The Divine Hunter

ould have stayed where the sun didn’t shine, ugly!” The disgusting fat boy spat at her.

“You’re nothing but a bastard! We know what your parents are! Now tell everyone about their job!” The fat boy turned to his companions.
The girl was covering her face, refusing to answer.

However, a boy answered for her.
“Thelma’s mother is a whore! Her father is a shit-taker!”

The group of boys broke out into cruel laughter, and the girl could do nothing but clench her fists and grit her teeth.
Eventually, she loosened her grip in despair.

“Tell us the truth, Thelma.
Did your father pick you up from a shithole? Is that why you’re so ugly?”

“No!” The girl finally let out a scream, and she glared at her tormentors with a deep hatred.

The fat boy sneered.
“Let’s kill her, boys!”

Before the boy could do anything, he and his companions were already flying through the air, and they crashed into the walls around them before blacking out entirely.
There were bumps on their heads and faces, proof that someone had hit them.

The moans and groans piqued Thelma’s curiosity.
She was curled up and prepared to be abused, but eventually, she slowly looked up and saw the kids strewn across the floors, then two men with swords on their backs showed up before her.
They had eyes of a beast, and they were wearing leather armor.

“Wh-Who are you?” she asked.

“We’re here to help.” Roy looked at the lump of flesh on the girl’s face and pulled her up, then he patted the dust on her clothes away.

The girl was curious, but she was also nervous, though she kept quiet.
A moment ago, she was about to be abused, but now, two strangers were extending their kindness to her.
“Ar-Are they dead?”

“Don’t worry.
They’re out of commission, but they’ll have to stay in bed for two weeks before they can even walk.”

The girl heaved a sigh of relief, and satisfaction coursed through her eyes.
“Um…” Thelma pulled her hand back and curled up a little.
She looked around, but she was still confused about the whole situation.
She said, “Thank you.
Can I go home now?”

“Sorry.
I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Auckes said gently, then he made a sign in front of the girl.
She fainted right after and fell into the witcher’s arms.

“This feels like kidnapping, Auckes.” Roy picked the future witch up and sneaked out of the alleyway.

“Better us than the Wild Hunt!” Auckes answered curtly.

“Hey, do all witches have tragic childhoods?” This is the second time now, and it’s the same case as Casiga. At the same time, he was impressed that Auckes managed to find a potential witch among the tens of thousands of people in Cintra.

“Not all of them,” Auckes answered.
“Some witches are born with their magical powers out of balance, and that causes them to grow up with misshapen body parts.
But some are born lucky, and their magical powers are in balance.
Their bodies aren’t harmed by their mana, so they can live life normally.

“Most witches do have tragic childhoods, though.
They have no choice.
The only way to escape the fate of discrimination and destruction is through becoming a witch.
But most parents won’t give them over to magical academies, since they have nothing to gain from that transaction.”

“I see.
Most witches are ugly ducklings, huh? Most of them never have the chance to grow into swans,” Roy lamented.

“Her looks don’t matter.” Auckes patted his shoulder consolately.
“As long as she survives, that’s all that matters.”

Why does he say that? 

“You’ll know what I mean once you have a witch as your lover.”

“Wait, you’re saying you hooked up with a witch before?”

“Hook up? If by that you mean sleep with them, then yes.
They’re so much more different than those nobles.” Reminiscence appeared in Auckes’ eyes.
“That was ten years ago in Nilfgaard…”

***

When they came back to the house with the girl in their arms, they placed her on the sofa and stared at her.

“So, how should we handle this?”

“Before that, let’s talk about something else.” Letho tensed and crossed his arms solemnly.
“Kid, I need you to explain yourself.
When and how did you get entangled with Cintra royalty? I just got news that they’re looking for a witcher around the age of fifteen to sixteen, and he has dark gold eyes.
You’re the only one here who fits that bill.”

“What? What the heck is going on? The royals are out for me?” Roy was surprised, and he couldn’t imagine why they wanted to see him.
“I was with the griffin whenever I wasn’t training.
I wouldn’t have had any time to even contact the royals.
Auckes can prove it!”

“Yes.
I’ve been keeping an eye on him.” Auckes was grinning, as if the matter wasn’t even serious to him.

“Fine.
No matter the reason, since they’re summoning you, you have to accept that summon.
Maybe you’ll make some crowns on the way.
Tell us about everything you gathered once you return,” Letho said.