The Divine Hunter Chapter 4: Orphanage

Geralt stared at the gradually lighting up sky, the purple streaks of morning light already appearing on the horizon.

The collector's luxurious villa reveals its tall and straight silhouette on the horizon not far away.

He remembered what he saw last night again,

"Roy, thank you for everything you have done for Askel (Dandelion) during this time."

"Have you met him?"

"Last night, Oaks took us to visit the pharmacy and went to the dance hall to enjoy a wonderful performance." Geralt had a hidden smile on his face, feeling sincerely happy for his old friend,

"Askel was still a libertine in his thirties. He spent his whole day away from his job and flirting with women. He courted almost every young woman he met, from the daughter of a nobleman to a washerwoman."

"His tastes rival those of Lambert, and for a long time I worried that he would fall to his death from the balcony while escaping one day."

"Now I finally have a career that perfectly suits my heart...Thanks to your financial support, the dance hall can open up."

"You underestimate Master Dan," Roy said with a smile. "Even if he can't survive in Nuo City, with his true talent and learning, he can always return to Oxenfurt and become a decent professor. And it's not for nothing. Help, the cabaret has begun to make a profit, and most of the profits belong to us."

"The most important thing is that Master Dan and his bard friends can improve the reputation of the witcher in Nuo City and help us carry out the orphanage operation."

The three members of the Wolf Faction exchanged glances.

I feel a little more recognition for the brotherhood leader and chief "prophet" who was just selected last night.

……

Outside the big iron gate of the villa, a fat man in a green cloak was guarding the gate. He glanced at the cat vulture in the crowd, then bowed respectfully to greet him, and opened the door to let people in.

"Lord Olof is waiting for you masters, please come this way."

The servant of the villa led the nine people across a garden with a central fountain pool and towering green plants on both sides, and entered a villa with a triangular roof and colorful spray paint on the exterior walls.

"Are they the Collector's men, or are they your men?" Lambert glanced at the vulture in surprise. The dozen or so guards in the manor lowered their heads when they saw the witcher like a cat's mouse. .

"In the past two months, I have often come here to guide these elm-headed people." The cat vulture showed his pale teeth, and his gray-green pupils flashed with cold light, "They know what will happen if they offend me!"

The interior of the villa is gorgeously decorated, with high-quality Ofel carpets brought from across the ocean. Antique oil paintings, porcelain and other luxury decorations can be seen everywhere, which is a feast for the eyes.

However, there are not many servants in the house, and it is obvious that the collector prefers a quiet environment.

When everyone arrived on the second floor, a handsome man with purple hair, a pale face, and a carefully groomed beard was sitting at his desk, looking through a pile of bills and information with a frown.

Wearing a star-shaped amulet on the chest of the silk robe, seven or eight rings containing magic can be seen on the fingers.

Compared to a month ago, his appearance was obviously much more haggard, and there were two more dark circles on his lower eyelids.

Feeling the strange attention, the collector looked up, his frown suddenly relaxed, and a relaxed smile appeared on his face.

Waving away the waiter.

"Good friends, Master Demon Hunter, I haven't seen you for a month, but you still look stunning!"

He stepped forward enthusiastically and shook hands with the witchers one by one.

The posture is very low and the expression is sincere, not at all like a powerful Nuo City giant.

"Who are these three?" The collector turned his eyes to his old friend, followed by several completely unfamiliar faces.

"The masters of the Wolf School, Geralt... Eskar, Lambert... have just arrived in Nuo City." Cat Eagle explained, "I forgot to tell you, from now on, they are considered one of our own!"

"The alliance of demon hunters and shapeshifters has three more members!"

"This is the most touching news in recent times. The foundation of the alliance has deepened, and we stand firmer. If the incident comes to light in the future, the Eternal Flame will have to weigh it carefully if it wants to take action!" The collector did not hide the excitement on his face, staring at The three big men with scarred faces kept looking around, their expressions were like cats smelling fishy smell.

