Witcher: The Half Elf

As Keira finished explaining, the task notification popped up:

Ding! Task triggered.

[Undead in the Mist] - Master Level. Would you like to accept it?

Wayne was momentarily surprised by the mission's high ranking, but he didn't immediately accept it. Instead, he continued talking to Keira, hoping to uncover more about the bounty's backstory.

After ten minutes of discussion, Wayne's expression turned slightly amused. Looking at Keira's beautiful face, he asked with a smile:

"So, you're saying that this commission isn't just about the bounty—it's also a proving ground for young sorcerers?"

Keira nodded, twirling a strand of her silver hair around her fingers. "Exactly. A place among The Supreme Council of the Brotherhood. Each one is a highly esteemed sorcerer, holding immense power and influence in the North."

"These individuals stand at the very pinnacle of sorcery in our world, commanding respect even from kings. To become a member of the Council is the highest honor a sorcerer can achieve in the North."

"There isn't a single sorcerer who wouldn't aspire to that level," she continued, her eyes shining with ambition. "So, if you decide to accept this commission, it's not just about dealing with the undead. We'll also be facing competition from other sorcerers."

Seeing Wayne's slightly skeptical expression, Keira quickly added, "Of course, direct confrontation between sorcerers is forbidden. Fighting each other is strictly prohibited."

"This time, though, the number of participants is quite high. By my count, at least a dozen sorcerers are involved. Each one is confident in their abilities, well-versed in various spells, and they've all likely hired help as well. The undead horde will definitely be taken down."

"The only question is—who will come out on top?"

Wayne nodded, considering her words carefully. He'd been intrigued by the mist that had enveloped nearly a fifth of Kaedwen, as well as the monsters within it. But until now, he hadn't felt any pressing reason to get involved.

Compared to others in this world, Wayne might be the only one who truly understood the origins of these creatures.

He knew they weren't just ordinary undead; these monsters came from the world of Diablo. They were either projections of demonic entities or corrupted beings tainted by the dark influence of Hell.

What he didn't know, however, was which era of the Diablo world they belonged to or which part of the story this invasion was tied to.

Despite playing Diablo extensively, Wayne had mostly focused on grinding monsters and gathering loot rather than following the storyline. His clearest memories of the game were only of a few key bosses and notable NPCs.

Keira's commission was also intriguing for another reason: it wasn't just a monster hunt; it was a chance to test his skills against other young sorcerers.

This competition could give him the perfect opportunity to learn more about the other sorcerers in the North, perhaps even meet some familiar faces he remembered from his time in the game.

After all, in the sorcery community, being one or two hundred years old still meant you were considered "young." Even Yennefer and most members of the Lodge of Sorceresses were categorized as young sorcerers.

Having made up his mind, Wayne smiled at Keira and nodded, saying: 

"Alright, Keira, I've accepted the commission, and I'll be bringing along a few colleagues and a handful of trustworthy fellow Witchers. We'll tackle this together."

"They're all elite fighters, far more reliable than those hired mercenaries."

"With all of us working together, your chances of success will be significantly higher."

Seeing that Wayne not only accepted the mission but also planned to bring powerful allies, a bright smile spread across Keira's face. She moved closer, wrapping her arms around Wayne, her gaze filled with excitement. She leaned in, kissing him passionately, her voice a soft whisper.

"Let's take a bath, Wayne. You have no idea how many nights I've missed your strength."

"Do whatever you like with me tonight. I'm all yours."

…

It was a night of pure indulgence. Keira was indeed taking this mission seriously, and with Wayne's promise, she seemed determined to show her appreciation. Alongside her, Maisie was drawn in, leaving Wayne thoroughly pleased with the evening's events.

The next day, as Wayne rose from bed, neither woman seemed inclined to move. They lay in bed, their bare skin adorned with signs of the previous night's passion, unwilling to stir.

While Wayne didn't mind spending a bit more time with them, he had already arranged to meet Julia the mercenary group that afternoon, and he also needed to discuss the commission with Letho and the others. His obligations called, leaving little time for further distraction.

Upon returning to his mansion, Wayne found Julia already waiting at the door. She greeted him warmly, joined by several of her subordinates. Compared to a few months earlier, the young mercenary leader looked strikingly different. She was now dressed in more impressive gear, radiating confidence and a newfound authority. Her appearance carried the aura of a seasoned leader, even bordering on the elegance of nobility.

This transformation was clearly the result of Wayne's generous support, which had given her career a substantial boost. The mercenary group had grown from a small team of a dozen to a thriving organization of over a hundred. Julia had achieved a level of success she once thought impossible, her fortune and reputation reaching new heights.

Upon entering the room, Julia wisely instructed her subordinates to remain outside.

"Wayne, what do you need from me?"

Wayne took a calm sip of the black tea she handed him, gesturing for her to sit across from him. In a warm tone, he asked,

"How have the relief efforts been these past few months? How many members of the non-human races have been transported to Francesca so far?"

Julia replied with respectful seriousness,

"Wayne, since the last report, we've relocated an additional six hundred and seventy non-human individuals to Francesca over the past few months. Among them, there are three hundred and forty-three elves, two hundred and fifty-four dwarves, and seventy-three halflings."

"However, most of the non-human population in Vizima and nearby villages who are willing to leave have already been transported. Those who remain are either set in their ways or wealthy residents who are unwilling to leave their property behind."

"We've now shifted our focus to other cities within Temeria, leaving the Vizima outpost as our main headquarters. We estimate that within two years, we'll be able to persuade all willing non-human residents in Temeria to relocate. After that, we can expand our mercenary group and facilitate similar efforts in other regions."

Wayne nodded, acknowledging her clear and concise report. However, he then shifted the conversation, saying,

"Don't worry about the work in Temeria for now. I need you to mobilize half of your personnel immediately and head to the Kingdom of Kaedwen to assist the non-human populations there."

"You must have heard of the situation in Kaedwen. With the country in chaos, most cities are operating independently, and a large influx of refugees has spread across the land. Given the volatile environment, I believe many people will welcome an opportunity to relocate somewhere safer."

"This is your best chance to act."

Julia hesitated for a brief moment, as Wayne's order diverged from her current plans. However, she quickly reminded herself of her role and where her authority stemmed from. Without further hesitation, she nodded and said,

"Understood, I'll arrange it right away.