The Witcher: Start with the Lord Marrying a Wife.

Chapter 428 Mysterious Creatures
After defeating the mysterious shadow, David and the three witches did not leave the cave immediately.

They knew that the appearance of this creature was no accident, and that it was likely hiding some unknown conspiracy or threat.

In order to find out the truth and prevent similar incidents from happening again, they decided to investigate the origin and purpose of this creature in depth.

First, they carefully examined the shadowy figure lying on the ground.

They discovered that the creature's body structure was unusually peculiar, resembling both a human and a beast, and covered with a layer of hard black scales.

What surprised them even more was that there was a strange rune pattern on the chest of the shadowy figure, a rune pattern unlike any they had ever seen before.

“This rune pattern looks very strange,” Arya said, pointing to the rune on the shadowy figure’s chest. “I’ve never seen a rune like this before. It may contain some special meaning or power.”

"It's really weird."

David frowned in thought. "And the appearance of this creature was too sudden. We must find out its origin and purpose."

So the four decided to leave the cave and go to the place where the shadowy figure had appeared to investigate.

They followed the trail left by the shadowy figure, traversing dense forests, crossing mountains, and fording rivers...

After several days of arduous trekking, they finally arrived at an abandoned village shrouded in darkness.

The village looked like it had been abandoned for a long time; the houses were dilapidated, overgrown with weeds, and there was a deathly silence.

However, the four of them keenly sensed an unusual atmosphere—it seemed that some kind of secret or danger was hidden here.

"Everyone be careful," David whispered a warning. "There might be unknown dangers lurking here."

The four of them cautiously entered the village and began a thorough search.

They examined every house and every corner, trying to find clues or evidence related to the shadowy figure.

After a search, they finally found some important clues in a dilapidated church.

In the church's basement, they discovered a mysterious altar.

The altar was decorated with many strange items and runes, including runes identical to those on the shadowy figure's chest.

Moreover, there is a deep hole in the center of the altar, from which a strange and powerful energy fluctuation emanates.

“It seems this altar is closely related to the shadowy figure,” Liana analyzed. “Moreover, the energy fluctuations emanating from the cave entrance are quite unusual. We must be careful.”

David nodded in agreement.

“We certainly need to be careful,” he said gravely. “But now that we’ve found this place, we can’t give up easily. We must continue our investigation to uncover the truth.”

So the four decided to risk entering the cave to find out what was going on.

They carefully climbed down the cave entrance, constantly alert to any potential dangers around them.

After a difficult climb, they finally arrived at a huge underground cave.

This underground cave is unusually spacious and deep, and is filled with strange runes and patterns.

In the center of the cave was a huge black pool, emitting a dark and mysterious light.

Even more shockingly, many corpses resembling the dark figures were floating at the bottom of the pool!

"These creatures all originated from here!" Nova exclaimed in surprise. "It seems this underground cave is the lair of that mysterious creature!"

“That’s true,” David said in a deep voice. “And there are even deeper secrets hidden here. We must continue our investigation.”

So the four of them continued to explore deeper into the cave.

They followed the cave passages, passing through numerous mechanisms and traps, until they finally arrived at a huge secret chamber.

The door to the secret chamber was covered with intricate runes and patterns, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.

“It seems this secret room is the place we’re looking for,” Arya said, pointing to the runes on the door. “These runes are very similar to the ones on the Shadow’s chest. There’s a good chance that secrets or clues related to the Shadow are hidden inside.”

David nodded in agreement.

“Then let’s open this door and go in quickly,” he said. “But everyone be careful, there may be unknown dangers hidden inside.”

So the four of them worked together to use magic to break the rune restrictions on the secret chamber door and successfully opened it.

They cautiously entered the secret chamber and began a thorough search...

Upon entering the secret chamber, David and the three witches were awestruck by what they saw. The chamber was exceptionally spacious and tall, with intricate runes and patterns carved into the walls, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.

In the center of the secret chamber was a huge black altar, on which were placed many strange objects and magical artifacts.

“It seems this secret room is the lair of that mysterious creature,” Liana exclaimed. “And it also hides many unknown secrets and clues.”

David nodded in agreement.

“That’s right,” he said gravely. “We need to search this secret room carefully to find any secrets or clues related to the shadowy figure.”

So the four of them split up and began to carefully search the secret room.

They examined every item and ritual implement on the altar, trying to find clues or evidence related to the shadowy figure.

After some searching, they finally made some important discoveries.

First, they found an ancient scroll on the altar.

The scroll looks very old and fragile, but it contains information about the origins and origins of the shadowy creature.

These creatures are actually a peculiar species called "Shadow Beasts," which are products of the remnants of the will and power of the God of Darkness.

They possess great strength and agility, enabling them to move freely in the darkness and attack enemies.

Moreover, they possess a certain level of intelligence, enabling them to perform some simple tasks and commands.

“It seems these shadow beasts are the true form of the shadow creatures,” Arya said, looking at the records on the scroll. “Moreover, they are products born from the remaining will and power of the God of Darkness. This is truly an astonishing discovery!”

“Indeed astonishing,” David said in a deep voice. “But what’s even more astonishing is their ability to carry out missions and commands. This means that someone or some force is definitely manipulating them!”

“That’s right!” Nova exclaimed, waving her staff. “We must find the mastermind behind this and stop their plot!”

So the four continued searching the secret room, trying to find more clues or evidence about the mastermind behind it all.

After much effort, they finally discovered a mysterious communication array in a hidden corner of the secret room.

This magic circle looks incredibly advanced and complex, capable of communicating and transmitting information over vast distances. "It seems this communication circle is the tool the mastermind uses to manipulate the Shadow Beasts," Liana analyzed. "And through this circle, we can also track down the mastermind's location!"

