Chapter 185 Cliff or Meritelli?
"don’t worry!"

"He can't see you!"

A cold voice came from my mind.

Upon hearing this, Ailin instinctively loosened his right hand that had been gripping the hilt of the steel sword.

next second.

Although the strange wizard looked confused, his eyes indeed wandered away.

"This is just the instinct of a powerful warlock. They will notice the unusual attention, but they usually don't investigate further."

The sorceress explained.

"why?"

Aelin turned to look at the sorceress and asked curiously.

"Path of Shadows, that's the name of the spell I just cast."

"It's hard to explain to you exactly how this spell works right now."

"You just have to understand that we are hiding in the shadows now."

"So for Jaynes, the wizard who just made eye contact with you, the attention he felt did not come from this world."

"Normally, no wizard would dare to pursue such strange gazes without being prepared."

Hear this.

Ailin subconsciously touched Meliteli's amulet and thought of the big eyeball in his dream:
"Because they don't know what exactly is casting their gaze?"

The sorceress nodded.

"When studying the path of magic, it is difficult to avoid contact with some indescribable beings."

“If you want to live a long life, the most important thing is to recognize your own strengths, restrain your curiosity, and don’t do things beyond your ability.”

The sorceress's eyes were full of warning.

She seemed to be explaining why the wizard gave up on investigating further.

But Aelin knew.

The sorceress said this for herself.

The general meaning is: You are just a demon hunter who has just passed the trial. Take care of your own life first, and then worry about the school!
"Ah~"

Ailin sighed inwardly.

He pretended not to understand anything and turned around to continue observing the troops going down to the mine.

This time, he actually saw an acquaintance.

Soi, the chief witcher master of the Wolf School, followed behind the wizard and passed right in front of Ailin and the sorceress.

"Buzz~"

The Chief's unique Wolf School emblem hummed softly.

But Soi just frowned, glanced slightly in Ailin's direction, and followed the team as usual.

“Don’t trust your school’s emblem easily in places where there are many spellcasters,” Vera warned.

Aelin nodded.

The wolf emblem in my mind conveyed a faint feeling of grievance.

The school emblem can only warn that there is a flow of magic in the surrounding area.

It is impossible to tell what is causing this abnormal flow of magic power.

But his wolf emblem is naturally different.

After growing for a few months, the wolf emblem has an IQ almost equivalent to that of a three-year-old child.

Basically, he could tell Aylin the source of the magic flow he felt through vibrations and the emotions transmitted in his mind.

However, the sorceress's reminder came out of concern, so there was no need for him to refute it.

After comforting the wolf emblem that was like a little child, Ailin turned his attention to the front again.

After the wizard and the chief passed by, it was the elite of the Kaedwen army again.

Knights, spearmen, archers...

and many more!

Ailin sensed something was wrong.

Although there was only the dim light of torches in the mine, the slight disharmony in the knight formation was magnified very obviously because of Ailin's attention.

Several "knights" are being isolated.

Ailin narrowed his eyes and looked over intently.

He discovered that the eyes of those knights hidden under their helmets were all cloudy, dark yellow cat-like pupils.

Demon Hunter of the Cat School!
What are they doing here?
Why hide it so deeply?
Realizing that something was wrong, Ailin immediately turned to look at the sorceress.

"Ms. Vera, there are several demon hunters in the ranks of the spearmen!"

"I've seen their eyes. The eyes of the Cat School witchers are all cloudy like this. There's no mistake!"

The sorceress frowned.

The attention that had been on Aylin was now shifted to the demon hunter of the Cat School.

"Their target is Soi!"

After concentrating for a moment, the sorceress's cold voice appeared in Ailin's mind.

Aylin was stunned for a moment.

Although the sorceress had not yet explained the basis for her judgment, he already believed it in his heart.

It's impossible that the Cat School, which is famous for its despicable hunting of humans, is following the army because it is preparing to change its career and compete with the Wolf School for business and start hunting rock trolls, right?

After taking a closer look, Ailin indeed discovered the clue.

Those demon hunters from the cat school deliberately distracted their attention.

But during the march, he was clearly following behind Soi but didn't even look at him, which was really suspicious.

"The King of Kaedwen?"

"It can only be him."