The three of them looked uncomfortable.

Is this guy really a shapeshifter?

The collector noticed the awkward expressions on several people and immediately rubbed his temples in annoyance,

"Sorry, the guy I copied is a psychopathic warlock. As a result, I inherited some bad traits. When I see new things or strangers, some disgusting thoughts come out of my mind uncontrollably."

"You don't need to mind. We have heard a little bit about the abilities of shapeshifters, so it's understandable." Lambert shrugged.

"We are all here. Please call me by my real name in private, Gawain or Samsa." Gawain waved his hand indifferently.

"Gawain, you look not in good condition," Roy asked sitting on the sofa, "What bad things happened to you this month?"

"Thank you for your concern. In fact, it's not a big problem. I live in a villa and eat and drink well every day. I'm infinitely more comfortable than the hiding days before." The collector's mouth was curved, but his eyes were bitter, showing a kind of An expression of pain and joy, "But when I replaced this guy, I realized that life in the upper class is not simple either."

"Dozens of properties and endless reports need to be checked at any time."

"Every day, there are countless invitations and entertainments from all walks of life, including craftsmen's associations, businessmen's associations, city councils, gangs... There will be nothing the same from beginning to end for a month. If you come two hours later, I will come again. It’s time to go out.”

"Can't you reject some? Or find a right-hand assistant to help you deal with it?" Roy asked.

"Everyone who can be pushed has been rejected, but if you keep avoiding it, it will easily arouse others' suspicion. Looking for someone? I only trust a few masters! For others, I am afraid that their flaws will be discovered and reported to the Eternal Fire."

The Collector clasped his hands behind his waist, shook his head and lamented, his tone full of fear for the church that had been hunting him for most of his life.

"I can only grit my teeth and persevere."

"The troubles of happiness," Oakes commented with a sigh as well.

"Well, Your Excellency Gawain, now that everyone is here, let's not talk nonsense." Leisuo said, "As for the orphanage, I heard that you have found three sites."

Gawain spread out a map on the desk in his office.

The topographic structure of Nuo City and its suburbs is described in detail, and houses of different heights are clearly visible.

Three of the places are highlighted.

The two locations are within Nuo City, located in the civilian area and the commercial area respectively.

The last house is located outside of Nuo City, a suburb half an hour away from Nuo City.

……

"To be honest, I happen to have a piece of vacant land in the business district. As long as you agree, I can donate it at any time." Gao Wen glanced at everyone, "It is a few steps away from the market. If the orphanage Being built here, traveling and purchasing are very convenient."

"Even if this land is not the most expensive central area, it is still valuable," Geralt shook his head. "You are willing to give it up, but I don't think it is appropriate. This kind of downtown area can easily attract the attention of outsiders."

"And its yard is not big enough. It's okay to raise some chickens, ducks and small animals." Seret looked at the map and gestured with his thumb and index finger spread out at right angles. "But it's not big enough for children, and there are not enough activities." Open."

To train an apprentice, the witcher must find a spacious enough place and arrange equipment such as plum blossom stakes and pendulums.

Gaowen nodded,

"How about the civilian area? It has a courtyard large enough to host a martial arts tournament. There are enough rooms in the three buildings to accommodate more than a hundred children."

"If you rent it, the monthly rent is less than one hundred kronor. The total price of buying it directly at one time is only twenty thousand kroner."

"In addition, as agreed, I will provide the majority of the funds."

An exciting proposal.

The witchers discussed for a while.

"The Beggar King's eyes and ears are all over the civilian area. If we build an orphanage here, all our actions will be invisible." Roy shook his head, "The Beggar King will soon guess the Witcher's plan."

"If it were leaked to the Eternal Flame that the witchers were openly training apprentices in the city of Novigrad? They or the city council would probably come to visit in full force."

Most human concepts have not changed.

They will only regard the witcher's training of apprentices as child trafficking and evil rituals.

