Chapter 103: Buying Medicine

Chapter 103: Buying Medicine

The Church of Storms has finally acted against Bansy Harbor? Klein pressed a fist to his mouth and coughed twice. Without the slightest guilty conscience, he asked with complete calm, “What happened?”

Elland did not notice any abnormal reaction from Gehrman Sparrow. He withdrew his gaze, looked around the room, and said, “I do not know exactly what happened. I only know that it may involve the Church of Storms’ high-level powers.

“And for a period of time before this, all routes to Bansy Harbor were canceled. Perhaps that was the so-called omen.”

Involving the Church of Storms’ high-level powers? No, it should be their highest-level powers. I suspect that the Pope of the Church of Storms, that earthly angel, may have personally taken action, perhaps even using a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact. After all, the other side may have had a King of Angels—one even older than the Fourth Epoch—as well as His descendants… Klein nodded and asked evenly, “What was the result?”

He was not at all surprised that the Church of Storms had only acted against Bansy Harbor in the last few days. Even though Mandated Punishers were known for being irritable and reckless, in major matters like this, the necessary procedures still had to exist—preliminary confirmation, evacuation of innocent civilians, and blockade of the surrounding waters, for example. All of that required time.

Unable to distinguish Gehrman Sparrow’s true emotions, Elland sighed and smiled.

“For a very long time, there will no longer be a Bansy Harbor.”

…As expected of the Church of Storms… Klein clicked his tongue inwardly, full of curiosity about the detailed process.

He wanted to know whether Red Angel Medici had appeared, whether He had truly been sleeping near Bansy Harbor, and whether He had already been eliminated by the Church of Storms. He wanted to know what exactly was wrong with the native residents of Bansy Harbor, what the intermittent way of speaking represented, and what secrets were hidden inside the Lime Restaurant and the telegraph office.

Unfortunately, with Bansy Harbor destroyed, he would no longer be able to obtain any certain answers.

Perhaps the Church of Storms’ internal files would contain records, but Klein had no way to ask. With The Hanged Man’s rank, there was no chance of touching archives of such confidentiality.

I may only learn the answers to those questions after I nurture Mr. Hanged Man into a high-Sequence powerhouse who is half-god and half-human… Klein sighed soundlessly, his expression unchanged as he said, “It truly was very dangerous there…”

Before he finished speaking, his throat itched again, and he coughed violently several times.

“You are sick?” Elland asked in slight puzzlement.

He had originally assumed that Gehrman Sparrow, like himself, was a Beyonder whose physique had clearly been strengthened. Before old age arrived, such a person should not normally fall ill. Now, however, it seemed that his guess might be wrong.

Klein gave an “Mm” and did not explain further.

What a worthless, meaningless question… After fighting a battle with the Maiden of Sickness, it would be strange not to fall ill… Danitz muttered contemptuously at the side.

Elland chuckled and said, “I can recommend an Apothecary to you. He will be more useful than going to a hospital or clinic.

“His Beyonder profession is precisely that. His herbal shop is in an alley opposite the Red Theater. Heh, he is famous for selling aphrodisiac potions, but that is not his strongest field.”

Do all Apothecaries develop similar potions? Well, it makes sense. That is absolutely one of the most profitable potion businesses. If one has the ability, it would be strange not to do it… Klein nodded lightly, indicating that he understood.

“How come I have never heard of him?” Danitz asked in surprise.

“He only came to Bayam in the last few months. When was the last time you were in the City of Generosity?” Elland asked back with a light laugh.

When I was aboard that broken ship of yours… Danitz silently answered in his heart.

He carefully thought back and discovered that, in the last few months, aside from the present period, he had only passed through Bayam once at the start of his holiday. The rest of the time, he had either been drifting on the sea, pursuing treasure, or drinking and enjoying himself in other places and other harbors. He truly had not paid much attention to the small changes in the City of Generosity.

“I have stayed in Bayam for quite a few days and gone to the Red Theater several times, but I have never heard of that Apothecary at all! That can only mean his aphrodisiac potions are limited in effect!” Danitz boasted stubbornly.

Elland smiled and did not argue with a certain great pirate. Turning toward Gehrman Sparrow, he said, “If it is only an ordinary illness, that Apothecary’s price will at most be a little high.

“And for you, expense is not important. What matters is recovering your health as quickly as possible. No adventurer is willing to remain in a sick state, because that means danger. It means becoming someone else’s prey at any moment. It means an increased risk of losing control.”

Indeed, maintaining a good condition is an extremely important part of being a Beyonder. But price matters too, alright? If that Apothecary charges one thousand pounds, I might as well go to the hospital to buy medicine—or describe the illness in detail and ask that honest vampire Emlyn White to prepare some potions! Although I now have more than six thousand pounds in savings and several Beyonder characteristics, I still have to consider the future. I want to add a mystical item with lethal offensive power, and I still need to pursue clues to high-Sequence potion formulas… Klein grumbled inwardly.

