The Divine Hunter-Chapter 619 - : Humility and Sacrifice
This content is taken from ππΏπππππ―π§πΌπππΉ.π°πΌπ¦
Chapter 619: Humility and Sacrifice
[TL: Asuka]
[PR: Ash]
It was a cave. A dark one without any light in it. The structure was like an archbridge measuring nearly 33 feet tall. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like willow branches, as if they would dance with the darkness.
A gust of wind screamed in the darkness, and a storm of debris flew. A crimson doorway in the shape of a whirlpool tore through the air. Two silhouettes leapt out of the doorway and fell to the gravelly ground. A sliver of light shone on them, illuminating their silhouettes. One had twin swords on his back, a viper head medallion billowing on his chest. His eyes were silver, and they gleamed brightly, piercing the darkness like a wolf staring through the air.
The other was a pale, gaunt man with a backpack around his back. He was in a black robe with numerous pockets sewn on it. The air around him smelled like herbs.
βBlood magic portals are a lot more stable than the ones sorcerers use.β Roy turned to the barber-surgeon, his eyes filled with praise. βFelt no vertigo or nausea at all. Why donβt we forge a partnership? You open up portals for the brotherhood, and weβll pay you every time we use your services. Rare herbs or blood of rare monsters, you name the price.β
The offer tempted Regis for a moment, but he shook his head. βI can do this once in a while, but Iβll have to decline a long-term partnership.β He praised, βYour courage is admirable. Youβre coming to the abode with me alone and disturbing the Unseen Elderβs slumber. Do you not fear death at all?β
βIf the god of vampires wishes to kill me, does it make any difference whether itβs one witcher or ten?β Roy kicked a piece of bone away and turned a corner.
βThe only difference is youβll die with your companions.β
βAnd the answer is no.β
Regis almost choked, and he was amused, his trepidation soothed a little. This was his first time seeing the Elder in fifty years. Every time he requested an audience, it was with great fear. The suppression coming from their bloodline crushed his resistance, and he was nothing more than dirt.
βTo be honest, it would be a waste if a witcher like you dies.β Regis leapt down the 17-foot slope. The cave was already leaning downward.
βWhat kind of witcher?β
βThose who treat non-humans the same way they treat humans. I noticed that when I first saw you. You knew what we were, but you had no fear, discrimination, or loathing. On the other hand, your companion, the one with greenish-gray eyes, held hatred for us.β
βBecause you followed the rules.β Roy paused. He confidently said, βNon-humans who have principles are better than chaotic humans who kill their own kind.β freewebn ovel.c om
βI couldnβt agree more.β Regis picked up his pace and walked with Roy, his eyes twinkling. The higher vampire took a deep breath and came to a difficult decision. βI donβt think you should die just like this. We are not at the Elderβs abode just yet. Itβs not too late to turn back.β
Regis put his hands behind his back. He looked at the composed witcher. Hesitantly, he said, βYou can leave this continent and take a ship to Ofir to hide from danger. Ofirβs land is not suited for higher vampires to live in. The Elderβs forces cannot touch you there.β
Roy looked at Regis in surprise. He didnβt think the higher vampire would go this far for him. βIf I leave, how will you answer to the Elder? By taking Gaetan here?β
βGaetan is already part of the tribe. The Elder will not cull him that easily. He might take Gaetan to Tesham Mutna and lock him up for decades.β Regis shrugged. βBut you will die if you meet him. The Elder does not show mercy to other species.β
βThank you, Regis. Youβre a good person. Letβs stay in touch after this. Iβd like to introduce some people to you. Decent people.β Roy put an arm around Regisβ shoulder. The higher vampire tensed up and grinned awkwardly. He was not used to this kind of close contact, but Roy didnβt care.
βI came all the way here anyway, so Iβm not going to run. Just tell me what I should look out for after I go into his abode. I heard the Elder has a short temper, and I donβt want to make him angry.β If he gets mad, Iβll have to turn into the Most High to fight it, but thatβll only make us enemies. It wonβt do well for my plan.
βHeβs so sensitive, itβs some kind of sickness. Heβs temperamental, and for the last 2000 years, he has adopted an imperious way of communicating. When you stand before him, you cannot show any aggression or hostility, nor can you be arrogant.β Regisβ voice was shivering. He was trying his best to hold his fear down. βYou must be humble and honest. Respect him like you would a god. Once I open his abode and we enter his domain, I suggest you remain perfectly quiet. Do not say a word or make any movement. Stay far away from your sword and decoction. I will tell the Elder that you are here to apologize.β
βDo I need to grovel, then?β Roy had a weird grin on his face, and he pretended to kneel.
