The Divine Hunter Chapter 15: Mato

There are still one or two days before Ms. Druid's visit.

Roy chose a remote and deserted street corner, randomly hypnotized a Mayena guard who was lucky enough to pass by, and asked about Yurga's servant Profi and Ainz's servant Mato.

These two are important witnesses for Geralt's exoneration.

The information that can be guarded is limited——

Ever since the accident happened to Honorary Ambassador Ainz, the whereabouts of the two of them have been unknown, so unfortunately they were regarded as accomplices in the kidnapping by the Sheriff.

Of course I can't enter the city.

Roy decided to try his luck in the mixed refugee camp outside the city.

……

The old **** was sitting on a low stool in front of an old canvas tent in the high **** area of ​​the camp, smoking a dry cigarette. The lazy afternoon sun shone on the dirty linen clothes, which was cold. A warmth surged through my hands and feet.

He looked comfortably at the crowded and noisy refugee camp below.

Love and hate are intertwined in the eyes that have experienced many vicissitudes of life.

"Old man, could I ask two people?"

A very friendly voice sounded. The old **** glanced at the demon hunter with his cloudy eyes, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Since the day the camp was established, the old **** has been sitting here!" The old man's gray beard trembled slightly as he spoke, and he shook his pipe, "Although I am old and my legs are weak, my memory is not good. Decline."

"In recent months, I have kept in my mind who has entered the camp and who has never returned. It is no exaggeration to say that the old lame man knows all the big and small things here." The old man nodded. There are some wrinkles on the forehead and the mounds are raised, "But young man, you have to understand that recalling is a labor-intensive task..."

"I must have the hope of having enough to eat and drink, otherwise, I will be powerless." After saying that, he looked at the witcher longingly.

Okay, open the door for money.

This is already the fifth refugee Roy has consulted, and he is also the oldest one.

"I understand, I'll buy you a drink." Roy stuffed ten copper coins into the old man's hand very politely.

The latter immediately beamed, secretly put the money into the empty dark wine bottle at his feet, and hid it under the bench.

"Tell me, what are their names and what do they look like?"

"Mato, Profi. Here, portraits." Roy took out two portraits, which he drew based on the physical characteristics described by Yurga.

This time Coral is not around, so he can only take care of it himself.

But he has no artistic talent and can be called a soul painter.

The masterpieces written in the pen are crooked and twisted, like twisted "stick figures".

The old man looked at the two shocking works, his sparse and gray eyebrows frowned, and he bared his row of big yellow teeth in admiration.

Other than having a basic human shape, it doesn’t seem to have much in common with human beings.

But fortunately, the birthmark and other features were highlighted by the witcher.

"Profei, with a well-proportioned figure and six feet tall, is not like the skinny men in the camp. The mole on the left cheek is even more rare." The old man patted his head with a cigarette rod, "It's easy to identify. I have it. Impression, a week ago..."

Roy's ears perked up.

The strange red light in the woods happened exactly a week ago.

"Alas!" The old man suddenly slapped his knee and looked at the witcher pitifully, "I'm sorry, the old **** has only eaten a piece of free black bread that was so hard that it hurt his teeth, and he was so hungry that he had sour reflux. The water is about to burn my throat and brain, and I feel exhausted all over. This lame leg is starting to hurt again, and I really can’t think about it.”

"Give!"

As if by magic, the witcher took out a roasted chicken leg brushed with spices.

The old man swallowed greedily, glanced at Roy who was smiling but not smiling, and started to devour the food with a crazy and heroic eating look, as if he was rejuvenated and transformed into a young man.

"Hmm..." A minute later, the old **** wiped the grease off his fingers, patted his belly, and let out a satisfied sigh. He chewed the whole chicken leg with the crispy bones. "The old **** has remembered!"

"Profi entered the southern area of ​​the refugee camp a week ago, stayed for less than a day, and left in a hurry, looking flustered. I felt that he was going on a long trip."

A bead of cold sweat broke out on Roy's palms, so Yurga's servant was most likely on his way back to Livia.