"Yes, at this stage we try to avoid a head-on conflict with the overlord of Nuo City, at least until the orphanage is stabilized." Seret thought, "Low-key development is the best!"

"It really doesn't work, let's wait and see."

……

Gawain nodded, and the witcher's reaction was in line with his expectation, "How many of you are interested in this house in the suburbs? It's a good choice. The price is almost negligible, and - I have already bought it. ”

"As soon as you step outside, you will find wilderness, rivers and woods. There is enough space for children to run around, but it is also hidden and difficult to attract attention."

As the collector said this, everyone nodded.

"Your Excellency Gawain, I have a concern...Shouldn't the Church of Eternal Fire have already set up a special orphanage?" Eskar asked,

"If we build another orphanage, does that mean we are stealing business from them?"

"I have done a detailed preliminary investigation, and that Orlov, as a member of the city council, also knows some inside information." The shapeshifter sighed, "The Eternal Flame has been adopting orphans, but the number of places is extremely limited. , there are only a dozen or so every year, and most of the time they are soup kitchens... The purpose is just to show off, show off to the people of Nuo City, and win over people's hearts... Compared to helpless children, Eternal Fire prefers donations. Tax-paying adult believers!"

"And due to accidents, diseases, or other reasons, at least fifty orphans are born in this huge city every year, and this does not include the villages dotted outside the city."

“After these orphans were rejected by the eternal fire, less than one tenth of them could stay in the local area and survive independently. The rest were either selected by the Beggar King and spent their lives begging on the streets, or they left their hometowns and went elsewhere. The city, or life in the Temple of Meriteri. Or..." The shape-shifting monster's eyes became as sharp as those of a raptor, "Whereabouts unknown."

"Nuo City lacks everything, but it does not lack people."

"It is a great thing for us to build an orphanage to raise those poor children. Eternal Fire and the City Council hope that someone will share the pressure for them and maintain the stability of Nuo City."

"That's it for now. Everyone, how about going to a house in the suburbs? If nothing unexpected happens, the orphanage can officially open its doors tomorrow!"

"We'll talk about it on the way there."

Roy's eyes slowly focused on the shapeshifter, becoming softer and with a hint of admiration.

The so-called shapeshifters are not even considered an ancient race, and they are disliked and hated by humans because of their ability to change shapes at will.

But instead of retaliating against society, he has such a compassionate heart.

"This is the so-called Holy Mother."

……

The shapeshifter took off the purple cloak from the hanger and draped it behind him. He led the witchers out of the villa and got into a black carriage.

"I also have a few requests regarding the orphanage. I hope my friends can understand and be considerate."

"Just say it."

"I heard that the process of training apprentices by witchers is an extremely cruel and painful torture for not only immature children, but also adults with strong bodies and strong wills."

Gawain glanced at everyone, "How do you plan to make all children who join the orphanage have to receive witcher training?"

"Are you worried that we will force the children?" Kiyaen shook his head, "That is unnecessary. Everything is done voluntarily and never under coercion."

"The methods we use to teach children to exercise are limited to the basics. Not only will they not harm their health, but they can also strengthen their bodies. If they are interested, they can take the initiative to request and receive further training."

The wolf faction listened and nodded.

If orphans were forced to follow the path of demon hunters, they would not join the Brotherhood.

"Your Excellency Gawain, when the orphanage opens, you can come to inspect it at any time, or send someone to stay permanently."

The shape-shifting monster nodded and pulled up the curtains of the carriage. Green grass was in sight. The carriage had already left the city gate, carrying everyone along the road towards the wilderness.

"Can you tell me specifically what the training of a witcher includes?"

"Swordsmanship, you don't have to worry about getting hurt by using a wooden training sword," Seret patiently introduced these projects that the brotherhood had discussed for a long time. It’s a bit of a hardship. But please believe in the abilities of professionals. Under our care, your child will never lose an arm or leg, let alone be in danger.”

"Training can be terminated at any time."

Geralt interjected.

