Chapter 154: 155. The Witcher, the King, and the Little Wild Cat.
The sun was setting in the west.
The blood-red sunset covered the sky, and the golden-red sunlight spilled into the courtyard of the castle ruins. The neatly arranged, ghastly white skeletons were bathed in this light, turning golden and appearing somewhat sacred.
Vesemir, wearing a wide-brimmed black hat, lowered his head, gazing at the remains of old friends that had been gathered on the ground. The sunlight cast a large shadow from his hat, obscuring the Witcher master's face and making it difficult to discern his expression. The innkeeper and his wife's commission was destined to be unfulfilled.
After all, Vesemir was just a Witcher, unable to identify the deceased based on their skeletal remains. These bodies had been tampered with by certain people, and their identities couldn't be discerned from their positions. Naturally, Vesemir couldn't identify Viscount Hudson's family from among these many bones.
Even Allen, seeing the Witcher master in such a gloomy state, had a clever idea and attempted identification, but all he got was:
[Name: Human Skeleton]
[Type: Common Material]
[Note: This is just a pile of ordinary human bones.]
According to the judgment of the monster-hunting notebook...
Whether noble or commoner, admired or forgotten by the world...
In death, they were all just a pile of white bones. Just a pile of ordinary human bones.
Allen patted Vesemir's shoulder, comforting him, "Master Vesemir, at least we didn't find any children's bones, and there are very few women's bones. Viscount Hudson's family should have been rescued by someone."
Vesemir finally came back to his senses, looking at Allen's concerned expression, feeling a warmth in his heart.
"If the red-haired elf was looking for the human couple the innkeeper mentioned, then it was probably that couple who saved them."
"Unfortunately, all the clues have now been lost, and we don't know where to search."
Vesemir sighed, feeling a mix of regret and relief.
In truth, after learning that this matter involved the king and a wizard, he didn't want to continue the investigation deep down. After all, it was something that happened over a decade ago. Although Viscount Hudson had left a deep impression on him, Vesemir didn't owe him anything.
If he were alone, he might have continued, risking everything to seek justice for an old friend. But that wasn't the case. With the school on the brink of extinction, he could barely protect himself. He didn't want to drag Allen into this because of his personal affairs.
Even if, as Allen suggested, the king was indeed the true enemy of Kaer Morhen, intent on destroying the Wolf School, Allen had a good teacher, and the fall of the school didn't mean he had to die with it.
As long as they didn't provoke the king's or the wizard's hatred and attention, Lady Vera could certainly save his life.
As for the red-haired elf's mission? What about allying with the elves?
Vesemir didn't trust those long-eared ones.
"Letting this end inconclusively might be the best choice," he thought.
"Maybe I have a method I can try," Allen's words interrupted Vesemir's thoughts. He paused for a moment and curiously asked, "What method?"
Allen didn't respond immediately.
Wolf Medallion Perspective Link.
Blurry points of light in various colors suddenly appeared.
Green, blue, red, yellow... black...
Yes.
In this world, there should have been only four types of magical elements. But in Allen's magical vision, a fifth element—black—had appeared.
When Vesemir lamented that Witchers couldn't sense magic, Allen had activated the Wolf Medallion and discovered this element. This unique element felt very similar to the residue left by malice. It carried the same ominous and eerie vibe.
Allen believed that this inexplicable element was the culprit behind the spirits' appearance in broad daylight. However, seeing that the Witcher master seemed momentarily lost, immersed in memories, he didn't disturb him.
"Master Vesemir, I can see the elements in the air."
"What!" The Witcher master opened his mouth wide, then slapped his forehead, regretting, "Of course, the Witcher's eyes can see the flow of magic within monsters. How could I forget they could also sense the magic in the air?"
"So, have you found anything unusual?" Vesemir asked expectantly.
Allen nodded slightly and led Vesemir towards the place where the black elemental points were most concentrated.
-----------
Adar Town.
Count Burns' Manor.
"What is the situation with that castle ruin now?"