"Mato, with a slightly fat body, a horse face, and a short beard...isn't he the servant of Honorary Ambassador Ainz? Even if he turns into ashes, I won't forget him!" The old cripple's expression flashed with dignity, but he wisely No more questions,

"Mato is famous?"

"Not only the old cripple, but everyone in the refugee camp recognizes him. He and his master often distribute relief food to us." The old **** paused,

"But I heard that Ainz was kidnapped a week ago. Mato may be somewhat responsible for hiding. Isn't he wanted in the city? Anyway, I haven't seen him in the past week."

A trace of regret flashed in Roy's eyes. Mato was not hiding near the refugee camp. It would be very troublesome to find him.

However, he heard a hint of sarcasm in the old man's tone.

"You don't seem to like Ainz very much?" Roy stared at the old man with sarcastic eyes, "Don't the honorary ambassadors often help you?"

"You've never been in a camp, right." The old man smoothed his short gray beard. "Ainz does not give out food for free. The mayor will provide compensation. In fact, the selling price is lower than the market price. ”

"In addition to Ainz, there are several big businessmen who are also helping our group of refugees who are 'eating and drinking for free'."

"But the free food distributed by Ainz..." The old man hesitated to speak.

"Is there a problem?" Roy's heart moved.

"Why bother getting to the bottom of it? Man, I've told you everything about Mato and Profi. I'm sorry that I couldn't help you." The old man shook his head at him, indicating that he could leave.

Roy heard some hidden meanings, and stuffed some more money into his palm, this time it was a whole crown.

The old **** held the coin and pretended to bite it with his teeth, then put the money into the bottle.

"With such a crown, even if you are going to die, you can still enjoy yourself before you die!"

The old man paused, lowered his voice and whispered into Roy's ear,

"The bread Ainz gave us was made from the worst flour, possibly expired and spoiled flour. The profiteer also added sand and grass clippings to the bread."

"Everyone in the camp had diarrhea after eating his food, especially old men like me with a weak stomach, as well as women and children." The old lame man shook his head with lingering fear, "I almost didn't go directly to see Rebio at that time Da."

“But I feel hungry even if I don’t eat. Young men are in slightly better health and can endure the discomfort and eat.”

Roy rubbed his chin.

Yurga's testimony flashed through his mind - Honorary Ambassador Ainz approached him about a business deal to purchase inferior grain, but the fat man with a righteous mind refused directly.

The old cripple's confession is completely consistent with the information revealed by Yurga.

This honorary ambassador is undoubtedly a ruthless and evil businessman.

"Does the mayor not care about this kind of thing? No one reported him?"

"If we say what kind of people are the most humble and despicable in the world," the old lame man suddenly looked sad, showing deep sadness, "it is the refugees who have left their hometown and are not taken seriously by the 'adults'!"

"They are very merciful when they are willing to give us a bite of food! Who cares whether the food is good or bad? We have no channel to report it!"

"Our only hope is to wait for His Majesty Foltest to return to his homeland after restoring the broken mountains and rivers of Soden."

Roy turned around silently and glanced at the bustling crowd below. His face was pale and thin, and he had suffered from hunger for a long time.

Some were arguing and pushing, some were sobbing softly, and some were sitting on the wet ground, like puppets that had lost their souls, with no life in their eyes.

The camp was filled with all kinds of suffocating negative emotions.

"By the way, Ainz's evil deeds don't stop there. He abused several beautiful women by relying on his wealth and power!" The old **** said with a hint of jealousy and disgust in his tone, "I heard, I just heard that one of the women was pregnant with his child. Not only did he not take her back to live in the city, he also called her a **** and had a secret relationship with an adulterer, and sent people to beat her alive and abort her."

"The woman was wronged. Does that blind man in the camp who dared to touch Ainz want to starve to death?"

The old man sighed,

"Later, the woman couldn't bear the blow and turned into a madman. After running out of the camp one day, she was never found again."

"People disappear in the refugee camp every day, so what does it matter if a few die? Who else will truly pity and care about us except the Druid female doctor?"

The witcher lowered his head and said nothing.

