Mystery: Mr. Witch and Ms. Hunter

Chapter 17 A new beginning

The next day, Altaïr got up early and made breakfast. In Backlund, the temperature difference between morning and evening in autumn was quite large, and he shivered a few times in his pajamas without fleece.

The fire in the fireplace had long since burned out, and a light layer of frost had formed on the windows. Altaïr put his hands in front of his mouth and blew a few breaths, letting himself slowly adjust to the cold kitchen utensils. After subconsciously cracking an egg into the frying pan, he realized that he still had to prepare a portion for Venata.

Really...Altaïr opened his mouth and found that he seemed to have no words to describe the current scene.

He shook his head, swayed slightly to the rhythm of the frying pan, and hummed a folk song.

"The late summer rose blooms alone

Her lovely companions have withered and died

……

Since my companions have fallen asleep, let's lie in the grave with them.

When friendship fades, I will go with you."

(Adapted from the British folk song The Last Rose of Summer, author Zafan)
After humming a few fragments, Altaïr was surprised to find that Vinata was already standing in the living room, with sleepy eyes, obviously having just woken up not long ago.

"Did I hum too loudly?"

Altaïr nodded apologetically.

"It's okay, I'm almost awake too."

Venata replied coldly. Although the two of them got along fairly well yesterday, and could even be considered a plot from a popular third-rate romance novel, this did not mean that they could always stay close. However, Altaïr estimated that if Miss Audrey's hints disappeared now, she would not let him go, but she would not kill him directly... maybe?
"But I can't believe it. You sing pretty well. Much better than those singing vendors in the bar."

Vinata walked into the bathroom and threw down these words.

"I just thought you were complimenting me."

Altaïr brought a simple breakfast to the table. In Rune's eating habits, breakfast was relatively simple. Fried eggs, bacon and bread were a very hearty breakfast.

After taking out this morning's newspaper in the hallway, Altaïr sat down leisurely at the dining table, thinking about his recent arrangements.

The witch potion is a special one among the Sequence 7 potions. Unlike other potions, it requires the assistance of corresponding rituals at the Sequence 7 stage and cannot be consumed in a short period of time. It needs to be divided into several stages, and the complete consumption process takes about three weeks.

(Reminder for the front row: This is a secondary setting. It does not mean that it can only be changed in this way. It is another way of taking potions that does not belong to the witch sect. As for the reason for doing this, it will be revealed in the second volume. The same is true for similar plots later. If you want to argue, just obey it.)

Let’s not talk about how long it will take to find the materials. Even if I find all the materials, I can’t be promoted immediately... I have already completely digested the “Instigator” potion. Regardless of whether I can be promoted or not, I must get the main materials first. I can’t wait until my strength is not enough before thinking about promotion...

Altaïr thought about it for a while and decided to use his own channels to buy materials. Auxiliary materials can be bought on the underground black market, so it is not a big problem. The real difficulty is the blood of the Black Abyss Demon Fish and the eggs of the Agate Peacock. These two magical items are worth more than one thousand pounds and are in short supply. The actual transaction price ranges from one thousand three hundred to one thousand eight hundred.

Wait, the two thousand pounds that Miss Audrey gave me, could it be that she meant for me to buy the main ingredients?
A gust of cold wind blew by, and Altaïr suddenly remembered this incident, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

And I just spent 1300 pounds, and gave it to the next target to be hunted down...Altaïr couldn't help but cover his face. If Miss Audrey urged me to get promoted again next time, how would I explain it? ...But it seems that Miss Audrey already knew about this matter. She didn't care at the time, so it should be fine...right?

Altaïr felt a little guilty and tried to cover it up by eating breakfast.

Vinata combed her hair, sat down at the table, and started working on her fried eggs.

"You agreed to take me to get my ID today."

Vinata pierced the egg shell with a fork, letting the golden egg liquid flow out.

"My memory is fine." Altaïr nodded. "But you'd better keep quiet when you get there. Provoking him has become your instinct, right? After all, he's someone I just met yesterday. If you want him to help, I'm afraid you'll have to use the ability of an instigator. If you provoke him again, the effect will probably be worse."

"My Provocateur potion has been fully digested, so this problem won't occur. As for yesterday, it was just because I simply didn't like you." Venata said without raising her head.

Altaïr was used to Venata's way of speaking and did not show any anger.

"Then we will go get your ID today. Let me make it clear first. I will only be responsible for negotiating with them, and you can go through the procedures with Mr. Moretti. There is a nice stall selling Dixie pies near that place. You can have lunch outside. I have to go out and find some work to do and prepare for my advancement to Sequence 7."

