Visitors to Corion Manor
On a dark and windy night fit for making babies, after a day's busy work, the young couple Kris, a harvester, and Kardashian, a washerwoman, who had pledged their love during the Barrel Festival, sought excitement away from home and ran into the vineyard to do the deed.
Just as passion was running high, there was suddenly a whoosh in the darkness. Then the harvester collapsed on top of the washerwoman and never moved again. Liquid gurgled from his body. The unfortunate harvester became the first victim of the attack on Corion Estate.
Fortunately, Angoulême's strict training over the past month had not been wasted, and the Professor's subordinates were not a disciplined, well-trained special forces unit who obeyed orders without fail.
So when Kardashian's first scream tore through the night sky, the estate guards, long drilled until their reactions became reflexes, immediately carried out the defense plan in squads.
This brought great trouble to the bandit mercenaries led by the Professor. In addition, with the estate brightly lit, they lost the advantage of concealment and could only fight openly with blades and steel. Very soon, their first probing attack returned in defeat, beaten until they fled with their heads in their hands.
"Shit. Everyone recruited locally is trash. These Toussaint people aren't even as good as ordinary estate guards! They managed to turn a raid into a siege. Their only virtues are that they're cheap, and that dead men don't need to be paid!" the Professor muttered curses, leading the main force he had brought from Temeria into the battle.
...
On a dark and windy night fit for killing, after ending a day of leisure, the siblings Victor and Angoulême, who had shone brilliantly at the Wine Festival, saw the fire blazing over the estate and reflected red against the sky. They reined in their horses.
Handing several bottles of potion to Angoulême, the leader of the Phantom Troupe spoke in an indifferent tone. "You start from the perimeter. Be careful. No need to leave anyone alive."
"I'll go straight into the main building and find Alfie. Other hands can be hired again. Loyal and capable butlers are rare."
The deputy leader and chief enforcer silently took the potions and nodded to show she had received the order. She knew that Vic looking like this meant he was truly angry. He had made up his mind without any need for shouting.
Perhaps because he came from peaceful Bell Town, he usually showed the traits of someone who disliked killing and was easy to talk to, so much so that one might worry he would be soft-hearted when encountering danger.
But ever since Vizima, after seeing his fire-red eyes, Angoulême no longer doubted that Victor possessed the coldness necessary for survival. If that face changed into a Van Helsing outfit, he would be the "Butcher of Novigrad"!
And his performance after he began killing had proven again and again that as long as someone threatened his peaceful life, that person was his enemy. And when facing enemies, he never cared about his methods.
Drawing Golden Eagle, Angoulême vanished into the darkness. With Eagle Vision as her guide, the red glow of the enemies was bright and conspicuous, calling for her to cut open their bodies.
Watching the girl leave, Victor took horse armor from his herbal satchel and draped it over his horse. Undvik armor. Blazing Strike came out of its sheath.
Victor of Kael Trode, heavy cavalry charge!
...
At this moment, on the second floor of the main building of Corion Estate, the Professor and the butler were dueling with swords. Amid swirling firelight, the two had many similarities. For example, both used slender rapiers, both wore round sunglasses, and they seemed to be about the same age.
The obvious difference was that Alfred Futi was a sturdy bald man, while Hayes Brendan was a lean man with parted hair.
Hayes launched an attack. Alfred parried, slashed back, ducked, leaped up, caught his opponent's wrist, pushed him toward the wall, and drove his knee into his groin, causing a burst of intense pain.
Instinctively grabbing Alfred's face, Hayes smashed the sword hilt heavily at his side. Caught off guard, the butler could only block it with his hand, and a cracking sound of bone fractures came from his forearm.
In close-quarters brawling, the brave one wins. Just as Alfred was about to knee the other man again, he suddenly caught the reflection of a blade. Instinctively, he stepped back and raised his sword, just in time to block the second short blade that had launched a sneak attack.
Steel clashed against steel with a clang, and the two parted in disarray. The Professor gave a snide heh-heh laugh. "Never expected it. I truly never expected it! I admit I misjudged. Toussaint people aren't all like that trash outside. But you're simply inexplicable. Since you have such outstanding swordsmanship and combat skill, why not become a mercenary or knight, and instead run off to be a butler? Are you sick in the head?"