"When I mentioned this, I suddenly remembered something!" The old man stood up and limped around the low stool. "Not only did Ainz look for women from the camp, but his servant Ma Tuo also has something to do with a woman in the camp!"

"But this boy is much more sincere and low-key. He treats the woman as his wife and plans to take her back to the city to live in the city after a while. Mato's whereabouts are unknown now. His woman may have some inside information. ."

"Think about it, old cripple. Her name is Lilin. She escaped from Soden Birch Village and lives in the purple tent in the southern area of ​​the camp."

There is a bright future.

Roy couldn't help but feel relieved and looked at this lame old man with admiration. He was a know-it-all in the refugee camp.

But Birch Village sounds quite familiar.

"You know all this?"

"The old man's memory is not bad, before Soden was destroyed by Nilfgaard. I am the butler of the nephew of the important military officer of the old King Eckhard who died in the battle. Daily plans and trivial life are all You have to keep half a ledger." The old man happily touched his sparse white hair, "The old man likes to observe and listen. The widows and old women in the camp all like to gossip with me. When they feel depressed, they come to listen to my words of enlightenment and encouragement. ”

"Then I hope you will always be so happy and open-minded!" Roy finally gave him two crowns and walked away.

……

Leaving the high slopes to the north of the refugee camp, Roy walked through the narrow and crowded roads.

The smell of onions, potatoes, cabbage and feces penetrated the nose pervasively. On the left side of some tents, potatoes were simmering in a large iron pot. On the right side, less than half a meter away, there was a large puddle of fresh excrement. .

The air is blown by the breeze and floats towards the cauldron, adding a unique smelly "flavor" to the food.

The little black dog loved these messy smells. It barked and circled around the demon hunter's feet, chasing and biting its tail, having a great time.

Golfin Tabby Cat followed closely behind his butt, with a pair of paws dancing like an afterimage, and kept hitting his buttocks with meow punches to teach this unruly little brother a lesson.

A few sallow and skinny heads poked out of the tent along the way, looking at the two fat cats and dogs with greedy eyes and licking their lips. Fortunately, the owners around them didn't look easy to mess with. No spices were sprinkled on it, so it was a medium rare "massage".

……

In less than five minutes, Roy entered the familiar area in the south of the refugee camp, where colorful tents stood close together.

Revealing her white arms and a large piece of skin in front of her collarbone, a woman in cool clothes walked back and forth carrying pots and pans, laughing and cursing at her companions from time to time.

On the only open space in the center, a soup mixed with turnips and radishes was being cooked in an iron pot.

Birch Village, Roy remembered at this time, is the village close to Willow Village.

That's where the widow's acquaintances came from!

"Mr. Oakes!" I don't know how the blond widow's eyes are so long, but she saw the demon hunter at a glance. She came out of a sky-blue tent with her child in her arms and came towards him with a sweet smile on her face. The big golden braid hanging down over her left shoulder was dancing lively.

"Why are you here?"

"I'm looking for Lilin from Birch Village."

When Eugenie heard this, she did not ask the Witcher why.

He simply greeted him through a group of warblers and swallows,

"Hmph! When did Eugenie hook up with Oakes?" a woman with freckles said jealously,

"Who told someone to be prettier than you, have bigger breasts, a better butt, a thinner waist, and a good son? Maybe tomorrow he can get out of this nightmare place and live in the city ." The tall and burly woman said, "I hope we sisters will not be forgotten by then!"

……

The two of them ignored the gossip on the way.

Quickly arrived at a purple-red tent in the center, embroidered with rose patterns, which was obviously a higher level than the surrounding tents.

A twenty-three or four-year-old woman with a delicate face, plump figure, and a clean orange dress was sitting at the entrance of the tent, looking at the sky in a daze.

The appearance and figure are among the best among this group of women.

"Lilin!"

"Ah, Eugenie, who is this?" The woman was suddenly awakened, her eyes flickering between her friend and the witcher suspiciously,

"Didn't I just say yesterday that Mr. Oaks escorted everyone to the refugee camp." Eugenie glanced at the witcher gratefully, "Without him, we would have died on the way."

