Chapter 64: Hiding Corpses in the Snow

  "Okay, first there was this 'Lake Witch' that appeared and used magic to make everyone lose consciousness, then one by one they jumped into a hole in the ice on the lake's surface and killed themselves. I couldn't do anything about it, nor could I dispel that kind of magic... Then you, my dear Semer, stood up, not only did you see through the Lake Witch's magic, but you also showed off your strong side! Your magical powers surprised me! You just moved your little finger and created a crack in the entire lake surface's ice seal, then you moved your hand again and got rid of the Lake Witch, even taking its magic core... Finally, you stood in front of me as if you didn't know me, calling me 'Zack', and saying that you loved me."

  Du Wei sat by the bonfire, breaking a branch into pieces and throwing them into the fire, saying something as if he didn't care.

  He was alone, all the mercenaries were busy, some bandaging their wounds, others starting a fire, and others roasting over the fire. Several mercenaries had been stunned and jumped into the ice cave, but were later rescued by Semel's magic, only to be soaked in icy lake water from head to toe, almost dying in the freezing weather.

  "Is that so?" Semel stood beside Du Wei, her beautiful face filled with confusion: "Have I done such a thing? But how come I don't remember it at all."

  Du Wei burst out laughing and gave Semel a complex look: "You see, you showed off your might, killed a powerful demon beast, and saved so many lives here. Then you stood straight in front of me, and straight away fainted... When you woke up, you told me 'I've never done anything'. Alright, Semel, stop looking at me with that expression! If you really don't know, then we're in a bit of trouble! We have to figure out what happened to you!"

  "What?"

  "Magic!" Du Wei suddenly jumped up, took a deep breath, and stared at Saiermei: "You can cast magic! And according to my judgment... the magical power you've shown is very strong! Extremely strong! But isn't this strange? You don't have a human body, you're just a shadow, an illusion! An illusion, yet you can cast magic! How is this possible?"

  And you also call me "Zack" - Du Wei added in his heart.

  Only a true Semeru, a genuine female fortune teller would speak in that tone!

  "Haven't you felt anything, even just a little bit strange? Or is there any trace in your memory about these weird things? Even if it's just a little bit." Du Wei looked at Semel seriously.

  "No." Semirhage answered quickly and definitely, shaking her head: "The memories I was created with are of a magical creature sealed in a painting, a virtual specter. I have some memories of Semirhage...I don't know any magic. Really don't."

  Her beautiful eyes were filled with innocence and confusion, even a hint of helplessness.

  Such eyes made Du Wei have to believe what she said. This woman didn't seem like she was lying...... otherwise, she would be an extremely skilled liar.

  Du Wei still wanted to believe the former.

  Plop.

  A purple crystal-like thing was thrown by Du Wei onto the snowy ground: "This is the magic core of that Mirage Lake Monster. This can't be fake, I don't have the ability to kill an adult Mirage Lake Monster. You personally killed that guy and then took out the magic core."

  Saimel's eyes were dazed, and his facial expression seemed to be trying to think of something: "I... I don't know. I don't remember at all..."

  Just then, Dathan and Bayinrich were walking towards them with big strides from a distance.

  Saimel glanced at Du Wei, she let out a soft sigh, then disappeared.

  "Your Excellency." Bainerich's face was serious, he took big strides to stand before Duwei and then bowed deeply: "Thank you for saving me and my people!"

  Du Wei sighed and didn't say a word. Although he wasn't the one who did it, he couldn't defend himself, nor could he tell the truth. He had no choice but to take responsibility for this crime.

  Commander Bayinrich pulled out a leather pouch from his bosom, and with both hands, he presented the heavy bag to Duwei: "Respected magician, I know this is far from enough as compensation, but please accept it. At least it can show some gratitude from Snow Wolf Mercenary Group! From now on, no matter what you need, Snow Wolf Mercenary Group will be willing to serve you at any time!"

  As he spoke, the captain opened the leather pouch, and inside were all sorts of large and small, multicolored... they were all magic cores!!

  Various demon cores. These were also the Snow Wolf Mercenary Corps' entire harvest this time in the Ice Forest! Although the skins of those demons could be sold for money, what was most valuable were the demon cores! This bag of demon cores had over thirty, and they were all pretty good stuff. Bayers almost took out everything they harvested from this adventure.

  These are the results of Snow Wolf Mercenary Corps' efforts in this adventure, using several lives and so many days of hard work.

  "No, Captain." Du Wei would not accept these things. Not to mention that these people were not the ones he saved, even if they really were the ones he saved, he would not accept such a heavy gift. In his heart, he had already regarded Captain Baining as a friend: "I cannot accept something so valuable."

  "But you saved our lives!" Colonel Beyerich insisted: "If it weren't for you, then by now the name of Snow Wolf Mercenary Group would have been erased from this continent!"

  Du Wei thought for a moment, then changed his tone: "Alright, if I were just a magician, I think the things in your hand are precious, but still far from enough to buy off a magician to serve you, right?"

  “……” Bayinrich's face changed, indeed, these things were all the gains from this adventure, but for buying a magician, it was still too little. Who didn't know that magicians had unique identities? To invite a magician to move, the price to be paid couldn't be borne by his small mercenary group!

  "Don't get me wrong." Du Wei immediately smiled and said: "I'm not complaining about the pay. Moreover... Captain, my point is that here, I am not just a magician! And you are not just a mercenary either. Do you understand what I mean? Remember what we talked about last night behind the snow pile? I considered you as my friend! Between friends, helping each other out or lending a hand when one of them gets into trouble isn't that a matter of course? Oh, put those things away, otherwise, this is disrespect towards a friend!"

