Chapter 32: The Customer (3)
It was a time so peaceful it verged on boredom.
The pharmacist, working in the pharmacy, waited for a customer who might or might not come, while simultaneously reviewing his “side business.”
Though calling it a side business didn’t feel quite right, as it brought in far more income.
“Hmph...”
The pharmacist sighed as he looked over the rapidly increasing number of orders recently.
It had been a long time since he first entered this line of work—practically his whole life—but it was the first time business had boomed like this.
The Filgaret, synthesized from maternal love and anger, didn’t just bring peace but also healed the anger buried deep in one’s heart. Orders flooded in from all directions.
The demand had grown so much that even new clients beyond his regulars were reaching out to him.
Some places even offered to pay extra just to have the product sold exclusively to them...
Of course, he refused all such arrogant offers, but regardless, it was a good thing.
Having more people want your product meant not just profits but also more business opportunities.
However, there were two reasons why the pharmacist couldn’t simply rejoice.
The first was that he couldn’t increase supply to meet the rising demand.
The second was that this dazzling success wasn’t due to his own skills, but rather thanks to one young boy.
A third-rate businessman might just be thrilled at making more money, but not a first-rate one.
True success, after all, was valuable only when achieved through one’s own ability.
Fortune gained by chance could disappear just as easily by chance.
If Oliver were to suddenly disappear, the Filgaret currently in circulation would cease production, and with that, the pharmacist’s reputation and trust would undoubtedly plummet.
Thus, the pharmacist could not be fully pleased.
Who knew how long this luck would last?
“Hm... even if I wanted to get closer to him, I don’t know how...”
While the pharmacist was pondering the stable production of synthesized Filgaret, a bell jingled.
A customer had arrived.
“Good day.”
A middle-aged man with a balding head entered, speaking as he did.
At a glance, he seemed like nothing more than a typical middle-aged man with a protruding belly, but his aura was different.
He was sly, yet there was an odd pressure to him.
“Inspector Harry, what brings you here?”
“My stomach’s been a bit unsettled, perhaps I didn’t have a proper lunch... Mind if I have a glass of digestive medicine, dear pharmacist?”
The pharmacist immediately went to the machine prepared on one side of the counter and pulled the lever to serve a glass of digestive medicine.
He handed it to Inspector Harry.
“Thank you.”
“It’s an honor to serve those who work for the good of the city.”
As he passed the cup of digestive medicine, Inspector Harry leaned forward and whispered in a low voice.
“The Firefly has appeared.”
“... Has a Firefly ever appeared in this city?”
“No. But it did yesterday.”
Inspector Harry leaned back and gulped down the digestive medicine.
“Ah...! Tastes great. I think my stomach acts up just so I can drink this.”
“You’re welcome to have another glass.”
“Oh, I’d feel bad... especially since I’m not paying.”
“It’s fine. You’re serving the local community, after all.”
“Even so, you should always pay for what you receive, no matter what it is. That’s what’s right.”
A third voice abruptly cut in.
The pharmacist and Inspector Harry turned their heads at the same time.
A beautiful woman was standing near the door, accompanied by a towering man.
When had they come in?
The woman spoke again.
“If you’ve used something, you must pay the rightful price.”
“I don’t know who you are, miss, but don’t worry. I’m fine with it. It’s nothing expensive.”
“It’s not about the money. I’m talking about justice and order.”
Through just a few exchanges, the pharmacist was able to guess her personality. She was the type who would never bend from what she thought was right.
A person who believed in one truth and thought that was the only truth in the world.
Such people were rare in today’s world.
The pharmacist glanced at Inspector Harry, silently asking if his guess was correct. Inspector Harry nodded in agreement.
“... Miss, you’re right. Ten landa, Inspector.”
At the pharmacist’s words, Inspector Harry pulled out a bill from his worn-out wallet.
He was about to leave when the woman blocked his path and asked,
“But why have you come here?”
“Well...”
