Chapter 31: Night Talk (Part 2)

In the Garon Council, the female sorceresses always seem to have some connection with the witch hunters. It is said that many council members have ambiguous relationships with those master hunters. People often joke that witch hunters do three things in life: clean corruption, eliminate evil, and bed sorceresses.

Ryan knew there was some truth to this. The women of the Garon Council and the witch hunters often sparked mutual attraction, not just because they complemented each other in battle, but also due to a deeper attraction between them.

"A hundred years ago, the great savior His Majesty Ludwig led the Order Coalition to repel an army of half a million Chaos troops on the Fasha Plains. But after repelling the Chaos army, what was left to Ludwig was not only the devastated land and countless destroyed towns and farmlands but also something far more terrible."

"That was the corruption and religious beliefs left by Chaos. The degenerate faith spread everywhere Chaos passed. Mutated Chaos creatures and Chaos followers lurked within the Empire, constantly corrupting the world, hoping for the next arrival of Chaos."

"In this dark age, humanity did not need heroes but specialists, experts specifically trained to eliminate Chaos."

"These were the predecessors of the witch hunters."

"The origins of witch hunters are very complex. The earliest hunters were almost all people who had lost family and friends in the Chaos War. They viewed Chaos creations as eternal enemies. With the cooperation and training from the Empire and major churches, these individuals went out to battle. They burned their lives, swift, cunning, and deadly, delivering ruthless judgment to all who believed in Chaos. Back then, if even one Chaos believer was found in a village, the hunters might burn the entire village to ashes."

"But after a hundred years, most of those early witch hunters have died. With the threat of Chaos reduced and the world's corruption decreasing, fewer people were willing to endure the brutal training to become witch hunters. Consequently, most new hunters came from war orphans, abandoned village children, villagers with no other way to survive, and soldiers or mercenaries seeking advancement."

"After professional training, witch hunters learn to mix simple potions, carry holy water and relics, and master the techniques of firearms and rapiers, long swords. Their rich experience allows them to quickly identify Chaos followers and execute suspicious individuals with fire."

"As for vampires, although they are enemies of witch hunters, they generally do not actively attack each other. When discovered, vampires usually leave on their own."

Ryan finished recounting the long history of witch hunters, feeling a bit parched, and took a big drink from his water bottle. The sorceress nodded seriously, "So, how do these hunters, constantly in contact with Chaos creations, avoid corruption?"

"There are three methods. First, witch hunters wear long cloaks, overcoats, wide-brimmed hats, and buckled waistcoats, along with thick gloves. These heavy clothes prevent their skin from directly contacting Chaos creations, and the clothes are regularly replaced."

"Second, as I mentioned, witch hunters always carry holy water and relics from the church. Besides cleansing corruption, they also regularly drink holy water to fight Chaos corruption."

"As for the third... this is reserved for a few hunters. For those who are loyal to the church and exceptionally skilled, the church has priests perform divine spells on them periodically to protect them from Chaos corruption. This is the most effective method among the three."

"I've seen these three preventive measures in the library at the Sky Castle. But apart from these surface methods, is there any other way?" Teresa removed her black-rimmed glasses with butterfly patterns, her silver eyes quietly watching the man sitting beside her. "You must know, right?"

"Alright, I'll tell you. Choosing the right employer is important," Ryan relaxed and stretched out his legs. "For example, witch hunters under the Justice Church are given blessed silver swords, which are extremely effective against Chaos. The Life Church provides its hunters with a small amount of the Fountain of Life, which can effectively purify corruption. Followers of the Lord of Dawn and the Moon Goddess can pray in sunlight or moonlight, and the divine power will expel Chaos energy from them."

"Because of this long-term exposure to Chaos energy, constantly eliminating and resisting it, witch hunters' bodies undergo certain changes. This is what medical books describe as frequent minor illnesses but no major diseases. This physical change attracts the councilwomen of Garon, who easily develop feelings for the hunters." Ryan thought this was like a viral antibody but didn't say it aloud, knowing Teresa wouldn't understand. Instead, he used an analogy from elven medical books.

"I see. No wonder Sophia and Emma have had such relationships with many hunters," Teresa said softly, leaning back against a soft velvet pillow.

"And you?" Ryan casually asked while cleaning up the food remnants.

"I have not!!!" Teresa suddenly sat up, agitated. "Didn't I tell you? This is my first time being alone with a man..."

Her shoulders were pressed down by the man. Ryan gently laid her back and tucked her in, then smiled nonchalantly, "Alright, alright, I was just joking. Why so serious?"

"A lady's chastity is not a joke, Sir Knight!" Teresa snapped, feeling infuriated by Ryan's indifferent attitude. She had never let any man touch her before.

"Alright, alright, I apologize." Ryan was a bit surprised by Teresa's purity, his tone becoming more serious. "How much has your body recovered?"

"Don't change the subject!" Teresa snapped but still answered Ryan's question. "By tomorrow morning, I should be about seventy percent recovered."

"Let's continue our previous topic. What happens if a witch hunter falls?"

