The Witcher: Lord of the Empire

Days before, Lann had visited the theater with the excuse of looking for Dudu and, using his fortune, had helped the company overcome its difficulties. Theater, as an art form, could both ascend to royal banquets and descend to public squares, being a perfect medium to include hidden messages. Lann had already planned, during the pacification of the riots, to incorporate the company to his cause, and the Butcher's Yard theater soon accepted the proposal with enthusiasm.

At Lann's comments, Irina covered her mouth, laughing softly. "These were originally planned plays. Cintra, Temeria, Redania, wherever you go, you can leave behind deeds worthy of praise. You are simply the natural protagonist of poetry and drama. I don't know about other places, but half of the poets and theaters in Novigrad should thank you for supporting them."

Lann chuckled.

After the greetings, Irina got to the point: "Are you here today to share some stories beyond the rumors to enrich our repertoire?"

In terms of socializing, Irina is very smart. Lann must have a profit after funding the troupe, and what can the troupe do? Only acting, writing scripts according to the requirements of investors and then performing.

But Irina took the initiative to say that it was Lann who provided stories to help the troupe enrich the repertoire, and the matter changed from the troupe helping Lann to Lann helping the troupe, and the communication was very comfortable.

Lann likes to communicate with smart people the most.

There are currently very few artists on the continent who are willing to promote the Witchers. The most famous one is Geralt's best friend Dandelion. The nickname 'White Wolf' had spread largely thanks to him.

At this moment, Lann also began to tell Irina the stories of the once magnificent witchers that he knew.

The story of the Cat School that betrayed the Wolf School and was then betrayed again, the inspiring story of the Manticore School rogue who became enlightened in Toussaint and devoted himself to religion, the sad story of the Griffin School pioneer who slew the dragon but was killed by human greed, and there are more unknown glory and sad legends of the witchers...

These stories full of twists and turns and great tension made Irina fascinated.

"But all these stories lack an essential element to be the 'climax' of a work." Although the stories were excellent, Irina offered a professional critique. "They may move people, but they hardly generate joy or passionate debates. We need stories that are close to us, that people can feel part of."

Irina's eyes lit up. "Those stories that can be spread on the streets and in taverns are the best stories. Love and swords are eternal themes - for example, you."

"There will be a close story soon." Lann pointed at Kiyan.

After a series of discussions, Lann and Kiyan's stories would become the central theme of the Butcher's Yard theater.

Lann's adventures, with themes like 'Knight Princess', 'Battle for the Kingdom' and 'Restoration of the Kingdom', would be the mainstays; while Kiyan, in the city, would complete quests that would provide fresh material for the group, striving to build the image of 'our good neighbor the witcher' and similar stories.

Before leaving, Lann specifically told Kiyan: "Don't care about money. If you meet a poor family, try to waive the reward. The money I left for you is enough for you to squander for a long time. If it's not enough, go to Chappelle or contact me for it."

"Is this how we should always act?" Kiyan asked.

Lann thought for a moment. "At least for now, yes."

"What if someone defaults on their debt or even blackmails me?" Kiyan knew how unreasonable the people of this era were.

Lann, already prepared, responded: "A Lannister always pays his debts. Go to Chapelle, he will deal with them as he would with heretics."

Kiyan looked excited upon hearing this. Should he actively seek out some rogue to practice with?

Seeing Kiyan's expression, which suddenly seemed eager to try, Lann massaged his temples with a gesture of resignation.

Actually, it would have been more stable to leave a more serene witcher like Kolgrim.

But they were not willing, only Kiyan, bound by the [Follower] panel, accepted his request. And only the [Followers] shared experience with him when they completed missions.

But Kiyan was a rational cat, and with the [Follower] panel, the Church of Eternal Fire, and the theater helping to keep an eye on him, there shouldn't be any problems... right?

He didn't know what the reputation of witchers in Novigrad would be like the next time he returned.

Lann shook his head and prepared to leave to deal with his last matter in Redania.