“The people in this neighborhood visit this place often. Some come for medicine, some for conversation, and others just need a place to rest for a while... It’s a small neighborhood.”
The pharmacist interjected, and after glancing back and forth between the pharmacist and the inspector, the woman finally stepped aside.
“My apologies.”
“... No problem. Take care, dear pharmacist.”
Inspector Harry left, and the only ones left in the pharmacy were the pharmacist, the mysterious woman, and the large man accompanying her.
They stared at each other in silence until, after a moment of organizing her thoughts, the pharmacist asked,
“Is there anything you need...?”
The woman walked over with a confident stride.
“Yes, I need help.”
“What kind of medicine are you looking for?”
“It’s not medicine that I need.”
“Oh... Then?”
“My name is Joanna. I’m a Holy Knight from the Celland Branch of the Pater Church. Would you mind if we had a little conversation?”
...
The pharmacist hung the "Be Right Back" sign on the door and led the Holy Knight Joanna to the rest area.
“There are only two chairs here... what about your companion?”
The large man accompanying Joanna shook his head, signaling that he was fine.
“That’s a relief. Would you like something to drink? The digestive medicine is surprisingly pleasant to drink as is. Should I call you Miss, or maybe Knight Joanna? Or would Lady Joanna be more fitting?”
“Just call me Joanna. And no, I don’t need anything to drink.”
With her response, the pharmacist sat down. The space was tighter than expected, making them sit quite close together.
“Sorry about that. This space is usually just for me to rest... So, what brings a Holy Knight of the Pater Church to me?”
“I have a few questions.”
“Ah, feel free to ask. You protect the human world from evil, after all. If I can help, I’ll gladly do so... But if possible, please keep it under twenty minutes. In all the years I’ve run this place, I’ve never closed it for more than twenty minutes. It’s a little point of pride.”
“I’ll do my best. First, let me ask—is your real name Donald Mason?”
“That’s right, Joanna. But just call me pharmacist or dear pharmacist, like everyone else.”
“Is it true that you own five pharmacies and the land on which they stand here in Wineham?”
“That’s correct. Though calling me a notable figure feels a bit excessive.”
“You’re quite respected, from what I’ve heard.”
“I’ve simply donated to various places that needed funds and helped out those in difficult situations. We all live in the same city; it’s the least I could do.”
“You’re quite remarkable. Generosity like that, giving of your own wealth... I think that’s truly extraordinary.”
“Thank you. It was my father’s teaching. Live diligently, protect your assets, but be generous when you can.”
“He must have been a great man.”
“Indeed. But why are you asking all of this?”
“Oh, I just thought it’d be good to confirm some basic information before we start our investigation.”
“An investigation?”
“Yes.”
“Hm... Mind if I ask what kind of investigation this is? As you can see, this is a peaceful city.”
“Yes, it’s peaceful. Too peaceful. But places like this are often fertile ground for evil to take root.”
“If a Holy Knight has come, it can’t be a small matter. Are you here to catch some demon worshipers?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t share that information. It’s classified... May I ask a few more questions?”
“Ah, my apologies. I should be the one answering... Please, go ahead.”
“This might come off as rude, but from what I understand, this city seems to be in decline, is that correct?”
“Well... I’d rather deny it, but I can’t. It’s true.”
“Even so, you haven’t sold off your properties or left the area. Is there a particular reason why?”
“Hmm... Could you tell me the reason behind your question first?”
“Oh, it’s just that what I’ve heard differs from reality. People say that Celland is the fastest-growing region, and everyone is flocking to Landa in search of opportunities. Yet, you haven’t made such a move. Is there a special reason? If this is too personal, you don’t have to answer.”
“No, it’s fine. I can tell you. There are many reasons. As you can see, I’m not young anymore. It’s not easy to sell off property that wouldn’t fetch its worth and move to a crowded, unfamiliar place like Landa. Besides... I love this place. I was born and raised here, and it holds many memories with my father. That’s why I stay.”
“Still, by holding on, aren’t you facing higher maintenance costs?”
