Ambushing Vilgefortz

night.

The moon and stars are sparse.

In the stillness of the night, broken only by the chirping of insects, two figures carrying two swords walked across the deserted wilderness.

"I taught you Tracking ..." Vesemir said with a complicated expression, following behind Ailin a step behind him. "But now I can't understand it anymore. If I didn't know your character, I would even suspect that you're just giving me the runaround and don't really want to save Ernie and Klar ..."

The Tracking techniques he taught Ailin relied on the Witcher's unique olfactory Mutated Organ.

It can be very useful for dealing with smelly monsters such as water ghosts and Ghoul, bloody and messy crime scenes, or enclosed spaces.

But in this wilderness, the pursuers are unharmed humans who have no unusual odor.

Tracking is of no use in this regard.

Of course, his decision to chase after the young witcher at night and rescue him was not because he had no other choice after losing Tracking.

However, it will be very slow to carefully distinguish the footprints and hoofprints left by the two men.

At least...

In this wilderness overgrown with weeds, where footprints and marks are easily covered by nature, I couldn't be like Ailin, simply keeping my head down and walking at a pace almost the same as usual.

It's as if an invisible hound is leading the way on a ground covered in plants, where even moonlight cannot reach.

"Just some tricks..." Ailin's gaze was fixed on the ground, and the red-glowing horse moved forward silently.

"A little trick? Can I learn it?"

Ailin paused almost imperceptibly. "Then... that probably won't work."

The Tracking in the Special Skill section is more like a modification of a chip implanted in his body by Cyberpunk Kremlin, rather than his own skill.

Just as the art of demon hunting cannot be taught to others, so too can the art of Tracking.

"It's nothing, I was just... asking..." Vesemir suddenly thought of something, or perhaps he paused as if trying to change the subject, "You figured out that damned sorcerer used the Shapeshifting Sealing Charm earlier, and even left a provocative note in my room, was that the same technique you used?"

"Yes." Ailin nodded.

"The Witcher's Eye is really something," Vesemir said with envy, but then sighed, "I don't know if you're lucky or unlucky..."

It's been a long time since I've heard anyone use the ancient term "Witcher's Eye".

When Ailin first heard this, he was stunned for a few seconds before realizing that the Witcher Master had misunderstood "Tracking," and that it was brought about by "Witcher's Eye," an ability that the Chief had created to cover up his identity as the "Child of Miracle."

Hearing this word, Aylin suddenly pictured a decadent middle-aged man with black hair and gray eyes in his mind.

"I wonder if Chieftain Soyer has recovered from Haxor's betrayal and death."

Since returning to Kaer Morhen, he had vaguely sensed that the chief's attitude towards him seemed to have changed.

He often stood by the training ground to observe his apprentices, but not to observe their progress; rather... he was observing him...

Want to be the top performer?

His deep, husky voice echoed in my mind.

"What's wrong?"

Vesemir noticed the strange breathing of the demon hunter carrying two swords in front of him.

"It's nothing." Ailin shook her head and continued walking.

Let's get down to business first...

If you can't even protect your own demon hunters, what makes you think you can be the chief?

The eight hundred meters mentioned in Vilgefortz's letter was not far. After walking for a short while, the two saw a black, jagged birch forest under the moonlight.

However, this is just the location mentioned in the letter for the meeting tomorrow at noon.

The desolate woodland was filled only with the eerie cries of some birds and wild animals; there was no sign of human life.

Vilgefortz and the witch were just passing through and did not camp here.

fortunately.

They did not use a portal to teleport away.

The red footprints did not disappear here, but instead circled the woods and led to the road leading to Vengerberg.

"Vilgefortz clearly looks down on us," Ailin continued, looking down the road, "So our vigilance preparations are bound to be less than adequate."

"I have a magical item that can make me invisible and silent. When we get there, you hide first and wait for me..."

"You can also give me the invisibility and sound-silencing gadgets, and I'll sneak in while you hide to the side..." Before he could finish making the arrangements, Vesemir interrupted him impatiently, "Are you afraid I'll pocket the gadgets and run away?"

"Of course not," Ailin gave a wry smile, but he had expected it. "Besides invisibility and sound-dampening items, I also have the Mirage Pearl to create illusions..."

"I also..."

