Three Women Make a Show

Lady Vesemir was never a fragile woman.

Ailin then offered a word of comfort, and was wondering what else to say next.

The Wolf Emblem let out a soft cry.

Lower your head again.

The slender fingers covering her face disappeared, along with the tear stains, leaving only a meticulously made-up face.

If it weren't for the slightly red whites of her eyes and the teardrops covered in dust rolling on the ground, you would never have guessed that this woman had just been crying.

Ailin couldn't help but admire him in his heart. He didn't say anything more, and tacitly pretended that nothing had happened and that he hadn't seen anything. He nodded and then walked towards the exit of the corridor first.

However, Vesemir's loss of composure did occur, and the atmosphere became noticeably quieter afterward.

Ailin had intended to ask the sorceress more about Druid and Druid meditation methods, had to postpone his curiosity when he saw Sorceress looking lost and seemingly preoccupied.

"Squeak~"

The wooden door was pushed open, and two people silently walked out of the corridor and into the castle hall.

As soon as his right foot touched the dark red carpet, Ailin paused and sniffed.

He smelled the aroma of baked bread and meat stew.

"Does the school usually eat this early?" Ailin couldn't help but swallow, glancing sideways out the window.

The sun was blazing, and there was still at least an hour until lunchtime.

It's not the dead of winter now, with daily feasts and celebrations. Kaer Morhen is sparsely populated, and meals consist of bread and stew every day, taking only half an hour to prepare—very simple.

At this time, not only would the witchers and apprentices who were eating not come, but even the chefs who were cooking wouldn't come.

"It's a bit early," Vesemir, also finding it strange.

Out of curiosity, the two arrived at the dining room in the castle hall. A fireplace was burning, and a large pot was placed on the fire, simmering with a fragrant soup.

The pot smells wonderful; it's simmering with beef, seasoned with precious spices like pepper, cinnamon, and cloves—spices more valuable than gold.

A basket of bread sat on the long table, steaming hot, as if it had just been baked.

Is the food in Kaer Morhen really that good now?

Ailin was genuinely taken aback and looked at Vesemir.

Vesemir also looked bewildered. She had returned a few days earlier Ailin and had been busy with Soyer's affairs, so she naturally wouldn't have cared about such trivial matters as meals.

Just then, the people in the inner kitchen seemed to hear the commotion outside, and a series of hurried and light footsteps came from inside.

Both Ailin and Vesemir recognized the owner of the footsteps.

"This is for you," the Sorceress smiled, a rare occurrence. "It's quite a feast; it seems you've spent a lot of time preparing it."

Before Ailin could even finish speaking, he had no choice but to finish his sentence.

In another timeline, Margarita Laux Antill, the dean of the Aretuza Academy and now the chief Sorceress of the School of the Wolf School's Monster Hunting Legion with a bleak future, burst out of the kitchen, spoon in hand.

She wore a light green dress with an apron around her neck, and her bright golden hair was tied up with a thin rope, giving her the look of a capable young cook.

"Ailin, mentor, you're here!" The little cook greeted them with great enthusiasm, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents.

Ailin pointed to the fragrant food in the castle hall and exclaimed in surprise, "Mary... Mary, did you make all of this?"

"Or what?" Mary raised her eyebrows proudly, looking like she was waiting for praise. "Is there anyone else here?"

However, seeing Vesemir's slightly furrowed brow, he quickly explained, "I only came over after Ms. Ada Emin finished using the Alchemy Room..."

"It's not because of you."

Vesemir waved her hand, frowned, and turned her head to look at the corner, in the shadows where the candlelight couldn't reach.

The shadows there seemed to tremble at her gaze, and then a gray-brown owl with yellow-brown pupils emerged.

"Ah! An owl!" Mary exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise. "Ailin, did you bring this back..."

Before he could finish speaking...

The owl flapped its wings and flew to Ailin's shoulder.

A pair of sharp claws were deeply embedded in the flesh of his shoulder, and the pain made Ailin instinctively wince.

However, he knew that Philippa Ehrhardt was complaining about him for leaving her behind.

The reason Philippa Ehrhardt was asked to stay away was because it was inconvenient to let outsiders know about the Chief's whereabouts while discussing the matter with Vesemir, Dante, and Aristo.