"First, they sent people to slaughter the young demon hunters of the Wolf School, and now they are trying to assassinate the leader of the Wolf School..."

"What deep hatred does Hackso have with the Wolf School?"

As he asked and answered his own questions, Ailin couldn't help but clench his fists, and then thought anxiously in his mind:

"Ms. Vera, you have a way to inform the chief, hurry up..."

The sorceress shook her head.
"Don't worry! They don't stand a chance. Haven't the rock trolls been teleported away?"

"Without sneak attacks, these demon hunters want to assassinate Soi..."

The sorceress paused and showed a contemptuous expression:
"not enough!"

Ailin was certain when he heard this, but he still couldn't help asking:

"Aren't there still so many wizards and soldiers..."

"That's not enough!"

The sorceress withdrew her gaze and looked at Aelin.

The tone was decisive.

"If it's a plain open space, it's possible."

"But in this interconnected mine, relying on these few people to besiege Soi is just seeking death!"

Ailin was silent.

He only knew that Soi, the demon hunter who could become the head of the Wolf School and was known as the dragon slayer, must be very powerful.

But to what extent... he really had never seen it.

but……

Ailin glanced secretly at the sorceress who was said to have had an emotional entanglement with the Chief.

Since Ms. Vera said so.

Then there is definitely no need to worry.

But the next second.

Ailin suddenly thought.

If neither he nor the sorceress were present, the rock trolls... especially the big rocks, would not have been teleported away.

When the Chief was fighting the trolls, or had successfully hunted a monster, the demon hunters from the Cat School would suddenly appear and assassinate the Chief when he was relaxed.

Grandmaster Soi can still...

Think of this.

Aelin couldn't help but put the thought in his mind and looked at the sorceress.

The sorceress's eyes flickered.

But he remained silent for a long time and did not give an answer.

then.

Ailin understood.

A layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

He didn't spend much time with the Chief, and certainly not as deep a relationship as he did with Vesemir and Vera.

but.

If Grand Master Soi was really ambushed here.

Even Arryn couldn't imagine how the morale of the witchers in Kaer Morhen would decline.

In serious cases, it might fall apart prematurely.

"Crack~"

A snap of the fingers.

The moment the two returned to the mine from the Shadow Road, the soundproof shield was seamlessly connected. The snap of the fingers also interrupted Ailin's thoughts.

At some point, the Kaedweni army disappeared into the mine.

"Let's go. After I send you away, I'll come back and remind Soi."

The sorceress looked a little absent-minded and stopped nagging Ailin. She quickly led him out of the mine.

The camp outside the mine was brightly lit.

There were elite soldiers patrolling everywhere, and the defenses were several times stronger than when he sneaked in.

But most of these guards were gathered around a luxuriously decorated tent.

So even without a sorceress.

Ailin could also rely on the cover of night to leave here.

then.

"Ms. Vera, please just drop her off here." Ailin tilted his head and advised, "I can walk the rest of the way alone."

The sorceress looked around and nodded.

Ailin breathed a sigh of relief and was about to say goodbye to the sorceress.

"Crack~"

A snap of the fingers.

An ornament that seemed to be made of pure gold appeared in the palm of the sorceress's hand.

The ornament was carved with a majestic middle-aged man holding lightning.

"This is the amulet of the Sky Father."

Vera handed him the golden ornament.

"Although I can't read your mind, I can see that you will definitely not give up the fighting competition and go to Elland to remove the curse first."

"So you should wear this amulet, just like the one Meliteli has, and never take it off."

"Even when I'm sleeping, got it?"

Arryn nodded subconsciously and allowed the sorceress to put the amulet of the Sky Father around his neck.

The religion of Skyfather, Arryn knew.

Formerly known as Cliff Church.

In addition to being Sky Father, Cliff is also known as the embodiment of thunder and lightning.

Compared to Meliteli, this deity's influence is much weaker.

Because He requires His followers to challenge themselves, eliminate their own distractions and weaknesses, and fight against evil with extremely strict commandments.

With such strict doctrine, the number of believers is naturally not as large as that of the "loving" Meliteli.

but.

Although the number of believers is not as large as that of the goddess Meliteli, the Cliff Cult is indeed a righteous god recognized by the northern countries.

