Chapter 44: “2-081”

Chapter Forty-Four“2-081”

…A godlike reason…

Upon hearing the Apothecary’s answer, even Klein, a Clown, failed to control the change in his expression. Fortunately, an iron mask still covered his face.

The Apothecary did not notice Klein’s reaction, nor the old gentleman Eye of Wisdom’s. He continued rambling on his own.

“That is why I like Backlund so much. There are so many streetwalkers here. They haunt the areas outside music halls and theaters. They wait in streets and alleys. Some are professionals, some are part-time, originally factory girls or maids, each with a different flavor. It is said that in certain parts of the West Borough, occasionally even bankrupt noble young ladies appear. Truly something to yearn for.”

“…”

Klein pushed the iron mask covering the upper half of his face and quickly changed the subject.

“Did your teacher have objections to your choice?”

The Apothecary shook his head slightly.

“No. After he finished teaching me herbal knowledge, he kicked me out of the door and told me to travel the continent and experience life. Damn it, he did not even tell me where to find the potion ingredients for the later Sequences!”

At this point, the Apothecary looked toward Klein and added, “If you know where there are pith crystals from the Elven Spring, please be sure to tell me. I will pay compensation. Of course, you can also buy them first and sell them to me at a higher price. You are a lucky fellow. Perhaps you can help me fulfill my wish.”

“All right,” Klein casually agreed. Thoughtfully, he asked, “At that time, can I exchange it for the Apothecary potion formula?”

In his view, Apothecary was an extremely useful support profession, one that could be used to cultivate helpers.

The not-quite-fat, merely rather round Apothecary swiftly shook his head.

“No!”

“I can only teach my students.”

Is this a rule of the Life School of Thought? Perhaps there is even an oath sworn under the witness of some hidden existence…

Klein thought without surprise.

Just then, the Apothecary gave a heh.

“But I can tell you where you can obtain the Apothecary formula. It is right here in Backlund.”

“Excellent.”

Klein found this quite a pleasant surprise.

Seeing that the old gentleman Eye of Wisdom seemed about to speak and see them out again, Klein hastily asked, “Mr. Apothecary, do you have any potions that treat mental frenzy and similar problems?”

Klein was acting this out for Miss Bodyguard, making her even more certain that he had suffered a slight influence from the True Creator, had become a potential madman, and was now working hard to seek treatment.

“Yes. Sedatives. Ten soli each. I will bring you four at the next gathering. Believe me, they are absolutely far more useful than the hospital kind. I add some spiritual materials,” the Apothecary answered without hesitation.

That is really expensive… In Tingen’s underground market, hospital sedatives cost one to two soli each. Varieties flowing from the Nighthawks, Mandated Punishers, and Machinery Hivemind squads were four to five soli each…

While thoughts flashed through Klein’s mind, he acted the part to the end and turned toward Eye of Wisdom.

“Honored sir, may I attend the next gathering?”

“Yes. Your performance these two times has proven your good will. Young man, pay attention to the Backlund Morning Post every day. When the fifth page has an advertisement about Ernst Firm purchasing goods, that means there will be a gathering here at eight o’clock the next evening. The weight of the knocks and the intervals between them are determined by the offered price. The first number is the number of heavy knocks, the second is the number of light knocks, the third is the number of long pauses, and the fourth is the number of short pauses. Anything after that is meaningless.”

The old gentleman Eye of Wisdom nodded.

After describing the information, he sighed.

“Beyonders who are not official and have no organization do not live as beautifully as you…