Chapter 90: The Rogue Alchemist

"What's going on outside?" Veronica walked over to Ryan's side. "Did the person following us leave?"

"No, they're still there," Ryan said softly.

Today, their plan was to investigate the movements of the Society of Aesthetics. However, upon arriving in the Shield Coin District, they noticed they were being followed.

The stalker was formidable. Ryan and Veronica tried several evasive maneuvers, but the stalker persisted, trailing them throughout an entire street.

So, they decided to act as if they were really on a date, strolling around, trying on clothes. They visited several tailor shops and bought quite a few outfits.

"Still following us? Persistent," Veronica bit her lip. "So, what did you see?"

"Remember my experience in Nord? There was a mercenary group with me at the time..." Ryan briefly explained the situation to Veronica. "Why don't you keep trying on clothes while I go check it out?"

"Dear, our main goal is to complete the mission, not to buy clothes. You go see what's going on, and I'll join you shortly," Veronica shook her head, signaling Ryan to go first.

Ryan stepped out of the tailor shop and saw the remaining members of the Blood Axe mercenary group gathered at a street corner. Some sailors, led by a man who was clearly the captain, were holding them back, not letting them leave.

"Liars! Cheats! Pay up, or I'll have the guards arrest you and throw you all in the water dungeon!" the captain shouted.

"Captain, we have no intention of cheating you. We are also victims. Blood Axe values integrity. We didn't use lead to deceive you! Our payment was also turned into lead," Emilia, wearing only a thin fur coat and tight leather pants, shivered in the cold, her face pale but determined as she explained.

"Impossible!" The captain towered over Emilia, who was only about 1.63 meters tall, making her look small and fragile, especially with his menacing demeanor.

The remaining members of the Blood Axe mercenary group looked despondent. Vice Captain Virte's face was filled with shame and anger. Ryan noticed he was holding some lead ingots.

"You swapped the gold for lead during the voyage and then pretended to be victims to deceive us!" The captain, full of rage, reached out to grab Emilia. "Let me see if the gold is hidden on you, you little slut!"

"Ah!" Emilia recoiled in fear, the weak female mercenary caught by the shoulder.

"Stop!" Ryan intervened at the right moment. "What's going on here? No violence, please!"

"Ryan?! Mr. Ryan?!" Emilia exclaimed, slapping away the captain's hand and hiding behind Ryan.

"You are... that Mr. Ryan?" The captain gulped. "I didn't mean it; I'm a victim too!"

"Who isn't a victim?" The sound of high heels approached as Veronica joined Ryan.

"We're all victims!" The mercenaries and sailors chorused.

Ryan got the gist of the situation from Emilia and the captain.

After Ryan left, Emperor Karl Franz arrived in Middenheim and, after a brief rest, led his army to a decisive victory against the barbarian horde.

On the way back, the Grand Alchemist Balthasar Gelt returned to Middenheim and hired the Blood Axe mercenaries for a task. Vice Captain Virte, eager for a chance to recover the group's strength, was thrilled, thinking it was a great opportunity to connect with the Imperial College of Wizards, so he took the job.

The remaining members of the Blood Axe followed Gelt from Middenheim to Marienburg by ship.

During the voyage, Gelt performed a peculiar act. He handed over a large sum of gold to Virte in the captain's presence, covering the mercenaries' pay and the voyage cost.

However, upon docking, they found the gold had turned into lead.

The captain, infuriated, accused the mercenaries of swapping the gold for lead and demanded they pay the fare.

The issue was, they couldn't pay. Gelt had booked the best cabin, costing over twenty gold coins, far beyond what the mercenaries could afford, even with the money they earned from Theresa's task.

Ryan realized that even if the fault lay with Gelt, the mercenaries had no recourse. They had signed a contract confirming payment, regardless of what form it took. Even if they appealed to the Emperor, it wouldn't help.

Seeing Ryan, the captain sensed trouble but held his ground. "Renowned hero, Mr. Ryan, will you protect these debtors?"

"No, your fare dispute is none of my business. I just want to remind you to wait for the arbitration and refrain from violence, understood?" Ryan stood in front of Emilia protectively.

"Of course, I was just a bit agitated. I apologize to the mercenary lady," the captain said, backing down immediately.

Emilia accepted the captain's apology with a calm demeanor, though she was clearly worried about the Blood Axe's fate.

Sea God Knights soon arrived, their fully armored presence imposing. They were surprised to see Ryan but relaxed when he said he was just watching.

The mercenaries and the captain were escorted to the Sea Church for arbitration. Ryan turned to Veronica. "Interested in listening in? Our mission to the Society of Aesthetics isn't until the afternoon."

"If you insist," Veronica said, glancing at Emilia with a knowing smile. She reached out to touch the young mercenary's face. "Such a pretty girl. What's your name?"

Fear flashed in Emilia's eyes. She knew the witch had seen through her disguise and quickly hid behind Ryan. "My name is Emilia, Lady Witch."

"Don't bully her. It's hard enough being a female mercenary alone," Ryan said, seeing Veronica's interest in her.

