49. Verdant Sigh.

Main Castle, Top Floor. 

Reception Room in the Chief's Quarters.

"Rip—"

A silver dagger-like blade sliced open the chest and abdomen from the severed neck in a straight line. Even though the corpse had been dead for a long time, the muscles in its abdomen were still taut, exposing the contents of the abdominal cavity to the air. The unique fragrance of the reception room was instantly overwhelmed by a foul stench. However, the two people crouched beside the corpse paid no attention to the sudden stench.

"The King of Ice truly is a mutated drowner."

"Although its blood has a peculiar fragrance, the smell in the abdominal cavity is very similar to that of other drowner."

"Chief, our judgment last night was correct."

Vesemir casually wiped the dagger with a piece of black cloth and looked up at the chief.

After briefly discussing how to process the materials from the 'King of Ice' the previous night, they agreed to handle the creature together today.

The Wolf School's Chief nodded slightly and said, "Since we've confirmed the type of monster, let's handle it as we would any drowner."

Vesemir nodded, extended his hands into the chest cavity, and pulled outward.

"Crack—Crack—"

The ribs of the Drowner King snapped one by one. The peculiar fragrance once again masked the stench of the abdominal cavity.

In no time, the headless Drowner King laid its heart bare to them.

"Impossible!"

Vesemir exclaimed in surprise, his amber cat-like eyes instantly constricting. In the bright red chest cavity, thick blood vessels as thick as arms were entwined around an empty center. Hearing this, the Chief frowned slightly and examined the severed ends of the arteries and veins closely.

"…The cuts are clean... yet there's very little blood..."

"This heart was taken."

"What?!" Vesemir was shocked.

"Yes, someone took this heart," the Wolf School Chief repeated, his brow furrowing as if recalling something.

Vesemir was about to inquire further, but the Chief suddenly changed the subject.

"Vesemir, what do you think of Allen, the apprentice?"

"Has he exhibited any strange behavior recently?"

"Allen?" Vesemir looked at the Chief in surprise. Did Allen take this heart? But how could he have done it? Was it the Witcher's Eye again? But he couldn't glean anything from the Chief's expression, so he pondered a moment before cautiously choosing his words.

"Allen is an excellent apprentice, a natural Witcher."

"Though he sometimes acts oddly, his talent is exceptional, rare to see."

"He's also kind-hearted, selflessly teaching his peers the unique techniques he's discovered..."

Vesemir began to describe Allen.

"Bang—"

An orange portal suddenly appeared, interrupting Vesemir. The Witcher's Master's gaze was instinctively drawn to the portal's light.

Conservative white linen dress, a delicate blue gemstone pendant...

No, it wasn't a pendant.

That... that looked like a bottle of blue potion...

Vesemir was momentarily confused. Is this a new fashion among sorceresses? Weren't they all about strange bone artifacts?

"Sorceress..."

Seeing another person in the Chief's quarters, the sorceress stopped what she was about to say. The Wolf School Chief nodded respectfully, then signaled Vesemir to continue. Sorceress Vira was likely also very interested in hearing about Allen.

The Witcher's Master paused, his gaze slightly evasive. But with both the Chief and the sorceress looking at him expectantly, he could only empty his mind and fully focus on his memories of Allen, trying not to think about the matters related to Witcher Letho.

Recalling, Vesemir realized that Allen's actions in recent days seemed to embody the knightly virtues the Chief had spoken of during his travels, and he said: "Chief, you once spoke to me about the Path of Honor."

The Chief and Vira exchanged glances, puzzled by why Vesemir brought up the Path of Honor while evaluating Allen. Curious, they both turned their gaze back to the Witcher's Master.

Vesemir looked seriously at the Wolf School Chief.

"Yes, I did speak of it," the Chief acknowledged after a moment's pause.

"During my travels through the northern kingdoms, I was always drawn to the path you spoke of, trying to follow it... I thought that perhaps only you could walk this path until..." Vesemir paused, then continued, "I met Allen."

"In my nearly hundred-year life, I've never seen an apprentice like him..."

"Humility, honesty, compassion, valor, justice, sacrifice, honor..."

"Except for humility, which he seems to struggle with, the other virtues perfectly describe Allen..."

The Chief and Vira instinctively exchanged another glance, seemingly conveying a lot through their eyes. Vira gently touched the potion bottle hanging at her chest, then walked toward the window. From the Chief's angle, he could see the corners of Vira's mouth curving upward.

Actually, he felt quite pleased as well, until Vesemir uttered the next sentence.

"...So Chief, the Trial of the Grasses..."

"Vesemir!" The Wolf School Chief interrupted, "If you truly believe Allen is a born Witcher, you shouldn't bring up such matters!"

Vesemir fell silent. He had overstepped this time. But thinking about the Trial of the Grasses and Allen...

The Witcher's Master sighed and prepared to leave. With the sorceress here, they couldn't proceed with any dissection.

"Wait!"

A cool female voice stopped the Witcher's Master.

"Snap"

A delicate, emerald green potion appeared in the sorceress's hand, identical to the ones Allen had drunk.

"Snap"

Another snap, and the potion gently flew into Vesemir's hand.

The Witcher's Master instinctively caught it, looked at it for a moment, then raised his head to the sorceress.

Vira nodded slightly and said, "This is for you, Vesemir."

"Take good care of Allen."

Vesemir looked at the Wolf School Chief, who was standing with arms crossed.

"Take it. This is 'Verdant Sigh.' It slows aging and extends life."

"Of course, for us Witchers, its most important effect is the complete healing of hidden injuries."

After a pause, the Chief added, "Its value in the black market rivals your Elzer's."

Upon hearing this, Vesemir couldn't help but look at the thumb-sized potion. The green potion glowed with an enticing life force, and every cell in his body seemed to crave it. However, Vesemir resisted the urge, carefully holding the potion and walking towards the sorceress.

"Taking care of apprentices is my duty..."

"Snap"

Both Vesemir and the Chief's badges leapt from their collars, vibrating intensely and emitting a buzzing sound. The two Witchers instinctively formed triangles with their thumbs and index fingers in front of their chests.

Quen shields formed instantly.

In the next moment, Vesemir felt his body lighten. He quickly grasped the potion tighter, afraid of dropping it. Then, he heard the sorceress say, "This is what you deserve."

He floated swiftly out of the room.

"Bang!"

The door to the Chief's quarters closed.

Inside the room, with Vesemir's "departure," the warmth on the sorceress's face was instantly replaced by an icy demeanor.

....

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50. Ugh~

51. Wolf School's Own Potion.

52. The Smell of Gunpowder.

53.The Witcher Master.

54. Advancement.