Chapter 32

32. The Customer (3)

A time so peaceful it was almost boring.

The pharmacist, who was working at the pharmacy, glanced at his 'side business' while waiting for a customer who might come.

Even though it was a side business, this income was much larger.

"Hmm..."

The pharmacist groaned as he saw the rapidly increasing order volume.

Although he had been in this business for what felt like a lifetime, this level of prosperity was a first.

The Filgret, synthesized from maternal love and anger, not only provided rest but also healed the anger in one's heart, leading to a surge in orders from all over.

He was even reaching out to new clients beyond his existing ones.

Some places even offered to pay extra, asking him to sell only to them...

Of course, he rejected all such arrogant offers, but still, this was good news.

More people wanting the product meant not just more profit but a wider range of business opportunities.

However, there were two reasons why the pharmacist couldn't be entirely happy.

One was that he couldn't increase supply to meet the growing demand,

and the second was that this brilliant success was due to a young boy, not his own skills.

A third-rate businessman might be happy just to make more money, but he wasn't a third-rate businessman.

Achievements must be earned through one's own abilities to have value.

Fortune gained by chance can disappear just as easily.

If Oliver were to suddenly disappear, the Filgret currently in circulation would become extinct, and the pharmacist's reputation and trust would surely decline.

Thus, he couldn't be entirely happy.

He didn't know how long this luck would last.

"Hmm... I want to get closer, but I don't know how."

As the pharmacist pondered the stable production of the synthesized Filgret, the bell above the door jingled.

A customer had arrived.

"Are you well?"

A middle-aged man with a bald head said as he entered.

At first glance, he was just a pot-bellied uncle, but his aura was different.

He had a sly yet strangely intimidating presence.

"Inspector Harry, what brings you here?"

"I didn't eat well for lunch, and my stomach feels really uneasy... Can I have a glass of antacid, Mr. Pharmacist?"

The pharmacist went to the machine set up at one side of the counter, pulled the lever, and received a glass of antacid, which he then handed to Inspector Harry.

"Thank you."

"It's an honor to serve those who work hard for the city."

As he handed the cup of antacid, Inspector Harry leaned forward and whispered,

"A firefly has appeared."

"… Has a firefly ever appeared in this city?"

"No, but it appeared yesterday."

Harry straightened up and drank the antacid in one gulp.

"Phew...! It tastes good. I feel like I deliberately make my stomach upset just to drink this."

"You can have another glass if you want."

"No, that would be too much... I haven't even paid."

"It's fine. You serve the community."

"Even so, I should pay. You should always pay a fair price for what you do. That's the right thing to do."

A third voice suddenly joined the conversation.

The pharmacist and Inspector Harry turned their heads simultaneously.

A beautiful woman stood at the door with a large man.

When did she come in?

The woman spoke again.

"If you use something, you should pay the proper price."

"Who are you, miss? I'm fine, so don't worry. It's not much."

"It's not about the money, but about justice and order."

Through a few words, the pharmacist could guess her character. She was stubborn and wouldn't bend on what she believed was right.

She knew only one thing and believed it to be the truth of the world.

Such people were rare in today's world.

The pharmacist glanced at Inspector Harry, who nodded in agreement.

"… Miss, you're right. It's a thousand rands, Inspector."

Following the pharmacist's words, the inspector pulled out a bill from his worn-out wallet.

He was about to leave when the woman blocked his path and asked,

"Why did you come here?"

"Well..."

"Originally, people in this neighborhood often visit here. Those who need medicine, those who need someone to talk to, or those who need a place to rest... It's a small town, isn't it?"

The pharmacist interjected, and she looked back and forth between the inspector and the pharmacist before stepping aside.

"Excuse me."

"… No, Mr. Pharmacist. Good business to you."

Inspector Harry left, and the pharmacy was left with the pharmacist, the mysterious woman, and the large man.

They looked at each other in silence. After finishing reading and organizing the documents, the pharmacist asked,

"Do you need something...?"

The woman walked over and said,

"Yes, I need help."

"What kind of medicine do you need?"

"What I need is not medicine."

"Oh... Then?"

"I am Joanna, a Holy Knight from the Paternus Church's Seland branch. If it's not too much trouble, could we have a brief conversation?"

***

The pharmacist temporarily hung a sign on the door and led Holy Knight Joanna to the resting area.

"There are only two chairs like this. What about the gentleman...?"

The large man who came with Joanna shook his head, indicating it was fine.

"Thank you. Would you like something to drink? The antacid is surprisingly good to drink, you know. Miss, no, Miss, should I call you Knight or Inspector Joanna?"

"Call me Joanna. And no, I don't need anything to drink."