“That’s true. But I have some connections in Landa through my father and our school. They help me by purchasing medicines and suggesting good investments, like in restaurants or theaters. Thanks to that, I’m managing well enough... Does that answer your question?”
Joanna, her sapphire-blue eyes studying the pharmacist closely, nodded in understanding.
“Yes, it does... Time’s up, so I’ll take my leave now. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.”
“It’s no trouble. I’m glad to have been of help.”
The pharmacist personally escorted Joanna to the door and unlocked it for her.
“Take care.”
“You too... Ah! Before I go, I should tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“The reason I came here. You seem like a trustworthy person, so I’ll share it with you.”
“If it’s important, I can handle it.”
“Well, actually, I’d like to share it with you. My colleagues and I are here to track down a black magician who’s been distributing drugs.”
“... Drugs?”
“Yes. A horrible drug called Filgaret, made by squeezing the life out of people. We’ve heard reports of a large-scale production operation here recently.”
“Ah, I see... But that’s strange.”
“What’s strange?”
“If it’s that kind of drug, wouldn’t it be more prevalent in Landa? It seems inefficient to send it here...”
Joanna’s perfect face flinched slightly.
“... Justice doesn’t concern itself with efficiency.”
“That’s true. A wise statement... Justice. I hope you succeed.”
...
At the cemetery located on the outskirts of Wineham, a small yet intense commotion was unfolding in a secret underground chamber.
“Hurry up! Quickly!”
Anthony, the head of the Anthony Family, urged his lower-ranking disciples quietly.
The disciples, flustered by the shouting, rushed to empty the vault, stuffing the money into the Greedy Pouch.
The Greedy Pouch, a black magic artifact made from human skin, teeth, and the emotion of greed, was capable of holding many times its weight.
Anthony asked,
“Is it still not all packed?”
“S-sorry, Master... There’s just too much money...”
“Tsk...!”
Anthony couldn’t say much.
After all, the recent surge in profits from his dealings with Oliver had been so great that he’d needed to buy a second vault.
Just a short while ago, he’d been overjoyed, but now that wealth felt like shackles around his ankles.
What infuriated him even more was that, despite knowing this, he couldn’t bring himself to abandon it.
Anthony urged them again.
“Faster. Pack faster.”
At that moment, one of his intermediate disciples, who had been monitoring the outside through a rat familiar, shouted.
“Master! Unidentified outsiders are approaching!”
“What?!”
Anthony recoiled in shock.
The moment he’d heard from the pharmacist that a Firefly (Holy Knight) had appeared, he had begun preparations to hide. But their speed was faster than expected.
“Damn them. Why do they have to be so annoyingly diligent... Intermediate disciple, share your sight with a senior disciple. Senior disciples, activate the black magic spells we prepared.”
At his command, the senior disciples knelt and clasped their hands together as if in prayer.
The intermediate disciple immediately placed his hands on the shoulders of a senior disciple, sharing his vision.
Soon, through the eyes of the rat familiar, the senior disciple could observe the outside situation.
There were about a dozen intruders.
They were in formation, armed with both cold weapons and firearms, and they appeared to be professionals with coordinated movements.
After confirming the situation, the senior disciples began casting the black magic spells as ordered.
“Revive.”
Upon chanting the spell, the magic arrays that had been pre-planted in the cemetery reacted, pouring life force into the ground.
The released life force reanimated the corpses that had been buried in irregular locations around the cemetery, numbering in the dozens.
But that wasn’t the end.
The senior disciples chanted once more.
“Object Hate.”
“Burning Life.”
“Terrible Anger.”
The emotions stored in the test tubes embedded in the magic arrays erupted, imbuing the zombies with hatred and explosive strength.
The reanimated corpses charged toward the intruders, filled with rage.
Their speed was formidable, fueled by burning life force.
However, their opponents were not amateurs.
“Holy Light!”
Suddenly, a brilliant light shone from within the formation, halting the charging zombies in their tracks.
The zombies stood frozen, writhing in agony, letting out screeching, metallic cries as they burned.
