Chapter 248 – Witch Catherine
Hearing his voice, Catherine didn't even turn her head. She immediately tugged Doria forward, trying to blend into the crowd.
"Miss, that's way too obvious!" Doria whispered urgently. "If we can't find any holy artifacts, we'll still have to go back to Mr. Beron. Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"
Catherine's body stiffened at once. She pinched Doria lightly on the arm.
"You don't have to say that out loud!"
Just as the two were about to slip into the crowd, things didn't go as they had hoped.
Beron cast a glance toward the distance. Almost immediately, a black-robed exorcist deliberately bumped into them.
"Watch where you're going, woman," the black-robed man barked.
"Sir, please show some respect to these ladies."
Beron stepped forward at once, placing himself between Catherine and the black-robed exorcist.
The latter snorted coldly before walking away.
Beron reached out, as if to steady her. "Are you alright?"
"I can manage on my own." Catherine stepped aside, avoiding his touch.
She then turned to Doria.
"Doria, have you noticed something?"
"Wh-what?" Doria blinked, confused but instinctively playing along.
"Every time we happen to run into this gentleman, I somehow get 'accidentally' knocked over. Isn't that strange?" Catherine smiled faintly at Beron.
"…It is," Doria replied cautiously.
She didn't dare say more.
After all, if her mistress failed to buy any holy artifacts today, she would inevitably be the one sent to negotiate with Mr. Beron.
Beron simply smiled, showing no trace of embarrassment at being exposed. Instead, he smoothly changed the subject.
"Where are you two headed today? The first round of recruitment for the Rosicrucian witches has just concluded. Perhaps the Intelligence District has information about the assessment criteria."
Catherine rolled her eyes thoughtfully before answering, "The Materials District. I'd like to see whether anyone is selling holy artifacts."
Doria quietly tugged at her sleeve, shaking her head in silent protest.
"Holy artifacts?" Beron raised a brow. "Haven't you always purchased them from me, Lady Catherine? What is it? Are you dissatisfied with the ones I provided?"
Catherine said calmly, "I'm simply curious. In a guild this large, why is it that only you are selling high-grade holy artifacts?"
Beron chuckled.
"Holy artifacts are regulated items under Church control. I just happen to have a friend capable of producing them—that's how I secure such steady supply."
He lifted his chin slightly.
"As for the other stalls in the Guild? I can give you a clear answer, Lady Catherine. They don't dare sell them."
Catherine clenched her fists.
"Don't tell me all the exorcists here only listen to you?" she demanded through gritted teeth.
Beron smiled. "Of course I don't have that kind of influence. But…"
He waved a hand dismissively. "Why ruin your good mood with such talk?"
Your very existence is what ruins my mood! Catherine fumed inwardly.
Still, she continued toward the Materials District.
"No matter what you say, I'm going to take a look."
Beron smiled gently. "Naturally. I can accompany you—just in case you urgently need holy artifacts later and can't find anyone."
Catherine didn't turn around, but beneath her robes, her whole body trembled with restrained anger.
Just as she was about to lose her composure, something caught her eye—a stall near the center of the Materials District.
It appeared newly opened. A fresh signboard stood at the entrance.
And the words written on it made Catherine's eyes light up—
High-Quality Holy Artifacts for Sale.
"Doria! Let's check that one!"
Catherine grabbed her companion and hurried over.
Beron saw the sign as well. His brows furrowed, and he quickly followed.
---
Inside the Stall
Jingle.
As Catherine pushed open the door, a small bell chimed overhead.
She looked up to see a tiny bell hanging from the frame, then surveyed the interior.
Compared to other stalls, this place could only be described as austere.
Though positioned in a high-traffic area, the display was sparse—only seven or eight glass bottles arranged neatly on the table. The rest of the shelves were empty.
The stall owner barely glanced at her.
"Feel free to browse," he said casually before returning to his book.
"Witch Catherine… this place probably doesn't have anything," Doria whispered.
Catherine approached the table of bottles.
"Excuse me… are you selling high-grade holy artifacts here?"
Without looking up, the man pointed.
"Five-year on the left. Eight-year in the middle. Ten-year on the right."
Catherine hadn't expected much—but his words sent a shock through her.
---
Catherine's Problem:
After fleeing her home, Catherine had used a forbidden witchcraft ritual to erase the traces of her magical signature. Even holy relic–level artifacts could no longer track her.
But the cost was severe.
Periodically, her body would suffer corruption:
Skin blackening and rotting
Evil aura seeping from her pores
Risk of losing her humanity entirely
If left untreated, she would become something no longer human—and worse, she would attract malevolent spirits.
There were only two solutions:
1. Cancel the ritual.
Impossible. Her family would find her immediately.
2. Purify the corruption using holy artifacts.
But only artifacts of five-year quality or higher were effective.
