It was nearing noon. The sun was shining high in the sky. Linus was gathering the students at the Faculty of Natural History.
“Did you get anything, guys?” Roy leaned against the wall of the building and looked at the nervous student, then he turned his sights to his companions.
Auckes cleaned the cracks between his teeth and sighed. “There are thirty-five students in this faculty, including the masters. We grilled them for answers, but we found nothing.”
“They’re a bunch of weaklings. Scholars and honest guys.” Letho rubbed his head. “All it took were some scare tactics, and they told us everything. Their relationship with Whishaw, the age they stopped wetting their pants, and even who their crush was. We didn’t even have to use Axii. Carl probably has better guts than these people.” He patted the boy’s head.
These intellectuals of the faculty lived in luxury. They had never seen bloodshed before. Of course Carl was braver than they were. The boy saw his family and friends killed before his eyes, and he survived the wilds with the witchers.
“So the other assistant is no longer a suspect then?”
Letho nodded. “Ben’s a selfish guy. He did try to sabotage Whishaw from time to time, but he’s not the mastermind behind the murder.”
“Ah, so that leaves only one avenue.” Roy heaved a sigh and smiled at his companions.
“You guys found something, I assume?”
“Yeah. The sellers told us something interesting.” They told the witchers what the seller said.
The witchers mused over it. Before they could say anything, Linus suddenly appeared behind them. “A couple of thugs were snooping around for Whishaw’s information?” Linus’ face tensed up, and confusion welled in his eyes. “Why’d they wanna keep an eye on a poor student?”
Felix took his sunglasses off and looked at the professor. “Isn’t it obvious, professor? They weren’t interested in a poor student. They were interested in all the purchases Whishaw made. They wanted to get into the business and make a profit out of it.”
“I agree,” Felix said. He looked at everyone. “I had to stay in touch with the local thugs back in the south for work. They’re a bunch of impoverished people, but they’re despicable scum who wouldn’t work a day in their lives. They’d do anything to rob the merchants of their money. They love crowns, but not the honest work involved to get it. They can do anything for money. Anything. Your student didn’t have any bodyguards like those merchants do, nor was he a noble or anything. He was the best target for the thugs. They could easily rob him of his money.”
The corner of Felix’s lips twitched. His eyes narrowed, and he trembled. The professor roared, “Damn those bastards! They attacked a student of the academy? This is the northern kingdoms’ center of academia!”
The locals were respectful of the academy people. They didn’t want the academy to punish them if they stepped out of line, and they wouldn’t want to get in the bad books of someone who might be wildly successful in life later on. There was barely anyone who would attack the students.
“What’s the plan, kid?” Everyone gave Roy encouraging looks.
Roy looked at Roy, Auckes, Serrit, Felix, Carl, and Kantilla. “Auckes, Serrit, Letho, you guys will be looking for intel in the inns, hostels, and brothels.”
“Sure thing.” Auckes thumped his chest. “Just wait for the news.”
“Try tracking the mastermind down if you run into anyone or anything suspicious.” Roy clenched his fists. “Find their base, but don’t attack right away.” He said solemnly, “We’re in Oxenfurt. This is a holy sanctum of knowledge. Do not take any lives that easily.” I don’t want anyone going around calling me the Butcher of Oxenfurt or anything. At the very least, we’ll need to have enough proof before we can kill anyone.
Linus looked at him gratefully. He thought Roy was being considerate.
Roy nodded and turned to the others. “Kantilla, Felix, Carl, you guys stay with the professor and keep him safe.”
The three of them agreed readily.
“If they managed to extract any information from Whishaw…” Roy looked at Linus. “You’ll not be the only one in danger; your zoo is at risk as well.”
Linus had a horrified look on his face. He spent an astronomical amount of money to raise the animals. They were more precious than gold. Is that what those bastards are trying to do?
“You forgot someone, Roy.” Auckes wrapped his arm around Roy’s neck menacingly.
Roy was starting to get red from suffocation. “I’m a free man. I’ll be going to anyone who needs me.”
“What?” The vipers glared at the young witcher. “You gave all of us jobs to do while you can slack off? Get real.”
“Fine.” Roy finally managed to break free of Auckes’ grasp. He heaved a sigh. “I’ll be staking out right outside the island. Happy?”
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