Buying Ailin's Body

The person you wanted to ask just asked you, didn't they?

Ailin was stunned upon hearing this.

What's the meaning?

Who asked...?

"Huh? Could it be?!" Ailin and Vesemir, who were equally bewildered, exchanged a glance before Erin suddenly looked at Tissaia de Veris.

Wearing a blue velvet shawl and a long dress with lace trim on the collar and cuffs, Tissaia de Veris straightened the lace on her cuffs, which hadn't been ruffled by the wind, and smiled, "Yes, I just spoke with Otolan, the head of the Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative."

"He seems... very interested in you..."

Tissaia de Veres straightened the lace on her cuffs, which were ruffled by the mountain wind blowing in from outside, and then got up to close the window inside the room.

"Bang!"

A soft sound.

The huge room fell silent instantly.

The woody scent of cedar and cypress wafted around the flickering candlesticks on the table.

If Mary were here, she might be able to articulate the other notes in this mysterious fragrance in great detail.

Ailin was clearly not up to it; he was still reeling from Tissaia de Veres's answer and didn't even notice the fragrance that suddenly filled the room after the window was closed.

"Otolan is very interested in Ailin ... what does that mean?" Vesemir suddenly asked, his voice hoarse.

"Literally," Tissaia de Veris chuckled, "Otolan summoned me early this morning, waking me up. I thought the Wild Hunt had attacked Ban Ad again, but when I opened the Scrying Mirror, he bombarded me with questions about you..."

"What, Ailin?"

"Are you not only the holy son of Meritellie, but also the holy son of the Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative?"

Although Tissaia de Veres was highly skilled in magic, she was clearly not a genius at telling jokes.

Vesemir and Ailin both looked terrible, not even a twitch of their lips.

A sorcerer, rumored to idolize Malaspina, Alzure, and Adalan, and obsessed with experimentation, invention, genetics, and human modification, becomes interested in a witcher he has never met before...

This is not a good thing.

Ailin took a deep breath to calm his unease and asked, "Ms. Tissaia, what did Lord Otolan ask?"

"Everything, big or small," Tissaia de Veres shrugged. "He made me tell him everything I knew about you."

"Clearly, I don't know you very well, otherwise you would be able to see that rude guy in the Scrying Mirror by now..."

Seeing the grim expressions on the faces of the two witchers, Tissaia de Veris realized what the unusual attention from one of the five legendary mages of the Talent and Skill Association meant to an ordinary person.

She suppressed her smile and gently tapped the table with her slender, fair index finger.

"Don't worry, Otolan is just that kind of eccentric person. Once he becomes curious about something, he'll recklessly use magic gems, which are more expensive than gold, across several countries to communicate over long distances using Scrying Mirror..."

"I remember during the last Novigrad Warlocks Conference, which was held every ten years, Born Drummond, who was living in seclusion in the Dragon Mountains, complained to me about it..."

"Otolan was asked to set up Scrying Mirror to make contact in the middle of the night because of a fabricated message about a golden dragon made up by some drunkard."

"Besides Hen Gedimidis, who among me, Born Drummond, Naxi de la Roche hasn't been harassed by him?"

"If it weren't for the fact that after each similar incident, he would arrange for someone from the Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative to deliver the replacement parts of the Scrying Mirror, we would even suspect that he invented the Scrying Mirror just to make money off the retirement savings of us old folks."

"Wait a minute..." Vesemir exclaimed in surprise, "... The Scrying Mirror was invented by Otolan?"

Although he didn't have the magical power to use the Scrying Mirror, he had used it quite a few times.

Although this device is expensive to manufacture, consumes a lot of energy for long-distance communication, and requires a very high level of magical energy from the user, it is generally equipped in most larger cities.

Tissaia de Veres seemed quite pleased with Vesemir's surprise, and chuckled, "You're surprised he can invent something useful?"

Vesemir looked slightly embarrassed.

Tissaia de Veris laughed and said, "That's right, Otolan can occasionally make some good things, such as the Youth Potion or the Scrying Mirror."

"However, while the Youth Potion aligns with his vision of popularizing magic, the Scrying Mirror consumes far too much magic power. Not to mention ordinary people, even some high-level sorcerers would find it difficult to use. It doesn't fit Otolan's vision, so it's not as widely known as the Youth Potion."

"So don't worry," Tissaia de Veris smiled gently at Ailin, "Don't think of Otolan as some cunning, scheming, and powerful eccentric wizard..."

