In present day Japan, "alchemy" is only used metaphorically; to refer to improper means of making money by politicians or religious hucksters with no morals or shame.
彼はその事件とまったく無縁ではない。
He is involved in the case a little.
当時、貧乏は彼らにとっては無縁なものと思われた。
Poverty seemed to have nothing to do with them in those days.