What Witch? This Alchemist is Breaking Bad!

“In fact, this is Inquisitor Leon Set. He has something he would like to consult you about.” There were only the three of them in the room, so Archbishop Kulik immediately clarified Leon’s identity to Lamia.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to meet you, Miss Lamia.” Leon politely greeted Lamia.

He could tell that although Lamia was confined to this area, she was actually being treated with considerable “courtesy”. The Church clearly placed great importance on her value, satisfying her conditions as much as possible, letting her live in a cell that could practically be called a presidential suite, and even assigning maids to serve her.

And Leon himself also hoped to obtain intelligence from Lamia, so naturally he needed to establish a good relationship with her as well.

But Lamia did not seem particularly receptive to this. After glancing at Leon, she said to Archbishop Kulik: “Another one who wants to dig some intelligence out of me? Dealing with the Tribunal’s people is already annoying enough. Stop constantly adding troublesome matters for me.”

“Sorry, but it will still take some time for the new bed to be delivered. Just treat it as something to pass the time.” Archbishop Kulik smiled apologetically, then gave Leon a look.

Leon understood and took out 《Origins of Nemesis》, showing it to Lamia.

“Inquisitor Set discovered this book while investigating a case. If you know anything about it, we hope you can tell us a little.” Archbishop Kulik asked Lamia.

“《Origins of Nemesis》 written by Stella, High Priestess of the Vengeance Sect? Isn’t this a reference book?” Lamia casually said.

“A reference book?” Archbishop Kulik immediately became somewhat interested.

“This is a work from one of the former branch sects of the Abyssal Church. It was selected for inclusion in teaching materials and used as a reference book by some priests studying theology. But well, the Vengeance Sect’s ideology is relatively radical, so there aren’t many scholars who recognize this reference book.” Lamia said.

Leon estimated that Ophelia possessed this book most likely because Arachne had given it to her, or perhaps it was a reference book she had brought back while studying in Moiland.

This book was actually not of much value to him, but scholars of the Rose School would probably be rather interested in it.

“The ancient script used in this book is rather obscure. I wonder if we might ask for your guidance?” Archbishop Kulik made a request to Lamia.

“Huh?” Lamia immediately showed an expression of finding it troublesome, “You want me to translate it for you? I don’t even like the Vengeance Sect. Books like this make me sleepy just looking at them.”

“I’ll first try deciphering it myself. I’ll organize the portions that require your help interpreting. Would that be acceptable?” Archbishop Kulik tried negotiating.

“If you supply me with some alcohol, I could help you.” Lamia sat down on a chair and crossed one leg over the other, beginning to negotiate terms as well.

“According to regulations, that wouldn’t be very appropriate.” Archbishop Kulik hesitated.

“Is researching this compliant with the rules? Theological works from Moiland count as heretical ideology here, don’t they?” Lamia said.

“Well……” Archbishop Kulik glanced somewhat concernedly at Leon.

Allowing a transaction with Lamia in front of someone else ultimately carried the risk of giving others leverage over him. Although he did believe Leon was unlikely to tell anyone, since Leon’s very meeting with Lamia this time had only happened because Kulik had bent the rules for him, it was still something he had to be somewhat cautious about.

“I’ll go organize my thoughts first. You two talk.” Leon immediately read the situation and left the room.

“I’ll think of a way to get a bottle of wine delivered in. A good one.” Archbishop Kulik said.

“A barrel.” Lamia made an outrageous demand.

“There’s no way I can get that inside!” Archbishop Kulik sighed, “Two bottles, no more than that. My authority is limited too!”

“Fine, deal.” Lamia finally relented, “Come find me once you’ve organized it.”

“Thank you.” Archbishop Kulik thanked her, “Next, Inquisitor Set may have some matters he wishes to consult you about. I hope you can listen to him for a bit.”

“I’m not in the mood to listen to someone dig for intelligence today. Tell him to leave.” Lamia casually replied.

She did not display the slightest dislike toward the stranger who had come to visit, she simply found it troublesome.

And when she had been groggy from sleep earlier, she had inexplicably overlapped this stranger with Alice from her nightmare. Thinking back on it now was somewhat embarrassing.

She actually did not really want to deal with this person just now.

“Inquisitor Set is investigating a case that may possibly be connected to the Witches’ Assembly, and perhaps…… may even be connected to Weiss’s incident. Weiss used to think quite highly of this Inquisitor. They had some acquaintance. If you know anything that could help him investigate the case, please offer him a little guidance.” Archbishop Kulik tried speaking on Leon’s behalf.

Hearing Weiss’s name, Lamia was slightly moved.

Weiss had not appeared here for a very long time. She already knew about the incident that had occurred in the Archdiocese, as well as the possibility that Arachne had been involved.

“Fine, let him come in.” Lamia gave in.

Archbishop Kulik breathed a sigh of relief, took his leave of Lamia, and walked out of the room. Leon was still waiting outside.

“She’s willing to see you, only five minutes. As for your evidence, lend it to me for now.” Kulik lowered his voice and said to Leon. He needed to find a way to copy this heretical book as quickly as possible for research.

“Thank you, Your Excellency Archbishop.” Leon bowed to Archbishop Kulik, then walked into the room.

