father. They are not in the same department, and there is quite a difference in rank,” Bishop Weiss replied, equally perplexed.

“Could it be related to the Rose School?” Leon tested further.

Although the Rose School currently posed no real threat, if it had the backing of Archbishop Rogers—who was on the verge of becoming a Cardinal—that would be a different matter.

From Bishop Beckett’s description, this was the only possibility Leon could think of. Though Beckett had denied that Archbishop Rogers belonged to the Rose School, Leon still wanted to confirm carefully with Weiss.

But Weiss immediately denied it. “That is unlikely. My father opposes our school of thought. Everyone in the Church knows this. Even in private, he has always tried to persuade me to withdraw from the Rose School, saying I would only invite disaster upon myself.

“My father is a rigid and upright man. He leans toward strict suppression of heresy. In his younger days, he even served as an Inquisitor. I have heard he achieved considerable results in punishing heretics.”

“He actually served as an Inquisitor? Archbishop Rogers?” Leon was surprised.

“That was long ago. I do not know the details. I only heard it from others. Because of our differing ideologies, we seldom communicate,” Bishop Weiss said evenly.

“But when he went on pilgrimage before, he had you accompany him,” Leon noted.

If he feared she would invite disaster, then Archbishop Rogers likely cared about his daughter.

“He does not support my ideals, but within the Church he is still willing to support me. Among his children, I suppose I am the one who has achieved the most results,” Weiss replied.

Having once served as an Inquisitor—could he have crossed paths with the Earl during the advancement of his enterprise? Leon pondered inwardly.

However, Weiss seemed unfamiliar with that period of her father’s career. He could not probe too deeply, nor could he bring up the Earl. It seemed he would have to investigate further on his own.

Leon lifted his head. “Your Excellency, regarding today’s matter, could I ask you not to tell anyone else?”

“Of course,” Bishop Weiss nodded.

If the matter of Bishop Beckett’s eavesdropping were exposed, he would eventually learn that Leon had betrayed him.

Leon had taken a risk in deliberately warning Weiss. This matter also touched upon their previous private meeting, when Weiss had given Leon a Magical Potion formula. That further involved her unauthorized research and even the crime of encouraging others to use Magical Potions. Naturally, Weiss would not report Beckett’s minor violation only to implicate herself and Leon as well.

“By the way, did you use the medicine I gave you last time?” Without the risk of eavesdropping, Weiss could finally mention their previous meeting.

“Thanks to you, I have already recovered,” Leon said with a smile.

Although in the end he had recovered by gaining the power to transform into a Werewolf, he was still deeply grateful for Weiss’s risk in giving him the formula.

“That is wonderful.” Weiss nodded. “Then how is Sally Hesh’s condition?”

“For now, it is about the same. But she seems able to hold on for a while longer,” Leon replied vaguely.

He had been secretly medicating Seri, something impossible without Bishop Beckett’s tacit approval. This also involved the terms between him and the Earl, so he could not explain it to Weiss.

Weiss looked away, hesitating briefly before speaking. “This afternoon, when I tried to persuade you to take a position at the Saint Rosalia Research Institute, aside from wanting you to participate in the Creator Church’s research on Atomic Theory, I had another purpose. I had intended to transfer both you and Sally Hesh there. But since you chose to remain here, I assume you intend to take over the position currently being held in acting capacity by Bishop Beckett?”

“Yes. That is my plan,” Leon answered.

“May I ask to what extent you intend to help that lady?” Weiss asked seriously.

“To what extent?” Leon did not quite understand.

“I mean, once you become Director of the Inquisition here, you will have direct authority over the prison where Sally Hesh is detained. Do you intend to have her receive treatment within the prison? I mean methods other than Holy Water,” Weiss asked earnestly.

“Well, if the conditions are sufficient—” Leon chose his words carefully.

He had long been secretly medicating Seri and intended to continue giving her special care after becoming Director. He was uncertain of Weiss’s purpose, but since she had previously given him a Magical Potion formula and had shown interest in researching a Special Medicine for Saltification Disease, he felt there was no harm in revealing a little of his intention.

“If there were a new treatment plan—even if it carried some risk—would you still be willing?” Weiss pressed further.

“Your Excellency, what exactly do you mean?” Leon frowned slightly.

Her words sounded as though she already had a new treatment plan and only needed his approval as Director of the Inquisition to secretly administer it to Seri.

“—” Weiss did not answer. Instead, she gently loosened her collar and slipped her hand inside, as if searching for her necklace pendant.

Then she drew out a small black vial hanging from her necklace.

Leon’s eyes widened in surprise. He remembered that Weiss was accustomed to hiding contraband in that very place.

“What is that?” Leon asked.

“This is a prototype I improved based on the formula left behind by Sally Hesh, designed to treat Saltification Disease,” Weiss said slowly. “From a purely theoretical standpoint, it has a chance to cure Saltification Disease.”