  Bayerinrich was stunned, the bearded team leader looked deeply at Du Wei, suddenly opened his arms and hugged Du Wei tightly, then said in a low voice with suppressed excitement: "My friend! Thank you! What you said is not true, it's friendship! I apologize, my behavior has insulted your dignity! I take back what I said earlier!"

  However, the team leader was still a bit clever. He grabbed a handful of magic cores from his leather bag, about 7 or 8, and forcibly stuffed them into Du Wei's chest. Holding down Du Wei's hands that tried to resist, he said seriously: "Alright! These are not payment! I'm giving you these, not because the magician saved our lives! I'm giving you these because my good friend is leaving soon, and these are a farewell gift from friends! They're gifts, not payment! So you must accept them!"

  Du Wei laughed and let go of his hand, then hugged Bainrich tightly. The two of them burst out laughing in the snowy ground.

  "Anytime, anywhere, Snow Wolf Mercenary Corps is willing to do anything for friends!"

  This was a promise made by Captain Beyerich at the time of parting. Du Wei believed that this man, who had devoted his life to adventure, was a man who kept his promises.

  When parting with Hei Yu Lang Mercenary Group, the grateful mercenaries gave away a few of their best equipment.

  Lao Du Yan Long handed over some dried meat to Du Wei. Also, Battalion Commander Bayerin gave his last small bottle of wine that had been infused with the magic core of a flame rhino to Du Wei. Other mercenaries also took out two of their best knives and eight fingers' worth of sterling silver, which they presented to Dada Nie Er.

  If they weren't worried that their luggage was too heavy to affect their journey, the Snow Wolf Mercenary Corps would probably stuff even more things into them.

  Walking along the lakeside of Lake Dachaidan, two rows of footprints were left on the snowy ground. Dadanier carried most of the luggage, but still walked in front of Duwei.

  According to Captain Bainebridge, going around the Great Round Lake and continuing north, in a place where he had heard as a young man that people caught golden pythons.

  "Dadanier." Du Weilu suddenly asked this guy a question on the road: "You don't seem very excited. I mean about last night's thing."

  Dadanier smiled slightly, the loyal warrior of the Lestrange family, and said in a serious tone: "Harry, including last night, you've saved my life twice! This kind of thing can't be settled with just a 'thank you'! I won't waste my energy on empty words. I will remember your kindness. I have already thought it through, if I can return alive this time and rescue the lady, I will leave the Lestrange family. Dadanier wants to become a vassal of the Hogwarts wizarding government."

  "What did you say?" Du Wei was shocked.

  "You didn't hear wrong, I want to be your vassal." Dandan replied very calmly: "I owe you two lives already, and I still owe more... You're a great person, Harry. I like you, like being friends with you. And I think, with your abilities so great, I probably won't have the chance to repay your lifesaving kindness in this lifetime, so why not just be your assistant for life? You're a wizard, and a wizard can't just have one person by their side. You need servants... Unfortunately, I'm not a magic apprentice, I can't be your servant. But I am a warrior! I can be your vassal! I think I'll definitely do well."

  On the continent of Roland, many magicians also recruit some warriors as their attendants.

  Because the strength of a magician is strong, but in combat power, the weakness of a magician is close quarters! The close combat ability of magicians is very poor, which is a well-known fact. Therefore, many magicians will also recruit some warriors to serve as attendants by their side, and in battle, if there are enemies approaching themselves, then they have warriors protecting themselves, making up for the weakness of magicians' poor close combat ability to some extent.

  Of course, only some of the most famous strongmen on the mainland have the qualifications to do so. After all, recruiting powerful warriors is not a small expense! Moreover, if they are to be recruited, they will definitely not recruit low-level warriors, otherwise, it would be useless. Those powerful warriors are often arrogant and proud! If you're not a well-known strongman on the mainland, how can you make them willing to serve?

  So Dathanil brought up the issue of the wizard's entourage, which made Duwei feel somewhat surprised.

  Firstly, Du Wei thought that he was far from qualified to recruit a magician as his retainer! Many magicians above the 8th rank didn't even have this qualification!

  Secondly, he felt that Dandanier's kindness was too heavy, and he was afraid that he could not accept such good intentions.

  Looking at Dadao's determined eyes, Du Wei sighed... Forget it, no matter what, he would leave after going back, anyway, he didn't know his real name, even if he wanted to repay him in the future, he wouldn't be able to find him.

  The two of them walked along the Great Round Lake for two days, and this great round lake was indeed much larger than they had imagined. After two days of walking, they still hadn't been able to completely circle the lake.

  At this time in the afternoon, Du Wei, who was on his way, was suddenly pulled by Dada Nile.

  "Wait a minute, Harry!" Dardaniel said cautiously, tugging on Duvi's sleeve and pointing to a nearby snowbank.

  Du Wei was stunned for a moment. Dandanil had already walked past him and pulled out his knife, gently poking at the snow pile...

  After clearing away the thick snow on top, a frozen human hand was soon exposed!

  Dadanier's face was heavy, and he continued to dig the ice and snow next to him with a knife. Underneath, a person... To be exact, it was a corpse!

  The corpse was a knight. The knight's emblem on his chest indicated that he was a fourth-level knight. This guy died miserably, and his body had been cut in two from the waist by some sharp object!! His face still wore a twisted expression of pain before death. The body had frozen harder than an ice cube, with all skin turning greenish, looking quite frightening.

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