Who would have thought that Lady Vesemir and Ada Emin would later teleport over and then go directly to see Chieftain Soyer?

Before he could say anything, Mary took a few steps closer, gazing at the owl with delight. "This owl is so cute and obedient. Where did you find it?"

It must be said that the owl that Philippa Ehrert transformed into was indeed very appealing.

With her petite, round, and fluffy body, even Ailin would want to keep one, let alone a little girl like Mary, if she didn't know who she was.

Vesemir didn't speak, but looked at the timid and somewhat cowardly owl with complicated eyes, and then at Ailin.

His eyes seemed to scream "scumbag".

Ailin knew that Vesemir must have seen through Philippa Ehrert's identity.

He remained silent for a few seconds.

In the world of Witcher, there is a moral obligation that men must repay their husbands' kindness and fulfill their responsibilities if they are seen naked.

Philippa Ehrhardt has no special relationship with him, which is perfectly acceptable to say openly.

Mary and Vesemir were also close friends, so there was no need to hide Philippa Ehrert's identity.

But...

He glanced at the stew on the fireplace, the bread on the table, the stains on Mary's apron, and the beads of sweat on her forehead.

Even a fool could see that Mary had prepared this meal for him. So, is it... not a good idea to have Philippa Ehrhardt show up at this time?

Ailin suddenly felt a headache coming on.

What bad luck!

Whether it was earlier or later, it wouldn't have been so awkward to introduce them after lunch; it just so happened to happen at this time.

However, after thinking about it, Ailin decided to tell the truth.

"Ms. Mary, Lady Vesemir," Ailin introduced solemnly, "This is no ordinary owl. She is Philippa Ehrert, Sorceress skilled in transfiguration and illusion, and the proudest student of Ms. Tissaia de Veris."

"The reason you came back with me this time is because we need to work together on a future project..."

"Not an owl, it's a female sorcerer... um... ah?" Mary's smile froze instantly.

Ailin pointed to the small storage room next to the kitchen. "Ms. Erhart, go and make the preparations..."

"Excuse me!" Philippa Ehrert's clear, melodious voice echoed in the ears of the three.

The owl nodded to Vesemir and Mary respectively before flapping its wings and flying towards the small warehouse.

Philippa Ehrert's departure did not ease the awkward atmosphere in the restaurant.

Vesemir glanced at Mary, who was looking down and hiding her expression in shadow, sighed inwardly, and looked reproachfully at Ailin, saying:

"What did Tissaia de Veris entrust to you, that you also need to bring a Sorceress back to Kaer Morhen?"

Ailin chuckled awkwardly and said:

"Not now. The mission in Kaer Morhen requires our cooperation, and we need to train during this period."

"So what kind of request is it?" Vesemir pressed.

Ailin sensed Mary's gaze creeping over her, hesitated for a second, and then told the truth:

"Hen Gedimidis has been imprisoned by Senne, the current ruler of Ban Ad. Tissaia de Veris, representing the Brotherhood of Sorcerers commissioned us to rescue Hen Gedimidis..."

Before she could finish speaking, Mary suddenly raised her tear-filled face and screamed in shock, "What!"

Vesemir's face instantly turned ashen. "Has Tissaia de Veris gone mad?!"

"She doesn't know you're mine... mine..."

In her rage, she suddenly realized that Tissaia de Veres truly did not know, because she had always believed that Sorceress should never have offspring.

Although Sorceress have a very low chance of getting pregnant, theoretically, Sorceress infertility is simply because their magical core is located in their abdomen. So, while the possibility is almost nonexistent, it is still possible.

Tissaia de Veres's views were so radical that she believed every Sorceress should be sterilized.

No matter how good their relationship was, Vesemir would never tell her that she and Soyer were pregnant and had a child.

"She knows, so it's alright, Lady Vesemir, Mary," Ailin said softly. "Tissaia de Veris knows that I am your alchemical apprentice and has sent her prized disciple, Philippa Ehrert."

"Rescuing Henry Gedimidis is certainly within a reasonable range, and relatively safe..."

Vesemir didn't accept this reason, and her expression shifted uncertainly for a few seconds:

"No! I'm going to find her right now! She's a complete madwoman, sending a witcher to rescue someone like Ben Ade who's supposed to be Gedimidis."