Pushing up his sunglasses,
Alfie's lips curled with a hint of disdain. "You are the fool! Stabbing a sword into someone's body and taking life away is an easy thing. What is difficult is making lives run in order, each person fulfilling their role! My aunt, the founder of the Futi family, once said, 'A butler is someone who assigns people the share of happiness they deserve!' I do not believe a habitual murderer like you, Professor, can understand that."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Though I don't understand what you're talking about, it sounds rather impressive. Perhaps when I have the chance in the future, I'll find a butler like that too.
"The guards you trained have performed well, but we have the advantage in numbers! I'll give you one last chance. Hand over Cantarella, Carthia van Canten, and I'll turn around and leave at once. I'll even take away all my living subordinates.
"Did Victor entrust the estate to your management just so you could let it fall into flames and burn to nothing? Stop brushing me off by saying there's no such person here. My subordinate personally saw her hiding here and working!
"That green-eyed bitch has made us run around for months. Don't be fooled by how pretty she is. She's no good thing! Many people have already died because of her. Isn't it better to stay alive? Why sacrifice your life for her?"
Sunglasses stared into sunglasses, neither able to see the other's true emotions. In fact, the Professor's crotch was hurting terribly, and he wanted to use words to break the other man's fighting spirit, while the butler's forearm was likewise badly injured and needed time to recover.
Cantarella, or Carthia van Canten, Alfred truly had never heard this name before, but the green eyes Hayes mentioned made him think of someone, a beautiful woman who did not resemble a housekeeper in the slightest.
He shook his head. "How hard to imagine. I actually think what you said makes sense. There truly is no need for so many people to die or be wounded, and even less reason to let the estate burn to ashes!"
"I promise to keep my word!" Realizing there was a chance to persuade him, Hayes revealed a smug smile.
"But I refuse!" Alfie swung his sword and cut through the air. "For a person as foul and rotten as you to call her a bitch, I have reasonable grounds to suspect she is Melitele incarnate!"
"You motherfucker, you're courting death!" The Professor flew into a rage at once. What he had said just now was because he truly did not want to get entangled any further. On one hand, it was because of Viscount de Rideaux's instructions. On the other, he was indeed somewhat afraid. There was no shame in avoiding Victor, who had killed Azar.
Pressing the mechanism on his wrist device, a folding crossbow popped out with a clack. Hayes loaded the bolt into the device. "Foolish butler. Did you think that by angering me, I would ignore what's behind me?"
He suddenly turned around, aimed at the approaching figure, and pressed the folding crossbow's mechanism!
Whoosh! The crossbow bolt shot out like lightning!
The next second, Alfred's expression went from panic to surprise, while the Professor's expression went from ferocity to despair!
With a flash of swift sword-light, the high-speed crossbow bolt was cut down. The approaching figure had a very long title. Alfie admitted that although he had already memorized it, whether he should announce it formally on official occasions still made him hesitate, as it was simply too extravagant.
But now, that hesitation began to loosen. After all, cutting down a crossbow bolt at close range was not common, and such a joyful expression was even rarer.
His normally blue eyes were now fire-red. "Although this comparison is usually used between lovers... I am truly glad that the distance between us is this close!"
The figure before them had a radiant smile and a sincere tone. He was the master of Corion Estate, Victor of Kael Trode!
With a piercing scream, the Professor thrust his sword straight at the witcher's chest, wanting to force open an escape route.
Caught off guard, he saw those mutated red eyes suddenly begin to spin. "Axii!" A powerful mental shock erupted. Even Azar had not been immune to it, so naturally the Professor could not resist.
His mind became dazed and blank.
"My... my hand?" Awakened by the intense pain, Hayes Brendan stared in disbelief as his sword-wielding hand fell to the ground with a slap. His hand had actually been cut off? When!?
And the mutant freak from his mouth was now flourishing his sword in a graceful sword dance. "How interesting. When did you develop the illusion that I would duel you with swords? Congratulations. With one hand gone, you can now be called the Single-Handed Professor!"
In the terrified Professor's eyes, the witcher's figure seemed to become incomparably huge, completely enveloping him. He backed away again and again in fear, until he tripped over some clutter.
