141. The Taste of the Cook's Food.
Judging by the state of these ruins, it must have been abandoned for at least five years.
"Master Vesemir, when was the last time you were here?" Allen couldn't help but ask curiously.
Vesemir paused for a moment, lowered his head in thought, and then replied somewhat hesitantly, "I think... it was about fifteen years ago."
Allen: ?
Fifteen years ago, you did a few tasks for someone, and now you're just showing up unannounced for a meal?
Is this what it means to have the prestige of a Witcher master?
Also, isn't fifteen years ago more than just a few years?
In this era, the average lifespan of a noble is less than fifty years. Fifteen years—by now, even if this castle were still standing, Viscount Hudson might not be around anymore. Hughes, Bond, and Fred also had odd expressions on their faces, clearly thinking the same thing as Allen.
"Let's head back to Orchard."
Vesemir frowned, looking a bit downcast. He didn't notice the strange looks on the young Witchers' faces as he tugged on the reins and turned his horse back toward the town. The young Witchers exchanged glances and followed silently behind him. What kind of person was this Viscount Hudson, who Vesemir hadn't seen in fifteen years, yet could make him so melancholic?
Allen was curious.
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The noble castles in the Witcher world are similar to those of the medieval period in Allen's previous life, typically built on a hilltop.
At the foot of the hill is a small but fully functional town. Taverns, inns, blacksmiths, and various other shops were all there. Orchard was no different.
Descending the hill, the Witchers arrived at an inn.
Perhaps due to its remote location, the innkeeper hadn't yet heard any news from Ard Carraigh, or maybe rural inns valued every piece of business too much. Seeing Allen and the others carrying dual swords and with their distinct cat-like eyes, the innkeeper merely frowned.
After warning them and citing the need to feed their five horses, he charged each of them an extra 30 copper coins, collecting a total of six orens and fifty coppers for the five of them. This covered a week's stay, with meals charged separately. This price would only get you two nights at the cheapest inn in Ban Ard.
With Vesemir in low spirits, the young Witchers didn't have the energy for jokes or laughter. After a few quiet exchanges, they all went to rest. When Allen returned to his room, he found himself even more satisfied with the inn.
The room was not only clean and odorless, but the bedding also carried the fresh scent of sunshine, indicating it had likely been aired out that very morning. As he stared at the wooden beams on the ceiling, Allen's mind raced with thoughts.
"Who was that elf, really? And why was she captured?"
"She said it was fate that led her to find me. Was she being cryptic, or was there truth to it?"
"Am I really going to search for that human couple like some sort of wild goose chase, just as the Riddler suggested?"
"If I complete the task, I'll receive what I desire most. But what is it that I truly want?"
To ally with the elves? To destroy Ban Ard Academy? Or… to kill that 'Big Eater'?
Recalling the strange red-haired elf he had encountered that morning, Allen, lying on the bed, felt his thoughts becoming increasingly tangled.
"Ugh~"
With a soft sigh, Allen realized he had been seen through by a stranger. The moment he started considering the reward for the task, he had already sealed his fate in seeking out that couple. Even if he didn't know the elf's identity or whether she would reward him as promised.
"The Riddler is so annoying!" he muttered through gritted teeth.
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The next morning.
Before the rooster could crow, Allen naturally awakened from his meditation. This was a small technique specific to Witchers that Vesemir had taught them on the road. By shutting down two-thirds of their Witcher senses, they could put themselves into a state of semi-conscious sleep.
While meditation wasn't as refreshing as regular sleep, it allowed them to wake instantly at the sign of danger and switch their body to a state of heightened alertness. Unfortunately, this was just a small trick utilizing Witcher senses, not a skill that could be activated on a skill panel.
It couldn't be like in the game, where after one meditation session, you could consume a bottle of strong liquor and fully restore all potions and blade oils. However, it was quite useful when resting in the wilderness. Because of this, Vesemir had instructed Allen and the others to always replace sleep with meditation as long as they weren't in Kaer Morhen. The method of verification was simple…
"Squeak~"
Accompanied by the sound of three doors opening, three Witchers, all wearing leather jackets, emerged from their rooms.
"Looks like it's Bond and Fred who didn't use meditation today," Vesemir nodded.
He didn't bother knocking on their doors, and instead, he, Allen, and Hughes headed directly downstairs.
Clearly.
Without using meditation, it's impossible to precisely gauge the time. Bond and Fred had failed. Having achieved the goal of meditation, Allen and Hughes would get to enjoy Vesemir's treat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Bond and Fred, on the other hand, would have to figure out how to handle their own meals.
This reward was still quite enticing for the young Witchers, including Allen.
After all, More than half of the money they earned from hunting drowners was spent on inns and maintaining their weapons and leather armor during the journey. This was another reason Allen didn't want to stay in Ban Ard whenever possible.
No money!
"Allen, after breakfast, do you want to check out if there are any jobs in the village?" Hughes sidled up to him and asked, slinging an arm over his shoulder.
Given the task of finding the couple from the red-haired elf's request, Allen was about to decline. But then, after a quick thought, he realized how many villages there were near Ban Ard, and how many human couples in each one?
If he searched them all one by one, the ten-plus days wouldn't be enough.
"Since that elf was being cryptic, it must mean that as a Witcher, I'll definitely come into contact with that couple," Allen thought to himself.
After considering this, he agreed to Hughes' invitation. As a Witcher, what else could his role be, except to take on contracts?
As they descended the stairs, the inn's ground floor was already bustling with people. There were clearly many more people than had stayed there the previous night, likely locals from Orchard.
"Boss, what do you have for breakfast?"
The innkeeper, who had been cold the previous day, quickly approached and greeted them warmly, "We have hot stew, black bread, and fried eggs, 8 coppers a serving."
"Three servings!" Vesemir said casually, then took out a handful of coins, placing a few dozen coppers in the innkeeper's hand, "Keep the change."
The innkeeper's face broke into a wide smile as he quickly turned and shouted, "Mary, three breakfasts!"
"Coming right up!"
A mature woman's voice responded from behind a curtain, where the kitchen was likely located. Except for the eggs, which needed to be prepared, the stew and black bread were already ready. Their breakfast was quickly served.
"Slurp~"
The hot stew entered Allen's mouth, the combination of vegetables and meat juices bursting with flavor and wrapping around his tongue. It was so delicious!
Allen's eyes lit up, and he didn't even care about the temperature of the soup, finishing it in just a few gulps and readying himself for a second helping.
"Hmm?"
Allen looked over to see Vesemir frowning as he held his bowl, glancing at the inn's kitchen with an expression of surprise. He took another sip, puzzled.
"This... isn't this the taste of Viscount Hudson's cook?"
....…
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142. The Black Unicorn.
143. Vesemir Beaten up.
144. The Viscount and the Mysterious Human Couple.
145. A New Hunting Target.
146. The Castle Ruins.