Witch Hunter Rhapsody

Declan was naturally quite welcoming of Vitas, who had come to him for help. He valued Vitas highly, and it would be beneficial for all his work if Vitas could become his hired knight.

"So, is it possible to find these two things?"

"Huh? The bile of a nitrox and the scales of a frost dragon? I really want to crack open your head and see if you've taken the wrong medicine."

Declan's words were quite pertinent.

These things are completely different from ordinary magic materials; an ordinary wizard would definitely have no way to use them.

But it just so happens to be Declan. As a disciple of Nectus, Declan can figure out a way to accomplish these things.

But what should we exchange such precious materials for from Vitas to make it a worthwhile investment?

Ultimately, Declan made a small request.

"I can get these two items, but the price is hard to estimate; you'll have to use a barter system."

"Let's barter then, preferably with materials I can get around here."

"Of course, I know that's probably why you came to me for help. If you could find materials around here, you probably would have gone out hunting on your own. To put it bluntly, Vitas, I see something in your eyes that doesn't belong to a knight—that primal desire, that desire to hunt, is something we can hardly reach."

"That sounds nice, just tell me what you want."

Declan opened his specially made notebook, which was filled with notes about things he had recently acquired or planned to acquire in the future.

He quickly found his goal.

"What do you think of a unicorn's horn and a swamp monster's heart? These are quite dangerous monsters. Although they are far away, I can find a wizard to use magic to help you get there."

"us?"

"Please, Vitas! You're not planning to hunt both of them alone, are you?"

Declan initially took it as a joke from Vitas, but after noticing Vitas's expression, he gradually suppressed his laughter.

"You mean, you're really prepared to do it alone?"

"Declan, I have lost a partner who could accompany me on such a magnificent hunt, and I believe such a person will never appear again. I am a knight, a hunter, and for me, hunting is fun, and killing is meaningful."

Seeing Vitas's seriousness, Declan couldn't believe that one person could actually hunt these two monsters alone.

"Seriously, Vitas, stop joking."

"I'm not joking."

"hiss."

Declan began to seriously consider whether Vitas had gone mad, but ultimately, he chose to accept it.

"No matter what, if you can bring it back, I'll accept the deal."

"certainly."

Watching Vitas leave, Declan felt a strange curiosity. Why was this guy so confident? Why was he so strange?

I don't understand.

Twenty minutes after Vitas left, Declan returned to his laboratory, a spacious area that was even larger than the small building where Vitas lived.

This is a laboratory that many wizards could never obtain in their entire lives, but for Declan, it was nothing to be proud of.

On the contrary, he felt that the laboratory here was too small, which limited his ability to perform!

After a series of operations on the magic circle in the laboratory, Declan successfully contacted his classmate.

"You need Nether Salamander bile and Frost Dragon scales? You're crazy, these aren't exactly common items."

"Don't worry, I've already sent people to find the unicorn horn and the swamp monster's heart. Our teacher has always wanted those two things, but hasn't had the time to search for them. His birthday is in a few days, so why don't we surprise him with that?"

"You're insane! Who knows where you got this kind of access?"

"Just some tips and tricks I learned during the investigation."

"Speaking of the investigation, how's your task going?"

"What mission?"

"Investigate the truth behind Viya's death and your brother's disappearance."

Declan's expression finally turned serious. He pondered for a moment and then replied.

"Raymond is probably dead. We both possess soul imprinting spells, and his soul imprint has disappeared. Moreover, I'm certain that the person who killed him is in the city."

After the undead invasion ended, Declan also cleaned up the battlefield. In a horrific area, he found the fragments of Ral's hut, which had been blasted to pieces.

Lal's hut is made up of the magic of different wizards, and it always bears the magical marks of different wizards. Based on these marks, Declan can recognize that this is his younger brother's hut.

It's likely that someone killed his brother and then stole his cabin ring.

Declan did not delve deeper into this topic. He then said, "As for Via's death, it's strange. I suspect that the murderer who killed Via was a powerful wizard. To come up with the idea of ​​making poison gas using iron blue and concentrated sulfuric acid, his knowledge must have been astonishing. And most importantly, the fact that he could use such a primitive method now that we have mastered arcane power is enough to demonstrate the creativity of his thinking."

"Interesting. So much has happened in such a small city as Ortham. You need to be careful. It is said that Drak's tutor has gone missing. If you go missing, our teacher will definitely be furious."

"Hmph, I'm not that stupid. At the very least, I won't openly announce my wizarding identity everywhere."

"Fine, it's still your initial suggestion. If you can get the unicorn horn and the swamp monster's heart, I can give you the bile of the Nether Salamander and the scales of the Frost Dragon."

Declan got the answer he wanted and immediately disconnected the communication array.

Honestly, these things have been wasting so much of my energy lately, and I haven't even had time to move forward with my experimental plans.

However, after playing the game of dressing up as a merchant, he suddenly realized that the affairs of these ordinary people were quite interesting. It was like watching ants fight.

To him, Vitas was just a slightly larger ant; even with great power, he was still nothing more than an ant.

Declan grabbed a pot of soil from a nearby flowerpot and gently scattered it into the air.

"It's so beautiful."

He likes change, he likes strange things, he likes all sorts of things.