...

Two days later, in Oxenfurt.

The Cintra cavalry rolled in and stopped at the outer city of the Academy City.

Dijkstra, dressed in a brightly coloured silk suit, was waiting at the city gate. As soon as Lann arrived, he greeted him, showing that he had already been aware of the group's arrival.

"Compared to last time, there seem to be fewer people behind you." Dijkstra looked at the cavalry behind Lann.

Lann looked serious. "They found the end that every soldier hopes for."

While facing the Wild Ones, some Cintra knights had fallen.

"I'm sorry." Dijkstra bowed his head politely for two seconds.

Then, he looked at the new faces in the group, especially Letho, showing feigned curiosity. “But it seems you’ve gained some new followers as well.”

Lann nodded. "I'm an earl, isn't it reasonable to have some followers?"

Dijkstra looked at the amber snake eyes of the witchers and smiled. "Of course."

Lann paused, also showing a curious look, and suddenly said: "Why didn't I see Lady Philippa this time?"

Dijkstra showed a surprised look. “Does Earl Lannister know Lady Phillipa? Have they met before?”

Wow, he's started to act! The matter between Phillipa and Lann last time was something that couldn't be made public; both parties had a tacit understanding not to mention it.

Although the others didn't know about it, how could Dijkstra not be aware? After all, one of the terms of the agreement between Lann and Phillipa included 'asking Dijkstra to help'.

"Have I met her before? Don't you know?"

“Lord Lannister, you better not say things I don’t understand.” Dijkstra said: “But if you wish to visit Lady Phillipa, now is not a good time. She has not come to Oxenfurt with His Majesty the King; she is at the court of Tretogor. As you well know, when the king is away, his advisors must stay behind to keep control.”

Lann raised his eyebrows. "It seems that His Majesty trusts Lady Philippa?"

Dijkstra smiled. "Of course."

As they walked and talked, Dijkstra led Lann back to the reception room where he lived before.

Following custom, Lann took a bath and changed his clothes, washing away the dust of his journey. However, thinking that he would soon meet King Vizimir II, Lann had a sudden idea.

"Milva, come in."

He had barely finished speaking when the maid hurried in, evidently having been waiting outside all this time. "My Lord Earl, do you need me to help you bathe?"

Lann's face darkened. "I prepared a gift for the king, you send someone to the market to buy me some things for packaging."

Milva retreated again with a disappointed look on her face.

It wasn't long before a knock was heard at the door, and the maid returned with what Lann had asked for.

After settling everything, Lann dismissed the maid, whose face now showed even greater disappointment. He then took out two items from his [Inventory] and began to decorate the gift he had prepared.

It seemed that the king was genuinely interested in Oxenfurt's academic development, as it was not until dusk that he sent his steward to greet Lann.

The king was warming himself by the fire, and his son, as a squire, served him wine at his side.

The only difference from Lann's previous visit was that the knights acting as guards had increased to almost double their number, and their gazes towards Lann were even more wary.

The majestic and dignified king contrasted markedly with the tense and watchful knights in the room.

The young prince Radovid, oblivious to the situation, did not take his eyes off Lann from the moment he entered, as if he was trying to decipher something in his mind.

"Welcome back, Lannister." Vizimir II looked up and immediately saw the gift in Lann's hand. "What is this?"

“It is a piece of art that I found in Novigrad. I got it by chance; they say it is a piece from the von Everec family collection.”

Lann smiled. "I dare not occupy the property under your name, so I brought it back to return it to its original owner."

Vizimir II shook his head. “It is an admirable effort to disguise a gift under the guise of returning it. Originally, this was to have been given to my butler, but since he is already here… Radovid.”

The prince heard the king's call and stepped forward to take the long and flat package in Lann's hand.

"Is this a painting?"

"Yes."

At the king's question, Lann nodded. It was a painting, one he had taken from the von Everec mansion, painted by Iris.

It is also a carrier that allows the soul in the painting to move.

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