High-Sequence potion formulas were not something that could be measured by money in the mysterious world, so Klein was thinking of buying the corresponding clues.

After Elland left, Klein took the seven-hundred-pound bounty and gave Danitz two hundred pounds.

He put on his hat, picked up his cane, and left the room, coughing from time to time and blowing his nose, preparing to take a carriage to the area near the Red Theater.

Danitz was very curious about that Apothecary’s potions. He pasted on two small mustache strips, put on a flat cap, and followed along. After Klein’s guidance, he had understood that covering half his face with a scarf in Bayam was extremely conspicuous, so he accepted the suggestion and bought a false mustache.

…

Inside the alley opposite the Red Theater, Klein had only just entered when he saw a man timidly emerge from an unsigned herbal shop. The moment the man noticed someone else, he immediately lowered his head and hurried away.

Do not worry. We will not guess what potion you bought… Klein coughed twice more, quickened his pace, and entered the dim herbal shop.

His gaze swept across the room and suddenly froze, because the owner was actually an acquaintance.

The owner wore a black robe like a countryside witch doctor. He was in his thirties, with black hair, brown eyes, a very round face, and a plump body. He was precisely the fat Apothecary with a foul mouth who liked mocking others at the gatherings organized by old Mr. Eye of Wisdom in Backlund. Klein had once encountered him at a circus and recognized him.

So the reason he stopped appearing at old Mr. Eye of Wisdom’s Beyonder gatherings was that he left Backlund… Klein coughed once, stepped forward, and said, “Make me some medicine.”

On the fat Apothecary’s shoulder stood an owl with round, bulging eyes. Man and animal lifted their heads at the same time and looked at Klein.

After a brief observation, the fat Apothecary revealed an ambiguous smile.

“Friend, when the weather is this cold, do not do that sort of thing outdoors. Although it is indeed rather exciting.”

What nonsense is this… Klein was first stunned, then immediately understood why the other party had said that.

“When I fought Tracy, I was affected by her pleasure ability. My blood rushed downward, and desire rose and fell. That left my body empty, letting disease invade more quickly and more easily. During my escape, the icy seawater was fine because divine spells protected me, but the wind along the road was quite cold and worsened the illness. Altogether, does this not resemble catching a chill after outdoor pleasure? As expected of an Apothecary. His eye is sharp…” Klein kept his expression unchanged. He simply looked at the fat Apothecary without speaking or responding, waiting for the other party to prepare the potion.

Danitz turned his head to look outside the herbal shop, struggling very hard to suppress his laughter.

“What a dogshit Apothecary. He cannot even tell it is an illness spread by the Maiden of Sickness!” he thought proudly.

Seeing that the other party did not pick up the topic, the fat Apothecary opened cabinet after cabinet in boredom, took out ordinary and strange herbs, insect shells, and other objects, put them into a paper bag, and handed it over.

“Put everything into water, boil it for half an hour, and drink the liquid you get.

“Four soli.”

That is a little expensive… Klein glanced at Danitz beside him.

The latter immediately, automatically, and consciously took out the cash.

While collecting the money, the fat Apothecary bent over, lowered his voice, and laughed.

“I have a potion that will make you more outstanding in that area, one with mummy powder added. Interested? I guarantee you will be satisfied.

“I know you may already be very strong, but men are always chasing greater strength.”

First of all, I would need a girlfriend… Klein coldly shook his head, refusing the fat Apothecary’s sales pitch.

The fat Apothecary straightened in disappointment.

His eyes rolled as he examined the two of them and casually asked, “Are you adventurers?”

“Yes,” Klein answered concisely.

The fat Apothecary rubbed his hands together.

“I have a commission, but payment will only be made after completion.”

“How much?” Klein pinched his nose.

“One hundred pounds!” the fat Apothecary shouted with heartache. “Help me find someone. His name is Roy King. He is my teacher. He told me to come here and meet him, but I have waited several months and have not seen him. I have also lost contact with him completely.”

“Do you have a portrait, cough, or photograph?” Klein asked.

The fat Apothecary took a photograph from a hidden pocket at his waist and handed it over.

It showed a rather young man. His hair was neatly combed back, and he wore a pair of framed glasses, appearing refined and cultured.

“Your teacher?” Klein asked in return.

I might believe it if you said you were his teacher…

The fat Apothecary coughed dryly twice.

“He is at least sixty. He only looks young.”

Beyonder ability or mystical item? Klein thoughtfully nodded and asked about the specific situation.

After confirming that there were no objects that could assist with divination, he took the paper bag and left the herbal shop.

Once their figures vanished at the alley entrance, the owl standing on the fat Apothecary’s shoulder suddenly spoke.

“Darkwill, that fellow may know you.”