The Cook's Flavor

Judging from the traces of these ruins, the area has been abandoned for at least five years.

"Master Vesemir, when was the last time you were here?" Ailin couldn't help but ask curiously.

Vesemir paused, then lowered his head and pondered for a moment, before becoming somewhat hesitant:

"It seems... it seems to be fifteen years ago."

Ailin:?

Fifteen years ago, you did a few tasks for someone, and now you dare to show up at their door and freeload without saying a word?

Is this the face of Witcher Master?

Besides, fifteen years ago isn't exactly a few years, is it?

In that era, the average lifespan of nobles was less than fifty years.

Fifteen years later, even if the castle still exists, Viscount Hudson may no longer be around.

Huus, Bont, and Fred also had strange expressions, clearly thinking something similar to what Ailin was thinking.

"Let's go back to the Hundred Fruit Garden."

Vesemir frowned, looking somewhat dejected.

He didn't notice the strange expression on the young witcher's face. He pulled on the reins, turned his horse around, and rode towards the town.

Several young witchers exchanged glances and silently followed behind.

Who exactly is Viscount Hudson? It's been fifteen years since we last met, yet he still managed to make Vesemir so dejected.

Ailin was a little curious.

The noble castles in the Witcher world are similar to the medieval castles of my previous life, and are basically built on a hill.

Nestled at the foot of the hills is a small town with a small population but complete facilities.

There are all kinds of shops, including taverns, inns, and blacksmith shops.

The same goes for Hundred Fruit Garden.

After descending from the hills, the witchers arrived at the inn.

Perhaps they were too far away to have received news from Ad Kale, or perhaps every transaction was crucial for the rural inn.

Upon seeing Ailin and the others carrying twin swords and with unusual Cat Eyes, the innkeeper merely frowned.

After issuing a few warnings, he charged each person an extra 30 copper coins, citing the need for feed for all five horses, for a total of 6,000 Oren and 50 copper coins from the five people.

This is the cost of accommodation for one week; food is charged separately each day.

At this price, you can only stay in the cheapest hotel in Ban Ade, and only for two days.

With Vesemir not in high spirits, the young witchers also lost interest in joking and playing around. After exchanging a few quiet words, they all went to rest.

Back in his room, Ailin was even more satisfied with the hotel.

Not only was the room very clean and odorless, but the mattresses even smelled of sunshine after I lay down, indicating they had been aired out that morning.

Looking at the wooden beams of the roof, Ailin's mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts.

"Who exactly is that elf? And why was he captured?"

"Will she say that fate led her to me? Is it just a charade, or is it really true?"

"Am I really going to do as the riddle-maker suggested, searching for that human couple like looking for a needle in a haystack?"

"Completing the commission will give me what I want most, but what exactly do I want most?"

Win over the elves? Destroy Ban Ade Academy? Or... kill that "The Glutton"?

Recalling the strange Red-haired Elf she had encountered that morning, Ailin, lying on the bed, was in a state of utter confusion.

"Eh~"

With a soft sigh, Ailin knew that a stranger had seen right through her.

He had already decided to seek out the couple when he was considering the fee for the commission.

Even though he didn't know the elf's identity, or whether the elf would reward him with the money he wanted.

"Riddlers are so annoying!" he gritted his teeth.

The next day.

Before the rooster crowed, Ailin automatically woke up from her meditation.

This is a little trick that Vesemir taught to witchers on the road.

Shutting down two-thirds of the Witcher Senses, putting himself into a semi-conscious state of sleep.

While meditation is not as effective at restoring energy as normal sleep.

However, when faced with danger, they can be alert at any time and quickly switch their bodies to a state of tension.

Unfortunately, this is just a little trick that uses the Witcher Senses, not a skill, and cannot be activated on the panel.

It shouldn't be like in a game.

After a meditation session, consuming a bottle of strong liquor, the potion and Sword Oil on his body were fully restored.

However, it is very suitable for resting in the wild.

Therefore, Vesemir's requirement for Ailin and his companions was that they must replace sleep with meditation whenever they were not in Kaer Morhen.

The testing method is also very simple...

"Squeak~"

With the sound of three doors opening, three witchers, all wearing leather jackets, emerged from behind them.

"It seems that Bont and Fred didn't use meditation today," Vesemir nodded.

He didn't knock on their door, and went straight downstairs with Ailin and Huus.

Obviously.

Without meditation, it is impossible to accurately grasp time.

Both Bont and Fred failed.

Ailin who complete their meditation goals will be treated to breakfast, lunch, and dinner by Vesemir Huus.

Bont and Fred had to figure out how to get their own meals.

This reward was quite tempting for several young witchers, including Ailin.

after all,

More than half of the money they earned from hunting water monsters along the way was spent on inns and the maintenance of their weapons and leather armor.

This is another reason why Ailin doesn't want to live in Ban Ade if possible.

No money!

"Ailin, after breakfast, do you want to go check if there are any requests in the village?" Huus asked, leaning over and putting his arm around his shoulder.

Ailin was about to refuse, as he was searching for the couple the Red-haired Elf had requested.

But then I thought, there are so many villages near Ban Ade, and how many human couples are in each village?

Searching for them one by one would definitely not be enough in just over ten days.

"Since that elf is being deliberately mysterious, I'm bound to make contact with that couple given my status," Ailin thought to himself.

Then, on a whim, he accepted Huus's invitation.

What identity could Ailin possibly have? He's nothing more than a Witcher.

Witchers must accept monster requests.

The logic is sound and flawless.

When I got downstairs, the first floor of the hotel was already bustling with people.

There were significantly more people staying there than last night; they seemed to be locals from Hundred Fruit Garden.

"Boss, what kind of breakfast do you have here?"

The shopkeeper, who had been so cold yesterday, quickly came over and greeted them, "We have hot stew, black bread, and fried eggs. It costs eight copper coins a serving."

"Three servings, please!" Vesemir said casually, then casually pulled out a dozen or so copper coins and put them in the shopkeeper's hand. "Keep the change."

The boss's face broke into a wide smile, and he quickly turned around and called out:

"Mary, three breakfasts!"

"Okay!"

The voice of a mature woman came from the inner room, separated by a curtain.

That should be the hotel's kitchen.

Apart from fried eggs, which need to be prepared, there is no need to prepare stew or black bread.

Breakfast was quickly served on the table for the three of them.

"Huff~"

The slightly hot stew enters the mouth, and the delicious combination of vegetables and meat juices instantly envelops the tongue.

So delicious!

Ailin's eyes lit up immediately. Ignoring the temperature of the soup, he finished it in a few bites and was about to have another bowl.

"Huh!"

Ailin looked in the direction of the sound.

Vesemir frowned, picked up the plate, glanced at the inn's interior, and then took another bite with a look of surprise and uncertainty.

"This... this isn't the taste of the Hudson Family Cook?"

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Bonus chapter for Alliance Leader "Soda0" (2/10).