He shouted, "No! You can't kill me. If you kill me, there will be no one to restrain the hundred-plus mercenaries outside, and there's even a mage among them! I brought a mage with me! Do you want to cold-bloodedly watch everyone in the estate die?"
There was another flash of sword-light, and Hayes let out a miserable howl, because everything below his right knee had been cut off. "Scream! Professor, louder. Think of all those people you murdered, the people in the cages of the old Vizima manor. They are all listening! I want you dead from the bottom of my heart. Today, not even Lebioda can save you!"
"Wait! Don't! I was acting under someone else's orders. Don't you want to know who the mastermind is?"
These words became Mr. Brendan's last. The witcher grabbed the Professor's hair and cut off his head.
Lifting Hayes's head, whose eyes would not close in death, Victor gave a cold heh-heh laugh. "How wonderful and worth celebrating. Now you have become the Headless Professor!"
The heh-heh laughter grew louder and louder, turning from a cold laugh into wild laughter.
"Oh-ho-ho... oh-ho-ho-ho... oh-ho-ha-ha-ha-ha!" Covering his face with his left hand, he stood in a strange posture, laughing with wicked arrogance. "Victory belongs to me, Victor! That has never changed!"
If no one had stopped him, the estate master's carnival would have continued for some time. However, a butler had professional discipline.
"Ahem, ahem, ahem..." Interrupting his laughter with a polite cough, Alfie bowed deeply. "Forgive my frankness, Lord Corion, but your behavior beginning from mocking the Headless Professor was not the bearing an elegant noble should possess. It is bad for your image. I can understand the joy of eliminating such a villain, but please restrain yourself before others."
Victor whistled and dropped the head. "You're right. I lost my composure. The fighting outside is still ongoing. I'll go deal with the bandits. You organize people to put out the fires and begin cleaning up the aftermath!"
"Your will!"
When he reached the door, he turned around. "By the way, Alfie, I really liked what you said when you refused the Professor. Do me a favor and find that incarnation of Melitele. Although the Professor is dead, as the master of the estate, I still need to know who exactly I have been sheltering."
"Please rest assured. I will find Sasha."
Hearing the name clearly, Victor froze. "Wait, Sasha... her name is Sasha!? Are her eyes green and very beautiful, as if they can speak?"
"That is correct. Does Your Lordship know her?"
"No... I don't know her, but an Honourable Lady is looking for her."
"Ah! I knew it. With her bearing, she must be a woman from some noble family who ran away."
Victor chuckled and did not correct Alfie's misunderstanding. Carrying Blazing Strike, he left the main building. He was going to support Angoulême.
...
In Corion Estate, at the clothes-drying area in the northeast corner.
Hiding in a corner where moonlight did not reach the ground.
Angoulême did not dare move now.
At the beginning, she had swept across the battlefield, assassinating one bandit after another, until she encountered the mage. Knowing she could not defeat him by force and had to wait for Victor's support, she changed to harassment tactics and confined the mage and the dozen-plus bandits responsible for protecting him to the clothes-drying area.
But just now, birds had suddenly flown up, indicating that this place was filled with the enemy's killing intent.
The entire area had abruptly turned into a deadly place with every step. Every dark corner seemed as if an enemy were hiding within it.
Every nerve in her body screamed danger, telling her to leave this place, but it was not caused by the mage in the center of the square. He was likewise trapped in fear and confusion.
Killing intent filled the entire square.
It had come.
As if admiring the killing intent, a thin and drifting black mist laced with blood swept through the crowd, seeming slow yet actually fast. Clothing rustled lightly, and whooshing sounds rang out one after another.
In an instant, several fierce bandits were dragged down and pulled into the black mist. Horrific wails echoed, accompanied by the crackle of bodies being squeezed, the clacking of bones being crushed, and the splashing sound of blood being freshly pressed.
"Hiss!" Angoulême sucked in a cold breath, her soul nearly fleeing her body. Having once traveled with a certain higher vampire, she knew very well what this represented. Victor had also warned her that if she encountered one, she absolutely had to turn and run.
The attacked bandits likewise knew that it was that invisible, formless monster from the foot of Mount Gorgon, now appearing here.
With the location changed, the former tragedy was given an encore. The bandits cried and howled the names of the gods they believed in, then died without distinction.
