Witch Hunter Rhapsody

Humans are emotional beings, a fact Vitas Vitalius firmly believed. Without unwavering loyalty and resentment towards his companions, he would not be here seeking the traces of wizards.

Human emotions are so intense that even those close to each other can clearly feel the affection between them.

Just like how someone sitting next to a burning stove can't feel the temperature of the flames.

Did Vitas not sense Ether's feelings? Did he not secretly rejoice that such a young girl had poured such emotions into him?

If I usually treat her coldly and distantly, would she talk like that?

Vitas first met Etherra in Hammer's workshop. At that time, she was wearing an apron stained with oil and rust, and a thick braid hung down from her back to her waist. She walked with confidence, head held high and eyes straight ahead.

Their eyes met briefly before they looked away, only to reunite later.

"Hello!"

That's how she smiled and said her first words to herself.

Back in the present, Vitas returned to his residence, somewhat dazed, as if what Aethera had said a few dozen minutes ago was just a joke, but no normal person would think that way.

"Vitas, you should just forget what I said."

It's strange, Vitas had encountered women saying similar things to him before, but his heart had never wavered as much as it does now.

What exactly is Etherra? How do I truly view Etherra?

Vitas pondered these things. Did he hate Ether? Of course not, because if he did, he wouldn't have gone to Hammer's Workshop and talked to Ether so often.

Does he like Ether? Good heavens, how dare Vitas say such things, use such words, and have such feelings?

Vitas was still thinking.

It was another sleepless night for Ethera. Why did she say such a thing? It seemed that the environment and atmosphere at the time made her say it naturally.

When Ether first met Vitas, his aura left an indelible impression on her.

Vitas's voice, Vitas's mannerisms, and the stories he told were like a puzzle piece, and Ether was surprised to find that he had filled in the gaps she wanted.

This can't go on forever.

Etherra decided to go out; she was going to find Vitas.

How could I let the person I like be troubled by my feelings? Even if it's true, as Helena said, that Vitas will leave this place one day, I shouldn't let my feelings affect Vitas.

So Etherra went out of her house, knowing Vitas's address as the destination for her delivery.

At night, Ortham is silent and quiet. People always prepare to rest at sunset, and the lord's curfew order has little effect.

After all, the people responsible for maintaining order in the city are mercenaries, and the mercenaries have to give me face.

And so Etherra set off at night.

She arrived at Vitas's residence. The owner of the house was surprised by her arrival but did not stop her. Vitas always welcomed visitors, and those who knew his residence were naturally considered friends.

"Is Vitas alright?"

The woman of the house noticed Esera's panic and unease, and she smiled knowingly.

"No, Mr. Vitalius is still the same as before."

As she led Estella upstairs, she spoke in a strange tone.

"Even Vitas has his day when girls come knocking on his door."

Etherra always felt that this woman had misunderstood something, but her explanations were always weak and unconvincing.

As she knocked on Vitas's door, Aethera could hear her own heartbeat. She even wanted to run away; she prayed the door wouldn't open, giving her more time to say goodbye. Perhaps her feelings were just an illusion; Vitas's silence on the way back had already said it all.

The door opened, and Vitas, as always, politely invited the two inside.

"No, you two talk."

With that remark, the mistress left, leaving only Ether and Vitas in the room.

Vitas politely invited Ether to sit down, and casually complained.

"It's dangerous to come over so late at night."

"Well, I'm really worried about it."

"Are you afraid I'll run away? No, how could I do that? It's not honorable to win a lady's heart and then just walk away.

Unlike his flippant remarks, Vitas's tone and expression were quite serious. Etherra almost laughed at the sight.

"Are you trying to put my mind at ease, Vitas? This isn't like you."

"Little Etherra, I'm serious. I really don't know what to do. I've made some mistakes in relationships. Of course, it's not a problem in my hometown, but here, I don't know."

"What exactly is the mistake?"

Vitas suddenly found it difficult to speak, whether it was the shepherdess etched deep in his memory or the women he encountered in the places he traveled in the years that followed; he had to make this clear.

"I am not a monogamous person, Etherra. I can fall in love with many people at the same time. For me, love is not unique."

He then added.

"But I don't want to accept my lover loving someone else. You see, I'm just that kind of strange person. So, in order not to hurt you in the future, and for the sake of our friendship, you should really think about what you're saying."

Etherra pondered Vitas's words carefully. She had never seen Vitas so hesitant before. After finally understanding what Vitas meant, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"What? I thought it was some kind of taboo custom or trend. Isn't it perfectly normal for a hero to be loved by many people?"

She stood up and told Vitas herself.

"I trust my instincts. I will not demand your loyalty in return for my loyalty to you. The strong always bear more responsibility; that's how we all live."

Aether stretched out his arms to hug Vitas, who hesitated for a moment, but then hugged him back.

"What's next?"

"I'll take you home."

"Huh?"

Vitas shook his head.

"It's late enough today. I never expected you to suddenly tell me all this. Maybe something just happened and you need some time to calm down. Anyway, that's enough for today."

With that, Vitas released Ether.

Ether nodded. She knew today wasn't a good time, and even she was startled when she said those words.

Fortunately, Vitas didn't hate her. In the end, both Aethera and Vitas knew the feelings they had for each other after spending so much time together.

"Could you take me home? Then we can go for coffee again tomorrow, just like before."

"Well, at least now you'll ask me to come and take you."

Vitas tucked the short sword into his waistband, hesitated for a moment, and did not carry the long sword on his back.

The two walked on the road at night without saying a word.

Viya would occasionally glance at him, then quickly look away after making eye contact with Vitas, followed by a sly smile.

As they passed through the alleyway where Viya's residence was located, the serious-looking people standing there disrupted the atmosphere between the two.

"Stand here and don't move."

Vitas stepped forward, even though it was curfew.

To be honest, hardly anyone cares about the curfew, not even those people who are investigating the scene.

"What happened here?"

Those were all Night's Watchmen employed by the lord. They looked Vitas up and down, and after confirming that there was no blood on him and that he was not a suspicious person, they answered.

"Someone forced their way into the crime scene; it's terrifying."

"It was probably done by those wizards, since only they knew about the existence of the basement."

"Yes, and the specimens and materials in the basement are disgusting."

"Has anyone died?"

Vitas asked.

The man in the leather jacket answered.

"The people outside were killed, their deaths were too gruesome. The inside was a complete mess. Fortunately, the people who were on duty inside went back today, otherwise people inside would have died too."