The Witcher: Darkness Falls

Mrs. Evertson exchanged pleasantries with Fred, and much of their conversation revolved around the magical leaves from the East.

Because this thing is indeed more palatable than coffee, and you don’t need to add sugar when drinking it.

Leon listened on the side most of the time. He actually admired the person who invented this kind of drink. Whether it was ground coffee beans or the magical oriental leaves, these things didn't look like something a normal person would take a bite of.

But according to Fred, coffee beans were introduced from other countries overseas and seemed to be used to feed livestock.

It was only later that some people discovered that livestock worked extra hard after eating coffee beans, and then they began to study this thing, discovering that it has the effect of refreshing the brain.

Leon looked at the tea leaves in the ceramic cup. This stuff is used to refresh the mind like coffee. Was it originally used to feed livestock?

"Leon, I'm very sorry. I apologize again for my previous rude behavior." Fred said to Leon sincerely.

"It doesn't matter." Leon said, shaking his head.

Fred had grabbed his hand and touched him randomly before, not because the old guy had any special hobbies.

He was just interested in the Demon Hunter, and from the information he had revealed before, intentionally or unintentionally, he really wanted to study the Demon Hunter.

But that's true, after all, he is a biologist, and his expertise is in the field of genetics.

Demon hunters are powerful individuals created from ordinary people through genetic mutation. Such individuals are extremely rare nowadays.

In Fred's eyes, Leon was as rare as those monsters that had long been extinct.

This may be a common problem among biologists, because when they were on the Alba River, Stein also showed great interest in him.

At that time, the other party also invited him to participate in an experiment called genetic engineering.

It's just that Lyon refused at that time, and now it seems that the refusal was not a wise move.

He also didn't expect that he would be specially recruited by the Earl of Grampian. After all, he was just a demon hunter.

When he wanted to use Stein as a starting point, Mrs. Evertson said she had never heard of this person.

But fortunately there is Fred, and his identity seems to be more important.

"You know, you demon hunters are really special. You were once human, but you can live a long time, thanks to the changes in your genes.

Excuse me, can I ask you a very private question?" Fred was a little excited and seemed a little embarrassed to speak.

Leon nodded.

Fred looked at Mrs. Evertson awkwardly and said, "Madam, could you please step aside for a moment? The following conversation may be embarrassing for you."

Mrs. Evertson rolled her eyes and said nonchalantly, "It's not like I haven't heard of it before. Ask it. Don't worry about me."

Fred smiled awkwardly, his eyes wandering as he asked, "Um... that is... can a demon hunter also... do that?"

Leon frowned, not quite understanding which one it was.

"Sex? Of course no problem." His answer was indeed very private, but not unspeakable.

Mrs. Evertson drank her tea gracefully and glanced at Yanong charmingly.

Fred quickly said, "No, no, no, that's not what I meant. I meant...snake spirit? Can you guys still do that?"

"Pfft..." Mrs. Evertson spat out a mouthful of tea, which sprayed all over Fred's face.

"I'm sorry, the topic you guys are talking about is too private. I think I should step away for a while." She blushed and hurried away. When she reached the door, she shouted again, "If you're done, just go back to the hotel and don't worry about me."

After saying that, he hurried away.

After Mrs. Evertson left, Fred was visibly relieved.

He looked at Leon expectantly, wanting to get the answer to the question just now.

Leon touched his nose and felt a little embarrassed.

He considered his words for a moment, then replied, "Well... let me explain in advance that the demon hunter's body was only changed by magic potions, and no physical castration was done, so... it's not a problem."

Then he saw Fred's eyes light up, and that made him a little nervous.

"Oh! Oh! I see, so that means your new features are all working properly, right?

Why are there so few demon hunters? Or are you all single and don't want to get married or have children?" Fred asked anxiously.

Leon was a little confused about what he wanted to ask, so he had to answer his current question.

“No… There are so few demon hunters because they rely on human mutation. The mutation process is long and dangerous, and there is a risk of death at any time.

Not everyone wants to be a demon hunter, it’s just…”

"No, no, no, you didn't understand my question. What I meant is, can't witchers mate with humans or humanoids to give birth to new witchers?" Fred interrupted Leon.

Leon looked at Fred and gradually understood what the other party wanted to ask.

It's about the fertility issues of demon hunters.

But he was a little confused. Wasn't it well-known that demon hunters lost their fertility?

Leon shook his head slowly and said, "I'm sorry, I know what you want to ask. Demon hunters are infertile, so we can't have a baby demon hunter with ordinary people or humanoids.

The same is true for wizards. Although they are able to reproduce, their offspring are not wizards. This mutation cannot be inherited."

"Is that so..." Fred sat back somewhat disappointedly. He stopped talking and seemed to be thinking about something in his mind.

Leon asked, "Why are you asking these questions? Are you interested in the mutation of the demon hunter?

Then I advise you to give up, because it is really dangerous, and the world doesn’t need demon hunters much now.”

Fred shook his head, took a sip of tea and said, “I am very interested in your mutation, but I am more interested in genetics.

Well... I mean, the physical fitness of demon hunters is stronger than that of trained human warriors in all aspects, including lifespan.

If these mutant genes can be passed down, can humans become stronger and live longer than they are now, comparable to long-lived races such as elves or dwarves?"

Leon understood the other party's idea. The genetic engineering project he participated in was probably for this purpose.

Moreover, it is said that this genetic engineering project has received support from many nobles in the city of Nilfgaard, which is inevitable.

After all, the nobles lived a comfortable life, and when there was no war, the main task of most of them was to enjoy themselves.

Under such circumstances, how to make themselves live longer and gain more enjoyment is the question that the nobles began to think about.

Taking all kinds of strange medicines, or going to the temple to pray, the purpose is the same, to live longer.

Fred set his sights on the demon hunters, naturally because of this benign mutation in them, at least that was the case in the eyes of these people.

Demon hunters have excellent physical qualities and long life spans. If their appearance did not need to be changed and their emotions were not affected, they would be perfect humans.

Becoming a wizard can also give you a long life, but there is a talent threshold for wizards, and it also requires a lot of energy and constant use of potions to change the body.

This is obviously not something that most nobles would consider; it is too hard.

If a drug could be developed through genetic engineering, which of course had to be safe, and could achieve longevity by drinking it or injecting it into the body, these nobles would certainly be happy to pay for it.

I guess this is how they lobbied when they started genetic engineering.

Otherwise, why would these nobles be so generous?