"Samuel? From the slums?"

  The officer picked up the gold coins from Samuel’s backpack, turning to him with deliberate emphasis in his voice.

  Trouble… Samuel sighed internally but nodded nonetheless, confirming that the information he provided was accurate.

  "Then… care to expin?" The officer’s tone suddenly sharpened.

  A poor commoner carrying ten gold coins and such an abundance of medicinal potions? It was an affront to his sensibilities.

  This Samuel character was definitely suspicious… Officer Richard was certain—this was his big break.

  "There’s nothing to expin. I’m an apothecary."

  Samuel’s voice was calm, showing no intention of hiding his identity.

  For those in high pces, his background might invite specution. But to the average person, all that mattered was what his status meant.

  Sure enough, upon hearing Samuel’s words, the officer’s smirk froze as he gave him a thorough once-over.

  An apothecary… Richard’s heart clenched. Apothecaries held significant social status in this world, and even he hoped to curry favor with one or two.

  But how could a slum-dweller possibly be an apothecary? Richard muttered to himself. His first instinct was disbelief.

  "Even if you are an apothecary, you still have to cooperate with our investigation." The officer scrutinized Samuel once more, calling his fellow guards over.

  Samuel sighed again. Prejudice existed in every world. But rather than being frustrated, he simply acknowledged it as an unavoidable truth.

  Soon, more officers gathered around, and after hearing the situation, they too regarded Samuel with suspicion.

  One of them even let out a suppressed snicker, his ughter quickly spreading to the others until they could no longer hold it in.

  "Is something funny?"

  A cold, even voice suddenly cut through the ughter.

  The officers froze, turning to see none other than their superior—Captain Hill.

  Him again… Samuel followed their gazes and recognized the officer who had taken Petilil from Berlitz Farm.

  "Captain Hill, this so-called apothecary from the slums is highly suspicious. We were just conducting an investigation." Officer Richard quickly expined the situation.

  To everyone’s shock, Hill simply nodded. "He is indeed an apothecary—the very one who saved Baron Reiser."

  The moment the words left his mouth, the gathered officers stood dumbstruck. A slum-dwelling apothecary… actually existed?

  "The apothecary who cured Baron Reiser…" Richard opened his mouth, suddenly overcome with regret.

  As officers, they were well aware of the baron’s mysterious illness—an affliction that not a single apothecary in Ambition City had been able to treat.

  Yet this man before them had done it. That meant he wasn’t just any apothecary. Who knew when they might need his help in the future?

  Richard had just nded them all in trouble… The other officers cursed him silently. The more they had ughed, the more regretful they now felt.

  "All of you, stand down." Hill waved a hand before turning to Samuel. "Come with me. We still need to conduct a formal inspection."

  Samuel nodded and followed Hill into the guard station.

  Once inside, Hill dismissed the others with a simple gesture before turning back to Samuel. "Mr. Samuel, I actually have a favor to ask of you. Would you be willing to help?"

  Is this a threat…? Samuel mused to himself but kept his expression neutral. "If I can be of assistance to Captain Hill, it would be my honor."

  Agree first—then see what comes next.

  "Since you were able to cure Baron Reiser, that proves your exceptional skill as an apothecary."

  "I have a potion formu here. Would you be able to recreate this potion?"

  Hill didn’t mince words, getting straight to the point.

  As expected… Samuel wasn’t surprised. He thought for a moment before replying, "May I take a look at the formu?"

  "Of course. I’ve already consulted many apothecaries about it." Hill handed the parchment over without hesitation.

  Samuel carefully examined the contents.

  Mago Berry, Tiny Mushroom, Kasib Berry… Seeing the three primary ingredients, Samuel’s mind raced, making a mental note of the information.

  He continued reading, but soon realized that the formu only listed the required ingredients—there were no precise measurements or instructions.

  To create the actual potion, one would need to conduct countless experiments and adjustments, and even then, success was not guaranteed.

  "A list of ingredients without dosages or preparation methods—it’s impossible to craft a potion from this alone." Samuel handed the parchment back.

  Impossible… Hill remained expressionless but nodded slightly. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Samuel. You may go."

  Samuel bowed slightly before leaving the station unimpeded. It seemed Hill had truly only wanted him to examine the formu.

  Inside the station, Hill stood by the window, watching Samuel disappear down the street. After a long pause, he turned to his subordinates. "Follow him. See if he purchases any berries."

  ...

  "Something is definitely happening."

  "The number of undercover guards in the city has increased."

  "Could it still be reted to Baron Reiser… or the missing persons case?"

  Samuel walked along the stone-paved streets, occasionally gncing at the lively market stalls.

  I need to grow stronger quickly… A surge of urgency filled him. He halted momentarily before turning down a side street.

  Whether it was Baron Reiser or the disappearances, he was somehow tangled up in it all. He couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t be the next target.

  His steps carried him onward, eyes scanning the shop signs until he stopped before a fruit store.

  At first gnce, it looked like an ordinary store—its counter lined with common berries and a small selection of rarer ones.

  Back in Baron Reiser’s chambers, he and the other apothecaries had exchanged contact information. This shop was one of the designated apothecary contact points.

  Berries were just another type of fruit to most people. But to apothecaries, they were precious alchemical ingredients.

  And when it came to acquiring materials for a powerful poison, where better to look than an apothecary’s supply?

  From the moment he had arrived in Ambition City, he had pnned for this.

  Now, he just needed to py his part—the apothecary with coin in hand, purchasing berries for his craft.

  Nothing could be more natural.

  -----

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