Sensing danger, the mage went all out and bombarded the black mist, finally causing the black mist to disperse, and also allowing Angoulême to clearly see this "higher vampire"!
Beneath the moonlight, that creature's expression was proud and disdainful. He wore an all-black, high-collared long coat that very much resembled a Van Helsing outfit. Every button was fastened in its proper place, and the rivet-decorated pauldrons overflowed with domineering force.
The mage's struggle earned him a few more minutes. Sharp claws pierced through his magic armor from behind and dug out his heart.
Seeming to sense that someone was watching him, he suddenly looked in Angoulême's direction, then pounced over with a whoosh. Knowing things were bad, the girl drew Golden Eagle without hesitation and slashed.
With a clang, Angoulême was sent flying by the tremendous force, then rolled and sprang to her feet. Her wrist felt faintly numb. Fortunately, Golden Eagle's power quickly fed back into her, allowing her to keep fighting!
At the same time, she saw the other party clearly. He had a high nose, deep-set eyes, and a pale face, with deep lines around his mouth and the watchful gaze of an eagle and a wolf. Faint stubble covered his jaw, and his hair was combed back without a strand out of place. He looked like a charming middle-aged man.
Phantom Without a Trace, Fool for Love
The ruthless, domineering fellow who had struck with lightning speed now stopped his pursuit and calmly studied his claws, showing a trace of an expression as if he had discovered something interesting. "A very good sword, very good skill. You do not look like a bandit. Why are you here?"
The claws of a transformed vampire were almost as hard as dark steel. A sword capable of leaving marks on them was absolutely a divine weapon, not something ordinary bandits could possess.
Moreover, relying purely on her own skill and strength to block one of his strikes, her combat strength could be called outstanding among humans. In his long life, such figures were not common.
It had been a long time since he had carried out unnecessary killing. If he had mistakenly killed her just now, then so be it, but since she had survived, she had the right to speak with him.
"I am Angoulême Corion, master of Corion Estate. Intelligent life, who are you? Why have you come to my territory?"
"Intelligent life!?" Chewing over the term as he repeated it once, the middle-aged man's lips rose, and he nodded slightly. "My apologies for entering the estate without permission. My friend and I followed this group of bandits here to protect a woman from them. My name is not important. What is important is that I bear no hostility toward you. Please wait here for a moment. Tonight's evil attack will end very soon."
Although the middle-aged man's attitude had changed, Angoulême had no intention of lowering her guard. She gripped Golden Eagle tightly, the sword tip pointing forward. The other party was simply too fast. His claw strike had come like thunder and lightning. If she had hesitated even slightly just now, she would certainly be seriously wounded now.
Victor had indeed said that one must not call them monsters, but should call them "intelligent life." Yet he had also emphasized that even though many of them had integrated into human society, beings with long lives and great power, such as mages or higher vampires, were never suited to being judged entirely by common moral standards.
The sharp claws suddenly retracted, transforming into human hands in a matter of seconds. The middle-aged man's face was expressionless. Looking at the girl's stance, he shook his head and was just about to speak when he suddenly saw someone approaching from behind her.
Without turning her head, Angoulême knew who had arrived. That familiar outline and brilliant deep-blue spiritual light marked out the leader of the Phantom Troupe, Victor.
After coming out of the main house, the witcher discovered that in the short time he had gone inside to execute the Professor, the fighting in several parts of the estate had already calmed down. What was strange was that the number of corpses was clearly wrong.
At first, he thought the poorly organized bandits had chosen to retreat, but when he asked the guards who were sitting exhausted on the ground, he received an answer that shocked him. During the battle, blood mist had appeared, swallowing and tearing apart the bandits, while turning a blind eye to the uniformed guards.
It was definitely a higher vampire!
Although from the choice of targets, he could judge that the other party was an ally, friendly fire was also common. His appearance was completely unexpected. If Angoulême ended up fighting him... the consequences would be unimaginable.
Fortunately, when Victor found her in time, the situation seemed to be one-sided vigilance, and the other party was even retracting his claws.
His fire-red Rinnegan stared tightly at the middle-aged man ahead. The witcher's palm was faintly sweating, but he did not draw his sword. Although he had had a premonition when he came, a premonition becoming reality was another matter entirely.