"Whether Henry Gedimidis is still alive or not, nobody knows."

After speaking.

Vesemir snapped her fingers decisively.

"Bang!"

An orange-yellow portal suddenly appeared, causing spatial fluctuations and the flames of the Earth-Drawing Fireplace to flicker.

"Lady Vesemir!" Ailin felt a warmth in his heart, but quickly stopped her, "This is an agreement between me and Tissaia de Veris, and she has already paid me."

"No reward whatsoever!" The Sorceress said coldly, resolutely heading towards the portal.

Ailin quickly grabbed her hand and explained rapidly, "This is not only a request from Tissaia de Veris and the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, but also a request from the School of the Wolf to rescue Hen Gedimidis."

"Lady Vesemir, you may not know this, but the current ruler of Ban Senne, Sunny, is working with the people of the Rissberg Civil Conglomerate to prepare to establish Sorcerer Kingdom."

The shocking news left Lady Vesemir frozen in place.

Mary's mouth dropped open.

A few tears welled up in her bright eyes, dissolving the black eyeliner and running down her face—it was a little scary, but mostly funny.

"You're not kidding?" Vesemir asked seriously.

Ailin shook his head and then explained the efforts that Tissaia de Veris had made for the School of the Wolf in the Brotherhood of Sorcerers.

"That doesn't necessarily mean we need you, Ailin," Mary said anxiously when Vesemir fell silent. "If we need a Witcher, there are so many Witcher Master in Kaer Morhen: Master Vesemir, Master Aristo, Master Dante, Master White ..."

"You've only been through the Trial of the Mountains for six months, why..."

"That is certainly the case. In Ms. Tissaia de Veris's eyes, only I can do it, only I am most suitable," Ailin interrupted. "Moreover, the establishment of the Wizarding Kingdom by Ben Ade and the Rissberg Civil Conglomerate has a greater impact on the school than on the Brotherhood of Sorcerers."

"Kaer Morhen is located within the territory of Kedwen, not far from Ban Ade."

"The current ruler of Ban Ade Academy, Senne, has always hated witchers. If they succeed, Kaer Morhen will be in grave danger."

Mary remained silent; she could never win an argument with Ailin. She could only look at Vesemir with pleading eyes.

Vesemir opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, she opened it again.

"Squeak~"

The door to the small storage room next to the kitchen opened.

Philippa Ehrert did not choose glamorous clothing that matched her personality, but instead opted for a proper black mage robe. The only accessory she wore was a black agate necklace set in her chest, giving her a well-behaved look.

Mary's gaze lingered for a moment on Philippa Ehrert's dazzlingly beautiful, yet more mature and charming face, before slowly moving down to the black onyx at her chest, and then down at herself.

Then, seemingly remembering the tear stains on his face, he quickly turned his face away.

After meeting Ailin's gaze, she turned even more hastily and frantically to face the fireplace on the side, awkwardly wiping away her tears in the firelight.

The black traces of the eyeliner were thus smudged all over his face.

Ugly and pitiful.

Seeing this, Vesemir sighed softly, snapped her fingers, and used magic to restore her makeup. Then she looked at Philippa Ehrhardt and whispered:

"I've heard your name from Tissaia de Veres. You were among the best apprentices of Aretuza before Mary."

"Your shapeshifting ability is indeed quite impressive."

Philippa Erhardt, who had been incredibly arrogant in front of Ailin, now bowed respectfully like a dutiful child.

"It is my honor to receive your praise."

Then, with a smile, she looked at Mary with curiosity and greeted her, "I often hear the story of Lucky Margarita from my colleagues. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I...I'm also very happy to see you." Mary forced a smile that was clearly not very happy and said softly.

What followed was a round of pointless small talk between the Sorceress.

No one mentioned Philippa Ehrert's purpose for coming, not even herself, although the wooden door of the small warehouse was clearly no shield from a sorcerer's senses.

Then, for some unknown reason, the three Sorceress suddenly fell silent at the same time.

Suddenly, the only sounds in the air were the crackling of flames licking the firewood and the bubbling of meat soup.

Ailin thought for a moment, then broke the silence. "How about we eat first..."

"How did Ms. Tissaia de Veres arrange things for you?"

Ailin's words were interrupted, but it wasn't Vesemir who spoke; it was Mary with her stubborn eyes.