Seeing that the Witcher Master was about to argue, Ailin interrupted, "Only I can use the Mirage Pearl. It's a magic circle specially set up by Lady Vesemir..."

"Having invisibility and sound-dampening items is enough..." Vesemir wanted to argue further.

"I also know some of the assassination techniques of the School of the Cat, and I know some of the weaknesses of the male wizards..." Before he finished speaking, Ailin immediately followed the techniques of the School of the Cat Two-Handed Sword and moved lightly and quietly.

In the blink of an eye, like a wildcat, it landed steadily on one foot, stepping silently onto the overgrown, broken branches and vines of the wasteland.

Even more peculiar is...

Not only did Vesemir not hear footsteps, but he also barely heard the normal bone friction, hollow sounds, and even breathing sounds during exercise.

Vesemir was stunned and silent for a few seconds, his dark golden pupils narrowing into slits in shock.

It's not like he hasn't dealt with the School of the Cat of Witchers before.

Among the School of the Cat Witchers, very few can match Ailin's skill; perhaps only Tresius, the leader of the School of the Cat, could achieve it.

"Why... why did you learn... no... where did you learn those lousy techniques?"

Vesemir stared at Ailin's leather boots, which were perched on a broken branch, and stammered.

"I'm just thinking about it for no reason."

"Nothing... thinking about it?" Vesemir was speechless.

Is this something you can achieve by just thinking about it all the time?

Despite looking down on the School of the Cat, even the Witcher Master have never denied their exceptional skill and difficulty in killing.

The training methods of the School of the Cat are fundamentally different from theirs, so how could they possibly learn so easily?

But when Vesemir opened his mouth to refute something, he thought of Ailin's achievements in School of the Wolf swordsmanship, signs, alchemy, and potion-making.

Especially in medicine making.

A potion that can permanently increase a Witcher Master's perception by nearly one-fifth, and also grants bonuses to agility and magic power...

Could the Bloody Red Fox Vesemir concoct such a potion?

Suspicious!

Vesemir thought for a moment and shook his head inwardly.

If it could be refined, given Vesemir's personality, she would have announced it to the world long ago.

so...

To be able to concoct such a potion... what level of alchemy does Ailin possess, having concocted such a potion within half a year?

With such talent, why can't they "figure out" those trashy, murderous sword techniques?

After thinking it through, Vesemir immediately shut his mouth with a grim expression.

After a long while, he finally said:

"Why waste time figuring out those scum's dirty killing techniques? A witcher only needs to..."

"Just hunt monsters?" Ailin replied skillfully.

Vesemir, who was interrupted, paused for a moment, then nodded.

"But I'll need it soon," Ailin sighed. "And for the foreseeable future, there will probably be many more places where these dirty sword techniques will be used..."

Vesemir remained silent.

The coolness of the moonlight.

It was a hot summer day, but the White Frost- like moonlight, filtering through the thin clouds and falling on me, strangely made me feel a little chilly.

"I am your travel guide, so I will go instead."

"No, you are no longer, Vesemir." Ailin smiled. "You said it yourself this afternoon."

Vesemir was momentarily speechless and gave him a hard slap on the shoulder in an annoyed manner.

Smack!

A crisp sound.

Ailin slumped his shoulders in agreement.

However, Vesemir did not laugh.

"That's the source of demonic energy... it's too dangerous."

"It's not dangerous, I'm well prepared," Ailin turned around, her eyes firm. "The safety of Ernie and Klar is the most important thing...you know...I'm the most suitable person."

Vesemir fell silent.

Ailin knew then that he had agreed.

"Don't worry, I'm confident," he reassured them. "If we're not discovered, it would be best to rescue Ernie and the others and leave, but if we are discovered..."

"You deal with that potential Sorceress, and I'll handle Vilgefortz. If your battle ends soon, you can come and help me."

Vesemir remained silent.

Ailin didn't press for an answer; he knew that Vesemir would make the right choice in time.

Leaving the birch forest, the two witchers, worried that they were not far from Vilgefortz, fell silent.

The only sounds in the air were the mournful chirping of summer insects, deliberately light footsteps, and the whistling wind.

until...

As Ailin was following the red kick marks with his head down, he suddenly felt a light pat on his back.

They stopped abruptly.

