novelraw Chapter 12: The Demon by the Well
Chapter 12: The Demon by the Well
The Viper School's armor mainly consists of light armor, crafted from various monster leathers, with metal plating only on vital areas. Overall, it is very light but offers low defense.
This is a special faction split from the Bear School, focusing on hunting down the Wild Hunt. The most well-known member among players is the bald, burly man who looks as strong as a bear—Reso.
A true man willing to risk his life for his comrades.
Since the snake school witchers primarily hunt monsters, metal armor is not sturdier than ordinary leather against those large, powerful beasts. Instead, the weight and structure of metal armor hinder the witchers' agility.
Therefore, the Viper School does not emphasize defensive equipment; it is designed to maximize burst power.
After obtaining the blueprint, Kiriman did not rush to forge it. In the entire White Orchard, the only one likely capable of making this armor was the dwarf blacksmith, Willis.
However, once he found an opportunity to kill the lord of White Orchard, this matter could easily become a clue exposing his identity.
Before his strength was sufficient, he definitely did not want his crime of murdering a noble to be made public.
In this era, such a crime was feared by all noble rulers. If branded with this accusation, he would likely be publicly wanted in many cities, seriously impacting his future life.
Time quickly passed to the third day.On this day, he bid farewell to the young widow Judith, planning to lurk near the lord’s manor, waiting for a chance to assassinate.
Although Lady Judith looked reluctant, she did not speak to stop him.
After all, their relationship was only fleeting lust, both indulging in each other's bodies without real feelings.
Kiriman merely saw her as a tool in his soul-refinement process.
However, whether by fate or fortune, something happened.
At noon that day, Kiriman was enjoying a roast beef and bread lunch at the White Orchard inn when he suddenly overheard two farmers at the next table discussing something.
The red-bearded farmer whispered mysteriously:
"Hey! Have you heard?"
"Today, Claire and Walker from Hoover Village are getting married." Official source is noᴠelfire.net
His companion, a middle-aged balding farmer, looked puzzled.
"So what? Men like sleeping with women, and getting married to them is normal."
The red-bearded farmer grinned wickedly and said:
"Did you forget? A few years ago, Claire and Walker openly defied the lord’s rule and led a group to establish Hoover Village in a remote place."
"They embarrassed the lord badly. Because the matter caused such a stir, the lord didn't punish them back then."
"Now that the heat has died down, and our lord is going crazy over his son’s affairs, do you think he would allow those two to hold a wedding?"
"Heh heh, I’ve heard insider news."
"Tonight, the lord will take people to cause trouble for them. Their wedding probably won’t happen."
The red-bearded farmer wanted to show off his insider knowledge, but after hearing this, the bald farmer stood up, slapped the red-bearded farmer hard, and angrily said:
"Which side are you on, you noble lackey?"
"I hate people like you who gloat over others’ misfortune."
Then, the two drunk farmers clumsily wrestled, drawing cheers from the surrounding patrons.
At that moment, Kiriman’s mind was elsewhere.
Hearing the farmers' conversation, as a veteran player, he immediately realized this was an opportunity—an opportunity to assassinate the lord.
He also knew very well the Claire and Walker the farmers mentioned.
The first witcher contract in the game, "The Demon by the Well," was based on this incident.
On the night of Claire and Walker’s wedding, the lord of White Orchard led men to their village and deliberately provoked trouble.
Under the pretext of exercising the right of the first night, he tried to forcibly take Claire away.
Ridiculous as it was, this feudal custom of the first night had been abolished many years ago.
The result was that the lord’s men slaughtered all the villagers of Hoover Village. After being defiled, Claire hanged herself in the well, transforming into a day demon spirit who attacked anyone approaching the village.
Thinking of this, Kiriman narrowed his eyes, feeling a hint of satisfaction.
Speaking of which, this lord of White Orchard was truly heartless—a beast. Being hanged by the Nilfgaardians a few years later was well deserved.
But this time, it would not be the Nilfgaardians’ turn to act.
Since the bastard lord was going to cause trouble at Hoover Village tonight, Kiriman would take advantage of the night’s cover to kill those scoundrels and then head straight to Vizima, settling one matter once and for all.
Without hesitation, he took large bites of his roast beef, paid the bill, and left the peaceful and quiet White Orchard village.
This departure would likely last a very long time.
He only hoped that when he returned next time, White Orchard would still be as beautiful and peaceful.
…………
Nightfall.
Ignatius Veriles, lord of White Orchard, rode at the front, followed by six fully armed soldiers.
They carried torches, faces calm, eyes cold as ice, heading toward the brightly lit Hoover Village in the distance.
The leading lord of White Orchard glared fiercely at the village emitting a festive glow, his eyes burning with anger, grinding his teeth as immense rage simmered inside.
Damn peasants.
The Veriles family line was extinct, yet these peasants who once defied him lived happy lives.
Such a stark contrast filled this lofty lord with shame and fury.
Ignatius had decided that tonight he would thoroughly humiliate those peasants, hang a few reckless fools, and make them understand that noble dignity was sacred and inviolable.
A wedding tonight?
Generous Lord Ignatius decided to be the first groom himself, bringing along his soldiers as groomsmen.
He wanted that rebellious woman who led the opposition to taste the noble bloodline's power, generosity, and mercy.
While Ignatius was thinking this, he suddenly noticed a thick tree trunk lying across the muddy country road, blocking their way.
If someone experienced saw this, they would immediately become alert, sensing trouble ahead.
But this noble lord had never experienced a real battle nor set foot on a battlefield.
He waved his hand, signaling his soldiers and himself to stop and investigate.
In this lord’s mind, no one dared to oppose the Veriles family.
Even if some bold farmers wanted to act, these fully armed soldiers beside him were no pushovers.