Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 886 - 178: Dangerous Magic Potion (Part 2)

Chapter 886: Chapter 178: Dangerous Magic Potion (Part 2)

Although not fatal, it can cause strange side effects such as "unbearable itchiness," "confusion," and "turning into an animal."

The Church Court publicly claims that Mary is devoted to researching a cure for the Crimson Plague, but who really knows if there isn’t a hint of her personal mischief in there?

When he came back to his senses, Ethan found himself unknowingly resting on something soft. He steadied himself and saw Lindong with the corners of her mouth curling into a faint smile. At this moment, he was resting on her lap, and Lindong was quietly looking down at him.

"Got something on your mind?"

Ethan felt warmth in his heart.

At least now, he was home.

People say home is always your safe haven, especially since Lindong has always been waiting for him there.

Throughout the long night, surrounded by the atmosphere, he slowly confided his worries to Lindong, who responded with a soft chuckle. Her voice was gentle, like the evening breeze, making people naturally let down their guards and worries.

"Nothing to worry about. Did you forget? I’m also quite skilled in alchemy."

Lindong said, "As long as you’re knowledgeable in pharmacology, no matter what side effects arise from the magic potion you take, I can cure you."

Upon hearing this, Ethan’s eyes lit up.

Upon close thought, Lindong had also been certified by the Alchemist Association as a master. It’s just that her interests, similar to Mary’s, always led her to concoct some inexplicable magic potions.

Mary’s potions had side effects on the human body, while Lindong’s potions caused explosions. In other words, in the field of magic potion-making, they were both unparalleled prodigies with opposing talents.

Right, as long as Lindong was by his side, what did he have to worry about?

In the somewhat cozy atmosphere, Ethan completely let down his guard. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"You drank quite a bit of the hornet worm extract at Old Ba’s place just now, didn’t you? Is your tongue numb?"

With a smile, Lindong took out a small glass bottle emitting pink bubbles and held it to Ethan’s lips. The open bottle exuded a sweet fragrance reminiscent of cherries mixed with candy and other fruits.

Ethan hadn’t expected Lindong to be so considerate, even adjusting the taste of the magic potion.

As far as he knew, most alchemists were a bunch of madmen indifferent to their test subjects, not caring how unpleasant their potions were to consume. Many even advocated for the "purity" of potions, prohibiting any impurities.

Throwing all sorts of bizarre ingredients into a large pot to stew, even with toe-based logic, the result was surely undrinkable.

However, Lindong was different. This potion adjusted for taste fully demonstrated her humanistic concern.

Ethan was a bit moved and downed the potion in one go.

The taste wasn’t as cloying as he’d imagined but rather refreshing, a cool sensation spreading over his taste buds, reviving his tongue numbed by the hornet worm extract.

"Indeed, I feel much better!"

This time, Lindong didn’t respond, just narrowed her eyes and smiled even wider.

That refreshing liquid swept the numbness off Ethan’s tongue as if it had entered his bloodstream, flowing through his body.

Yet, the next moment, he vaguely noticed some unusual changes.

His taste buds returned to normal, but the numbness didn’t dissipate as he had expected; instead, it accumulated.

A few seconds later, he found his arms and legs unable to move.

Soon afterwards, some unforeseen symptoms also seemed to appear.

"Lindong..."

Ethan swallowed.

"Hmm?"

"I can’t move my arms. Is this a normal side effect of the potion?"

"It’s probably because you’ve been lying in this position for too long."

"My throat feels a bit dry too."

"Just drink some water in a bit and you’ll be fine."

"...Don’t you feel like it’s getting hotter?"

"The air conditioner broke."

Nonsense!

They didn’t even have an air conditioner at home!

Ethan finally realized belatedly that danger was imminent, while Lindong, smiling like a delicate flower, raised her cool hand to gently caress his cheek, revealing her fangs at that moment, "Back in the Royal City..."

As she said this, her previously narrowed eyes suddenly widened, glowing with a red sheen in the bright moonlight.

"You gave a ride on your motorcycle to a woman I don’t know, right? That’s nice. You never let me sit on your motorcycle’s back seat before."

Ethan was about to explain but was silenced by Lindong, who placed her finger on his lips.

"Don’t lie. I saw everything."

...............

Alchemists might be the most dangerous group of people in this world.

Ethan was serious about that.

"What’s wrong with you?"

In the new cabinet, Ave rested her chin on her interlaced fingers. She had been observing Ethan for a while now. From the moment they met today, he seemed thoroughly exhausted, lounging on the sofa in her office as if he were a retired old man, appearing almost devoid of color.

Even she could tell that Ethan was in a terrible state today.

If she remembered correctly, he had claimed yesterday to be going to the academy to meet Bazatous. Could it be that these two good buddies ended up in a fight over the matter of Saint Mary’s allegiance on the academy’s island?

Not long ago, when Ethan blew up the God of Truth, he didn’t seem to be this drained. She genuinely feared that by noon, she’d receive intel from the academy claiming there had been an explosion that sank the entire island.

"Ave."

Ethan’s voice was like a candle in the wind.

"Hmm?"

"I think we should establish strict guidelines regarding the use of potions by alchemists, explicitly prohibiting the application of unknown-effect potions on others."

This was... the last contribution he could make to the empire.

He didn’t want anyone else to lose themselves in the gentle haven of a spouse and then be force-fed mysterious pink potions.

Let alone the children, even he, as a young man, was struggling to cope.

Ave, being sharp, immediately understood what was happening.

"I think if you continue flaunting your affairs with Lindong in front of me, I’ll call her to the office to take you home."

Saying so, Ave reached for the telephone on her desk.

On the sofa, Ethan, like a man seeing hope before death, reached out his right hand toward her, "Stop!"

"Do you know why I called you here today?"

"Wait, have I offended you somehow?"

Ave’s tone immediately put Ethan on alert. After last night’s ordeal, he suspected he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, yet no matter how he wracked his brain, he couldn’t figure out where he might have wronged Ave.

After all, he had been on a business trip recently and hadn’t even seen Ave.

"Could it be... that I know the secret recipe for Margaret’s pizza but didn’t tell you?"

Upon hearing this, Ave’s golden hair seemed to stand on end like antennae.

"It’s about the Far West, aren’t you heading there to find Mary?"

Ave sighed, "You should know, the Life Divine Teachings are stationed there, outside imperial territory and jurisdiction."

"I’ve heard as much."

"Simply put, after Julius’s downfall, many of his followers left the empire and went to the Far West. The Church Court has openly expressed dissatisfaction with our subsequent religious reforms within the empire, considering it blasphemy against the Goddess of Life."

On Ave’s desk lay a thick stack of newspapers from the Far West.

The new Pope had already excluded those priests working in hospitals from the Church, "And you are basically a thorn in their side, akin to the incarnation of the Evil God there."

Of course, all open resistance was limited to verbal attacks.

The new Pope certainly wouldn’t dare to launch a holy war against the present empire.

However, an amicable diplomatic visit application would naturally be impossible to pass. Therefore, Ethan and his companions could only enter the Far West as "stowaways."

"Your journey will be fraught with challenges. Once in the Far West, I suggest you find a way to hide your identity. I will arrange someone there to assist you."

Saying this, Ave paused briefly, then as though remembering something, she sternly added, "Oh, and one more thing."

She took out a piece of parchment from her drawer, then pushed the quill pen towards Ethan.

"Huh?"

"Before you leave, write down Margaret’s pizza secret recipe on it."