He recognized the man before him. This had been the final strong enemy of the Toussaint adventure. Although Victor could not remember his name, he definitely would not mistake that face and the image of the long black coat.
The middle-aged man had originally been lofty and indifferent, but when he noticed the young man's fire-red Rinnegan, his expression shifted slightly. "The witcher Victor Corion... My apologies for making a mess of the surroundings, Master of the Estate. However, under the background of a bandit attack, I believe you will not mind such a small matter. Please rest assured, Lafite is fine. I confirmed that the wine cellar was not invaded."
Victor was a little surprised. The other party's attitude was polite. Not only did he know who Victor was, but he also knew the importance of Lafite.
"Your Excellency knows me? In any case, thank you for your help tonight, and thank you for your concern for Lafite. Perhaps you would be willing to let me, as the host, entertain a guest with a glass of red wine?"
Glancing at Angoulême, the middle-aged man folded his arms across his chest. "She knows very clearly, and you should also know who I am. You truly dare invite me as a guest?"
"I understand perfectly. But we have no need to fight. Even if one arrives uninvited, if the host recognizes the visitor, then the visitor is a guest." After speaking, the witcher placed a hand over his chest in courtesy.
After closing his eyes for a few seconds, the middle-aged man opened them and returned the gesture with a hand over his chest. "Dettlaff van der Eretein. I apologize for visiting suddenly so late at night. My friend and I attacked this group of bandits because we were searching for and protecting a woman hidden in the estate. Perhaps you would be willing to help him, "
"Vic! Please don't draw your sword!" A loud shout from not far away interrupted the conversation. "Angoulême, put your sword away too. Dettlaff is my friend! I can guarantee it with my life!" The person running over was unexpectedly Leo, the witcher of the School of the Wolf.
Arriving nearby and stopping, he frowned and covered his lower abdomen with his left hand. With his back to the higher vampire, he faced Victor and Angoulême and stretched out his right hand. "Don't be like this. Everything is a misunderstanding. Dettlaff is not an enemy. I asked him to help save someone. I came to protect Sasha, who is trapped in danger. She's hiding here and working!"
Subtle body language explained many things. For example, Leo absolutely trusted Dettlaff, but it did not explain more things, such as who Sasha actually was, and why the sorceress Fringilla, the habitual murderer Professor, and now even the witcher Leo were all looking for her.
Rolling his red eyes, Victor said irritably, "Shut up, Egghead! There is no misunderstanding here, at least not the kind you imagine. I am inviting Mr. Dettlaff as a guest! And unless I am seeing wrong, your lower abdomen is bleeding. Come back to the main building with me to be bandaged first. After that, whoever you want to find, would your Wolf School brother really not support you?"
"Egghead" was Leo's nickname, earned because of his hairstyle and head shape. The restless young man, now reassured, looked at the fire-red eyes opposite him and the nine tomoe within them in amazement, then turned to face the higher vampire and smiled. "As you can see, Mr. Dettlaff, one look at our eyes and you know he and I are the same model. We are brothers with a very good friendship. Will you come to the main building with us?"
But Dettlaff shook his head and refused. "There is no need. Since your problem is resolved, I will leave first."
Then he looked at Victor. "I participated in the wine tasting. Lafite's taste is rare. Please ensure she continues year after year." Finally, he looked at Angoulême. "My apologies!"
His style was concise and efficient. Before Victor could decide whether he should reveal some explosive future plot information, Dettlaff had already transformed into a cool black mist and scattered into the night sky.
Unlike the gentle and courteous one Angoulême had once spent time with, Dettlaff was the outwardly cold type. Even if he was friend rather than foe, the presence of a higher vampire was far too strong. So after confirming that Dettlaff had left, the remaining three looked at one another, and the atmosphere immediately became relaxed and harmonious.
They were all young people, and they had been quite close in Kaer Morhen in the past. Angoulême threw a fierce punch at Leo's shoulder. "You bastard, bringing such a fierce guy here to scare people? And on my turf?"
Leo immediately grimaced in pain. "Please! Big sister, I'm injured there too. One arrow in the lower abdomen and one arrow in the shoulder. This was an experience where I almost died. Hurry up and take me to be treated. I promise I'll confess everything!"
