NOVEL SIMPLE 107. Shattered Dream.
"This...this..."
Marco was at a loss for words, his mouth agape. He suddenly remembered the human corpse he had first seen and glanced at the back of the rock troll.
"It's a ghoul..." He finally felt relieved.
A headless ghoul from a distance does indeed look very human, but up close, the difference is clear.
"Tap! Tap! Tap!"
Hurried footsteps interrupted their conversation. Allen turned his head at the sound, finding Chief arriving behind him. Once Chief arrived, the Witcher Masters and nearby Witchers followed suit.
The Broken Rock and Small Rock, seeing so many Witchers holding metal sticks, shrank back in fear behind Big Rock.
"…Witcher friend… moving stuff… stone house… home…"
Big Rock, looking a bit scared himself, dropped the few corpses he carried and prepared to leave. Seeing this, Allen realized it wasn't the right time to increase their favor. He glanced apologetically at Chief and other Witchers and said to the rock trolls, "Alright, Big Rock, thank you for today."
"…Witcher… friend… friends… help each other…"
Big Rock scratched his head awkwardly, then turned and left with Broken Rock and Small Rock.
"Tap! Tap! Tap!"
The heavy footsteps gradually faded away.
"Allen, what's going on here..."
One Witcher suddenly questioned from the crowd, his tone unfriendly.
Chief gave the man a sidelong glance and interrupted in a calm voice: "Master Allen!"
"What's going on? How did the rock trolls from the mountain trial end up here?"
Allen was just about to explain when Marco spoke up: "Sorry, First, I sounded the alarm without checking the situation. As for those..."
He paused, finding it unbelievable himself.
"Those rock trolls were helping Master Allen carry his spoils."
A silence fell under the castle gate, the Witchers exchanged glances, focusing their gaze on Allen.
Allen nodded and said, "During the mountain trial two days ago, I befriended those trolls."
"I hunted a lot of monsters today, so I asked them to help carry the spoils..."
Before he finished, the gate area erupted.
"First killed the old speartip, now befriended the rock trolls, Allen practically aced the mountain trial."
"No kidding! Remember how Allen got the title of Drowner Slayer? He practically wiped out the lake of drowners!"
"Yeah, when I got back a few days ago, I wondered why I didn't encounter any drowners on the river road..."
Surrounded by chatter, Allen was at a loss, unsure which question to answer first.
"Enough!"
"If there's nothing else, let's disperse."
A steady, deep voice helped Allen out.
Though still curious, the Witchers reluctantly left, knowing they had plenty of time to ask Allen later in the castle hall. As the crowd dispersed, Witcher Master Aristo, ready to help Allen with the spoils, noticed something and frowned.
Another guard was missing.
"Where's Sully, Marco?"
Marco paused, then awkwardly recounted what had happened. The Witcher Masters were stunned. The second-floor passage controlling the gate being locked was odd enough.
Hearing the other guard, Sully, had forgotten how to cast Aard, even the usually stern and cold First, slightly gaped. No wonder Kaer Morhen fell to a surprise attack.
This was in broad daylight; if it were night...
Allen shivered, suddenly feeling very insecure.
"Damned Sully, that coward must have run off..."
Master Aristo fumed, swearing profusely. After venting for a minute, he remembered Chief was present and felt a bit embarrassed. After all, Sully was his traveling apprentice, and such actions were disgraceful.
"Sorry, Chief."
"It's not your fault."
Chief patted his shoulder and shook his head, saying, "Sully is an independent Witcher now. Talk to him when you can."
"Indeed, Aristo, Sully has been independent for years; it's not on you!" Vesemir added.
Other Witcher Masters also offered comfort.
Aristo shook his head in resignation, glanced at Allen with envy, then sighed and left to find Sully. Watching Aristo's departing figure, Allen stood in the shadows, lost in thought, then lowered his head to continue processing the spoils. The swamp witch and ghouls were common monsters.
With the help of several Witcher Masters, they were quickly processed.
"Phew!"
Allen exhaled, thanked the Masters, and was about to leave with the spoils when Chief stopped him.
"Allen, come with me. We need to discuss the potion and ice spear spell."
----------
The sun set, the sky darkening.
A tall and short figure, each carrying two swords, walked silently along the fortress road. They conversed as they walked.
"I heard from Vera that you've created two more potion formulas?" Chief asked casually.
"Yes, the essence of drowner hearts can enhance strength and constitution, cat's eye..."
Before Allen could finish, Chief stopped in his tracks, looking at him in surprise: "Enhance strength and constitution, are you sure? No side effects?"
Chief's surprise was understandable. There were indeed potions that could enhance a Witcher's physical qualities, but even the weakest effects were costly. But the ingredients Allen used, according to the sorceress he consulted this morning, were very common.
Allen wasn't surprised by his reaction, knowing the magical potency of each essence in his hunting log.
"Hughes, Bond, and Fred started using it yesterday. Their strength and stamina have greatly improved."
"As for side effects..."
Allen paused, seeing Chief's shock, and said, "Repeated use diminishes the effect. If someone's physique is too strong, it seems to lessen the effect, but I haven't tested this yet."
"That's hardly a side effect..." Chief took a deep breath, calming himself, and asked, "Do you have this potion on you?"
Got some in my inventory... Allen thought, seeing Chief's eagerness.
"I don't have any on me, but I can make some quickly."
Chief nodded slightly, changing their direction to the path closest to the south tower. They walked in silence for a while, only their footsteps accompanying them.
Until...
Chief looked at the fiery sunset in the distance and suddenly asked: "Do you think Kaer Morhen will truly fall like in your dream?"
Allen was taken aback, pondered for a moment, and replied seriously: "Aren't we doing everything to prevent that dream from happening?"
......…
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108. Grass! Grass!
109. The Beginning of the Witcher Corps.
110. Have the Wildcats Named Their Price?
111. Have I Done It All?
112. Good Night!