Lord of Mysteries: The New Black Emperor

Chapter 93: The Poison Apothecary

Hobert's plan for distributing the spoils was met without objection from Upton. Surviving the upcoming battle was reward enough for him.

However, Upton had another request. He said to Hobert, "I don't need any spoils. I will also give you the reward I promised earlier, but I'll need the corpse of a recently deceased member of the Tamara family."

Hobert realized this was probably for some kind of ritual to avoid being tracked by the Tamara family's divination abilities. He asked curiously, "Can't you use your mother's corpse?"

Upton shook his head. "My father's notes said it has to be the spirit of someone outside of our family."

Hobert nodded. "Once you've rented the house, meet me at Harvest Church."

The next morning, Hobert wrote a letter to Xio, informing her that he had agreed to help Upton and advising both Xio and Fors to be prepared for a potential battle. He didn't explain the specifics of Upton's request, but he was sure that Xio would understand the situation once she saw the letter.

After spending the morning in his office, Hobert set out once again on his "client visits."

He returned to Gar's herb shop and spent 330 pounds on a complete unicorn horn from a mature specimen and 5 grams of crystallized jellyfish venom. He also purchased 30 pounds worth of herbs commonly used in mysticism, including extra auxiliary materials for the "Apothecary" potion. Hobert bought far more than he needed, such as an entire bottle of autumn crocus essence when only a few drops were necessary, and two full earthspoon flowers when only a few petals were required.

Altogether, the materials cost 360, and Hobert quoted Viscount Glaint 420 for the total, reasoning that he had made two trips and taken some risk in acquiring them.

The viscount readily paid, then requested Hobert's help in preparing the potion.

As Hobert was about to begin the preparation, he suddenly had the eerie sensation that someone was watching him and Glaint. He quickly opened his spiritual vision but found no traces of hidden spirits or other supernatural entities.

Glaint urged him, "Aren't you ready yet?"

Shaking his head, Hobert continued preparing the potion while keeping a close watch on their surroundings. That unsettling sense of being observed lingered until Glaint eagerly drank the finished potion. Only then did the feeling dissipate.

Hobert glanced at the viscount, who seemed completely unaware of what had just occurred. Glaint closed his eyes and took a deep breath, exclaiming, "I feel like I've gained so much knowledge about herbs and recipes."

Hobert, maintaining his calm, simply smiled and replied, "That's the magic of potions."

Glaint then asked, "Do you have any advice for a 'Apothecary'?"

With a smile, Hobert answered, "In my opinion, a 'Apothecary' can also be a 'Poison Apothecary.' After all, one of the key ingredients is the crystallized venom of a jellyfish. Besides granting you resistance to toxins, you should theoretically also have knowledge of various poisons."

The viscount closed his eyes again, as if recalling something. After a long pause, he nodded. "You're right. I can indeed concoct several types of poison. Thanks to your reminder, I realized this much sooner than I would have otherwise."

After checking his pocket watch, Glaint leaned in and whispered, "I'd like to invite you to dinner tonight. Please do come."

Hobert was puzzled—why the secrecy over a simple dinner invitation? However, recalling the mysterious sense of being watched earlier, he didn't question it and quietly agreed.

After leaving the viscount's house, Hobert grabbed lunch and then made his way to Harvest Church in the southern district of the city. Before entering, he put on his mask and stepped through the church's grand doors, where he found Upton nervously waiting in one of the pews.

Bishop Utravsky, seated at the front reading the Bible of Life, glanced at Hobert before returning to his scripture.

Upon seeing Hobert's masked face, Upton let out a sigh of relief. "You're finally here," he whispered. "This church's bishop is terrifying."

Hobert nearly chuckled. "Aren't you afraid of the 'Giant Bishop's' fists?" He asked, "Did you rent the house?"

"Yes, at 103 on the next street over."

"Good. Now go back. If you sense any danger, come to the church and inform me immediately."

Upton nodded, took a deep breath, and left.

Once Upton was gone, Hobert removed his mask. Only then did Bishop Utravsky speak. "This is a church, not a place to plot your schemes."

Hobert smiled. "Isn't the church of the Earth Mother supposed to welcome everyone?"

The bishop was briefly taken aback.

Hobert sat down beside Utravsky. "Father, I hear your church has Beyonders skilled in agriculture?"

"Yes, they can double crop yields and have mastered grafting and cultivation techniques."

Images of fish and mushrooms suddenly flashed through Hobert's mind, but he shook them off. "Father, have you ever been to the East Borough of Backlund?"

"No, but I've heard of it."

"Why are so many people still starving there, Father?"

Utravsky looked at him intently. "That's why I spread the Earth Mother's light. When her radiance graces this land, no one will starve."

"You're mistaken. Even if there's enough food for everyone, people will still go hungry. Do you believe that?" Hobert gazed at the sacred emblem of life. "Humans have given life meaning, yet live as if they have none."

He paused before adding, "In my opinion, everyone should have the right to a full meal."

Utravsky slowly responded, "In the eyes of the Earth Mother, every life is meaningful."

"That's not enough." Hobert shook his head. "Let's not dwell on such heavy matters. Father, may I read your church's Bible of Life?"

"Of course."

Hobert spent the rest of the afternoon meticulously reading the Earth Mother's Bible of Life. The church was silent, the only sound the sacred rustle of turning pages.

As night fell, and with no warning from Upton, Hobert made his way to Queen's Avenue.

Viscount Glaint was already waiting in the dining room. After some polite conversation, they began dinner.

The viscount's chef was clearly a master, as every dish was both beautiful and delicious. However, each portion was so small that after ten courses, Hobert found himself only just satisfied.

During their conversation, Hobert learned that this was how the viscount's family always dined. He smiled and remarked, "This way of eating doesn't feel like home."

The entire experience was more like dining in a high-end restaurant.

Viscount Glaint sighed and smiled bitterly. "I have no choice. I've been told since I was young that a Viscount must eat like this. If I simplify the process, there will be rumors by morning that the Glaint family is on the verge of bankruptcy."