Lilin immediately smiled softly at Roy, with a hint of recognition in her eyes.

"What is Mr. Oakes looking for? I'll make it clear in advance, I don't do business!"

"Ms. Lilin has misunderstood. I am here this time just to help your boyfriend Mato clear his grievances!" Roy stared into the woman's eyes and spoke straightforwardly and uprightly!

"Ah? Who is Mato? What grievance, I don't understand what you mean!" A trace of panic flashed across the woman's face, she sat on the ground and crawled back a few steps, leaning against the tent wall.

"I don't like to mince words. You should know that Mato's owner, Ambassador Ainz, had an accident on the outskirts of the city, and Mato was identified as one of the criminals by the sheriff. Now he has a home and cannot return, and my friend is even more pitiful. He was Caught in the dungeon."

"We need Mato's testimony, as long as he helps testify!" Roy said loudly, "I promise to restore his reputation!"

"You are mistaken. Mato has not been here for half a month. I don't know where he is!" Lilin turned around and reluctantly changed her words,

Unige suddenly stepped forward, took her friend's arm, and comforted, "Mr. Oaks has protected everyone all the way. He has done nothing wrong and has kept his promises. He is absolutely worthy of trust."

"Lilin, think about it, have I lied to you before? Even if you don't believe him, you should believe me!"

Lilin looked between the two of them, lowered her head, biting her lip and getting entangled.

And Roy held the plump little Hei in his arms and touched its belly, "Mato is in a very dangerous situation now. If he continues to be delayed and waits for the Sheriff to be determined and convicted, then he will I will never be able to be upright with you again!"

"Think about the sweet time you had in the past, are you willing to let it go?"

"If he is convicted, you will be completely without support. What will happen to the beautiful women in this refugee camp who have no support?" The demon hunter's voice stopped suddenly.

"Stop talking! I know he is there, and I will tell you his whereabouts!" Lilin trembled all over, raised her head, her eyes sparkled, and her lips trembled, "But can you guarantee his safety?"

"I will do my best to let him escape the crime and survive." Roy took off his sunglasses, his heterochromatic irises flashed, "I swear on the honor of a demon hunter!"

……

Five minutes later, Roy said goodbye to Unig, who was hesitant to speak, and followed Lilin out of the refugee camp, heading west into the bushy wilderness.

We walked for about an hour.

I met Mato in a forest cabin covered with moss and vines.

He has a horse face, a short beard, a fine woolen sweater stained with mud and plant debris, and gray linen and cotton trousers. It can be seen that his living standard was not low before this accident.

It's a pity that in just a week, he has gone from being slightly fat to being completely thin, with high cheekbones, a strange flush on his face, and a lot of bloodshot eyes.

When he saw his girlfriend walking into the house, he relaxed and forced a smile, just about to say hello.

The demon hunter then walked into the wooden house, but he felt like he was facing a formidable enemy.

"Who is he?! Okay, Lilin, he betrayed me! It's a shame that I gave you my heart and soul before!"

Mato was breathing heavily from his nose and poking at the two of them with his index finger. His face was full of anger, but it quickly turned into despair.

Shua——

The five fingers of the witcher flashed past his eyes.

The man's excitement subsided instantly.

Calm down the whole person.

Leaning against the wooden wall, he carefully looked at the witcher.

"Don't worry," Roy explained to the woman with questioning eyes, "I'm just trying to help him regain his senses."

"Mato, let me tell you the truth. I was entrusted by Yurga to clear his name. You know very well that he did not kidnap your master, the Honorary Ambassador Ainz, at all!"

"The initiator of everything is that red light. You saw it with your own eyes, didn't you?"

As soon as Roy mentioned the red light.

Mato's face changed drastically after he had just regained his composure. Extreme panic showed in his pupils, his face was flushed more intensely, and his body was shivering uncontrollably.

It’s like being in a nightmare!

"Red light, red light..."

Fortunately, the effect of the Yaksi Seal to soothe the soul was still there, so he did not lose control further.

