Wizard: This witcher is neglecting his duties.

Chapter 43 Dare to Steal My Horse

After eavesdropping in the tavern for a while, Wayne gained a lot and suddenly realized that having superhuman hearing was a really good thing.

Not only does it give him sharper senses in battle, making him less vulnerable to ambushes, but it also brings him many unexpected conveniences in his daily life.

The drinkers were talking in hushed tones, believing that they wouldn't be heard by those around them in such a noisy environment.

But they were unaware that a Witcher was nearby, a super soldier with super senses who could detect any slight sound once it entered the Witcher's perception range.

During the meal, Wayne not only heard about some major events that had occurred in Vizima City recently, the city hall's policies, and the conspiracy of a group of bandits, but he also gleaned some information about the vampire bird from the diners' snippets of conversation.

Starting about a year and a half ago, a number of wild animal attacks and missing persons cases began to occur in the residential areas near the palace. The city guards always dealt with these cases vaguely and failed to catch the real culprit, causing widespread panic.

Even now, many ordinary people are unwilling to go out at night, and even the gangs and thieves in the city are affected by this, and dare not commit crimes at night, so the public security has improved a lot.

However, after the palace was moved and the new city began to be built, many of the more astute residents felt a sense of crisis and began to consider moving.

The monster that attacks residents at night has caused widespread panic, but because the authorities have been covering up the truth, the residents are unaware that the monster's true identity is the daughter of the current King Fortest.

Just as Wayne was enjoying the story, a ragged, skinny boy walked into the tavern. He glanced around, spotted Wayne, carefully avoided the other patrons, approached him, and said:

"Sir, your horse has been stolen."

Upon hearing this, Wayne frowned and immediately stood up and walked out of the tavern.

He pushed aside the drunkard blocking his way, lifted the tapestry at the gate, and went to the stable. Sure enough, his black mare Lucifer, which he had bought from Toruville, was gone.

The onlookers around him were all secretly glancing at him with different expressions, wanting to see how he would react.

Wayne showed no outward expression, but inwardly he was cursing.

Damn it, some petty thief from who-knows-where dared to steal from him, and even his horse! He's asking for it.

You should know that the price of a good horse, converted to orens, is at least six hundred orens, which is more than many poor people can earn in a lifetime.

How dare they steal horses in the city? Are the city guards just sitting around doing nothing?

This is too blatant!

Wayne was angry but not too worried. All the truly valuable things were on him. On his horse were only some worthless luggage, the herbs he had picked, and the elven bow that Toluviel had given him. It was a good thing and he couldn't lose it.

However, these petty thieves had no choice but to mess with a demon hunter. He'll go after them in a bit and make those bastards pay double.

At this moment, the tavern owner, Old York, also came out. With just a casual glance, he guessed the gist of the matter and turned to Wayne, saying calmly:

"It must have been done by the Wild Dogs gang."

"You shouldn't have ridden into the slums. The price of a horse here can buy several lives. Those guys will do anything for money."

Old York glanced at the steel sword in Wayne's hand and at his amber eyes, and said softly:

"Moreover, during this period, a large number of outsiders have flooded into the city, and the city guards are very busy. If you report a theft like this, by the time they come to handle it, they will definitely not find a trace of the thief."

"You either accept your bad luck, or prepare some money and maybe you can buy your horse back from the Wild Dog Gang."

Wayne raised an eyebrow, somewhat amused, and asked:

"They stole my things and now they want me to pay for them back. This Wild Dog Gang has some nerve."

Old York frowned as he looked at Wayne and warned him:

"Young man, I know you must have some special skills, maybe even some swordsmanship, but the Wild Dog Gang has dozens of members, all of them wicked bastards."

"Their leader, Dog King, is also an expert at training dogs. He keeps many vicious dogs, and ordinary people can't afford to mess with them."

"Don't lose your life over a horse."

Wayne nodded without speaking. Suddenly, he noticed that the boy who had just told him that his horse had been stolen had also come out of the tavern. His thin body, dressed in tattered clothes, was shivering in the cold wind.

Old York noticed his gaze, turned to look at the boy, and snorted, saying:

"The child's name is Alex. His only relative died two months ago, and he is now a beggar, surviving only thanks to the nuns' charity."

"He's a kind boy, but he did something stupid today."

Wayne's expression shifted, and he immediately understood the meaning behind old York's words, asking:

"Will the Wild Dogs retaliate against him? Retaliate against a little kid?"

Old York spat on the ground and said with disgust:

"These bastards are all despicable and capable of any evil deed, but they are shrewd enough not to provoke nobles and rich people, which is why the city guards haven't dealt with them."

"However, I've seen it all before. These gangs won't be able to run rampant for long. In a few years, they'll be replaced by other gangs, and the bastards of the Wild Dog Gang will rot in some unknown ditch."

"This kind of thing will never disappear as long as there are people gathering in groups; it's the same everywhere."

To be able to say these things, it's clear that Old York is a man of considerable experience.

Wayne thought for a moment, then stopped beating around the bush and asked directly:

"Old York, do you remember that half-elf child who worked in your shop ten years ago?"

Old York turned his head upon hearing this, squinted and scrutinized Wayne for more than ten seconds before suddenly saying:

"I was wondering why you looked so familiar. Oh, it's you, kid. Your name is Wayne, right? I remember you."

"So you've become a witcher now? No wonder you have cat-like eyes."

Wayne was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected that after so long, the tavern owner would still remember him, and hadn't even forgotten his name.

So, somewhat surprised, he asked:

"You actually remember me, old York?"

The tavern owner snorted and said disdainfully:

"My memory is excellent. If your mother, Martha, hadn't begged me several times, would I have taken in a good-for-nothing brat like you to work in my shop?"

Upon hearing old York mention Martha, Wayne, disregarding his rude tone, immediately asked:

"What happened to my mother afterward, old York? Do you know?"

Upon hearing this, old York stopped looking at Wayne's expression, sighed softly, and then said calmly:

"What else could we do? Even the nuns of the Melitia Church couldn't cure her illness. She died less than two months after you were taken away."

"Melissa paid for her burial, and her grave is now in the church cemetery."

Upon hearing this news, Wayne's expression shifted. He felt an invisible urge within him, a desire to visit Martha's grave. He sighed and asked:

"Melissa? Is that Aunt Melissa? The one who just served me the food and wine, was that her?"

In Wayne's hazy memory, she was a prostitute who had a good relationship with his mother. Although they weren't exactly like sisters, they supported each other during those difficult days.

Old York snorted again and said:

Five or six years ago, she was beaten by a client and her leg was broken.

"I took her in because I felt sorry for her. If I hadn't seen how hard she worked, I wouldn't have taken in a useless person."

(End of this chapter)