Tissaia de Veres hesitated for a moment:

"Well, Otolan is indeed eccentric, but he's more like an older, playful kid..."

Good grief, even someone hundreds of years old is still a child, right...? Ailin was speechless upon hearing this description.

To be honest, the initial shock of being suddenly stared at by a wild beast did dissipate considerably after hearing Tissaia de Veres's description.

"And," Tissaia de Veris continued, "Who wouldn't be interested in a young witcher prodigy who can tame a Greater Griffin and banish Evil God?"

"So two days have passed," she winked at Ailin, "Have you thought it through, whether you want to accept my invitation?"

Ailin's smile faltered.

He glanced at Vesemir, Vesemir was shaking his head at him with an extremely subtle gesture, his molten gold beast eyes resolute.

However, after thinking for a moment, Ailin nodded slightly. "I am also very curious about Aretuza, but the quest here in Arland is not yet completed, so I should be able to go there later."

Vesemir immediately frowned, but did not speak.

Ailin knew that Vesemir would probably try to persuade him afterward, but he had his own considerations.

While traveling to Aretuza does indeed carry risks, as Vesemir has stated.

However, based on the original work and the real-life experience, it is still considered reliable. When Ailin went to Aretuza, he also invited Lady Vesemir to come along, which already minimized the risk.

and...

They have seriously offended the magical forces of the Northern Continent, even to the point that the Wizarding Academy is on the verge of collapse.

The Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative, is unfriendly to witchers and its own character is questionable.

The other two archmages are either in Novigrad or living in seclusion in the Dragon Mountains, making them completely inaccessible.

Magic is the most powerful and largest supernatural force on the Northern Continent.

He had to win over a faction to sway the Brotherhood of Sorcerers in order to deal with the approaching Wild Hunt and the inevitable arrival of the White Frost.

Already having a certain foundation due to Vesemir's relationship, and now with a camaraderie that extends to the Aretuza Academy, the second largest sorcerer power in the Northern Continent, it is naturally the best choice at the moment.

That's not all.

Now that Ailin's Sorcerer Talent has awakened, he naturally needs to learn some spells to arm himself.

Lady Vesemir is certainly the best channel; not only is there no need to worry about anything being leaked, but she probably won't accept too high a price either.

However, the spells that Ailin wants to learn must be compatible with the Witcher and the Witcher's Handbook, and ideally, they should be weakened into signs so that they can be taught to ordinary Witchers.

With so many restrictions, it's impossible for Vesemir to have all of them.

As one of the two major academies on the Northern Continent, Aretuza naturally became the best place to select spells.

However, whether he can learn it and how he learns it depends on his performance on the day.

With so many benefits, the only cost is manageable danger...

Why not go?

The benefits don't stop there...

"It's alright. The situation in Ban Ade is still uncertain, and I may not be able to go back right now," Tissaia de Veris shook her head and smiled broadly. "As for your curiosity, Aretuza is a beautiful place that will surely satisfy all your curiosity compared to Ban Ade."

"Then I'll look forward to it." Ailin returned an expectant smile.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, they returned to the main topic.

"By the way, Ms. Tissaia, do you know why the Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative Otolan and the Riesberg Group went to Ban Ad?"

Tissaia de Veres gave him a deep look, which made Ailin feel a little guilty.

However, she did not make excuses to refuse, nor did she question him. Instead, she lowered her head and pondered for a moment before saying:

"Senne's claim is that Otolan and the Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative are interested in the Wild Hunt's bodies; they want some samples to study their experimental projects to modify and alter humans."

"What's the reality?" Ailin understood the unspoken meaning behind her words.

"I asked Otolan about this this morning," Tissaia de Veres said, "But he changed the subject."

Ailin and Vesemir exchanged a glance, and were immediately somewhat disappointed.

"However..." Tissaia de Veris glanced at the two witchers, "While it is indeed possible that Otolan and the Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative are interested in the Wild Hunt, and to be honest, I am very interested as well, it doesn't seem like their usual behavior."

"Although the Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative is smaller than that of Ban Ade and Aretuza, it is richer than all of us combined."

"The Youth Potion alone has made Otolan a fortune..."

"When they encounter experimental targets that interest them, the most common thing they do is not to hunt and plunder them by force, but to buy them with money."

Tissaia de Veriston paused, then looked up at Ailin: "This is another reason why I told you not to worry. Rather than worrying about Otolan plotting against you, you need to worry more about whether you can resist temptation..."

