Chapter 174: Witcher Abel

Ryan and Orica exchanged a glance. The arrival of a witcher to seek him was somewhat strange, but if he was just a messenger or here to take on a task, it wouldn't be that unusual.

"Master, you should go and see what's happening. I'm fine here," the dark elf said weakly, still recuperating from her first intimate experience with Ryan the previous night and feeling too weak to move.

"You tell that witcher to wait a moment, I'll see him soon!" Ryan shouted towards the door.

"Understood, my baron," Carsonberg replied and left.

Ryan gently embraced the shy dark elf, playfully blowing in her ear: "Rest well today, you don't need to do anything."

"Master~" Orica leaned on his shoulder, her face flushed. Contrary to what he expected, she was extremely shy during their encounter, thankfully her racial attributes somewhat satisfied Ryan.

"I'll go out and see what's happening, and then I'll come back to accompany you." Ryan gently patted her shoulder and helped her lie down.

"Master, wait," the dark elf raised her head and softly kissed Ryan on the lips.

Ryan also embraced her again.

After a two-minute long kiss, the baron nodded, let her lie down, and left the master bedroom.

After Ryan left, Orica first used the blanket to cover herself, remaining in a shy state for a while before recovering. She remembered the Lady of the Lake's warning: to serve her champion well as a maid, or face destruction.

Her body felt soft and numb, as if boneless, a sensation that Orica couldn't get enough of. However, she tried to mobilize the magic within her.

As expected! Her once lifeless soul could finally feel the magic wind again. Orica concentrated all the magic "borrowed" from Ryan and summoned an ancient staff with blood-red gems and a dark green body. Just summoning the staff depleted most of her magic.

As Orica stretched out her hand to grab the staff, it became unstable.

"No good!" Orica quickly grabbed the staff and used all her remaining magic to etch a spiral purple mark on her abdomen, a process that looked excruciatingly painful. She nearly bit her lip in the process.

Fortunately, the spell was successful, and the staff vanished. Orica collapsed, exhausted, gently stroking the mark on her abdomen and sighing contentedly.

"With this, I'll belong only to my master."

"Karadryan, I will make you pay tenfold for your hatred!"

...

Witcher Abel was waiting in the baron's castle.

Although he appeared to be in his thirties, those familiar with him knew he was no longer young, nearing sixty. A year ago, he had advanced to the legendary level, but becoming a master witcher wasn't easy. His unstable realm required enough experience to prove himself a true master.

So, he left the Empire and traveled to Brittany. Meanwhile, he was searching for a beautiful witch named Jelena, with whom he had a wonderful encounter. Due to their work's nature, they eventually parted. A witch told him Jelena had opened a shop in the south of Brittany two years ago.

Perhaps this was his main reason for coming to Brittany.

The relationship between the Empire and Brittany was always delicate. When facing otherworldly or mutant enemies, both human nations were firm allies, but internal trade disputes and conflicts never ceased. Especially recently, Duke Casvan of Paravon and the Empire's relationship deteriorated, leading to a challenging journey for Abel.

Arriving in Jean, Abel felt something different. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful, perhaps due to the power of the Grail Knight?

The fame of the Grail Knight resounded throughout the old world, and Ryan Macado's story was turned into countless songs and poems. More importantly, Grail Knights didn't discriminate against witchers, a treasure for Abel.

After waiting for a while, the baron finally appeared, his mood seeming good: "Mr. Abel? I remember you. When you passed through Ottelo as a witcher, I was still a child."

"Please don't say that, Lord Ryan," Abel hastily shook his head, declining the suggestion of seniority.

The status of a Grail Knight and a witcher was clear to Abel.

"What brings you to Jean this time?" Ryan continued.

Abel explained his journey and handed Ryan a letter: "This is a letter from Duke Baldro of Bordeaux, entrusted to me. Now I hand it over to you, my baron."

"Received," Ryan accepted the letter, checked the seal, and nodded: "Do you plan to stay here?"

"Yes, my baron. There are some tasks on the notice board I plan to complete. Mr. Carsonberg has already instructed me on some key matters." Abel quickly took out a notice, a commission from the lord regarding a blood-drinking creature attacking passersby near Jean Town.

As the lord, Ryan couldn't personally address this issue. At this time, it was ideal to send knights or post a notice for someone to complete the task.

