Volume 1: Raging Waves City Chapter 32: Potion Workshop
Luke took Kaileena out of the Secret Service through the back door and hired a carriage on the road.
Since steam-powered locomotives are expensive and require professional maintenance, animal power remains the main form of transportation.
Many nobles, officials and businessmen were unwilling to smell the pungent smell of engine oil, and preferred to choose luxurious carriages to show their noble status.
The bad road made the carriage very bumpy.
Kaileena was very nervous on her first field mission. She folded her hands on her knees, looking like she was ready to pull out her magic wand and cast magic at any time.
Luke, who was sitting opposite her, smiled and said to her, "Relax, I'm really afraid that you will release magic and blow up this carriage right now."
Kylena smiled apologetically: "I'm sorry, Inspector. Every time Captain Black Mamba comes back from a field investigation, I have to help her write a report. They always encounter some vicious murderers.
Although some of them are innocent, I know the Cape is a dangerous place. I want to keep you safe.”
Luke didn't expect Kylena to be so nervous because she was thinking about protecting herself.
"Oh? You protect me... because you want to? Or is it because your 'loyalty' makes you protect me?"
Kaileena thought for a moment: "I, I don't know. The stimulation of the device on my brain makes it impossible for me to tell whether it is my intention or a command from 'loyalty'."
"No, you can still tell the difference, as long as you master the method. The brain is the most complex organ in the human body and cannot be completely controlled by a single device. I will teach you a method that combines breathing and meditation. As long as you use it skillfully, you will be able to tell which is your real thought and which is the thought imposed on you.
Although this cannot free you from the control of the device, it can help you get to know your true self.”
"Really?" Kylena was very excited, but she turned and asked worriedly, "Will this cause you trouble?"
"If you don't tell me, who will know?"
"Thank you, Inspector. I won't tell anyone."
Luke taught Kaileena some breathing and meditation methods, and the diverted attention helped her relax quickly.
The carriage stopped at its destination.
A very narrow alley, it doesn’t even have a formal name. People in the industry call it Black Medicine Alley.
In the Golden Shield Empire, magic potions are a state monopoly, and only those approved by the Imperial Pharmacists Association can engage in the production and sale of magic potions.
However, regular magic potions are generally expensive, which gave rise to the black potion industry. The quality of potions produced by private workshops is not guaranteed and there may be side effects, but price is their most advantageous competitive advantage.
Moreover, some dark potions have effects that regular potions do not have.
The special environment of the Cape District has created a large-scale black magic potion industry here.
Black Medicine Alley exists almost in a semi-public manner.
The arrival of Luke and Kalina immediately attracted the attention of the people in Black Medicine Alley.
One look at their clothes showed that they were people of status, especially Kylena, whose temperament as a noble lady was difficult to imitate and hide.
Some people gathered around and tried to stop them from entering Black Medicine Lane.
Luke took out a 100-mark Reichsmark and gave it to the leader.
"I'm a drug purchaser, here to see Ralph."
The man took the money, looked at Luke and Kylena, and waved his hand to let the people who gathered around him disperse.
"Ralph? A man died last week from taking the aphrodisiac they made. Many businesses are afraid to sell their potions anymore.
Sir...if you want to buy aphrodisiacs, I can recommend a company for you. The formula used by the Imperial Pharmacists Association is guaranteed to be safe and effective to satisfy your female companion.
The Ralphs love to add weird things to their potions."
Kylena heard what the aphrodisiac was and lowered her head with a blush.
Luke took out another 100-mark Reichsmark note.
"Ralph and I are friends, please take me."
The man quickly took the money.
"No problem! In fact, the old man who died was already eighty years old. The potion made by the Ralph family is a little bit strong. You will definitely be as brave as a dragon after taking it.
plz follow me."
Luke took Kylena and followed the man inside.
The whole alley was filled with the smell of medicine. Some medicine ingredients and utensils were thrown randomly on the muddy road, and some of them produced colorful bubbles due to reactions.
The management is not standardized and the sanitary conditions are very worrying!
The man took Luke to the door of a workshop.
"This is Ralph's potion shop, you can go in. I kindly remind you that Ralph's potion... is best to drink half a bottle."
"Thanks."
Luke took Kaileena into the workshop, and the pungent smell of potion became stronger.
There is a small courtyard at the entrance.
A well was connected to a trough, and several female workers were sitting on both sides of the trough, scrubbing medicine bottles.
At the other end of the yard there was a small door leading to the underground, and a strong man was standing outside the door.
Luke didn't stop and continued walking inside.
The man stopped at the underground entrance and said, "Who are you? We want to discuss business. Wait here."
Luke grabbed the man's arm and twisted him to the ground, then stepped over him and walked into the basement.
Kylena jumped over the man carefully, not forgetting to say, “I’m sorry!”
The man's screams alarmed the people in the underground workshop.
When they saw Luke coming down, they immediately rushed up with any available weapons at hand.
Luke didn't stop and continued to walk inside.
“Kaylena!”
"Yes, Inspector..."
Kaileena took out the magic wand hidden in her sleeve. The tip of the magic wand emitted a strong light, and anyone who approached Luke was blown away by the magic beam.
Then magic beams were fired continuously, and all those who rushed up were knocked away.
Kaileena lifted her skirt and quickly caught up with Luke, and used magic to move a box that was blocking the way to the wall.
He kept apologizing to the stunned people: "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... Inspector, wait for me..."
Luke kept walking forward and saw that everyone who was hit by Kaileena's magic was able to get up.
If Shelley were brought in, it would be a completely different scene.
Passing through the material distribution room, the mill room, the dissolution room...
Kaileena followed Luke, holding the magic wand and pointing it forward. The bright light from the tip of the magic wand scared most people so much that they dared not move.
Anyone brave enough to attack will only be thrown out by magic.
Luke passed through the rooms almost unhindered, but was finally stopped by four people.
Their bodies are all different from the ordinary people they just met.
The leader was a short old man with a beard, completely white hair and a bulging forehead like a birthday star.
The old man angrily asked Luke: "Who are you?"
Luke slowly took out the inspector's badge from his pocket and put it on his chest: "The new inspector of the Cape District Secret Service... Meteor."