"Emilia, is it?" Veronica smiled dangerously.

Noticing Emilia shivering, Ryan draped a white wolf fur blanket over her shoulders and invited her to join them in the arbitration.

In the shadows of the street corner, a man watched as Ryan and his companions entered the Sea Church. Confused, he muttered to himself and decided to keep waiting.

Inside the arbitration room, the Sea God Knights were friendly towards Ryan, even offering him snacks. They took seats in the wooden benches, listening to the proceedings. Virte and the captain each presented their case, but it was clear the Blood Axe mercenaries were at a disadvantage due to their unpaid fare.

Seated beside Ryan, Veronica shook her head. "The Blood Axe can't win. The evidence is too unfavorable, though it's not entirely their fault. It's the rogue alchemist's doing."

"The rogue alchemist?" Ryan was curious. "What do you mean?"

"There's a specific branch in the Imperial College of Wizards dedicated to alchemy," Veronica began, her tone disdainful. "The alchemists there study not only magic but also chemistry and physics. The most famous is Balthasar Gelt, the Grand Alchemist. He has contributed significantly to gunpowder and engineering, easing the natural tension between the Imperial College of Engineers and the College of Wizards."

"But some alchemists abuse their magic to create gold for personal use, causing economic inflation. This transmuted gold eventually reverts to its original metal, depending on the magic's duration. This kind of fraud has tarnished the College's reputation, leading to public protests," Veronica explained, her expression darkening. "So the College decrees that any alchemist caught doing this will be punished."

"What kind of punishment?" Ryan asked, wondering how severe it could be, given wizards weren't subject to common laws.

"They aren't exiled or imprisoned, but they face public punishment: flogging by the College's enforcers in the market square. For spellcasters, that's a severe penalty," Veronica shrugged. "At least, I couldn't bear it. If that happened to me, I'd hide in your bedroom for years."

"And Gelt still does this?" Ryan was baffled. Gelt's actions seemed reckless.

"The Grand Alchemist himself is the biggest rogue. He loves using this trick to get free meals, gather information, and bribe guards. His transmuted gold is stable and lasts long, making it hard to detect. Even if people realize later, who would dare confront him? He's the head of the Alchemy Academy in the Imperial College, a high-level legendary wizard, a walking magic artillery. Who would risk offending him over this?"

"Indeed, that's quite rogue," Ryan laughed.

"Check the bounty boards in Marienburg; you'll find bounties for Gelt. But has anyone dared to accept?" Veronica whispered, holding Ryan's arm. "Sometimes I think it's quite impressive, being able to do as he pleases."

"But I won't let you do that," Ryan warned, glancing at the witch. Veronica nodded, understanding his stance and promising not to cross that line.

"So..." Emilia spoke up, her voice soft and regretful. "When signing the contract, I advised Vice Captain not to be so hasty, but he worried about displeasing the Grand Alchemist and losing the job."

With determination, she turned to Ryan. "Mr. Ryan, please help the Blood Axe mercenary group. I know you can. I beg you."

Ryan frowned, instinctively hesitant. He had already been pressured into helping them once by that wandering knight, Ike. What would he gain from helping them again?

The Blood Axe was just one of many mercenary groups in Marienburg. With his status and reputation, Ryan could easily find another group to assist him if needed. If the Blood Axe couldn't prove their worth, he had no reason to help.

Ryan was not a charitable person by nature. The Blood Axe

's plight was not his concern.

"The arbitration is concluding," Veronica pointed out.

The Sea Church priest ruled against the Blood Axe. Vice Captain Virte's face was ashen. "I don't have enough money to pay the fare."

"Humph! You dare travel without money?" The captain, emboldened by his victory, sneered. "Pay up immediately. Pool your resources. If you can't, draw lots to see who will be sold into slavery!"

"You scum!" Virte cursed furiously. "You heartless bastard, blinded by gold!"

"Silence!" The priest banged the gavel, demanding order. The Sea God Knights drew their swords, their presence calming everyone.

"The fare is twenty-five gold dinars and sixteen silver coins. Forget the silver; pay in gold marks or gold crowns... Is that acceptable, priest?" The captain loudly announced, "generously" waiving the small change and seeking the priest's approval.

He was clearly experienced in such matters.

But the Blood Axe mercenaries couldn't gather the money. They pooled their last copper coins and came up with less than ten gold dinars.

Emilia added her life savings, four gold dinars, to Virte's hand.

Still short by ten gold dinars, they faced the grim prospects of taking a dangerous mission or someone being sold into slavery.

Desperate, Emilia made one last effort. To save the mercenary group that had saved her, she approached Ryan. "Please help me. I will repay your kindness."

She whispered something in Ryan's ear in High Gothic.

Ryan's eyes widened.

Emilia knew High Gothic?

---

The protagonist is also doing serious work, unaware of the fierce battle among the witch hunters. Investigating such high-society organizations requires caution, as per their original plan. I understand your feedback and to make up for it, I'll update two chapters today!

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