"What exactly is that creature?" Ryan asked calmly.

"It could be a batwing demon, a lower creature created by vampires, or a blood witch," Abel nodded. "I need to prepare some potions to deal with it. If things go well, the task should be completed in no more than three days."

"Good, if you complete the task, I'll pay you accordingly."

In front of the witcher, Ryan opened the Duke of Bordeaux's letter.

Nothing too significant. On the third Sunday of October, Duke Bodrick of Bordeaux planned to host a grand party in his castle, inviting Ryan to attend.

Thinking of his schedule, Ryan felt it feasible. He thought it was time to engage more in social activities, beneficial for expanding his network. More importantly, Duke Bodrick commanded over 80% of Brittany's navy, which Ryan might need his help with.

"Mr. Abel, how's the Witcher Guild recently?" Ryan stood up, his mood good: "If you don't mind, perhaps we can walk together?"

"Of course, my baron."

The Grail Knight and the witcher walked through the autumn town. Ryan's appearance garnered widespread affection from the citizens, but the fearsome witcher made them wary, unable to understand why the noble Grail Knight walked with a witcher.

In the distant clear sky, walking on the stone streets, Ryan saw the residents preparing for winter. Many were chopping wood and fetching water. Since Ryan constructed clean water channels from the Shinnon River to Jean Town, the town's hygiene improved significantly, and the lord even banned public urination and defecation.

"You came from the Empire, Mr. Abel. Can you tell me what's happened there recently?" Ryan casually inquired: "We're a bit isolated here, especially since I've just returned from a war."

"The situation isn't great, my baron. There are continuous uprisings in the Nordland kingdom. Remember last year's northern barbarian invasion?" Abel's white hair fluttered in the autumn breeze: "Although you repelled that invasion, the aftermath lingers. Dark and evil beliefs spread in those ravaged areas, leading to constant uprisings. Nordland is weak."

"I understand. And our Emperor Franz? Any actions from him?" Ryan continued.

"The emperor is troubled by the disputes between the Elector Counts of Hockland and Ostmark. They even had a civil war, resulting in hundreds dead before the emperor's envoy could mediate." Abel continued: "Also, Elector Count Manfred of Wörlich was killed in action while clearing Brass Keep in the Central Mountains. His son, Boris Todbringer, the White Wolf Knight, was inaugurated as Elector Count in the White Wolf Temple by Archbishop Maras. He vowed to cleanse Wörlich of all beastmen and Chaos creatures."

"Another Elector Count fallen." Ryan sighed. The Empire's large territory was filled with forests, mountains, and plains, hiding many Greenskin and Beastmen tribes and various terrifying Chaos creatures. Lords constantly battled for their land's safety.

The Empire's Central Mountains housed Brass Keep, a haven for all Chaos forces within the Empire. The Empire had tried many times to eradicate them, but those who attacked Brass Keep never returned.

"Any more news?" Ryan took time to digest the information before asking.

"That's all for now, my baron," Abel hesitated before speaking: "Baron, may I inquire about something?"

"Say it, Mr. Abel. We've met when I was a child," Ryan spread his hands, signaling the witcher needn't be so formal: "I'll answer what I can."

"I'm looking for a witch named Jelena, with fiery red hair, a robust face, and amber eyes. She's a friend of mine. Rumor has it she came to southern Brittany two years ago, but I don't know where she went. I need to find her," Abel said hesitantly, the witcher looking conflicted.

"Jelena? I haven't heard the name, but perhaps we can find this witch at a place." Ryan thought and raised the letter: "Duke Bodrick of Bordeaux will hold a grand banquet in two weeks, with many nobles, gentlemen, and ladies attending. Perhaps you can gather more information there."

"How can I attend the banquet?" Abel knew it was time to negotiate terms. His witcher status made it difficult to join such a noble event unless Ryan offered a helping hand.

"There's no free lunch, Mr. Abel." Ryan's mouth curled up: "Complete the task on the notice, and I'll not only pay you but also take you to the banquet."

"I'll follow your command, my baron," Abel nodded, happily accepting the condition.

After a long walk with the witcher, Ryan reached the town's edge and saw Carsonberg leading a group of elves into his town.

It was his old friend, the half-elf Estelle, and a group of wood elves!

The wood elves had come to repay their debt.

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