Chapter 578 - Lapis’s Worries (2/2)
Got to say, Rhode’s thoughts were indeed somewhat biased. When one had reached the high standards which Rhode had accomplished, false reputation was no longer important. The true Alchemist Masters in the game mainly lived in the faraway mountains and forests with strange personalities and were unconcerned about fame. No matter how skillful Lapis was, her mentality was the same as ordinary humans who thirsted for fame and recognition to stand on a bigger stage… Which wasn’t a crime at all.
“N-No!” Lapis waved her hands frantically. She lowered her head and trembled in fear. “I didn’t know what I should do too… Sir Rhode, I have thought of discussing this with someone, but Miss Canary and Miss Bubble weren’t around most of the time… As for the others… they couldn’t help much… Besides… Besides…”
“Besides what?” said Rhode.
“Besides… That man said… If I can become an approved Alchemist, I can apply for some free alchemy materials from the Alchemist Association… That way, the Guild’s alchemy equipment can be…”
“…” Rhode let out a long sigh.
After going through all these, it seems like I’m still the one responsible…
Indeed, Rhode knew that there was such a rule in the Alchemist Association and the higher the level of the Alchemist, the more free alchemy materials the Alchemist could receive. It was only reasonable that Lapis couldn’t resist this temptation. After all, even though Lapis could create alchemy equipment and concoct potions in the Guild, most of them were extremely basic in conditions. Even Rhode wouldn’t be willing to if he had to do things simply and thriftily forever. Moreover, Lapis had a lot on her shoulders and the modification of the Stone Construct itself could waste a whole lot of her time and energy. It was also related to the lack of sufficient materials in Rhode’s hands.
“This isn’t your fault, Lapis…” Rhode let out a bitter laugh and patted her shoulder. “Alright, lift your head. I guess the situation isn’t that simple, right? Although I’m not too pleased that you’ve made a decision without permission, this, after all, is my responsibility. If the situation of the Guild wasn’t this terrible, I’m sure you wouldn’t have chosen such a solution… You’re not the one at fault. Lift up your head, Lapis. I guess you’re not only worried about this, right?”
“Yes…” Lapis wiped the corners of her eyes lightly and lifted her head. “Although it is also partly because of this… But, Sir Rhode… I’m afraid…”
“You’re afraid?” Rhode puckered his brows slightly. “What are you afraid of?”
“T-The potion…” Lapis’s expression turned pale once again and she stuttered in uncertainty. “That man… asked me to concoct… a bad potion…”
“Is it poison?” Rhode’s heart skipped a bit. If that was true, the situation would be troublesome.
“I-I don’t know,” Lapis shook her head and tears rolled down her cheeks. “That man told me that it was to test my alchemy skills. The recipe and materials were provided by him while I was only responsible for completing it… A-Although I didn’t know what the potion was, the composition of the materials used seemed to be something immoral… I don’t think it will poison someone to death, but it might trigger a serious illness to weaken someone…”
“…” Rhode knitted his brows as he had vaguely figured out the truth of the incident. “Lapis.”
“Yes… Sir.”
“Is that bottle of potion difficult to concoct?”
“Yes… Yes, Sir,” Lapis pondered with a frown and nodded firmly. “Ordinary alchemy techniques will not be able to complete it because the timing and content of the materials must be captured perfectly. Besides… the potion also required some knowledge of the Behermes Family in order to concoct.”
Rhode nodded. “Got it, Lapis. Don’t leave the alchemy workshop for now and stay with Christie and Snow. I will get Anne and Lize to accompany you. Don’t worry about the Alchemist Association because you have me, Canary, and Bubble around.”
Lapis cheeks flushed and lowered her head shyly. Since Rhode was aware of the reason, there was no further purpose for him to stay here. He told Christie and Snow to stay put and look after Lapis before heading back into the Fortress.
As Rhode was about to enter the Fortress, Joey rushed over hurriedly with sweat pouring down his face. “Ah, Boss, I finally found you. I thought of looking for you in the workshop and I didn’t expect to meet you here. But that’s fine too…” Joey let out an awkward cough after remembering his purpose of finding Rhode. “By the way, do you remember telling me to dispatch my men to tail the few men in flowery clothes and see what they’re up to in the Land of Atonement? Heh, those Alchemists are a bunch of idiots. They weren’t even aware that they were being followed at all. If you didn’t get us to track them only, our brothers would’ve…”
“Get straight to the point,” Rhode interrupted harshly.
The young Thief let out an awkward laugh and continued. “Uh… Although those idiots weren’t on high alert, they weren’t that foolish to spill the beans. Our men followed them for a while and managed to acquire some information… According to them, those people are here because… because…” Joey displayed a face of disbelief. “They said Lapis poisoned someone from the Alchemist Association.”