Witch Hunter Rhapsody

After another not-so-short journey, Vitas returned to Ortham.

My recent life is so complicated that I don't even know how to describe it.

Since he killed Viya, one thing after another has happened, some with his knowledge and some without. These events, when combined, have vaguely formed a vortex that includes him.

Vitas has a lot to do right now: revenge, the investigation into Viya's death, the containment of Viya's monsters, the necromancer incident, the missions of Maximus and Declan...

He found that since leaving the Knights of Sin, his life had become trivial and lonely, without a clear main storyline. Even with a goal like revenge against Nexus, there were too many branches in his life and on the way to achieve it.

If only we had more time.

Vitas watched the scenery change outside the carriage, and before he knew it, he had arrived at his destination.

The villa in Declan.

Declan warmly welcomed Vitas into his house. Vitas didn't waste any words and simply stated his purpose.

From what Vitas observed, the viscount's control over his territory was hardly commendable. He had only given him a general area, telling him where the wizard market was.

Damn it, I know where it is, but I just don't have the means or methods to get there.

"So you remembered me? Because I do business with wizards, you should also have access to the wizarding black market?"

Declan understood what Vitas meant.

"Isn't that right?"

Declan looked at him like he was an idiot, while Vitas looked at him with righteous indignation. Declan finally sighed and said.

"The significant difference between the wizarding black market and other black markets lies in its secrecy and danger. In fact, most black markets don't sell seriously dangerous goods; they're just for evading taxes. But the wizarding black market, especially one without a formal wizarding system, sells extremely dangerous items."

he went on.

"Based on this, getting close to them becomes incredibly difficult."

Vitas was somewhat surprised. Was it really that difficult? He had entered quite easily when he dealt with the wizard's relics before.

"If it were just a regular black market, that would be fine, but if you're looking for someone connected to necromancers... you know, necromancy in our duchy is in a gray area, but most of the materials used in necromancy spells are prohibited from sale."

"So can you take me there? You must have more tricks up your sleeve than I do."

Declan pondered for a moment.

"There's no benefit to it."

"You really do have connections."

"This is a risky issue."

As Declan spoke, he tore a page from a notebook and wrote a few words with a pen.

"Here, this is information about a wizard in the black market. He might have the information you need, but don't let anyone know that I told you."

Vitas took it, looked at it briefly, and then asked a question.

"What's your relationship like with him?"

"The relationship is not good."

"That's not surprising."

……

The wizard black market is not actually a specific market, but rather a large area where wizards live.

The Duchy of Vilan lacks a mature system for training wizards. As a country with a particularly developed mercenary system, its most powerful wizard, Nectus Nocturnus, was also hired by the current duke.

Only Draco Greslin, who had a conflict with Nectus, seemed like a legitimate wizard. He founded a small wizarding academy and trained many wizards, but not all of them could claim to be Nectus's disciples.

However, considering that even an idiot like Maximus could become Nexus's disciple, Vitas felt there was no need to have too many illusions about this title.

A significant number of wizards are unorthodox wizards, lacking the guidance of a master. They often only master a dozen or so spells, and some don't even have the ability to develop or learn new spells.

This was true for most of the other wizards living in Ortham.

Vitas found a small house based on the information provided by Declan.

According to Declan, the wizard living in this little house had some of the materials needed for necromancy.

Vitas didn't know the specifics, given his truly terrible magical talent. According to Raymond, the unfortunate wizard he had killed, it was likely due to his family's influence.

With time running out and the task at hand, Vitas didn't have much time to investigate the people involved.

"Knock lightly three times, knock heavily three times, then knock lightly and tactilely fifteen times in succession. After hearing a sound from inside the door, kick the door down."

Vitas shook his head, and even though he didn't understand, he did as instructed.

"Who is it?"

Vitas kicked him hard.

The door opened, and a man with a gloomy face appeared in front of them.

Behind the door was a gloomy little room. Wizards didn't seem to like opening windows, which wasn't strange, except for a few large cabinets.

"Who are you?"

"I was introduced here; it seems you have something that might be useful."

"Who recommended you?"

Vitas didn't have time to waste with him. He grabbed the man by the neck, pulled him inside, and then closed the door.

The man was clearly unprepared for Vitas's actions; he almost screamed, but Vitas gripped his neck tightly, pressing on his throat, but not enough to suffocate him.

"Alright, I don't have much time to fool around with you. Recently, a necromancer has appeared in the city, or at least a necromancer who uses necromancy. I heard that you, you damned guy, sell materials for these spells. Now tell me everything you know."

The man was terrified; of course he knew about the undead appearing in the city.

"Cough cough cough, I..."

Vitas relaxed his pressure slightly.

"I'm not a necromancer, I'm just a materials seller. I don't even know how to cast spells with those materials!"

Vitas slapped him without hesitation.

"I know, a bastard like you doesn't seem like someone capable of using such magic. Did you sell it to anyone else?"

"No! Absolutely not! I haven't had any business in ages! Look, all the ingredients in my freezer are almost spoiled."

Upon hearing about the freezer and the nearly spoiled materials, Vitas already had a general idea of ​​what those materials were, but just to be on the safe side, he still carried the man closer to the large cabinet.

Opening the cabinet, as expected, revealed various human remains. The cut surfaces of the wounds were quite rough, as if they had been torn off rather than cut off.

The man held in Vitas's hand quickly tried to explain.

"These were all dug up from graveyards! Some were even from people who died in the wild! They were all obtained through normal means, absolutely!"

Vitas did not loosen his grip; he was not so easily convinced by the man's words.

"Tell me, what can a necromancer do with these corpses?"

"I don't know! I don't know, I just heard they need it, and they really do need it, I just want to earn some extra money!"

"Aren't you a wizard?"

The man said in an almost helpless tone.

"I prefer to be called a doctor. I am self-taught in magic, and even professional wizards have their own areas of research. It is perfectly normal to be unfamiliar with things outside of one's own area of ​​research."

Vitas still didn't believe it.

To be honest, his impression of wizards was that they were sinister and cunning. It was as if the identity of a wizard and magic had a strange contagiousness; no matter what kind of mortal they were when they knew no magic, they would all become evil people after learning magic.

"Is Dr. Urbino there?"

Just then, a call came from outside the door.

"Are you really a doctor?"

"This is my main profession. Actually, a wizard would be quite suitable to be a doctor."

Vitas released the man, who then stroked his neck.

"Is there anything else?"

"I'm here on the Viscount's orders to investigate. Don't tell anyone about what happened today. Also, tell me about the other people who sell necromancy materials."

"Damn it, I really want to punch you right now, but I have patients, and this guy is also selling himself. His character is much worse than mine. Okay, now please get out."

Having at least obtained a clue, Vitas shrugged and tossed him a silver coin.

"Consultation fee".

He opened the door, where a brother and sister were waiting. Vitas nodded and smiled at them.

As he left, Vitas heard his sister say...

"Brother, can someone as strong as you get sick?"

"Of course, he'll get better, and so will you."