"It would be a big problem, a very big one." Ryan chewed on rabbit meat, frowning. "Take Belt for example. The master hunter knows many secrets of the Nord Kingdom, including little-known ruins, secret church strongholds, and weak points in the kingdom's defenses. Belt has been a witch hunter in Nord for decades. If he falls, he would likely sell these secrets to Chaos for rewards, which is why Archbishop Innocent is so anxious."

"Moreover, a fallen expert in fighting Chaos becomes a nightmare for other hunters because he knows them too well. Most of their actions would be anticipated by Belt. This familiarity is why several master hunters have died by his hand. Generally, a fallen hunter's strength increases by at least one level. Belt, who was already at the early legendary level for years, would become much more powerful..."

"So even if we catch up with him in Marienburg, we would have to face at least a mid-level legendary fallen hunter?!" Teresa finally realized the gravity of the situation.

"Well, not to mention, it's uncertain if we can safely reach Middenhaven. Teresa, have you noticed? This road has been abandoned for a long time, and if the road had no issues, Villard wouldn't let a trade route be abandoned. Moreover, no one in Karlstein was willing to guide our large convoy. Do I need to say more? How can you be so calm?"

Teresa blushed and said quietly, "Is there anything I can help with?"

"Not sure yet. Let's take it one step at a time." Ryan summoned a spark, using psychic power to burn the food remnants, then returned to the sorceress. "You can sleep inside. I'll sleep outside. If anything happens, just call me."

"You are more nagging than my mother. What time is it? You're a legendary warrior with extraordinary stamina, right? Stay and chat with me a bit longer!" Teresa stopped him from leaving. "I laid out the carpet. It's warmer and big enough inside, isn't it?"

"As you wish." Ryan saw no reason to refuse a more comfortable environment. Though he could endure rough conditions, a bit of comfort was always welcome. He sat down again, leaving less than half a meter between them. "There will likely be another fight tomorrow. There's a goblin tribe nearby. Though not strong, we will still have to fight."

"Do you believe what a bandit said?" Teresa removed her white lace gloves, revealing slender jade hands.

"No, remember the mushroom we saw before? The disgusting one?"

"Can we not mention that?" Teresa looked disgusted, clearly having been deeply affected by that foul thing.

"I don't mean to gross you out. I mean, do you know why the Blood Mushroom appeared there?"

"Are you saying it's the goblins' work?" Teresa quickly caught on, her intelligence shining through.

"Exactly. Each Blood Mushroom contains a goblin spirit." Ryan began explaining the story of Blood Mushrooms. "As we all know, greenskins come in three types: the highest are orcs, followed by goblins, and then snotlings. Snotlings are the lowest, serving as slaves and food for the other two."

As Ryan described, greenskins are a peculiar lifeform, created from green spores. They perform photosynthesis and are autotrophic beings.

Yes, greenskins are autotrophs. As long as they have sunlight, they don't need basic sustenance.

But not needing supplies doesn't mean they don't enjoy eating. Meat and fungi are their favorite meals.

Among greenskins, snotlings love fungi the most. They relish delicious mushrooms and fungi, but there's a catch. Snotlings are weak and composed of plant spores, so consuming too much fungi causes them to stiffen and become immobile.

"At this point, goblins 'plant' these nearly fungal snotlings into the ground, waiting for harvest. Snotlings take root and grow, eventually becoming Blood Mushrooms."

"Blood Mushrooms are a greenskin delicacy, only brought out for major victories or important occasions!" Ryan said, shaking his head.

"Wait, the face on the Blood Mushroom..." Teresa paled, realizing something.

"Yes, that face is the snotling's face

." Ryan nodded. "Now, do you understand why I am certain we'll encounter goblins tomorrow?"

"Alright, alright, please stop talking about such disgusting things!" Teresa felt nauseous, leaning against her soft pillow, her beautiful eyes fixed on the kingdom knight.

The kingdom knight's blue eyes looked back at her, his expression calm as still water.

"You... why won't you become my partner?" After a while, Teresa finally spoke.

"If you have a mission and want my help, that's fine. Name your price, and we can negotiate terms. But a long-term partnership? No." Ryan said calmly.

"Why not? We get along well, are of similar age and strength. Becoming partners seems natural, right?" Teresa asked, puzzled.

"Are getting along and being similar in age and strength the criteria for partnership? I don't think so. Maybe you have another purpose?" Ryan frowned, finding the reason strange.

This isn't a noble matchmaking.

The woman blushed at the thought, staying silent.

"Oh? Is that so? I don't think so." Teresa retorted, her silver eyes scanning Ryan, her face reddening. "Are you just making up excuses?"

Ryan's eyes flickered, wanting to laugh but finding it hard, his expression stiffening.

They stared at each other, both blushing, until the woman turned away. "Alright, I get it. There's no rush on this matter. I need to sleep. Good night."

"Good night." Ryan got up to leave.

"Ryan!" He was stopped at the door.

"Yes?"

"Soon, you will willingly become my partner."

"Oh? Is that so? I look forward to seeing that."

This chapter provided a brief background on the witch hunters.