In the meantime, the intruders methodically dispatched the zombies with oversized guns, axes, and swords.
“M-Master...?”
“I’m watching. Have they finished packing the money?”
“Almost done!”
The lower disciples, frantically filling the Greedy Pouch with piles of cash, responded.
Anthony couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. He should have listened to the pharmacist’s suggestion to find a better way to store his wealth.
“Buy us more time. Attack with the corpses again.”
“It won’t work...”
“I don’t care. All we need is time... And you, bring ‘that.’”
“By ‘that,’ you mean...?”
“Yes, that. Now that I think about it, I won’t just run away quietly. Even if they are Holy Knights, they shouldn’t be allowed to trespass on a black magician’s territory unpunished.”
Understanding his intent, the senior disciples once again raised the reanimated corpses and empowered them for another attack.
The method was the same, but the outcome repeated itself.
The Holy Knights once again neutralized the zombies with ease, and Anthony realized something important.
Even a Holy Knight would struggle to immediately annihilate this level of undead.
But if the pharmacist’s information was right, that young woman leading them wasn’t experienced enough to have mastered such advanced techniques. If she had, she’d be a genius.
“Master, we’ve used up all the emotion and life force embedded in the cemetery.”
“The intruders have breached the entrance.”
Panicked voices echoed from all around, and just then, the voice Anthony had been waiting for finally called out.
“Master, we’ve brought it!”
The intermediate disciples, sweating from their efforts, carried in a massive coffin, one large enough for a giant to use.
It was a black magic artifact Anthony had prepared in case of emergencies.
“Have they packed all the money?”
“Yes, Master. It’s all packed.”
“Take it to the designated location. All of you.”
One of the senior disciples hesitated.
“Master? But...”
“Get out of the way. It will be easier without you.”
With Anthony’s command, all the disciples fled through the secret passage, each carrying their Greedy Pouch filled with money. Meanwhile, Anthony calmly waited for the intruders.
He needed them to shed some blood to restore his pride as a black magician.
Soon enough, the uninvited guests arrived.
“There he is!”
Gunfire erupted as bullets sped toward Anthony.
“Meat Shield.”
As the head of the Anthony Family, Anthony easily blocked the bullets with reanimated corpses.
In some cases, they were even more effective than a black magic shield. Immediately, he extracted a large amount of life force and emotion.
“Revive. Obedience. Burning Life.”
As he chanted, the massive coffin, tightly bound with chains, rattled violently, and with a deafening crash, something began to stir inside.
It was a corpse golem, made by stitching together multiple corpses.
“Keeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrr...!”
“Grrr...!”
“Urrrrgh...!”
“Arghhhh...”
The massive central head and eight surrounding heads howled as if in unison.
With a gesture, Anthony commanded the corpse golem to rise. Its long-stiffened joints cracked and popped, releasing bone-chilling noises.
Each of its six arms, grafted together from other corpses, held various weapons like hammers, swords, and axes. Its sheer size and grotesque appearance were enough to crush the courage of anyone facing it.
Especially in such a narrow corridor, where dodging was nearly impossible.
Anthony ordered the corpse golem to attack the intruders.
Thud... Thud... Thud... Thud...
The corpse golem charged forward.
Meanwhile, Anthony intended to slip away, but then he felt an ominous force approaching.
“Rest in Peace.”
The light that shone now was even more brilliant than the one in the cemetery, almost blinding in its intensity.
In an instant, the corpse golem, which Anthony had poured so much effort into creating, was reduced to a pile of ash.
“...!!!”
As the golem disintegrated, Anthony saw her.
A woman, so stunningly beautiful that she seemed out of place in reality, stood at the end of the hallway. She wore a long coat, wielded a round shield in one hand and a mace in the other.
Anthony felt fear as their eyes met. In the blink of an eye, she vanished from his sight and was suddenly right in front of him.
“Your sins are forgiven.”
With those words, Anthony saw the mace descending toward him.
Then, he saw nothing at all.