"A Witcher..." Serio glanced at the man leaning against the wall, Sol, "a Witcher from the Wolf School, with an apprentice, is clearing the ruined castle."
"We three went in with them to see if there were any elves hiding in the ruins."
"After Fargo was seriously injured by a spirit, we all retreated."
"And the two Witchers?" the king asked with an unusual nervousness. "Did they leave the ruins with you?"
Serio answered truthfully, "No, they should still be inside, clearing the ruins."
King Henselt's face instantly darkened. His plump face, filled with fat, furrowed with anger and displeasure. The atmosphere in the large room became oppressive due to the king's fury.
"Who?"
"Who commissioned them to clear the castle?"
Henselt demanded loudly.
Damn it! Why is the king reacting so strongly?
Could there be some other secret hidden in that castle that was destroyed over ten years ago?
Bowen's mind was in turmoil, a cold sweat instantly forming on his forehead as chills ran down his spine. Instinctively, he glanced at Serio, finding his companion equally pale and drained of color.
At that moment...
"What is it, Henselt?"
"Just killing some wraiths, is there a problem with that castle? Do you need my help to clear it?"
The deep male voice from the right saved them. Upon hearing Sol's seemingly concerned question, Henselt realized his mistake. In front of the grandmaster of the Wolf School, asking about the true identity of the Witcher's employer...
That was tantamount to challenging the Wolf School.
"The plan is already on track; now is not the time to tear things apart," Henselt thought.
So, he took a deep breath, calming himself before laughing heartily, "Hahaha, how could there be, Grandmaster Sol."
"The Witcher from your school, who brought an apprentice, is probably here to participate in the tournament."
"The tournament is only a few days away, and I'm worried they might get injured, affecting their performance."
Without waiting for Sol's response, he smiled at those around him, saying, "Traveling must have exhausted Grandmaster Sol. Someone, take the grandmaster to rest."
Sol didn't expose Henselt's hypocrisy. He looked deeply at the king, then pointed at Serio and Bowen.
"Let them escort me for the next few days."
Henselt paused, retracting his smile.
After a brief, expressionless stare, he nodded and said, "Serio, in the next few days, you and your team will escort Grandmaster Sol."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Bowen and Serio pretended to be unwilling but were relieved internally. They had misjudged the importance of the castle ruins in the king's mind, which had nearly caused a disaster.
Creeeak
The intricately carved door closed.
The room fell silent.
"Damn those witchers!" The quiet environment was soon shattered by a furious growl.
"If only we followed our plan, those witchers would be dead and gone, my king!"
Jenks offered some comfort and, when Henselt's mood calmed, smirked again, saying, "However… Your Majesty, you really are heartless…"
"I've heard that Grandmaster Sol once saved you and your mother's lives, and now you repay him like this…"
Smack!
Henselt seemed to be struck where it hurt, his thick hand slamming down on the table. The bloody meat juice from the silver plate splattered out, causing the nearby male servants to rush over and clean up.
"Jenks, are you representing the Ban Ard Academy in provoking the kingdom?" Henselt roared.
Clang!
The surrounding guards also drew their swords, pointing them at Jenks.
"Sorry, sorry, Your Majesty. I just heard a rumor, but seeing your reaction now, it must be false."
Jenks seemed unphased by the threat, taking a seemingly fearful step back but still eyeing Henselt with a mocking look.
Unlike witchers, sorcerers, despite losing their fertility during their awakening, maintain a closer relationship with the secular world due to their similar appearance and superior traits. Especially among the noble class.
The awakening of magical powers is often feared by commoners, who discard these gifted children. In contrast, nobles send their awakened offspring to Ban Ard or Aretuza, supporting them with vast sums of money.
Due to the high costs of education and research for sorcerer apprentices, they tend to advance further and more smoothly compared to commoner apprentices. Losing fertility also fosters a more amicable relationship with noble families. Thus, a high-ranking sorcerer often comes with a prosperous family behind them.
For instance, Jenks, who frequently opposes the king, is the vice-principal of Ban Ard and the heir of the Feron family, which spans three kingdoms. The family's power is nearly on par with that of the royal family.