"Mr. Oakes, every time he mentions that incident, he loses control of his emotions. Please help him!" Lilin begged.

Roy observed and checked Mato, but was surprised to find that there was nothing abnormal about this guy except for a slight increase in body temperature.

He became increasingly confused.

Yesterday Yurga told him about the events of that day, repeatedly mentioned the red light, and showed no abnormality.

Why is this Ma Tuo acting strangely?

His master Ainz was burned to ashes?

What's the difference?

Is this a psychological effect or is there a hidden influence?

Five minutes later, Mato's mood stabilized and he took a deep breath, "You are right, Yurga and the white-haired man are innocent."

"But I can't stand it. When I think of the light in the woods, I feel uncomfortable all over. It's like a fire is burning in my brain. I really can't help them!"

"In your head?"

Mato swallowed, and Lilin stepped forward and held his hand, "Don't be afraid, dear, we are here and I will accompany you."

"I," the man's voice trembled as he slowly recalled, "that red light..."

“When I first entered, everything was fine, but starting from three minutes, I felt something was wrong. The bad and painful memories from the past kept popping up, completely out of control.”

"A bad thing? Can you be more specific?"

Roy's tone was calm and gentle, trying not to irritate him.

A drop of cold sweat slid down Mato's cheek.

"As Ainz's accomplice, I help him deal with some shady things. I hurt innocent people, competitors, and partners, and resell spoiled and moldy food."

"When I was illuminated by the red light, I seemed to have returned to those bad days...I kept repeating and struggling in the memories, and I was going crazy!" Mato's voice became sharp, and his tone was full of panic, "Then the red light changed It's as hot and scorching as fire, getting hotter and hotter, it's going to ignite me from the inside out!"

Mato shouted emotionally,

"It will burn me, a sinner!"

"Do you know what I was thinking at the time? This red light is the divine punishment sent by the goddess Meriteri, the eternal fire!"

"Specially punish those guilty of sin! Burn the darkness in the world."

"Punish us for the mistakes we made in the past!"

"Lord Ainz...Lord Ainz, the sins he committed were countless and heinous! So he was burned to ashes!"

Like an enlightenment, Roy quickly captured an inspiration about the red light, but he couldn't be sure because he had not seen the legendary light or the scene where it showed its power with his own eyes.

During the observation, Mato's physical condition was normal.

Except for having a slight fever.

"Even now, the red light in the woods has long disappeared...but I always think of my ugly and cruel behavior." Mato suddenly covered his face and sobbed, "My whole body feels like fire."

"The fire is like tarsal maggots, I can feel them, they are still hidden deep in my bone marrow, watching me all the time... Woo hoo! Once those dirty memories start to tumble, they will come out again, It burned my skin, flesh, and bones, causing me to suffer so much! Until it turned into ashes."

……

"So do you regret it?"

When the matter was almost understood, Roy stated the purpose of his trip, "Are you willing to atone for your sins? When I am ready, come with me to see the Sheriff, testify for Yurga and Geralt, and identify Ainz Crime!"

“If there is one way to be free and free from pain, it is to face the painful memories of the past and make amends and corrections.”

Mato's chest rose and fell violently, he breathed heavily, and his expression changed.

After a moment, his expression became ferocious, and he almost broke his steel teeth.

To put it categorically,

"I agree!"

"No!" Lilin begged~IndoMTL.com~You have made mistakes in the past, will you not be implicated in this? When the time comes, you are arrested, what should I do? ”

Mato hesitated.

He couldn't let go of this relationship.

"Man, talk to us?" Roy looked at him and comforted softly, "What crimes have you committed?"

"No!" Lilin blocked the horse behind her, like a hen guarding her calf. "Stop torturing him! Didn't you tell him how painful it was just now?"

"Let me tell you." Mato hugged the woman behind him, flames igniting in his pupils, "If enduring a moment of pain can help me gain long-term peace and relief, then I am willing!"

In a cabin in the woods.

The sunlight through the window illuminated a red, painful, and regretful man's face. He began to speak briefly and confess at the same time.

The witcher and a woman listened quietly.

……