"Great!" David exclaimed excitedly. "Then let's quickly activate this communication array to track down the mastermind!"

The four of them then worked together to activate the communication array and began tracking the location of the mastermind.

After much effort, they finally pinpointed the approximate location of the mastermind—a mysterious castle deep within the dark world!
"Found them!" Nova shouted excitedly. "The mastermind is hiding in that mysterious castle! Let's hurry and catch them!"

David nodded in agreement.

“That’s right!” he said firmly. “We can no longer allow the mastermind behind this to continue manipulating the Shadow Beasts and wreaking havoc on the dark world! We must set off as soon as possible to stop them!”

The four of them immediately left the secret room and embarked on their journey to the mysterious castle...

After several days of trekking, David and the three witches finally arrived at the mysterious castle located deep in the dark world.

The castle looked exceptionally tall and majestic, but it exuded a sinister and terrifying aura, as if it were a cursed ruin.

“It seems this castle is the mastermind’s hideout,” Arya said, gazing at the castle. “However, it looks very dangerous here, so we must be careful.”

David nodded in agreement.

“We certainly need to be careful,” he said gravely. “But now that we’re here, we can’t give up easily. We must bravely face the challenges and catch the mastermind behind it all!”

So the four of them cautiously approached the castle and began a thorough search.

They inspected every door and window of the castle, trying to find the entrance.

After some effort, they finally discovered a hidden tunnel entrance.

The entrance to this tunnel is located in a very well-hidden spot on one side wall of the castle and is not easily discovered.

The four of them followed the tunnel, passing through numerous mechanisms and traps, until they arrived at a huge underground palace.

This underground palace is exceptionally spacious and ornately decorated with many precious gems and works of art.

However, the palace was empty except for some strange runes and patterns on the walls that flickered with an eerie light.

“It seems this is where the mastermind is hiding,” Liana said, looking around. “But they don’t seem to be here right now. We need to find them quickly and stop their plot!”

David nodded in agreement.

“That’s right!” he said firmly. “We’ll split up and search the palace for the mastermind! Once we find any trace of them, we’ll immediately notify the others!”

So the four of them split up and began to search the palace carefully.

They examined every room and every corner, trying to find clues or evidence of the mastermind behind it all.

After some searching, they finally made some important discoveries.

First, they discovered some strange experimental equipment and medicine bottles in a secret room in the palace.

These devices and vials look very advanced and complex, and appear to be tools used for some kind of mysterious experiment.

Furthermore, there are experimental records and data about the Shadow Beasts engraved on the walls of the secret chamber, indicating that the mastermind has been researching how to control and enhance the power of the Shadow Beasts.

"It seems the mastermind has been researching how to control and enhance the power of the Shadow Beasts," Arya said, looking at the experimental records in the secret chamber. "And they seem to have already achieved some results. We must stop their research as soon as possible, or the consequences will be unimaginable!"

“That’s true,” David said in a deep voice. “But more importantly, we need to find the masterminds and capture them! Otherwise, they will continue to manipulate the Shadow Beasts to wreak havoc on the dark world!”

So the four continued searching the palace in an attempt to find the mastermind behind it all.

After much effort, they finally discovered the mastermind's trail in a hidden basement!

The mastermind behind this was actually a mysterious figure dressed in a black robe!

He looked extremely sinister and terrifying, with a hideous mask covering most of his face.

Moreover, he was holding a staff in his hand, with a gem embedded in it that shimmered with an eerie light!
"finally found you!"

Nova brandished her staff and roared, "How dare you manipulate shadow beasts to wreak havoc on the dark world! Today is your end!"

The man in black sneered and said, "You think you can capture me? How utterly laughable! But since you're here, don't even think about leaving alive!"

As he spoke, the man in black robes waved his staff, unleashing powerful dark magic that attacked the four of them!

A fierce battle then broke out in the underground palace...

Faced with the attack from the man in black robes, David and the three witches met him head-on without fear.

They each unleashed powerful magic and skills, engaging in fierce combat with the man in black robes.

The black-robed man's magic was extremely powerful and bizarre, capable of manipulating dark energy to create various attack methods.

He continuously unleashed attacks such as dark energy waves, dark fireballs, and dark tentacles at the four in an attempt to defeat them.

However, the four of them gradually gained the upper hand by constantly dodging and fighting back with their firm beliefs and courageous spirit.

"Everyone be careful!" David shouted to warn his companions, "This black-robed man's magic is extremely powerful; we can't let our guard down!"

Upon hearing this, Arya, Liana, and Nova became even more cautious in dealing with the attacks from the men in black robes.

They used their respective magic and skills to contend with the man in black robes and search for an opportunity to defeat him.

After a fierce battle, the four finally found the black-robed man's weakness—the staff in his hand!
It turns out that this staff was not only a tool for him to cast spells, but also the source of his power.

Destroying this staff will weaken his power and even defeat him!

Upon discovering this weakness, the four immediately adjusted their tactics and concentrated their firepower on the black-robed man's staff.

After a fierce barrage, the staff finally broke with a crisp snap and fell to the ground!
The black-robed man, now without his staff, became much weaker and was no longer able to unleash the same powerful magical attacks as before.

Seeing this, the four seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, quickly cornering the man in black.

"Surrender!" David roared. "You have no way out!"

However, the man in black robes was unusually stubborn. He struggled to his feet and waved his hands in a final act of resistance.

But all of this was in vain. Under the powerful attack of the four, he quickly fell to the ground and became motionless.

(End of this chapter)