The Witcher: Grinding Proficiency Starting with the Witcher

"I'll go with you."

Mavis said immediately, her tone resolute.

Aite has just undergone surgery and needs to rest.

She was also more familiar with Amberton than with Levi.

Bolin said, "Gentlemen, I'll take this witcher to his guest room to rest. Please hurry back."

"Okay, Uncle Pauline."

Li Wei nodded to Mavis, and the two walked out of the room.

The afternoon sun was warm, but Mavis's expression was very gloomy.

She led the way, remaining completely silent the entire time.

Li Wei noticed her unusual behavior.

"Mavis, what's wrong? Is something the problem?"

Mavis stopped and looked up at Li Wei, her brows furrowed, and spoke softly.

"I'm just confused. I remember clearly that before leaving Gaoshan Town, I had already removed the remaining curse power from Aite's wound."

"My healing spells may not be as good as the purification spells of the temple priests and nuns, but they should be fine for dealing with that level of residual curse."

Li Wei frowned.

He trusted Mavis; given her meticulous and rigorous nature, she would never make a basic mistake on such a crucial issue.

Therefore, the only explanation is that there may be more to the story behind the curse on Aite.

Li Wei cleared his head and said in a deep voice, "Let's go to the church first. Getting the purified water is the most urgent thing."

Mavis nodded silently, composed herself, and continued leading the way.

The two walked through several bustling streets and finally stopped in front of a wide-open square.

In the center of the square stands a magnificent church.

It is entirely made of white stone, with Gothic spires soaring into the clouds, and huge stained glass windows reflecting a holy and aloof light in the sunlight, as if proclaiming the supreme authority of the gods in this place.

Upon entering the church, the high dome casts dappled light through the stained glass windows, and a faint fragrance permeates the air.

A pastor in a white robe was praying with a compassionate expression to a middle-aged woman.

He had a kind face and wore gold-rimmed glasses, behind which his eyes were full of gentleness.

"Madam, the goddess has seen your devotion. Go back and pray day and night, and your child will surely feel this blessing from heaven."

The pastor's voice was gentle yet magnetic.

"Thank you, Father!"

The woman was moved to tears. She fumbled in her tattered purse and took out a silver coin, which she respectfully placed in the donation box.

The pastor smiled and made a sacred gesture.

"Praise be to Marina, madam, your sincerity will surely be blessed by the goddess."

The woman thanked him repeatedly before turning and leaving.

Li Wei raised an eyebrow when he saw this.

The pastor slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Levi and Mavis.

When he saw the hideous monster badge on Li Wei's chest, a barely perceptible look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"What a rare and distinguished guest."

The priest adjusted his glasses and walked slowly over. "A witcher without cat eyes, and a beautiful sorceress."

"It's such an unconventional combination, yet it seems so reasonable."

He gave a graceful bow. "My name is Theodore. Welcome to the goddess's palace. May I ask what assistance you two may require?"

"I need purified water."

Li Wei got straight to the point; he had no interest in beating around the bush.

Theodore's surprise was perfectly timed.

"Oh? The water of purification, the tears of the goddess Marina, can wash away all sins and filth."

"But you two seem to be breathing steadily and are fine. Perhaps your companions needed it?"

He glanced at Levi's badge, then at Mavis, his tone becoming somewhat indifferent.

"Companions of witchers and sorcerers... According to the rules, you who are outside of divine grace are not allowed to receive the water of purification."

Seeing the slight change in their expressions, he changed the subject, revealing a compassionate and sympathetic look.

"But the goddess Marina is merciful; she cannot bear to see people suffer, even those lost sheep who have not yet fully converted to her faith."

He shrugged and said with a regretful expression.

"It's a pity that all the purified water in the city has been transferred to the area outside the pass in order to deal with the possible plague caused by the soldiers who died in battle outside the pass. There is no stock here for the time being."

"How long will it take?" Li Wei pressed.

"I don't know then," Father Theodore shook his head, looking helpless.

Li Wei remained expressionless, took out a gold coin from his pocket, and placed it conspicuously on the prayer table in front of him.

Father Theodore's eyes lit up for a moment, but his expression quickly returned to one of compassion. He shook his head: "Sir, I understand your feelings about healing your companion, but..."

Li Wei didn't speak, but instead took out four more gold coins and placed them next to the first one.

Five gold coins gleamed under the glass dome, like five mocking eyes.

Theodore's eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses paused.

He quickly glanced around to make sure there were no other believers, then strode forward and with a practiced, fluid motion, swept five gold coins into his sleeve.

"Hehe, but... it's not entirely without a solution."

He lowered his voice and leaned closer, "Although the purified water has all been transported to beyond the pass, Lord Kowe of the military supply department, who is in charge of distribution, must be eager to see a real demon hunter now."

"After all, with corpses come ghouls, don't they?"

Upon hearing this, Li Wei's eyes lit up.

Thank you.

Having obtained the information he wanted, Li Wei didn't want to stay a moment longer and turned to leave.

"May the goddess bless your souls."

Father Theodore added cheerfully from behind them.

Stepping out of the church and into the light of day again, Mavis finally couldn't hold back anymore.

"What a damned parasite! I should gouge his eyes out with my staff!"

Li Wei was also somewhat annoyed. In just half a day, the team had spent six gold coins. These people were truly insatiable.

Also, he seemed to have heard the name Kowe from the captain of the guards at the city gate.

It seems that this Kuwaiti gentleman holds a prominent position in Amberton.

"Let's go, Mavis." He looked north. "We're going to see Lord Kuwait."

The two walked north and soon arrived at the north gate of Amberton. To their left was the military camp, and to their right came a cacophony of voices.

There was a makeshift tent set up there, where hundreds of people dressed in various ways had gathered—humans, dwarves, halflings, elves—all fully armed, making a racket and the air thick with the smells of cheap beer, sweat, and blood.

Li Wei squinted. "They're mercenaries. Mavis, wait here for me. I'll go take a look."

……

"Damn it, fifty copper coins for killing a ghoul? Has Kowe gone crazy for money?!"

A one-eyed dwarf spat and cursed, with two axes tucked into his belt.

"Fifty copper coins is quite a lot, my friend."

A thin mercenary standing nearby chuckled bitterly, "The problem is there are at least a hundred ghouls circling around in that mass grave! I took a peek from afar yesterday, and the scene... tsk tsk, anyone who goes there is just adding to their meal."

"That's right, those are ruthless monsters who eat people alive. This mission is a trap; let whoever wants to go, go!"

"If you ask me, let those ghouls eat the corpses clean. Once they're gone, they'll leave on their own."

Amidst complaints and murmurs, Li Wei squeezed through the crowd and looked at the notice board in front of him, next to which stood a guard with an expressionless face.

The sign read "Military mission to eliminate ghouls."

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, reached out, and tore the notice down.

Instantly, the surrounding noise stopped.

All eyes were on the young man who had torn down the notice.

"Has this kid gone mad?"

"So young, why does he seem a bit slow-witted?"

"You don't think you can cut down ghouls just because you're carrying a big sword, do you?"

The crowd mocked and ridiculed them.

The one-eyed dwarf was about to join in the mockery, but he gasped when he saw the badge on Li Wei's chest.

"My goodness, shut up, you idiots! Look at that badge... it's a Witcher!"