257 s2-081s (1/2)
… What a godlike reason… After hearing the Apothecary's answer, Klein was unable to control the changes in his expression despite being a Clown. Fortunately, he was wearing an iron mask over his face.
The Apothecary didn't notice the reactions Klein and Eye of Wisdom had, and he began to let his hair down.
”That's why I really like Backlund. There are a lot of prostitutes prowling the streets, hanging outside music halls, theaters, waiting in the streets and alleys. They're either professionals or working part-time. They were originally maidservants or workers, each with different flavors. It's said that in places in the West Borough, bankrupt aristocratic ladies might occasionally appear. That's really something to look forward to.”
”…” Klein nudged the iron mask that covered his face upwards and quickly changed the topic. ”Did your teacher have any objections to your choice?”
The Apothecary shook his head slightly.
”No, he just kicked me out of the damn door after teaching me all the knowledge in the field of herbs, telling me to roam the world and experience life. Damn it, he didn't even tell me where to find the next potion ingredients!”
At this point, the Apothecary looked at Klein and added, ”If you know where to obtain Spring of the Elves marrow crystals, please do tell me. I'll pay you for it. Of course, you can also first buy it and then sell it to me for a higher price. You're a lucky guy. Who knows, you might help fulfill my wish.”
”Alright,” Klein casually agreed. He then asked, thoughtfully, ”When that happens, can I use it to exchange for the potion formula for Apothecary?”
From his point of view, an Apothecary was very useful as support. He could use it to groom helpers.
The Apothecary, who wasn't considered too fat, quickly shook his head and said, ”No way!
”I can only teach my students.”
Is this a rule of the Life School of Thought? He might have made an oath with some secret existence as a witness… Klein wasn't surprised.
At this moment, the Apothecary let out a laugh.
”But I can tell you where you can get the Apothecary formula. It's right here in Backlund.”
”Brilliant.” Klein was pleasantly surprised.
Realizing that Eye of Wisdom was about to send him off, he hurriedly asked, ”Mr. Apothecary, do you have any medication to treat mental disorders and other problems?”
Klein was acting for Miss Bodyguard, to make her feel more assured, having been slightly influenced by the True Creator and becoming a potential lunatic, that he was desperately trying to find a cure.
”Yes, there's a sedative, ten soli for one. I'll bring you four in the next gathering. Trust me, this is definitely much more useful than the ones in the hospitals. I've added some materials with spirituality,” the Apothecary replied without hesitation.
How expensive… In the underground market at Tingen, the number of sedatives that originated from the hospitals ranged from 1 to 2 soli, while the variety that leaked from the Nighthawks, Mandated Punishers, and Machinery Hivemind ranged from 4 to 5 soli… As this thought flashed through his mind, Klein put on a show, looked at Eye of Wisdom, and said, ”Dear Sir, may I attend the next gathering?”
”Yes, your last two performances are proof of your goodwill. Young lad, watch out for the Backlund Morning Post daily. When there's an advertisement for the purchase of goods by the Ernst Firm on the fifth page, it means that there would be a meeting here at eight o'clock the next evening. The strength and the frequency of the knocking is based on the prices listed. The first number is the number of heavy strikes. The second number is the number of light strikes. The third number is the number of long pauses and the fourth is the number of short pauses. The rest are meaningless,” Eye of Wisdom said with a nod.
After describing the information, he sighed and said, ”The lives of Beyonders who are neither official or part of an organization aren't as nice as you imagine. On the one hand, we have to keep secrets, avoid the officials, and at any time, we have to maintain a cautious and careful state. On the other hand, we have to fight against the possibility of losing control and madness. Too many of our kind have died because of these two matters.
”Even if we successfully evade the official's notice and avoid losing control and going crazy, we would still fall into the predicament of lacking ingredients and the inability to find items we want or obtain sufficient knowledge. I organized such a gathering to get everyone to help each other.
”Unfortunately, this is an era of scarce mysteries. Many Beyonder ingredients are rarely seen.”
Yes, but I have Mr. Hanged Man who knows the coordinates of some of the primitive islands, and City of Silver's The Sun who is constantly fighting against the various monsters in the depths of the darkness… I can rely on them to obtain some of the Beyonder ingredients… Klein politely stood up with his back bent as he bowed to Eye of Wisdom.
”Your character is admirable.”
After sitting down again, Klein suddenly remembered something and asked after some deliberation, ”Gentlemen, do you have any mystical items? The kind that Black Snake sold me, but ones without too serious negative effects. I wish to have some sort of ability to protect myself.”
His plan was to find something that caught his interest, determine the price, and then determine the target accordingly.
However, I don't have any money right now, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have any in the future… Can't I make an inquiry about the price without money? Klein silently added in his heart.
The Apothecary spread out his hands, indicating that he didn't have any, and even if he did, he wouldn't sell them. Eye of Wisdom chuckled and said, ”I do have some, but I don't know what you would like to buy? Give me an approximate range.”