Ban Ard Academy has many such noble sorcerers, and there are even one or two royal sorcerers, though their talents are rather ordinary. Thus, while sorcerers and witchers are mysterious and peculiar in the eyes of the common folk, their statuses are vastly different among the upper echelons of the Northern Kingdom.
Even the King of Kaedwen, Henselt, could only suppress his anger and endure the uncomfortable situation.
"Still joking, it seems the castle ruins in the White Orchard won't be an issue because of these witchers?" he probed.
Jenks shook his head. If there was going to be a problem, you'd be in a hurry to mock me... Henselt was infuriated, his entire bulk trembling, ready to burst into curses.
"Too late now." Jenks walked to the window, opening the blinds to look outside.
"Although the White Orchard is not far from here, considering the speed of witchers dealing with monsters, even if we send someone immediately…"
"The monsters in the ruins should be mostly killed by now. Even if there are a few left, it's meaningless."
"However…"
"However, what?" Henselt quickly pressed.
"But that ruin is no longer important. The location is now narrowed down to three towns, and even a small search would not take long."
Pausing, he continued, "Moreover, the Melasca's Curse Ring can roughly track the target for nearly ten years, which is already quite incomprehensible."
"Based on past research…"
"I don't care whether it's called Melaisa or Misico. Just tell me when we can find them!"
Henselt's loud interruption cut off Jenks's thoughts.
Jenks looked over at the sound.
The excessively obese King of Kaedwen, stuck in his seat like an irate wild boar, made Jenks's eyes flash with disdain. He decided not to waste more time explaining and said directly: "Based on the troops you've sent, it will take at most three days. If you send more troops, perhaps one or two days will suffice."
Without waiting for Henselt's response, Jenks's lips moved slightly, and a bright orange portal suddenly appeared in the center of the room.
The sudden change in space caused a gust of wind that blew all the silver plates, glasses, and cutlery from the table onto Henselt. Jenks didn't even look at Henselt as he walked through the portal with another sorcerer.
After the two sorcerers left, Henselt, covered in bloody meat juice, should have been furiously cursing. But he wasn't.
Instead, he calmly took a pure white handkerchief from a trembling servant and meticulously wiped the stains from his face, as if his previous anger and frustration were just a performance.
"Your Majesty, Sorcerer Jenks just has a peculiar temperament; it shouldn't represent Ban Ard…"
Henselt raised his hand to interrupt his loyal servant's comfort and said indifferently, "Jenks is peculiar, but don't the sorcerers from Ban Ard know this?"
"They sent Jenks as their representative to confront me; isn't that meant to undermine royal authority?"
Bang~ Bang~
Before he finished speaking, the servants and guards in the room were terrified by the king's blunt words and knelt in fear.
"Get up."
Henselt shook his head. His thick finger tapped the black oak table. After a moment's thought, he turned and asked, "Phyllis, have my little wildcats arrived at Ban Ard?"
Phyllis, the loyal servant, leaned in and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, they arrived this morning."
"Because they were refused lodging at the inn, they cut off the innkeeper's hands and hung them at the door, causing great chaos in the city."
"Ha! The little wildcats are causing trouble again…"
Henselt chuckled, seeming indifferent to the bloody incident in Ban Ard.
"Since they're so eager, let's give them something to do."
"Phyllis, inform them that the wolf school apprentices have taken on commissions in the White Orchard."
"Yes, Your Majesty." After Phyllis received the king's command and was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "Do you want me to warn them about the innkeeper?"
"No need. It's Ban Ard. Even though the little wildcats sometimes have trouble thinking, they aren't fools."
Phyllis nodded and left the room.
Thud~
The door closed softly.
Henselt looked out at the blood-red evening sky and said softly, "They ruined my good plans. They'll have to pay the price."
....…
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156. The Unexpected Guest.
157. The First Clash Between Cat and Wolf.
158. The Death of the Cat.
159. How Do You Know My Name is Fredeca?
160. A New Beginning.
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