Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 370: Chapter 259: Connected Past_1

According to Catherine’s account, it was somewhat tragic. Her family had kindly rescued an elderly man, but after he woke up, he sacrificed her entire family, leaving only her behind.

Lance could roughly guess that it was because the Wizard noticed her Extraordinary Talent that he spared her; otherwise, the Wizard certainly wouldn’t have left her alive.

Then Catherine was taken by the Wizard’s side, forced to become his apprentice, or rather, a servant, a mobile blood pack.

At the time, the Wizard seemed to be pursued by some enemy, and that’s why he left Levant with a merchant ship to seek refuge in Totnes.

Additionally, he disguised his identity under the guise of an antiques dealer. This ancient being, who knows how long he has lived, actually did know his stuff, quickly setting up shop on Rat Street.

During this time, to ease his own burden, the Wizard did teach her a lot, and he also involved her in some of his rituals.

The chaotic Outer City provided the materials for his rituals. No one cared that people disappeared from the city constantly. The Wizard also slowly recovered from his old age to a middle-aged appearance.

All this progressed steadily, until a commission arrived.

”There was a theft in the wealthy district of Central City. A police chief wanted him to find the thief...”

Upon hearing this, Lance suddenly realized. Could this have something to do with me?

It wouldn’t be such a coincidence, would it...?

”The ritual had been going smoothly at first, but something happened. The higher entity worshipped for many years died, and the Wizard suffered backlash injuries. And, in almost the same predicament as us, a Transcendent also investigating the matter lost control and became a Heretic, causing great chaos in Totnes’ Mystic Realm. The Wizard was officially wanted and had to flee with me out of Totnes, heading north. Through Sacrifices, he regained some strength. Finally, in a village, he contracted a new higher entity, and his power started to recover.”

At this point, Lance felt as if different matters were being linked together.

No wonder I felt an inexplicable sense of being watched on the ship. I had thought I was being targeted by a collector, and then inexplicably had a significant amount of Spiritual Essence and extraordinary items returned to me. It turned out that the Wizard wanted to probe my whereabouts and suffered backlash from the panel, with the Aberrant Demon he had contracted becoming the scapegoat instead.

”Keep talking. What is this new contracted monster?” Lance suppressed his agitation, his calm demeanor hiding a maelstrom of thoughts.

”I don’t know. He didn’t teach me everything, but some things were strange.”

As Catherine spoke, she seemed conflicted. In fact, the Wizard hadn’t taught her everything. She had learned more by stealing glimpses. Yet, she noticed a few oddities.

”Previously, when he was severely injured, it took him a whole decade to recover from old age to middle-age. But this time, his body recovered immediately after the contract ritual was completed. Moreover, in battle, his hands could heal rapidly, something that had never happened before. These should be related to that higher entity he newly contracted with.”

According to what Catherine said, the Power of Flesh and Blood should be a result of the contract, and the ritual took place within Hamlet’s territory.

Lance guessed that the higher entity this guy communicated with was likely the ancient one known as the Elder. That’s why he possessed the Power of Flesh and Blood.

Could it be that the Elder wanted to use the Wizard to bring trouble to Hamlet?

”Why did you head north? Did he say anything?”

”No, he never explained his thoughts to me.”

Lance pondered for a moment. He did not believe in coincidences. The Wizard’s presence here was surely guided by the Elder.

The trap was either triggered by Geralt and his lot, or by Dismas.

Whoever it was, alone, they certainly couldn’t defeat the Wizard. And if the Sacrifices continued, the Wizard’s strength would increase greatly, and it would not be as easy to kill him as it had been earlier.

However, Tamara’s presence here disrupted the arrangement, drawing Geralt and the Nun directly. With the help of a holy relic, they entangled the Wizard, allowing Dismas to escape and warn him, thus eliminating the threat in advance.

The chaos created by the intersection of various parties led the situation to develop in an uncontrollable direction.

But with the Wizard’s death, likely no one except the Elder knows the truth.

But he’s dead now, so I might as well not dwell on it. That damned old thing can’t stay quiet, can he? The northern campaign needs to be accelerated.

But now, there was another matter... Lance turned his attention back to Catherine.

”What are the uses of these extraordinary items?”

”This pendant is a tool used by the Wizard to perform secret techniques and is also the core component of the Sacrifice ritual. The Bone Furnace can generate special steam with different effects by adding Essence. As for the statue, I am not sure. I only know it seems to be a product of some Evil God’s worship.”

Catherine offered the triangular pendant she held in her hand. Although she longed for it, sometimes she was quite rational.

”Are you very familiar with these?” Lance asked, turning the pendant in his hand, his expression somewhat amused.

”To run the antique shop, the Wizard didn’t teach me secret techniques, but he taught me appraisal, whether it be antiques, extraordinary items, or Spiritual Materials.”

Catherine knew that the stronger the ability she showed, the better treatment she would receive, but a statement that slipped from Lance’s mouth took her by surprise.

”All this you mentioned was forced upon you by the Wizard. Have you ever thought about what you would like to do?”

What would I like to do?

She had never really thought about this question and fell into silence.