As soon as he entered, he saw Lamia sitting in the chair with her arms folded, her eyes narrowed, her head tilted to one side. She actually looked as though she had already begun dozing off.

Leon could not help but be surprised. From the time Bishop Kulik stepped out to when he entered, barely more than ten seconds had passed, yet Lamia had already started getting sleepy.

“Madam Lamia?” Leon tried calling out to her.

“Mm……” Lamia replied drowsily, “I still hadn’t slept enough earlier. Keep it brief.”

Could she really hold a normal conversation like this? Leon was somewhat doubtful.

No wonder Weiss had said that aside from alcohol and erotic books, she also liked Magical Potions with stimulating effects. With this mental state, she truly did need something to perk herself up.

Leon thought for a moment, checked the door behind him, then finally pulled open his collar and took out the novel hidden against his body beneath his clothes, raising it to show Lamia.

“……” Lamia’s eyes were half-open. She seemed to be looking at the book in Leon’s hand, yet also seemed to be mentally drifting somewhere far away.

Just as Leon began wondering whether Lamia had not seen it clearly or simply was not interested at all, Lamia finally reacted a little and slowly opened her eyes wider.

“This is?” Lamia finally seemed somewhat more awake, “Flaubert’s new work?”

“A small token of sincerity. I hope you’ll accept it.” Seeing that Lamia had become interested, Leon naturally followed up.

Lamia blinked, then shifted her gaze back to Leon, her expression taking on a hint of curiosity: “Ordinary people wouldn’t think of giving something like this as a gift. How did you know I like this author’s books?”

“Since I was coming to meet you, it was only natural that I should inquire a little about your preferences.” Leon replied.

“Not bad, kid. You know how things work. Pass it through over there.” Lamia pointed to the side.

There was actually a small opening in the transparent barrier, with counters on both sides. It was used to pass meals and small objects to Lamia.

Leon passed the book through the small opening and placed it on the inner counter.

Lamia remained seated comfortably in the chair. With a lift of her hand, an extraordinarily long snake emerged from the sleeve of her formal dress, shooting over like a launched rope. The snake bit down on the book, then retracted, bringing it into Lamia’s hand.

Afterward, Lamia began flipping through it with great interest.

At first Leon thought Lamia was merely giving it a cursory inspection, so he patiently waited for more than ten seconds. But when he saw Lamia turn a page with obvious relish, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

“Miss Lamia?” Leon tried calling her.

“Ah!” Lamia snapped back to reality, then smiled somewhat awkwardly and closed the book for the moment, “Sorry, I forgot about you!”

“……” Leon did not know how to evaluate that.

He did not sense any contempt from Lamia, but this Witch seemed to be the type who easily lost herself in whatever she was doing.

“Other than Weiss, nobody was willing to help bring this sort of thing in for me. I heard you know Weiss too?” Lamia asked naturally.

“Yes.” Leon nodded.

“Did she really die at Arachne’s hands?” Lamia confirmed with Leon.

“Based on what the Church currently knows, that is very likely.” Leon could only answer like this. He certainly could not reveal that he was hiding Weiss on Arend Island.

“Arachne, huh, hmph!” At the mention of Arachne, Lamia’s face showed a somewhat displeased expression, “I heard what you want to ask me about is related to Arachne?”

“Yes. I’ve recently been investigating what appears to be a gang smuggling Mana into the Empire. That 《Origins of Nemesis》 was seized from them, and there were also some other heretical items.

I suspect they’re connected to the Witches’ Assembly, perhaps serving as a Mana smuggling channel established by the Witches’ Assembly within the Empire. Arachne was previously active in the Empire, so I suspect it may be connected to her.” Leon said.

“I already told the Church about this before. Regarding the Nemesis Agency organizing the Ailander Restoration Faction, the Witches’ Assembly relied on people from that faction to distribute Magical Potions and raise funds. But after the war, the Empire should have wiped them all out, right? As for the gang you mentioned, I don’t know anything about it.” Lamia said.

It had originally been because of Lamia’s betrayal that the Empire learned the Witches’ Assembly had secretly supported the Ailander Restoration Faction in the Eastern Region of the Empire, which then triggered the war ten years ago.

“Yes, which is why we speculate that the Witches’ Assembly must have found a new channel.” Leon introduced part of the intelligence to Lamia. Lamia had defected twelve years ago, so she most likely did not know about the connection that had formed between the Earl and the Witches’ Assembly during these ten years, “Arachne seemed to have had a direct connection with the Ailander Restoration Faction in the past. Now she has once again been active within the Empire, so I suspect she might have some connection to this gang.”

“But this kind of business wasn’t Arachne’s responsibility. She doesn’t have the brains for it. She handles sabotage work. Back then, the one mainly responsible for the business network on the Empire’s side……”

Lamia paused as she spoke, “Was Dorothy.”

“Dorothy?” Hearing the name of this new Great Witch, Leon immediately focused his attention.

Judging by Lamia’s meaning, this Dorothy had originally been the person responsible for Magical Potion smuggling within the Empire.

But after the war, she had been replaced by Arachne, who had established cooperation with the Earl.

“Could you please tell me about this person in detail?” Leon requested.