She had already exhausted the supply she brought from home.
At first, replenishing them at the Exorcist Guild had been easy. Soon after registering, she met Beron, who seemed to have an abundant stock at reasonable prices.
But over time, his prices rose higher and higher.
Catherine, a runaway without stable backing, could not sustain the cost.
When she tried to switch suppliers, she discovered something troubling—
No other stall sold high-quality holy artifacts.
Clearly, something was off.
Now, in the present—
Catherine carefully uncorked the bottle in the middle.
A surge of holy power flowed out.
So strong! she gasped inwardly. Even stronger than what Beron sells.
She inhaled again.
The quality reminded her of the holy artifacts she once brought from the Vatican.
Compared to this—
Beron's goods were inferior.
And she had paid dearly for them.
Suppressing her excitement, Catherine picked up the rightmost bottle.
Her eyes widened.
This level… only Easter-blessed holy water should reach this quality. No—this is even higher. Comparable to relics excavated from sacred ground.
She couldn't help glancing at the stall owner, curious how he obtained such goods.
But she knew the Guild's etiquette. She didn't ask.
"How much… for this one?" she asked softly.
The man tilted his head slightly.
"Ten thousand resentment points."
So expensive!
Her heart skipped.
But it was worth it.
With this quality, I could last an entire month.
Yet her expression dimmed.
She could afford it—but afterward, she'd have to accept dangerous commissions nonstop to maintain that level of consumption.
"Do you… have something slightly lower? Maybe six-year quality?" she asked, cheeks faintly flushed.
She had entered confidently asking for high-grade items—now she was backing down. It felt embarrassing.
The stall owner paused.
Why are people always like this? he thought. If you want lower grade, just say so.
Aloud, he said, "Let me check."
He rummaged through a bag.
"No six-year." He placed another bottle on the table. "Seven-year. Seven thousand points."
Catherine considered, then nodded.
"I'll take it."
Just as she prepared to pay, the door opened.
Catherine turned.
Beron stood there.
Her brows tightened.
He had followed after all.
Beron immediately noticed the bottle in her hand. Whatever its quality, it clearly satisfied her.
That was unacceptable.
He stepped forward.
After greeting the two ladies, he turned to the stall owner.
"Sir, may I ask who authorized you to sell high-quality holy artifacts here?"
The stall owner—Gideon—raised a brow.
"Is there a rule saying I can't?"
Catherine frowned. "My transaction with this gentleman isn't finished. According to Guild rules, you shouldn't be interrupting."
"My apologies," Beron said smoothly. "I'm merely concerned you might be deceived. After all, the origins of these goods are unclear."
Gideon observed them calmly.
Ah. So this is one of those 'rich young master asserting dominance' scenarios?
But I didn't even do anything.
He had barely spoken to her beyond pricing.
His voice cooled.
"Oh? So all holy artifacts must pass your inspection before being considered authentic?"
Beron smiled thinly. "Of course."
He studied Gideon.
"If I'm not mistaken, this is your first time running a stall?"
Silence.
"In that case, you should know—no one is permitted to sell holy artifacts above five-year quality in the Materials District."
"Oh?" Gideon chuckled softly. "And where exactly is that rule posted?"
"There's no need for posting. If you want to do business here, you follow it."
Gideon's eyes sharpened.
"It's been a while since I've seen someone this arrogant."
If not a fool, this man must have backing.
"Does the Guild know about your rule?" Gideon emphasized.
Beron sneered. "You can complain. It won't change anything."
"Complain?" Gideon echoed. "You think I should waste my time because of one sentence from you?"
His gaze turned icy.
"You seem to overestimate your importance."
Beron's expression darkened.
"I'm neither filing a complaint nor stopping sales," Gideon continued. "Before I stand up and throw you out, I suggest you leave."
A tense silence fell.
At last, Beron turned and left.
---
Aftermath
"I'm sorry… this happened because of me," Catherine said, removing her hood.
Gideon finally saw her face—pure, beautiful, unexpectedly gentle.
But business was business.
"Transaction's complete. You may leave."
She hesitated.
"If I want to buy holy artifacts again… how can I find you?"
"Lower-grade stock's gone."
It was partly true—and partly because he didn't want further trouble.
Catherine's eyes dimmed.
"Understood. Thank you."
She left with Doria.
---
Meanwhile – Private Lounge
Beron sat on a sofa before a landline telephone.
"Archbishop Sadu, apologies for disturbing you. There's an issue with the woman."
A calm voice replied, "Speak."
"As instructed, we control all high-grade holy artifact sales in the Guild. But today, someone openly sold high-quality holy water."
A pause.
"Have the manager handle it," the voice said at last. "Catherine must remain under our control."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Beron hung up.
His eyes were cold.
The game was far from over.