"Almost died? It was definitely for that woman!" Thinking of what the Professor had said, Victor hit the nail on the head. "Don't look at me with those pleading eyes. This matter must be reported to Vesemir. A rookie finishes his training and immediately falls in love? I estimate this joke can be told for at least a century!"
As they talked, the three slowly walked toward the main building.
Angoulême gave a heh-heh snicker. "Ahaha! The troubles of adolescence, young Leo's troubles! I say, why didn't you go to Belle's House and relax a bit? At least then you wouldn't be so easily impulsive! You should know, impulse is the devil!"
Leo decisively closed his mouth and exercised his right to remain silent.
Victor stretched lazily. "Yo! My dear Ang, so you know Belle's House too! But someone with Leo's lack of skill probably couldn't get in. That place is semi-membership. Without someone bringing you in, they won't let you enter.
"If the estate hadn't been attacked tonight, I had planned to take you there for investigative research, to gather experience for the brothel you'll run in the future. The madam said she very much welcomes new colleagues opening shop. What was that line she said... Right, healthy competition promotes development!"
"Oh! Leader, you're so good to me. I knew you wouldn't forget me. As far as I know, Belle's House's reputation is indeed..."
Watching Victor and Angoulême, the two unreliable ones, speak more and more crookedly, Leo could not care about his decision to remain silent and asked anxiously, "Has Sasha been well here? Tonight is so chaotic. Could she have been harmed?"
Winking at Angoulême, Victor smiled brightly. "No need to worry. As Angoulême's personal maid, she has been treated very well here. I personally planned the emergency evacuation routes. As long as Sasha is still in the estate, the butler Alfie will find her."
...
Some time later, Victor sat in the estate dining room, eating and drinking heartily. Angoulême was also stuffing herself nearby. As for Leo, now bandaged properly, his appetite was likewise not small.
As he ate and listened to Leo's story, Victor instinctively wanted to beat Leo up, because all the information he knew about Sasha was almost equal to nothing!
To put it simply, after the rookie training was completed, Vesemir said he was going to Oxenfurt for activities. Leo, who was flying solo, chose to stay behind, then by chance encountered Sasha being hunted and played the hero saving the beauty. They moved together for half a month, and finally parted at the Cockatrice Inn.
And the main reason Victor wanted to beat him up was not that this fellow had fought for love, but that his behavior had been improper! They had moved together for half a month, yet he had only held hands and kissed her cheek, and there was nothing beyond that!? Had he never considered that what the listeners wanted to hear was pure love? Damn it, he had simply disgraced the reputation of witchers!
As for the matter of the higher vampire, that was very simple. According to Leo, Dettlaff greatly admired his noble sacrifice, so he saved him at the foot of Mount Gorgon. It was precisely that slaughter that caused the Professor to send people to invite Victor to hunt the monster. Angoulême noticed something was wrong, and that was why the Phantom Troupe was able to hurry back to Corion Estate in time today.
In short, the incident had formed a closed loop without anyone realizing it, leading to this final gathering. Fate was truly wondrous beyond words.
At that moment, the butler Alfie entered the dining room, leading a young woman behind him.
The moment he saw the young woman, Leo abruptly stood up, not even noticing that he had knocked over his chair, and walked toward her in a daze.
"Damn! Am I fated to run into love fools? First there was Guillaume, and now here comes Leo..." Victor complained inwardly, but activated his extraordinary five senses and carefully paid attention to Sasha's expression and eyes.
As for this beautiful woman with brown hair and blue eyes, Victor had some guesses in mind about her identity and the reason she was being hunted. When he killed Azar in Vizima, the person who had spoken with Azar had been extremely vigilant. At the time, Victor judged that the mastermind behind the scenes was either Nilfgaard or Redania.
And now the Professor, who had worked with Azar, had been sent to hunt down someone who had fled from Nilfgaard. In that case, the person who spoke with him back then was very likely Viscount Vattier de Rideaux.
She was being watched by the imperial intelligence agency, yet she was under the protection of the sorceress Fringilla. Considering the existence of the Lodge of Sorceresses, Victor guessed that Sasha might be someone they had sent to Vattier de Rideaux's side to spy for intelligence.