"What do you mean?" Ailin was taken aback.

Tissaia de Veres smiled knowingly, "He'll pay a fortune to buy your time, to buy your body, to support his..."

"We cannot agree to that!" Vesemir's face was grim, and his tone was resolute.

"Don't be so absolute," Tissaia de Veris shook her head. "A large sum of money is a truly large sum; it can even be exchanged for power, magical items, rare weapons and armor..."

"He can easily make you a knight, a baron, Viscount perhaps more difficult), but Earl isn't out of the question..."

"The elixir of immortality, immense power..."

"To be honest, many people would refuse when they first hear this, just like you, but very few people can stick with it to the end."

Tissaia de Veres gave a meaningful look to Vesemir and then to Ailin.

Then, before they could react, he continued:

"Of course, Otolan might just be interested in your experiences. Old people always like to hear stories from young people. He might also be interested in how you tamed the Greater Griffin. Who knows?"

"However," Tissaia de Veris suddenly looked solemnly at Ailin, "I hope you can be ruthless and refuse. Although Otolan's methods are always reasonable, legal and justifiable, those who are captured by money gained without effort always end up tragically."

Without exception.

Ailin looked at Tissaia de Veres' extremely serious expression, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

Is this some kind of advice or warning?

"Thank you," he said.

"You are, after all, Vesemir's disciple," Tissaia de Veris nodded with a smile. "Getting back to the point, Senne must be lying. It's impossible for Otolan and the Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative to risk going to Ban Ad for mere experimental materials."

Vesemir and Ailin looked at each other, then lowered their heads in deep thought.

Tissaia de Veres wasn't in a hurry. She snapped her fingers, summoned a bottle of East of the East, and gazed at the scenery outside through the patterned crystal glass window, drinking alone.

Of course, they didn't forget to pour a drink for Ailin and Vesemir.

The fragrant and mellow aroma of the wine wafted out from the exquisite crystal glass.

"Gurgle~"

Ailin heard Vesemir swallow, but he didn't touch the glass of wine in front of him.

"I'm curious about something," Vesemir said awkwardly, blushing slightly. "Hen Gedimidis was abducted and imprisoned by Senne, and you..."

"Why don't we go and save him?" Tissaia de Veres looked away.

Vesemir nodded.

Tissaia de Veris said, "The treaty of the Novigrad Alliance stipulates that it is Ban Ad's business, and we cannot overstep our bounds."

"Then why Otolan?"

"Otolan did not interfere in the life or death of Henry Gedimidis. His trip to Ban Ad was ostensibly to study the Wild Hunt, and the Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative was hired by him."

"So you're just going to abandon Henry Gedimidis?" Ailin couldn't help but ask.

After all, they are all members of the Talent and Skill Association. There are only five people in the association. Are they really that bad off?

"Of course we're not ignoring it," Tissaia de Veris shook her head. "At the year-end Wizarding Conference, we will jointly issue a relevant proposal."

Goodness gracious, how come every world has such bizarre meeting rules...

By the time the year-end meeting is held, Henry Gedimidis will probably be dead beyond dead.

Ailin muttered to himself.

However, he then realized that Senne must have dared to take the risk because of this complicated process.

Seemingly guessing what Ailin was thinking, Tissaia de Veris sighed and put down her glass, "You may find it absurd, Ailin, but every clause of the Novigrad Alliance has a reason."

"At the cost of blood and fire..."

Ailin fell silent upon hearing this.

After a while, he and Vesemir exchanged a glance, and finding that neither of them could think of any other questions, they decided to get up and take their leave.

after all.

Tissaia de Veres only speculated about the details of Ban Ade's cooperation with Otolan and the Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative.

However, this does not mean that Ailin's visit was meaningless; on the contrary, he benefited greatly.

Knowing that Senne was lying and that there must be something fishy about the cooperation between the two forces was a huge gain in itself.

Moreover, he had a clear understanding of Otolan's personality and the operating style of the Riesberg Group Civil Cooperative. Connecting this with fragments from the original work in his previous life, all that was left was to think it over carefully.

"Bang!"

The exquisitely carved ebony-clad iron gate was gently closed.

Tissaia de Veres sat at the wooden table, staring at Ailin's seat, swirling her crystal glass.

After a long while, she finally let out a soft sigh:

"Henry Gedimidis..."