System of the Beast Slayer [litrpg Adventure]
Copyright© 1999 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 140
That evening, at dusk.
From the southern marshlands along the shores of Lake Vizima came a long, winding column. Most of the line consisted of soldiers clad in silver-ring mail, longswords at their waists, small round shields slung at their sides, or crossbows strapped across their backs.
Several wagons followed behind them, each piled high with wooden barrels that gave off a pungent, unpleasant stench.
At the very front of the procession walked three figures in light leather armor, two witchers guarding either side, with Adda in the center.
The woman suddenly tugged hard on the reins, bringing the fine white horse beneath her to a halt. She glanced at the darkening sky and said, “According to the original plan, we’ll reach the village ahead and lodge there for the night. Tomorrow morning, we’ll take boats to Black Gull Island.”
Roy lay prone across Vyrt’s back and nodded. Through the thin mist rising from the marsh, he could clearly make out the silhouettes of houses not far ahead.
Korna Village, a settlement at the entrance to the Dustmud Marsh by Lake Vizima, and the temporary encampment used during the last two expeditions Adda had led against the vodyanoi.
Hearing the rumble of the approaching force, the village elder, Boyev, hurried out to greet them, spilling a stream of flattering words.
“In any case, welcome once again, Your Highness, and honored Knights, to Korna Village. This old man will immediately arrange accommodations for you.”
As he spoke, the hunched elder cast a reverent glance at the long column of soldiers.
“This is nothing like the small skirmishes before,” Princess Adda said, snapping the leather whip in her hand with bold flair as she spoke loudly from horseback. “I’ve brought dozens of elite knights of the Order. This time, we’ll wipe out those beasts on the island in one stroke and end your troubles for good.”
The village elder lowered his head even further, his face filled with awe. “Your Highness is merciful. If not for your constant concern for Korna Village, we would have long since been swallowed whole by the beasts in the lake, flesh and bone alike.”
“Since you are citizens of Vizima, it is only right that I see to your safety,” Adda said.
...
As they spoke, the mounted column entered the village.
The village was neither large nor small, roughly two hundred households. At this hour, most villagers had already returned home for their evening meals.
Thin white smoke rose from the chimneys atop thatched roofs. Amid the drifting cooking smoke, curious villagers and their children leaned against doorframes, staring at the mounted knights with bright, eager eyes.
As if beholding saviors, their joy was sincere and unguarded.
The young witcher swept his gaze across their faces.
“The people of Korna Village don’t look well,” he said quietly. “Most of them have heavy dark circles under their eyes, children and adults alike.”
“It looks like they’ve all been suffering from insomnia.”
Soon after, Adda issued her orders, arranging the next day’s plans. The knights set up tents around the open ground at the center of the village, leaving only a tenth of their number to guard the horses, supplies, and take the night watch.
“Listen carefully,” Adda said, raising the whip in her right hand and cracking it sharply through the air. “If anyone dares violate the rules I’ve laid down or harass the villagers, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
The knights placed their right hands over their chests and bowed in unison.
Only then did the woman follow Village Elder Boyev into the most “luxurious” building in the village. The two witchers trailing behind her were faintly surprised. This Princess did not quite match the willful and arrogant image described in rumor.
“Our home is humble. Please forgive us, Your Highness. It’s a full day’s ride from Vizima, so you must be famished. If you don’t mind, my old wife is still cooking...”
“No need,” Adda said, settling comfortably into a wicker chair. Her delicate hand rested carelessly against the armrest, her long, pale legs crossed. A trace of fatigue flickered across her striking face. “I’ve already eaten travel rations. If there’s nothing urgent, you may withdraw.”
“And these two sirs?” the village elder asked cautiously, casting a glance at the towering Letho.
“These two are professional monster slayers, Witchers of the School of the Viper, Letho and Roy,” Adda said, her eyes sweeping over them with a distinct charm. “They’ve only just arrived in Vizima and aren’t familiar with the area. Boyev, explain things to them.”
Seeing how weary Adda looked, the village elder led the witchers out of the room.
“Sirs, how much do you know about degenerate vodyanoi?”
The two witchers exchanged a look.
To be honest, Roy knew most monsters of the witcher world well enough, but his understanding of degenerate vodyanoi was only superficial.
Letho thought for a moment before speaking. “Vodyanoi are amphibious creatures. They live near water, feed on algae and fish, and share most of the typical weaknesses of amphibians, fear of fire and bright light. Since the Lake Vizima ones carry the prefix ‘degenerate,’ I assume they differ from ordinary vodyanoi?”
Boyev’s wrinkled, chrysanthemum-like face darkened.
“Just as you say, degenerate vodyanoi are far more vicious. From the day they appeared, they began attacking fishing boats on the lake. People were afraid to go deeper into Lake Vizima, so the catch dropped by more than half, and life’s been tight ever since.”
He paused, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes.
“Sometimes degenerate vodyanoi come ashore to hunt small animals near the lake, and then use their flesh and blood to...”
A deep terror surfaced in his clouded pupils. “Sacrifice.”
“Years ago, a fisherman named Noll, who accidentally landed on the island, saw something like a stove at the center of Black Gull Island. More precisely, it was an altar. The degenerate vodyanoi were offering the flesh and blood of other creatures as sacrifice to some horrific being enshrined there.”
“That fisherman, can we find him and speak to him?” Roy asked.
Boyev sighed. “Noll later vanished without a trace.”
“Vanished?”
Roy could not help feeling disappointed. If they could learn what the altar looked like, they might be able to deduce what the degenerate vodyanoi were worshiping.
“Do you know what they’re sacrificing to?”
“That I don’t know,” Boyev said blankly. “The vodyanoi’s sky god?”
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.