The moment Luke revealed his identity, the four men blocking their way lost all their nerve.
They were just a Black Magic Potion Workshop. They had no chance against the Imperial Secret Intelligence Bureau, a pack of wolves and tigers.
The old man hurriedly bowed to Luke. "Meteor Detective Chief, it's an honor. I'm Ralph, and these three are my sons.
"I know that making potions illegally violates Imperial law. We'll accept the penalty."
Ralph sounded well practiced in accepting penalties. It seemed the Secret Intelligence Bureau visited them often, and perhaps the Security Bureau did too.
As long as they paid the fines, they could keep producing Black Magic Potions as usual.
But Ralph hadn't expected a detective chief from the Secret Intelligence Bureau to show up in person this time. He had no idea how much it would take to send him on his way.
At the thought, Ralph's expression darkened.
It looked like this time he'd have to give up more than a little flesh. He'd have to bleed, too!
Luke smiled. "Old Ralph, I'm not here to fine you. I'm here to discuss business."
Business?!
Ralph was baffled.
I run a Black Magic Potion Workshop that specializes in Aphrodisiacs.
What business could a distinguished detective chief from the Imperial Secret Intelligence Bureau possibly have with me?
"Detective Chief, please don't joke with me."
"What makes you think I'm joking? This isn't the place to discuss business. Find somewhere we can talk."
Ralph had no idea what the detective chief from the Secret Intelligence Bureau wanted, so he could only invite him into his office.
It also served as his potion-mixing room.
Curved glass tubes connected various vessels on the workbench, and green liquid simmered in a hemispherical glass pot.
As soon as Ralph entered, he took the oil lamp from beneath the glass pot, had his son bring over chairs, then sent everyone else out.
"Detective Chief... People think merchants like us who make Black Magic Potions earn a lot, but our profit margins are actually very thin.
"We have to buy ingredients, hire workers, pay for transport, and grease palms all around. There's not much money left for us.
"If it were really profitable, we wouldn't still be living in Black Potion Alley.
"Please, have a seat..."
Luke didn't sit down. Instead, he walked around the cramped potion-mixing room, examining the equipment.
"Old Ralph, I doubt the other Magic Potion Workshops have such professional equipment for mixing potions."
At the mention of his equipment, Ralph couldn't help sounding proud. "Sir, most Magic Potion Workshops simply follow existing recipes. It's safe, but there's no competitive edge.
"I like to tweak potion recipes to make their effects more potent.
"Our Improved Aphrodisiac is in high demand in the Rich District."
"But... someone died."
Ralph immediately denied it. "No, no! The gentleman who died wasn't drinking a potion we made. Before we settle on a recipe, I always test it myself.
"If anyone's going to die, it'll be me first."
"You test them yourself?" Luke looked at Ralph, who was so old he could barely walk, and didn't believe him.
"Detective Chief, if you don't believe me, I'll drink a bottle right now."
"No need, no need..." Luke stopped Ralph.
If a gentleman in the Rich District had really died after drinking a Black Magic Potion, someone would have come after them long ago.
The rumor was probably fabricated by jealous rivals.
Or perhaps many people were pleased by the gentleman's death, and those who stood to gain didn't want to stir up trouble.
But whatever the truth, it had nothing to do with why Luke had come.
Luke sat down. Kailina stood behind him to one side, still gripping her Magic Wand.
"Please, sit..." Luke gestured for Ralph to take a seat, then said, "I want to invest in your Magic Potion Workshop."
What?!
Ralph was astonished. "Detective Chief, did I hear you right? You want to invest in my Magic Potion Workshop?"
"You heard me. You don't need to ask why. You'll contribute your workshop, and as for the profits... you get twenty percent, I get eighty.
"I can offer you protection and access to distribution channels. All potions made here can receive special-item permits from the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau. Imperial Secret Agents will escort them out of the port, and they can be sold all over the world."
Luke's words immediately excited Ralph.
A single special-item permit from the Secret Intelligence Bureau would be enough to make the Ralph family prosper, never mind the bureau sending people to protect their shipments.
It was like the Empire's royal agents were shoving gold bars into your arms. You couldn't refuse even if you wanted to.
Still, Ralph asked uncertainly, "Detective Chief, there won't be a problem with this? We're a Black Magic Potion Workshop. What we do is illegal..."
"Isn't that why I'm here? To make you legal. With the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau and me backing you, what do you have to worry about?
"Are you in or not? Give me a straight answer. If you're afraid of taking the risk, I can find another workshop."
"I'm in!"
That's right... If the detective chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau is leading us in making Black Magic Potions, what do I have to fear?
"Good!" Luke pointed to the green potion Ralph had just moved aside. "Is this your signature Aphrodisiac?"
"Yes..." Ralph quickly picked up the vial and said proudly, "This Aphrodisiac works fast, and its effects are potent. It puts little strain on the body, and it outclasses every similar product on the market.
"The gentlemen in the Rich District all love it. If we can sell it around the world... we'll make a fortune!"
Luke took the vial, held it up and swirled it, then handed it back to Ralph.
"Use your original recipe and the ingredients I give you to make another potion. Reduce the plantain-chrysanthemum powder by ten grams, increase the whale fat by five grams, and add eight grams of nitrocotton to the slime gel before stirring. Heat it over a flame until it reaches the consistency of pudding.
"Once the original potion is mixed, heat it over a flame until it turns the same blue as my secretary's eyes, then chill it in a freezer kept at a constant minus five degrees for half an hour."
Ralph asked in surprise, "Detective Chief, how do you know my recipe? That's impossible. I'm the only one who knows it. Even my sons don't!"
Luke replied mysteriously, "You don't need to ask where I got the recipe. Just make a potion according to my instructions, then evaluate how well it works."
Ralph didn't dare ask more. He immediately followed the Aphrodisiac's usual preparation steps, incorporating the changes, and made a potion on the spot.
Kailina quietly cautioned Luke, "Detective Chief, you're a senior Imperial official, and you're personally taking part in the production, transport, and sale of illegal potions...
"If... if this comes to light, it'll definitely affect your career record."
Luke said to Kailina, "You know I came to the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau with an important mission. Everything I do is to carry out the task Her Highness gave me.
"I brought you along because I trust you."
Kailina suddenly understood.
The Grand Princess had shown the detective chief such favor even before he took office. There had to be a deeper purpose behind what he was doing.
As the detective chief's confidential secretary, all I need to do is figure out how to assist him properly.
Before you continue