He barely had time to turn around and catch a glimpse of the dark golden beast eyes before shutting his mouth and quietly hiding in the roadside weeds, following the force of Vesemir's pulling on the scabbard.

"What's wrong?" Ailin, hidden in the weeds, gestured with her eyes.

Vesemir pointed to his ear with his index finger, then looked toward the end of the road.

The next moment.

Ailin no longer needed to ask.

"Ding ding~"

A crisp but slightly urgent ringing sound spread from the vast darkness of the south.

To be honest, at night, in this vast wilderness...

The ringing sound was just like the death knell from a ghost story from a past life, eerie and sinister.

Vesemir and Ailin looked at each other in bewilderment.

An ordinary person might think this is some kind of ghost or monster.

But a monster hunter with extensive Monster Economics would naturally know that this does not fit the characteristics of any kind of demonic creature.

Moreover, there's an even more likely possibility here...

Resigned, Ailin read from Vesemir's mocking expression, "It seems we no longer need to argue about who is infiltrating and who is waiting." He looked in the direction from which the faint sound of bells came, puzzled.

Is this ringtone really from Vilgefortz?

"Ding ding ding~"

The urgent ringing grew closer.

A point of light appeared at the end of the road, suspended in mid-air.

"Light Spell ..." Ailin's heart skipped a beat, and he glanced at Vesemir.

Without a doubt...

At this time, the wizard who appeared near the city of Ard, which rejected male wizards, and who could use Light Spell, could only be the one who had kidnapped the witcher's Source Vilgefortz.

But isn't the agreed time on the Chiffon Paper tomorrow noon?

What is this ringtone?

Are they here to see us?

Vilgefortz, who acted arrogantly as if they could not escape no matter how much they resisted, was deliberately leaving provocative remarks to lower their guard and make it easier to launch a nighttime attack.

This... this doesn't make sense.

Both witchers looked puzzled.

But it happened anyway, and the eerie ringing of the bell was getting closer and closer to them.

Gradually, the two hunters could hear the sound of horses' hooves clearly.

Two horses, which matches the description.

Now there's only one question left!

The plan to secretly rescue the young witcher has been disrupted by an unexpected situation. What should be done now?

Ambush!

Ailin and Vesemir exchanged a glance.

Its dark gold and azure Cat Eyes simultaneously revealed a violent and ferocious light.

The moonlight was bright and clear.

Even without using the Cat Eye Potion, the Witcher can still see his enemies in the dim light.

But wizards are different; no matter how powerful a wizard is, they cannot see at night.

Great opportunity!

"Shh~"

Amidst the subtle friction sounds, they quietly hid behind them even more, avoiding being illuminated by the Light Spell and alerting the enemy prematurely.

The lurking witchers silently took out the Giant Ghoul Decoction from their potion pouches and drank it.

Gently open the Blizzard bottle and put it in your mouth.

Then, he loosely gripped the silver sword with his right hand and placed the North Wind Bomb on his left.

The pose may be awkward, but it concerns his companions, apprentices, and family; the Witcher only wants to win.

"Ding ding ding~"

Hold your breath and squint your eyes to avoid alerting the enemy with the glint of Cat Eyes in the night.

The two horses drew closer and closer.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could already vaguely see the two figures illuminated by the Light Spell.

The Witcher even heard a man and a woman talking.

"... Ban Ade... a person..."

"...Henry Gedimidis... Senne ...to...the council..."

The discussion was initially intermittent due to the distance, but gradually became clearer.

"Those seven witchers are not the reason for the anomaly in the Stars of Ilar illusion. Their shadows are very clear in the illusion..." the male voice said.

"You think the problem lies with the remaining two Witchers?" the female voice echoed.

"I don't know, but it's possible. Of course, I'm more inclined to believe that the Stars of Ilar contain some parameters that we haven't yet explored..."

"Does this excite you even more?"

"Yes," the man laughed heartily, "If that's the case, then this trip can be considered very fruitful, as long as..."

"Let's catch those two who slipped through the net to verify."

The female voice seemed to enjoy this back-and-forth game, guessing the male voice's intentions or words in advance; her clear and melodious laughter was very pleasant to listen to.

The two witchers were naturally very pleased.

When ambushing, it's best if the enemy's attention is diverted.

Closer... closer...

The moment the bright orb of light passed by, the Witcher's eyes widened, and he gripped his sword tightly.