……

"You need to give me a rough quote, right?"

Vitas first used the communication array that Maximus had given him in order to coordinate this most crucial matter.

He had figured out how to get those two things. Killing the unicorn and obtaining the heart of the swamp monster weren't particularly difficult, at least not with his ability to summon subordinates.

Then, we should talk about compensation.

"The reward? Would two thousand gold coins be enough?"

"Oh? That's probably not enough. For me, it needs to be doubled."

"Four thousand gold coins?"

Maximus got back to his rhythm and rubbed his temples.

The proposal was so terrifying that he momentarily forgot that this damned plan didn't actually require any payment.

"I did so many things for you before, but you didn't give me any benefits. Now I can't keep working for you for free."

Maximus decided that once Alistair was resurrected and under his control, the first thing he would do was kill Vitas.

"Pay first, a deposit of one-tenth, four hundred gold coins."

Vitas's words made Maximus even angrier.

Four hundred gold coins? Right now, if you take out all your possessions and you have four gold coins, you'd be lucky to have the blessing of the goddess of magic.

Maximus was really angry. Although he was planning to assassinate Vitas, although he had a scheme, and although he was not prepared to pay, how could Vitas push his luck?

He was about to speak when he remembered Raphael's words of advice.

His collaboration with Raphael was based on his ability to bring these two precious materials.

If I can't bring it myself, then this is too much trouble.

Besides, he could also pay a higher amount and ask Raphael and the others for reimbursement, which might allow him to make a profit.

With this in mind, Maximus managed to calm his frustration and dissatisfaction, and then agreed to Vitas's request.

"You're being surprisingly generous this time? Are you really Maximus? Or has your body been taken over by something or some evil magic?"

"Shut up, don't try to fool me!"

"Are you still angry? That's pointless."

Vitas felt that was enough, and then set a deadline for Maximus.

"I need to see the deposit in three days, but our relationship will allow me to be ready to depart before your deposit arrives."

After saying that, Vitas terminated the communication spell.

Currently, all preliminary communications for this operation have been completed, so the next step is to prepare the necessary supplies.

Vitas went alone and could summon his subordinates at will.

However, before he could travel to the past and before he could summon his subordinates, he was just an ordinary person. He needed to prepare for this period of time.

Of course, he didn't plan to bring the Flying Eagle Knights this time.

These people lack sufficient talent and combat ability; bringing them along would only make them a burden.

Moreover, with other people watching, it would be inconvenient for Vitas to summon his subordinates.

However, things never quite turn out exactly as we imagine.

He successfully purchased most of the supplies and consumables and delivered them to Declan, ready to send them to their destination.

When Vitas went to Etherra's shop to retrieve his armor, he happened to run into Leon, the captain of the Flying Eagle Knights.

Logically speaking, encountering Leon here wouldn't be a big deal. Vitas isn't a formal member of the Knights, so it's normal for him to have his own job.

However, just the day before, Leon made a decision.

He had long realized that Vitas was no ordinary knight; he may have once possessed enviable honor and status, which he lost in a disaster.

But now, his past greatness and power still exist, and for him, this is an opportunity.

If I could follow Vitas and have him teach me, I would be able to achieve even greater success in both the management and combat of the Knights.

Leon has made up his mind. He will follow Vitas and carry out his own training, constantly improving himself through such training and challenges.

Driven by this pursuit, Leon arrives at Hammer's workshop and encounters Vitas, who is preparing to depart, while selecting equipment.

Leon had never been so courageous. He walked up to Vitas and placed his dignity and honor on him.

"Please take me with you! I'll do anything for you!"

Vitas was somewhat impressed by Leon's determination. This guy really had an endless imagination. Could a human possibly do something like this?

Vitas sighed and then declined Leon's request.

"I won't go with you. You can't help me, and the Flying Eagle Knights need you more. There are many new members joining now, and they all need you."

Leon understood this, of course, but he just couldn't accept his current vulnerability.

If I can't become stronger, how can I manage the entire Knights Order, and how can I realize my and Helena's dreams?

Leon was silent for a moment, then said, "My lord, I want to become a true knight. Only you can make my dream come true. I beg you."

"This has nothing to do with my opinion, Leon. It's about your safety. I can't put you in that kind of danger."

Leon still didn't give up.

"Please, sir, I need you."

"Vitas? What are you talking about with Commander Leon?"

Vitas remained silent even after Etherra approached. Upon learning that Leon wanted to adventure with Vitas, Etherra didn't side with Leon, advising, "This is too dangerous. Don't risk your life."

Neither of their words changed Leon's mind, and Vitas, too lazy to argue any further, prepared to leave directly.

"Mr. Vitalius!"

Leon gave chase, but Vitas had already disappeared into the crowd on the street.

His presence also caught the attention of Maximus, who was secretly watching Vitas.

Leon was still thinking, still angry, still in pain, when he came to his senses, Maximus was already standing in front of him.

"Young man, what's troubling you?"

Leon remained on his guard, but instinctively shook Maximus's outstretched hand.

"I am a wizard. I can grant you a small wish, how about it?"

"What's the price?"

Maximus said with a smile.

"The price? Your understanding of wizards is quite normal, but it's definitely a price you can afford to pay."