βIf thatβs how you express respect, then of course,β Regis said earnestly, meeting Royβs eyes.
βNot even the God of Omen could make me kneel.β Roy shook his head. He said, βSince Iβm dead anyway, why donβt I go all in? What should I do if I want to strike a deal with him?β
Regis looked at Roy, shocked, but he didnβt pry. βYou killed Gruffyd of the Elderβs tribe. You are a criminal in his eyes. It is up to the Elder to let you go after he listens to me. Or he might kill you right away.β Regis went over a puddle and picked one passage out of many to go in. βBut if you present it with a sacrifice and gain his favor, you might get the chance to talk to him. However, you must choose your words wisely. If you incur his wrath, he will tear your head off, drink your blood, and rip your body to shreds.β
βWhat kind of sacrifice?β Roy ignored the warning. He looked at the walls around them. To be exact, they were man-made marble doors covered in ancient engravings portraying sacrificial rituals. Poorly-drawn humans were holding up sacrificial items covered in banana leaves, praying to a man who was like a shadow.
βAncient coins. Theyβre hidden around the outer caves, but if you want to collect them, youβll have to get rid of some unruly critters.β
***
A silver light flashed in the air. A crossbow bolt pierced the dark cave, hurtling toward the ceiling. A cloud of blood burst between the stalactite, and something gigantic fell with a sickening thud, its bones broken. The creature had a humanoid shape, but it had claws as tough as metal knives, and its maw had incisors. Its legs were turned back, just like a werewolfβs, and it had taut muscles. This creature was a killing machine, but brains, blood, and bones were spilling out of the center of its head.
The dying creature glared venomously at the silhouettes in the darkness. The silhouette disappeared, and a silver crescent moon sliced through the dark. The creature was cut, its head flying into the air. Blood spurted from its neck, and its body fell back.
βFleder killed. EXP +200. Level 15 Witcher (2300/18500).β
Roy flicked the blood off his weapon. He lamented this battle. Years ago, in the sewers of Vizima, he had to risk his life to kill a fleder, but now he could take one out easily. Once the monster was dead, Roy, out of habit, cut the corpse open like a master butcher. He skinned the fleder, taking its eyes, lungs, claws, and all useful parts of it.
Regis watched on in horror as Roy tucked the remains of the fleder into his inventory space. βRoy, you guys did that to Gruffydβs body too?β Regis was the color of paper, and he did not look happy at all.
βHigher vampires make for valuable components. Canβt waste them.β Roy gave Regis a knowing look. Regis felt himself shudder. βBut donβt worry. I do not attack my friends, so youβre safe.β Roy crouched and rummaged through the pile of bones. It didnβt take him long until he found a rough shell the size of a fingernail. A small half-portrait of a pale, gaunt man was etched on it. βWhere did these coins come from?β Roy asked.
βWhen our species descended upon this land, humanity was still a backward community. Primitive. Some of them witnessed the Elderβs strength during his hunt. In awe of his power, they started spreading the Elderβs stories and treated him like he was a god. They engraved his portrait on their currency and even erected this abode for him, giving him livestock and humans as sacrifice from time to time,β Regis explained patiently.
βThe Elder loathes being disturbed for no reason, but he enjoyed the respect and sacrifices the humans gave him. Ever since then, he reined his tribeβs members in and made it a law that his tribeβs members should not massacre humans. Alas, hundreds of years later, despite not being hunted by higher vampires, that tribe of humanity died. Natural disasters. Ever since then, the Elderβs name was no longer spread throughout human communities. Every time he slumbers, it will at least be ten years before he wakes.β
Regis paused for a moment. βYou giving him the coin will remind him of this happy past. If heβs pleased, heβll let you talk.β
Roy nodded. Curiously, he asked, βDoesnβt the Elder need to eat or drink? How does he slumber for a decade?β
βDo not try to limit the Elderβs powers. He is strong beyond imagination. The Elder absorbs the elemental particles from the air around him all the time. Chaos energy, so to speak. Itβs a lot better than regular food. Still, every time he wakes, the Elder asks his men to bring him a mountain of game to relish the taste of blood and reminisce about his younger days. The corpses, drained of their blood, become fertile grounds for nekkers and lower vampires to breed in.β
βI see. All the older guys across all species love to reminisce about their past,β Roy said, his eyes twinkling. I bet he loves to reminisce about his old home. βLetβs find some more coins and please the Elder.β