Magic Potion Workshop

Luke and Kailina left the Secret Intelligence Bureau through the back door and hired a carriage.

Due to the high cost of steam locomotives and the need for specialized maintenance personnel, animal power remained the primary mode of transportation.

Many nobles, officials, and merchants disliked the pungent smell of machine oil and preferred luxurious carriages to showcase their distinguished status.

The poor roads made the carriage ride very bumpy.

Kailina, on her first field mission, appeared very nervous. She clasped her hands on her lap, looking as if she were ready to draw her magic wand and cast a spell at any moment.

Luke, sitting opposite her, smiled and said, "Relax. I'm actually afraid you'll blow up this carriage with magic right now."

Kailina smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, Detective Chief. Every time Captain Black Mamba returns from a field case, I have to help her write reports. They always encounter some vicious murderers.

Although some people are innocent, I know the Cape District is truly dangerous. I need to protect you."

Luke hadn't expected Kailina to be so nervous because she was thinking of protecting him.

"Oh? You're protecting me... is it because you want to protect me? Or is it because your 'loyalty' compels you to protect me?"

Kailina thought for a moment. "I... I don't know. The stimulation from the device on my brain makes it difficult to distinguish whether it's my own intention or a command from 'loyalty'."

"No, you can still distinguish, as long as you master the method. The brain, as the most complex organ in the human body, cannot be completely controlled by a device. I'll teach you a method that combines breathing and meditation. If you practice it skillfully, you'll be able to differentiate between your true thoughts and those imposed upon you.

While this won't free you from the device's control, it will allow you to recognize your true self."

"Really?" Kailina was very excited, but then she asked worriedly, "Will this cause you trouble?"

"If you don't say anything, who will know?"

"Thank you, Detective Chief. I definitely won't tell anyone."

Luke taught Kailina the breathing and meditation method, and the shift in her focus quickly relaxed her.

The carriage arrived at its destination and stopped.

It was a very narrow alley, without even a formal name. Those in the know called it Black Potion Alley.

In the Golden Shield Empire, alchemical potions were a state monopoly. Production and sales were only permitted with the approval of the Imperial Pharmacist Association.

However, the official alchemical potions were generally expensive, which gave rise to the black potion industry. Potions produced in private workshops not only had questionable quality but could also have side effects. Their price, however, was their most significant competitive advantage.

Moreover, some black potions possessed effects that official potions lacked.

The unique environment of the Cape District had fostered a large-scale black potion industry here.

Black Potion Alley existed almost semi-openly.

The arrival of Luke and Kailina immediately drew the attention of the people in Black Potion Alley.

Their clothing indicated they were people of status. Kailina, in particular, possessed an aura of a former noble lady that was difficult to imitate or conceal.

Some people surrounded them, intending to prevent them from entering Black Potion Alley.

Luke produced a 100 Imperial Mark note and gave it to the person at the front.

"I'm a potion buyer, looking for Ralph."

The person took the money, glanced at Luke and Kailina, and waved for the onlookers to disperse.

"Ralph? The aphrodisiac they make killed an old gentleman last week. Many merchants are afraid to sell their potions anymore.

Sir... if you're looking for an aphrodisiac, I can recommend one. It uses a formula approved by the Imperial Pharmacist Association, guaranteed safe and effective, and will satisfy your female companion.

Ralph's family, they tend to add strange things to their potions."

Kailina blushed and lowered her head, understanding what an aphrodisiac was.

Luke produced another 100 Imperial Mark note.

"Ralph and I are friends. Please take me there."

The person quickly took the money.

"No problem! Actually, the old gentleman who died was eighty years old. Ralph's family's potions are a bit potent. After taking them, you'll definitely be as fierce as a dragon.

Please follow me."

Luke led Kailina inside, following the man.

The entire alley was filled with the smell of potions. Some potion ingredients and vessels were casually discarded on the muddy road, and some were reacting, emitting colorful bubbles.

The management was lax, and the sanitary conditions were quite worrying!

The man led Luke to the front of a workshop.

"This is Ralph's potion workshop. You can go in. As a kind reminder, Ralph's potions... it's best to drink only half a bottle."

"Thank you."

Luke and Kailina entered the workshop, and the pungent smell of potions became even stronger.

Inside the entrance was a small courtyard.

A well was connected to a trough, and several female workers sat on either side of the trough, washing potion bottles.

At the far end of the courtyard was a small door leading underground, guarded by a burly man.

Luke didn't stop and continued further inside.

The man blocked the underground entrance. "Who are you people? If you want to talk business, wait here."

Luke grabbed the man's arm, twisted him to the ground, and stepped over him into the basement.

Kailina carefully stepped over the man, not forgetting to say, "Sorry!"

The man's screams alerted the people inside the underground workshop.

Seeing Luke descend, they immediately grabbed whatever weapons were at hand and charged forward.

Luke didn't stop, continuing further inside.

"Kailina!"

"Yes, Detective Chief..."

Kailina took out the Magic Wand hidden in her sleeve. The tip of the wand emitted a strong light, and a person approaching Luke was blasted away by a magic beam.

The magic beams continued to fire, knocking back everyone who charged forward.

Kailina held up her skirt and quickly caught up to Luke, using magic to move a blocking crate to the wall.

She kept apologizing to the stunned people, "Sorry... sorry... Detective Chief, wait for me..."

Luke kept walking forward, noticing that those hit by Kailina's magic could still get up.

If Shelley had been brought along, it would have been a different scene.

Through the material preparation room, the milling room, the dissolving room...

Kailina stayed by Luke's side, pointing her Magic Wand forward. The light emitted from the tip of the wand scared most people into not daring to move rashly.

Those bold enough to attack were simply thrown away by magic.

Luke passed through room after room with almost no obstruction, finally being blocked by four people.

Their bodies were different from the ordinary people they had encountered earlier.

Leading them was a short old man with a beard, completely white hair, and a forehead as bulging as Shouxing's.

The old man angrily questioned Luke, "Who are you people?"

Luke slowly took his Detective Chief badge from his pocket and pinned it to his chest. "New Detective Chief of the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau... Meteor."