Gawain finally had no objection.

"Then there is the knowledge of herbal medicine. Even if the children do not become demon hunters in the future, they can become doctors or alchemist assistants in the countryside... to support themselves."

"But the orphans are illiterate," Gawain pondered, "I will have to recruit a good teacher to make up for their cultural classes first!"

"No need." Roy said, "Except for me, Letso...Geralt, Furius, no matter who they are, they are all grandfathers in age and master the common language of the north. Nilfgaardian and even As an old saying goes, I have the qualifications and experience to serve as a cultural teacher."

"Reading and literacy are also the responsibility of the demon hunter!"

Tacit understanding can only be cultivated by getting along day and night.

Lambert's cheek twitched and he felt a little dissatisfied. He was only in his fifties, and there was no generation gap between him and Roy.

What kind of grandparents are there?

The shapeshifter nodded again.

"Then there is the knowledge on Biology, including all kinds of dangerous animals and monsters." Serret continued, "This is of great benefit to survival in the wild. These three together are almost basic knowledge. advanced courses."

"Several masters, I hope there can be some popular education that will be helpful to their future lives." The shapeshifter suggested, "For example, farming, poultry and livestock raising."

"What do you think of this arrangement? Several pieces of wasteland have been reclaimed around the orphanage, and students are required to spend a certain amount of time cultivating and working in the fields every day."

Roy said,

"And since joining the academy, each student is given a chick to feed the children from childhood to adulthood."

The shapeshifter was stunned for a moment.

Let the orphans exercise, learn cultural knowledge, and raise chickens and vegetables.

It sounded perfect, but he always felt weird.

"Then there is the most critical question...The mutation of the demon hunter is full of uncertainty and extremely dangerous. How can you guarantee that those children who voluntarily participate in the mutation can survive?" Gawain said sincerely,

"Dear friends, the orphanage must not become a grave for those poor children!"

"We will not rashly lead the apprentice into the final step, the grass trial, before we have sufficient confidence." Leisuo explained according to the words discussed by everyone.

"We assure you, we train witchers, not kill people."

The kind-hearted shapeshifter finally stopped questioning.

The carriage stopped in front of a forest. The group walked through the forest path, crossing the road from time to time, and finally got into the alder bushes.

Arrived in front of four old, simple, but spacious wooden houses.

The roof and walls are made of whole logs.

Extremely original.

Surrounded by woods, the faint sound of gurgling water can be heard on the other side.

It can also be regarded as a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters.

…

A few people circled the house.

The space inside the house is very large, and a large shop has been built. The four buildings together can accommodate at least hundreds of people.

Wooden beds, quilts, household and daily necessities are all available... and they should have been cleaned not long ago. The environment is tidy and almost spotless.

"This place is not bad, but it is missing the pendulum and the plum blossom pile. Your Excellency Gawain must have put a lot of thought into it."

"As long as my friends are satisfied."

"So where do children come from?" Geralt asked curiously,

"I will go down and send someone to pay attention to the children under ten years old wandering around Nuo City." The shape-shifter said firmly, "At the same time, let the news out."

"Count us in," Reso said, "Let's look for those poor children."

The shapeshifter nodded~IndoMTL.com~By the way, I will send a cook and a liaison person over tomorrow. If you need anything in the future, just ask the liaison person! ”

"There is another key question, what should the orphanage be called?" Leisuo asked, his amber pupils slowly scanning the crowd.

"Or Kaer Morhen?" Lambert said.

"This is an orphanage for all witchers, not a school of thought!" Oakes sneered and shook his head.

"It can't be called a witcher's house to attract enemies here." Eskar said.

"How about calling it Gawain's House?" Roy looked at everyone.

"We do not run the orphanage out of kindness, but Lord Gawain gave selflessly without asking for anything in return. This kindness should be remembered!"

As long as the teachers who teach the students are all demon hunters, the orphanage will be under their control, so there is no need to worry too much about the name.

…