Hearing her answer, the pharmacist sat down. The space was cramped, so the seats were closer than expected.

"I'm sorry. This is usually a place for me to rest... But why did you come from the Paternus Church?"

"I have a few questions."

"Ah, feel free to ask. You protect humanity from evil, so if I can help, I will... However, I would appreciate it if you could finish within 20 minutes. I've never closed the store for more than 20 minutes. It's a small pride of mine."

"I'll try. First, is your real name Donald Mason?"

"Yes, Joanna. But just call me the pharmacist or Mr. Pharmacist. Everyone calls me that."

"Do you own five pharmacies and land and buildings in this town of Wynham?"

"The pharmacies are correct, and the land and buildings are correct. I do have some money, but it feels a bit embarrassing to call myself a notable figure."

"You seem to have a high reputation?"

"I just donate where money is needed and help those in need. We live in the same city, so I should do my part."

"That's impressive. Your generosity in giving. I think it's very impressive."

"Thank you. It's my father's teaching. To live honestly and diligently, to protect one's wealth, and to know how to give."

"He sounds like a great person."

"Yes, he is. But why are you asking this?"

"Ah, it's just that the information I heard before coming to this land was different. Seland is said to be the fastest-growing land, where everyone is gathering for opportunities. But you didn't, so I wondered if there was a special reason."

"No, no. It's not that. I can explain. There are several reasons. As you can see, I'm not young. It's hard to sell my property and move to a bustling, unfamiliar place like Randa. Most importantly... I like this place where I was born and raised. It's full of memories with my father. That's why I stay here."

"But wouldn't it cost more to maintain this place so strenuously?"

"That's true. But I have friends in Randa who knew my father and went to school with him. They help me. We buy medicine from them, and they also tell us about good investment opportunities, like restaurants and theaters. Thanks to them, we manage to get by... Does that answer your question?"

Joanna, with her sapphire-like blue eyes, looked at the pharmacist and nodded.

"Yes, that's enough... It's time, so I'll get up now. Thank you for your time."

"You're welcome. I'm glad I could help."

The pharmacist personally saw Joanna off and opened the locked door.

"Have a good day."

"Yes... Ah! I have something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"The reason I came here. I think you're a trustworthy person, Mr. Pharmacist."

"If it's important, it's fine."

"No, I want to tell you. My colleagues and I came here to find a black mage who distributes drugs."

"… Drugs?"

"Yes, the Filgret, a terrible drug made by squeezing people. We came here after hearing that a large amount of serious drugs has been produced recently."

"Ah, I see... But that's strange."

"What is?"

"If it's such a drug, it should be more prevalent in Randa, not here... It seems inefficient to send it here."

Joanna's perfect face twitched slightly.

"… Justice is not about efficiency."

"That's true... Justice. I wish you success."

***

At a communal cemetery on the outskirts of Wynham.

In a secret basement, a small but significant commotion was taking place.

"Quick, hurry up! Hurry!"

Anthony, the head of the Anthony Family, quietly urged his junior disciples.

Despite the shouting, the junior disciples fumbled as they quickly took money from the safe and stuffed it into 'glutton's bags.'

A black magic item made from human skin, teeth, and the emotion of greed, these bags could hold several times their weight, making them very useful.

Anthony asked,

"Is it not enough yet?"

"I'm sorry, Master... There's too much money."

"Ugh...!"

Anthony couldn't say anything.

After all, he had made a huge profit from dealing with Oliver, to the point where he had to buy another safe.

He had been incredibly happy until recently, but now it felt like a shackle.

What made him even angrier was that he couldn't get rid of it even though he knew it was a problem.

Anthony urged them again,

"Hurry up. Faster."

At that moment, a mid-level disciple, who was monitoring the outside through rats, shouted,

"Master! An unknown outsider is approaching."

"What?!"

Anthony was startled.

He had already prepared to hide as soon as he heard from the pharmacist about the firefly (Holy Knight) coming. The speed of the intruders was much faster than expected.

"Damn. They're unnecessarily diligent... Mid-level disciples, share your vision with the senior disciples, and senior disciples, activate the prepared black magic."

Following his words, the senior disciples knelt on both knees and placed their hands together in prayer.

The mid-level disciple immediately placed his hand on the senior disciple's shoulder to share his vision.

Soon, the senior disciples could see the outside through the eyes of the rats.

There were about a dozen intruders, well-organized and armed with both cold and heat weapons. They looked like professionals.

After confirming the situation outside, the senior disciples used the black magic as instructed.

[Revive]

As the incantation was chanted, the test tubes planted around the cemetery reacted with the prepared magic circle, spewing out life force.

The life force revived the irregularly buried corpses around the area, numbering at least several