"Our stock of Healing Potions is running low," Trish stated. "In another two or three days, we'll likely run out."

"Healing Potions?" Carl, who had been reclining in a soft chair with his eyes closed in thought, opened his eyes and asked, "The kind supplied by Lady Géru?"

The Magic Forest was extremely dangerous. While it was relatively safe near Leipzig Market, dangers lurked everywhere beyond it. Whether for food or resources for training, one had to venture into the forest to find them, and such round trips often took a very long time. Healing Potions were, naturally, essential supplies.

"Yes." Trish nodded. "The shipment was supposed to arrive seven days ago, but it hasn't been delivered. She said there were some problems at her home."

Carl sat up straight. "Lately, far too many of our supplying Pharmacists seem to be having issues!"

Besides Lady Géru, several other Pharmacists who supplied them had failed to deliver on time or had delayed their shipments. Initially, it hadn't been a major concern, but now it was beginning to affect the shop's normal operations.

It seems it's not wise to have a single Pharmacist responsible for one type of Potion; our supply is too easily affected that way, Carl thought.

Standing up, he said, "I'll go ask Charlie. He should know other Pharmacists who concoct Healing Potions."

BANG!

Just as he finished speaking, a muffled thud came from the entrance, and the outer door shook a few times.

"Swindler!"

"Shameless swindler!"

Someone yelled in front of the shop, "Murderous, shameless swindler! You pass off ineffective, low-quality pills as high-quality ones! You killed my brother!"

"Archie's shop! This is a murderous den!"

Shops in Leipzig Market had to pay a monthly management fee, and this money was not taken for nothing. Patrol officers from the Capulet family quickly arrived at the scene and detained the two shouting Knights.

However, the situation escalated rapidly. The shouts attracted a large crowd of onlookers, and with just a few simple phrases, all accusations were directed squarely at Archie's pharmacy.

"What's going on?" Carl emerged, his face grim, and looked at the two Knights kneeling before the shop. "Causing trouble?"

"We're not here to cause trouble!" one of the Knights retorted, glaring up with bulging eyes, the veins on his neck prominent. "The Healing Potions we bought from you were completely useless! They caused my brother's death out in the wilds!"

"His body is right here! We've come for justice!"

The already putrid corpse lay before the shop entrance. Carl was, of course, well aware of it, and his expression grew even darker.

"Mr. Karl," one of the patrol officers said, "if you have no questions, we'll drive them away. We can't allow disturbances in the market."

"Wait a minute." Carl looked up and asked, "On what grounds do you claim the Healing Potions you used were from our shop?"

"What?" The Knight's eyes widened. "Are you trying to deny it?"

He struggled to pull several bottles of Potions from his tunic, throwing them on the ground as he roared, "These are all Potions bought from your shop! They have your mark on them! Don't even think about denying it!"

Carl picked up the Potions from the ground. After a brief examination, his brow furrowed slightly.

These are indeed Potions sold in our shop. And they have, in fact, lost their efficacy. They even possess a certain toxicity; taking one at a critical moment wouldn't just fail to save a person—it could kill them.

"What's going on?"

Just then, Charlie, having heard the commotion, hurried over. When he saw the Potions in Carl's hand, his expression flickered. He then roared, "Drive them away! How dare you cause trouble at an Official Wizard's shop!"

"Get out!"

Signaling the patrol officers to take the men away, he gave Carl a meaningful look and headed into the shop.

"Swindler!"

"Murderous swindler!"

"Argh..."

Outside, the roars grew fainter, but the whispers and mutterings of passersby did not cease.

Inside the shop.

"What happened out there?" Charlie sat down, his face grim. "Is there a problem with the Potions?"

"...Yes." Carl sighed in resignation and handed over the Potions. "They were indeed sold by our shop. But, Senior Brother Charlie, I inspect every batch of Potions that comes in. There were absolutely no issues with them at the time."

Potions couldn't be unsealed for inspection, as opening them would cause irreversible changes; thus, his checks were on the sealed Potions.

Charlie took the Potions, examined them briefly, and then set them aside.

"What's done is done. Talking about it now is useless," Charlie said. "How we handle this situation is what's crucial.

"The reputation of our tutor cannot be compromised.

"Junior Brother Carl!" His voice deepened slightly. "You were brought here personally by our tutor. I expect you not to disappoint him."

"...Yes." Carl bowed his head.

Leaving the bustling Leipzig Market and traveling a short distance was like stepping into another world. Houses of various styles were jumbled together, and the labyrinthine streets, varying in size, were filled with shabbily dressed pedestrians. From time to time, Carl could see emaciated children playing in mud pits.

For a moment, Carl felt somewhat bewildered, as if he had arrived at Freedom Port, that chaotic and lawless place.

"In the Magic Forest, there are very few areas suitable for growing food. To obtain food, one must go into the mountains to hunt various dangerous creatures." Jie, the shop's guard and a Great Knight who knew Carl's background, explained softly, "So, the living conditions for the native people here aren't good."

Carl nodded slowly.

His life in the Wizard Tower and in Leipzig Market was as convenient as the modern society he remembered from his previous life. Clothing, food, shelter, and transport—all aspects were extremely convenient. Here, however, it was like medieval Europe. Two entirely different eras coexisting in the same place, separated only by a chasm of absolute power. In reality, only a very small number of people could afford to live in Leipzig Market; the vast majority lived in these slum-like areas.

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