Even due to the doctrine of fighting against evil.

Most of the clergy of the Cliff Church have the ability to exorcise demons.

Perhaps the amulet of Sky Father is more effective in blocking the sight of the evil god than the amulet of Goddess Meliteli.

only……

Arryn looked down at the amulet lying side by side with the gold and silver pieces.

I feel a little confused.

How could an "evil" witch who was rejected by all major religions get so many amulets from righteous gods?
and.

The religious exclusivity of the demon hunter world is extremely strong.

He is a demon hunter who can't even be called a shallow believer. Is it really okay for him to wear the amulets of two sects around his neck?

but.

When Ailin looked up and wanted to ask, the sorceress had disappeared.

"Since the sorceress didn't warn you, it should be fine."

Ailin thought.

Then he identified the direction and walked towards the orchard.

The commission is almost complete.

Nor do I know what Ida Emin calls the commission reward, which is "what I want most."

Is this what he wants most?
……

About an hour later.

Outside the largest tent in the camp.

A fat middle-aged man wearing oversized armor hesitated outside the tent for nearly a minute before he made up his mind and walked in.

"Jaquiel, you said..."

"What does nothing mean?"

Hackso put down the steak in his hand and looked up at the deputy commander of the king's guards in confusion, his younger brother who had caused him a lot of trouble.

As soon as he came in, he said nothing. Who could understand that?

"It's not... it's not nothing..."

The middle-aged man called Jaquel looked panicked and sweating profusely:

"The wizards said that there is a fantasy place there, but... it's just empty."

Hackso's worm-like eyebrows seemed to be twisted together.

"What does empty mean?"

Is Jaquiel stupid?

What illusion, what emptiness...

How come you can’t even speak clearly?

Could it be that he has been driven crazy by those nobles whose children died?

Jaquiel explained honestly:

"There are no people or spirits in the illusion. I also went in to take a look. Although it is an illusion, the scene inside is the same as the real one..."

Hacksoll realized that something seemed wrong.

"What about the monsters?"

"You're not because of a large group of...what are they called rock monsters..."

"Rock trolls," Jaquiel corrected.

"It doesn't matter. What about those rock trolls? Were they all killed by Soi? And what about Soi? Did the wild cats succeed?"

Hackso's fat body leaned forward.

As his own brother, Jaquiel naturally knew that he had asked the Cat School Demon Hunter to assassinate Soi.

Hackathol even arranged for Jaquiel...

If Soi was only seriously injured by the demon hunter of the cat school and not dead.

You must find a chance to avoid the sorceress and kill him.

Jaquiel lowered his head, his voice trembling:
"Your Majesty the King..."

"No... no rock trolls. Those rock trolls suddenly disappeared."

"boom!"

Hacksoll slammed the table.

"Gone?"

"How could so many monsters suddenly disappear?"

Jaquiel buried his head even deeper:
"It is indeed missing, Your Majesty."

"The bodies of the previous... the previous group of soldiers are still there, but these rock trolls have disappeared. The knights, soldiers, and wizards have all seen it with their own eyes..."

"How could he suddenly disappear? What about Soi?" Haxo asked hurriedly, "Have those demon hunters from the Cat School taken any action?"

Jaquiel seized the opportunity to complain:
"No, I have urged Treis many times, but he just refused to take action. He said that without the trolls to consume Soi, they were not sure, unless..."

"Unless those wizards follow suit..."

Although he had already guessed the ending, Hackso still suppressed the rage burning in his heart and interrupted:

"So you didn't ask those damn wizards?"

"I asked!" Jaquiel said loudly.

"But Jaynes refused to take action because Ms. Vera was beside him."

"Those damn wizards!"

Hackso swore.

But now that things have come to this, Hackso can only continue asking questions to get to the bottom of the matter.

After learning the whole story from Jacquel.

The whole tent became quiet in an instant.

After a long time, Hackso's calm voice finally rang out in the shuddering silence:

"That is to say..."

"We lost nearly three hundred elite soldiers here, and the prestige of the royal family has been greatly reduced..."

"result……"

"Not only is Soi not dead, but we've also lost track of that damn elf?"

"Is that what you mean?"

(End of this chapter)