Witch Hunter Rhapsody

Vitas Vitalius was born into an unnamed knightly family. His father was a count. Growing up by the azure sea, he had eyes as deep as the ocean. When he was six years old, the daughter of a shepherd who had herded sheep for generations on the Vitalius family's lands curiously licked his eyes with her tongue.

He still remembered the night he led his knights away from the family territory. His father rode up and threw him the demon helmet that represented the traitors and sinners of the family, while commanding him: "You will live on under the name of Vitalius for the rest of your life. This is your oath, which even the traitors cannot forget! You are the Sin Knight!"

The sky then was quite similar to tonight's, overcast and without a bright moon.

Vitas thought he was being careful enough, but it still wasn't enough.

Vitas found the small building again. The wooden supports were beginning to rot, and the walls reeked of mold. The place was extremely damp and probably dark.

Disposing of a body is always quite troublesome, and because of Viya's death, the recent patrols have become even stricter, so Vitas has to find a way to handle it.

Vitas knocked on the door.

No response.

He hesitated for a moment, then knocked on the door again.

No response.

It's possible that the old doorman on the first floor has already gone to sleep, or it's possible that the people investigating Viya's death have come here to take them away. Vitas felt that Orlam, as a mercenary, should have a basic sense of self-preservation, but he knew that Orlam was a big mouth and probably quite proud of knowing Elizabeth.

Vitas spent a lot of time and effort trying to make it flawless, but now this guy has caught him out.

He recalled the three wizards he had killed. The first was Vitas, who had just escaped a catastrophe-like destruction. He encountered him unexpectedly, used all his strength to kill him, looted his travel money, set fire to the place, and fled, determined not to go near that area again for ten years.

The second reason is that Vitas needed to obtain some information about wizards in order to seek revenge. He used the precious materials he obtained from the first wizard to capture the unfortunate guy alive, tortured him with water to extract the information he needed, and then drowned him.

The third woman was a friend of the second. She became aware of Vitas's presence and intervened in the investigation. Vitas also noticed this and preemptively drugged her and threw her off his tower.

These three wizards were all rigorous scholars, even meticulous experts, but unfortunately they made mistakes in matters of life and death.

Vitas drew his short sword from his waist. Long swords were not suitable for indoor combat. He pushed the door, but it was not closed.

Upon entering the house, in a small room next door, the gatekeeper was already on the ground.

He checked the pulse and breathing; the person was still alive, seemingly just asleep, and there was a faint smell of pollen around them.

Vitas realized what was happening.

It's a sleep spell; a wizard has broken in.

He frowned. Even if Oram knew about his relationship with Elizabeth and publicized it, the wizards should be investigating him instead.

"Oh, sir downstairs, why are you so nervous? Please come up and let's talk."

Vitas realized that the other party had used a detection spell, making it impossible for him to hide.

He silently tucked his sword into his pocket and walked up the stairs step by step.

The door was closed. A man in a wizard's cloak was squatting in front of another rather disheveled man, Oram, with a huge, glowing pink spider above his head.

Two expressionless men stood beside the man dressed as a wizard.

Vitas was ready for battle. Wizards possess powerful magic, but they require materials, incantations, and casting postures. Even the simplest spell takes several seconds. In such a space, it is not impossible to fight back.

He noticed that the pattern on the edge of the wizard's cloak was quite similar to that of Viya's, but more intricate, and then he heard the wizard's voice.

"Vitas, my lord knight, it's you. I think you've made a terrible mistake and probably need my help, so I've come here."

The wizard's tone was quite relaxed.

Vitas's worries vanished, replaced by joy, but in an instant, joy was replaced by another emotion: doubt.

"Why are you here, my employer?"

"Maximus, that's my name, now you know it. You've completed my task, well done, except for this guy in front of you, you've done well."

The wizard named Maximus stuck his finger into the pink spider and began to stir it.

"I'm not asking what you're doing here. It's one thing for you to spies on me and harass me with that crow, but what are you actually doing here?"

Vitas looked at his employer, who, after drowning that guy, had finally gotten a glimpse into the wizarding world.

Wizards in the Duchy of Vilan are roughly divided into two factions, each led by Draco Greslin and Nectus Nocturnus.

The conflict between wizards at this level had reached a point of no return, which is why he chose to be driven by Maximus, a student of the former, to kill Via in order to gain the opportunity to get close to Drak.

As for why Maximus killed his fellow disciple Viya, that was none of his business.

At the same time, this is also a chance for him to demonstrate his abilities to Maximus.

"Of course I'll help you, Sir Knight. I am your master, and I ordered you to kill Viya. Naturally, it is necessary for me to clean up the mess for you. But your methods are indeed novel. Wizards usually prepare defenses against magic. Tsk tsk tsk, even I would be taken down. You are a truly terrifying fellow."

Vitas looked at this pretentious guy and knew in his heart that this idiot was only so reliable on the surface, and was still an idiot at heart.

He was still rambling on and on.

"You have proven your abilities, and I am willing to accept your loyalty. We are all dissatisfied with Viya, but my teacher still has expectations for her. Killing Viya will bring us one step closer."

Vitas frowned.

Why did you kill Viya?

Maximus laughed heartily, then casually finished off Oram with a knife, and said...

"It's a secret."

Maximus clapped his hands and then said.

"By the way, Vitas, did you ever hear the name 'Knights of Sin' when you were a mercenary?"

Vitas's body trembled; the name stirred up many memories within him. He struggled to remain calm as he answered.

"No, Your Excellency."

"Then you can inquire about it a little. About a year ago, someone created a spell that could affect the magic of the entire world. It's probably called Nexus. We got the name through our investigation recently. It should be a mercenary group, but they haven't been seen since a year ago."

"I'll keep asking around."

Maximus then added his instructions.

"I need to go back and report now. News of Senior Sister Viya should have reached us soon. Many wizards will be secretly arriving in the next few days, so remember to be careful."

"I see."

Maximus took out the spellcasting materials, chanted the incantation, and opened his arms, and a door appeared in front of them.

Portal.

"Alright, Vitas, even mortals who don't understand magic can earn respect in the wizarding world through hard work, a respect that knights can never attain."

Maximus opened the door, ordered his followers to carry Oram's body, and then they all disappeared into the portal.

Vitas watched the light disappear before him. He hated hearing that name from the wizard's mouth, the name that his former companion had praised with respect and loyalty, and even sworn allegiance to.

The Knights of Sin.

Despite bearing the burden of sin, Vitas's mind was filled with nothing but glory.

The wizard, an arcane preacher named Nectus Nocturnus, destroyed it all.

He used evil magic to destroy the Knights of Sin, destroying the glory Vitas had built and the oaths he had made.

Vitas made a new vow on the day the Knights were destroyed.

Vitas Vitalius, the Sin Knight, the last member of the Sin Knights, even if his soul falls into hell, he will destroy everything Nectus Nocturnus has!