Thinking that this might be a political struggle for power within Nilfgaard, Victor wrinkled his nose in disgust.
Facing Sasha next, Victor had two questions. First, he needed to confirm the truth of the above deduction, and had to ask her one question. Second, what attitude he should take toward her was another question, one that did not need to be asked. He only needed to observe carefully with his heart to obtain the answer.
Hearing the familiar voice call her, Sasha raised her head to face Leo, and a joyful, sweet smile appeared on her face. They embraced and kissed each other's cheeks.
"Oh, Sasha, I can hardly believe it. It's so good to see you again. You're all right..."
"So am I, Leo. I almost thought I would lose you forever. It's wonderful that you're alive."
Victor, who was precisely observing from the side, saw no problem whether in her gaze, expression, or movements. It seemed that the two of them still had some genuine feelings, though their conversation was too disgusting.
Turning his head to look at Angoulême, she rolled her eyes at Victor, but also nodded to show that she sensed no malice.
Victor beckoned to the butler Alfie, indicating that he should arrange a chair for Sasha beside Leo so she could sit down and rest as well.
Then he cleared his throat, drawing attention to himself, and met the beautiful emerald of her eyes. "Sasha, everyone here can be trusted. I hope your next performance will also prove you worthy of trust. Tell me, are you Cantarella, or Carthia van Canten?"
Leo froze. Just now, most of the talking had been done by him. He had not expected Victor to say something he knew absolutely nothing about the moment he opened his mouth, so Leo could only look at the person beside him in confusion.
Lowering her head, Sasha let out a gentle sigh. "That's right. I am Cantarella, and also Carthia van Canten. In the end, I was still found. Which side do you belong to?"
Victor picked up a piece of bread, tore it open, and spread butter on it with a knife. "I'm afraid I do not belong to any side you are currently imagining. I belong to the side of witcher Leo's friends.
"In addition, I was entrusted by the local Honourable Lady, Fringilla Vigo, to find a woman who might be using the alias Sasha, with brown hair and blue eyes. She said you would be willing to accept her protection. Is that so?"
Sasha suddenly raised her head from despair. "Yes. That's right. Lady Fringilla can protect my safety!"
Stuffing the buttered bread into his mouth and chewing, Victor had received answers to both questions. Sasha was someone from the Lodge of Sorceresses. Those hunting her were subordinates of Viscount de Rideaux. And her meeting with Leo had truly been by chance, with some subtle feelings between them as well.
At this point, that was already enough for a witcher. He had no desire to ask what special information had made Mr. Vattier send people so far to hunt her down. To him, none of that was the main point.
Meeting Leo's worried gaze, the master of Corion Estate delivered his judgment. "Miss Sasha, Carthia van Canten, as Leo's friend, Corion Estate welcomes you as a guest!
"Unfortunately, Lady Fringilla has recently gone to Nilfgaard and has not yet returned, so you may have to stay here for a while.
"My Honourable Butler Alfie will arrange accommodations for you and Mr. Leo. You may enjoy peace here in the estate without worry."
Holding Sasha's hand, Leo rose with her and bowed. "Thank you. Thank you, Vic."
Victor waved his hands repeatedly. "Sit, sit. Don't bother with those useless formalities. After all, I'm not some evil landlord. Don't be so nervous! Try this chocolate tart. Eating it will make you feel much more relaxed."
...
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and host and guests were all satisfied, they were about to return to their rooms to rest. Suddenly, Victor thought of something and pulled Leo aside to speak alone.
"I kept you here because I want to confirm something. When Dettlaff helped you, did he make any request?"
Leo looked confused. "No. He made no request at all. For a being as powerful as him, how could there be anything he needs my help with? You don't need to doubt his intentions. He is actually a very simple and very good guy!"
"The trouble is precisely that he is a very simple guy. Can you find him?"
"No, I can't. He didn't leave any way to contact him. Is there a problem?"
Victor shook his head and patted Leo's arm. "Then it's nothing... When you return to your room, ask Sasha to help you check whether your wounds are bleeding. Work hard. I have high hopes for you!"
Leaving behind words the witcher could not understand, and ignoring Leo's questions, the alchemist went straight to the alchemy workshop in the wine cellar to resolve the frightening fire-red eyes problem.
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