According to internal Nighthawks materials, an "Apothecary" is a Sequence 9 Beyonder who can mix potions to treat illnesses and has good resistance to toxins.
The fat apothecary's herbs were planted in the sewers of Backlund's bridge district, which was some distance from here.
So they rented a carriage, hoping to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
Silas could maintain lucidity for about another hour. Even accounting for travel time, it would be enough.
In the carriage, the two chatted briefly.
The fat apothecary only said his name was Darkwill, but when Silas asked about his specific background, he became hesitant and unwilling to answer.
Perhaps it was because Silas had acted too terrifyingly before, making him wary.
"Do you know of any places nearby where Beyonders can trade, or any gatherings?"
Silas didn't bother explaining and simply changed the subject, turning to the intelligence he wanted.
"Oh, that's easy. Backlund has many Beyonder gatherings. Usually, they agree on a date and location in advance, with veterans bringing in newcomers."
The fat apothecary Darkwill said. "I know of two myself. After we finish this job, I can take you there."
"That would be perfect."
Silas nodded.
The carriage stopped at a secluded alley entrance in Backlund's bridge district. The two got out and walked into the alley.
"Hm? Looks like someone's been here."
After walking a few steps, Darkwill suddenly said.
Silas looked in the direction he was pointing and saw a dark sewer opening at the end of the alley. The manhole cover had been opened by someone.
Walking over to examine it, he found the marks were somewhat old, not recently opened.
In other words, either the person who went down forgot to close it when they came out, or those people never came back out.
"Who else did you tell about this place?"
Silas asked.
"I only told that guy Horn."
Darkwill said, the flesh on his round face trembling, looking somewhat nervous. "Does this mean he wasn't lying? His men really did die down there?"
Silas glanced at him.
"Under normal circumstances, I should demand more money on the spot, or I won't go down."
"Uh, okay. Then I'll give you a few more healing potions. They're very effective."
"I don't need healing potions. Give me 10 pounds more."
Silas said without hesitation.
"Deal!"
Darkwill hesitated for a moment, then nodded through gritted teeth.
Seems like those herbs down there are really important to him.
With the price settled, Silas wasted no more time.
He came to the edge of the opening and looked back at Darkwill. "Let's go."
"I have to go down too?"
"If you don't, who's going to guide me?"
Silas said with surprise.
Darkwill's face became quite distressed, because what Silas said made perfect sense, but he clearly didn't want to go down.
"Then you better keep me safe. You must!"
He hesitated for quite a while, until Silas began to show impatience, before finally agreeing.
The two walked to the edge of the dark opening and climbed down the ladder on the well wall.
As they descended, a warm and foul smell immediately surrounded them, accompanied by the sound of gurgling water in their ears.
After climbing about four or five meters, the ladder ended and they stepped onto flat, damp ground.
The smell was tolerable. No accumulated methane.
Silas thought to himself. That made sense. If there were methane, the apothecary's planted herbs would have died long ago.
So he confidently activated the lamb soul within him, making crimson fireballs ignite around him, illuminating the lightless underground environment.
The damp walls reflected the light, displaying a strange, glittering texture.
Silas walked a few steps, looking around.
The space down here was... unexpectedly spacious.
A century ago, Backlund had suffered a large-scale plague outbreak.
Due to the congestion of the underground water system, the drinking water became contaminated, causing a massive number of citizens to become infected [historical fact].
After the disaster, the Loen authorities renovated the underground water system, creating today's intricate underground water network.
From the opening, there was a small vaulted passage that sloped downward. At the end, there was the sound of water.
Walking out of the passage, after descending a good five or six meters, the space suddenly opened up before him.
An underground dark river flowed through a channel built of brick and cement, wide enough for boats to pass.
The stench became even more pungent. The flowing water was mixed with who knows how much filth.
"Is it really okay to grow herbs in a place like this?"
Silas turned to glance at Darkwill. "Those are things that go in your mouth."
"What's wrong with it? Some herbs prefer dark, damp places."
Darkwill had been nervously observing his surroundings, but hearing Silas question his professionalism, he immediately straightened up.
"Besides, growing herbs requires fertilizer, and fertilizer is even dirtier."
As he spoke, he pulled a jar of ointment from his pocket and smeared it below his nose on his philtrum.
That area immediately turned black, making it look like he'd grown a thick mustache.
"Cancels out the smell. Want some?"
He offered the ointment to Silas.
Silas shook his head in disgust and slightly used flesh magic. The tissue inside his nasal cavity grew, immediately reducing his sense of smell.
"It's not poisonous, don't worry."
The apothecary said with an awkward smile.
"I said no. Hurry up and lead the way."
Hearing Silas say this, Darkwill quickly put away the ointment and walked ahead to guide him.
The two gradually fell silent, only walking forward accompanied by the sound of the dark river flowing beside them.
At the edges of the light created by the fireball, rats, insects, and other creatures squeaked and scurried away.
Hm?
Silas's ears twitched slightly. He seemed to hear some strange sounds.
"Almost there."
Darkwill said quietly.
The two turned a corner, and ahead appeared a recessed space about half the size of a room.
It seemed to be a place where sewer workers stored tools.
But those tools had now been moved aside, replaced by several rows of wooden racks of varying heights, covered with soil-filled flowerpots in which various herbs were planted.
This must be Darkwill's herb room.
Silas looked at the fat apothecary and found his face wore an expression of terror, because at this moment the herb room contained not only herbs but also several huge, bloated, bizarre creatures clinging to the racks, gnawing at those herbs.
Sensing the firelight, they all turned their heads together, revealing sharp mouths, twitching noses, and bloodshot eyes.
Mutated rats?
Silas thought as he looked at their appearance.
These rats were about the size of piglets.
For some unknown reason, they had become this way.
Seeing Silas and his companion, they didn't flee.
Instead, they made excited squeaking sounds, jumped down from the wooden racks, and charged toward them at extremely fast speed.
The rat at the front had already rushed up to Silas. It greedily opened its mouth wide, preparing to bite into Silas's flesh.
Its overgrown teeth were clearly visible in the firelight.
"Boom!"
A fireball shot out and drilled into its mouth.