Altaïr finished his breakfast, found a spare key in the drawer and threw it to Venata.

"I might be back very late today, so I'll leave you a key. Don't climb through the windows or pick the lock."

Vinata nodded, took the key and put it in her trouser pocket.

Soon, the two finished their meal and took a public carriage to the street office on Rose Street. The public carriage was deserted. Apart from Altaïr and the others, there were only two women who looked like textile workers. They sat in the corner of the carriage with dull eyes, and awkwardly put their dusty shoes together to take up less space.

Previously, he had thought about buying a two-wheeled carriage and hiring a driver, so that he wouldn't have to compete with those working people for a seat every day. Altaïr recalled his previous thoughts with some regrets. Although he did have the money to buy these things now, the cost was not low, and in his profession, whether he was an assassin or a bodyguard, there was no rigid demand for a carriage, so he still restrained his desire to spend money recklessly.

Soon, the carriage stopped at the street office. This was a new department established in recent years. The staff was composed of lower-class people selected through the civil service examination, which to a certain extent reduced the monopoly of the great nobles on power. Of course, the refinement of positions also increased the difficulty of supervision. The upper echelons basically turned a blind eye to the small amount of corruption by lower-class officials. Otherwise, Altaïr would not have been too embarrassed to ask Benson, who he had a good impression of, to do something that was not in line with the regulations.

I heard that this name was a self-made word found in the notes of Emperor Roselle. Although no one can decipher the manuscripts written in mysterious symbols by the emperor, the manuscripts written in common characters left by the emperor are great innovations for the society at that time and even today. Altaïr thought with half emotion and half admiration.

At this time, the two had already walked into the lobby of the office. Under the light of the gas lamp that had not yet been extinguished, they could see Benson's slightly balding head at a glance.

"Good morning, Mr. Moretti."

Altaïr tipped his hat to Benson.

"It looks like I'll be relying on rent for a while yet."

Benson looked up in surprise when he heard the greeting, and when he saw Altaïr, he gave him a gentle smile.

"It's amazing that we meet again sooner than I thought. Praise be to the goddess for her guidance."

"Praise the goddess."

Altaïr came to the counter and said to Benson.

"In fact, I came here today specifically to see you. This is Venata, who is currently sharing a house with me. She lost her ID and needs to apply for a new one."

"Then I need at least one other document that can prove her identity. A Loen citizen must act as a guarantor for this lady. In addition, I need to provide information such as her stable address."

"Her degree certificate, please?" Altaïr handed in Venata's degree certificate.

"Feysac people?"

As expected, Benson frowned. Altaïr quickly explained.

"She was forcibly conscripted as a military doctor during the war and was dragged here. She was seriously injured during the retreat and was thrown into the slums by the Feysac people. She wanted to start over here with a new identity."

"What is this lady's faith?"

Benson's expression eased slightly, and he continued to ask.

“I believe in the symbol of life and beauty, the protector of all living things on earth, the mother of all spiritual forces, the merciful Mother Earth.”

Venata answered reverently.

"Mr. Brutus (Altaïr's last name is taken from Marcus Junius Brutus, the assassin of Caesar), please come over here and speak."

Benson looked around carefully and spoke to Altaïr. He waited until Altaïr came closer before speaking softly.

"This matter is a bit difficult... She is a Feysac person. Normally, it is very difficult for a Feysac person to obtain an identity certificate in Loen. If she is a believer of the God of War, I am afraid I am ready to report her now."

"Besides, the issue of adults applying for a new ID is very sensitive. If anything goes wrong here, I can't escape responsibility. I have a younger sister at home, and this job is very important to me, so..."

Benson's words already revealed his refusal, so Altaïr quickly launched his "instigation".

"I understand your difficulties, Mr. Moretti...but I don't want you to do something dangerous like this."

"Oh?"

Benson was a little confused.

"In fact, I just want you to apply for her first ID. Anyway, she has no identity record in Loen, so she can just apply for her first ID as a person who has just come of age. Falsifying one's age is relatively common, right?"

"Well... theoretically, we can try it." Benson quickly understood what he meant. "There are indeed many children from poor families who lie about their age in order to get a job early, but this is the first time I've seen someone report a younger age."

"Of course, I won't let you take the risk in vain."

Altaïr slipped a five-pound note into the window.

"After the pain of this damn war, everyone should have the right to start over. What do you think?"

(End of this chapter)