Witch Hunter Rhapsody

Three poles in the sun.

The three walked on the streets of Ortham. Helena originally wanted to walk between Vitas and Leon, but Leon insisted that he wanted to get along with Vitas, so she stood in the middle with a forced smile.

Helena was only worried that Vitas would be unhappy. Leon's previous behavior was rude, and the so-called duel had turned into a childish quarrel due to her interference. However, Vitas's state was the same as before, without any extra expression, maintaining a polite smile.

"What exactly do you need me to do?"

Vitas asked the question, and Leon tried his best to respond with a smile.

"It teaches us how a proper knightly order should behave, and how not to act like country bumpkins."

Vitas turned his head, looked at the two of them, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.

"I know it's not appropriate for me to say this, but it's not up to you to decide. It was decided from the moment you were born. Without the blood of a knight flowing in your veins and without swearing allegiance to a knight, you will not be considered a true knightly order."

"The simplest way for you to achieve this goal is to directly find a knight to become your commander, while a slightly more complicated method is to be awarded a medal through hard work. However, both are too difficult for you."

Leon was inspired, he said.

"Then please train us to be worthy of being granted titles by the Duke!"

Vitas was speechless. How could something like this be done so easily? Suddenly, he realized that he had arrived at the street where Via's residence was located. Vitas still harbored a sense of wariness towards the wizard he had personally killed.

He turned his gaze to the alley; it wasn't exactly deserted, but it was certainly packed with people.

They kept a certain distance from each other, and some didn't even go into the alley, appearing to be asleep. They occasionally exchanged a few words, but the sounds they made when they spoke didn't sound like human voices.

Helena noticed Vitas's gaze and looked at the group as well.

"There seem to be a lot of people here, but I heard there are only two or three wizards."

"Is it something like a golem?"

Leon had seen some of the creations of wizards.

"Broadly speaking, they should be golem creations."

Vitas didn't know much about wizards, but more than mercenaries like Helena. Golems are often thought of as non-living entities, creations driven by patterns engraved on stone or steel. But in reality, golems can be living beings. Those things that look like humans are most likely golems created by wizards.

Whether it's using living people or creating something out of thin air is a very complicated matter.

"Although that wizard is Lord Drak's disciple, this is a bit too much of an exaggeration."

Helena tried hard to find a topic, and it was indeed a good one. Leon had also heard some different opinions from his friends.

"It seems that Viya possesses some academic secrets, which is why both Nexus and Draco have sent their disciples to search for her."

Vitas frowned. Academic secrets? That doesn't make any sense at all.

"If that's the case, then Viya shouldn't be here. She should be living in a tower, not in a tiny room in an alley. This kind of treatment is more like someone who's been kicked out of their sect."

Helena nodded, agreeing with Vitas's statement.

"Alright, whatever the reason, the wizard's affairs have little to do with us, right, Leon?"

"Well, let the wizard do whatever he wants, Mr. Vitalius. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Um."

Vitas eventually accepted the job offered by the Flying Eagle Knights for twelve silver coins a day. Of course, this generous salary was only paid daily when Vitas was on duty. Vitas could also take on private jobs on his own. To be honest, this was already a very generous offer.

Well then, Vitas should get down to business.

"Should I just call myself your consultant? Wouldn't that be deceiving our clients?"

"It's just a clever little idea."

Helena and Leon have made contact with a new client from a big city. He's supposedly a big shot, and the Flying Eagle Knights can have Vitas make a good impression on him.

Let's also see if Vitas is really worth the price.

Leon led the two to the pre-arranged place. Vitas knew this place; it was the most luxurious restaurant in Ortham City, a place usually frequented by visiting nobles or wealthy merchants. For the Flying Eagle Knights, it was indeed a high-end venue.

Vitas has been here before, more than once, always with Elizabeth. May she rest in peace.

Leon explained his reservation to the waiter, who then led the three of them to a private room.

"So, who paid this time?"

Vitas asked a question.

"It's the person across the street; he's really a wealthy man."

"This is not a matter of being rich or not. In aristocratic circles, when people of higher or lower status dine together, even if someone of lower status behaves rudely during the meal, the person of higher status should pay the bill."

Helena became interested; she had never heard of such a thing before.

"Is it because of so-called aristocratic etiquette?"

"No, this is a punishment. How can someone of high status dine with someone of low status?"

"Huh?"

"There's no need to be too surprised; the world of the nobility is vastly different from what you imagine."

Leon interrupted at this point.

"Mr. Vitalius, may I ask which country your family is from? It's not that I doubt you, it's just that you are so different."

"Waiter, how much further?"

Vitas didn't want to answer the question, and Helena angrily nudged Leon with her elbow.

Everyone has questions they don't want to answer. As a mercenary, don't you even know this?

Vitas didn't pay too much attention to the commotion between the two. He observed his surroundings. There weren't many people dining here today, and even those who were were mostly discussing something.

The city has a population of around 150,000, and among them are more prominent figures than Vitas had imagined.

"Welcome, members of the Flying Eagle Knights!"

A man who looked to be under thirty stood up to greet them, carrying a bag and dressed in a well-tailored suit. In contrast, the three men all looked like laborers who had just finished work.

"I am Declan, please forgive me for not revealing my last name for now."

Leon quickly replied.

"No problem, sir, we understand, these kinds of things happen all the time."

"Then what are you standing for? Sit down!"

Vitas had been observing Declan ever since he entered. His clothes weren't cheap, and the rings and other jewelry on his hands looked expensive.

Is he a merchant or a nobleman? If he is a merchant, his demeanor is too aristocratic; but if he is a nobleman, his attire is too plain.

Perhaps they were sophisticated businessmen or frugal nobles?

Helena and Leon introduced themselves, and after thinking for a moment, Vitas also said his name.

Surely no one will recognize their family this time?

That's strange. If someone really knows Vitas, then Vitas has to accept his fate.

For years, no noble or important person has recognized his family. Even Nectus didn't know his family. If he were to encounter two people who did, what else could he say?

"Mr. Vitalius? I thought you were the leader of these people!"

Declan got really into it and started talking non-stop.

"The matchmaker told me about the two of you, but didn't mention Mr. Vitalius. When he came in just now, I thought the matchmaker was lying to me! It's strange, Mr. Vitalius, why would someone like you be assigned to such a small mercenary group?"

Helena felt incredibly proud; this was her foresight, and her decision was correct.

Only Leon looked completely puzzled.

What makes Vitas different from ordinary people?

How come everyone else can see it, but I can't see anything at all?

Leon really doesn't understand.

After Declan finished speaking, he coughed twice and then said, "Let's get down to business."