The Witcher: Lord of the Empire

Although Radovid was filled with curiosity about the painting, in his father's presence he remained respectful and put the painting aside for the moment.

Vizimir II suddenly thought of something, waved his hand, and a butler came forward. After hearing the king's whispered order, he hurried out, and after a while he actually brought back a painting.

"This painting is called "The Lion and the Brave Redanian Soldier", presented to me by a painting teacher in Oxenfurt." Vizimir II smiled. "The painting shows you and my soldiers fighting against the monster that suddenly appeared on the transport ship - you seem to call it a Aeschna, right?"

Lann's smile froze for a moment as he received the painting. It accurately recreated the battle against the Aeschna, albeit with one minor adjustment: Redanian soldiers were shown heroically leaping from the ship, ready to sacrifice themselves.

"The brave Redanian soldiers used themselves as bait to lure the monster out of the water and protect the merchants on the transport ship. The related poems and literary works have spread in Oxenfurt." Vizimir said meaningfully. "I like this painting very much. So I give it to you as a return gift."

This was obviously done by the poets and artists on the ship at that time. Lann admired their artistic attainments in his heart and bowed slightly to Vizimir II. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Vizimir II nodded slightly, and the casual conversation gave way to more serious topics.

"I heard about what happened in Novigrad, but I didn't expect such a big mess. Facts have proved that a religious organization can't really manage a city. I plan to take Novigrad back from the hands of the Eternal Fire."

Vizimir II looked into Lann's eyes and showed a questioning look: "Lannister, what do you think?"

'If you manage to get it back, I'd be very surprised. Until your son takes the throne and long after you die, that city will remain in the Eternal Fire.'

'And why do you always ask me about the internal affairs of your kingdom?'

Lann said calmly: "I think I misunderstood something... I always thought Novigrad was part of Redania, but now I see that it is not."

The atmosphere became silent for a moment, until Vizimir II let out a light laugh. "You are right."

But he soon regained his seriousness. "How do you get along with Chappelle?"

Lann sighed. "It's awkward. He is very cold and arrogant, and he is unyielding. He only provided intelligence in response to your instructions and was unwilling to send soldiers to help. As a result, I had a direct conflict with Olgierd and lost a lot of manpower."

At this point, Lann showed his sincere regret. "They were warriors who survived the hands of the Nilfgaardians. I never thought they would die in a place like this."

The clash with the Wild Ones and Olgierd's monstrous strength had cost Lann several men. He had brought an elite force, and each death was an irreparable loss.

But in war, casualties are inevitable, especially among those destined to fight on the battlefield.

"I am very sorry. They died because of me." Vizimir II consoled him. "I will see to their compensation."

Lann shook his head. "They are my people, and I should take care of their affairs after death. If you want to pity them, I just hope that their stories can be remembered by people. The dead should not be forgotten."

Vizimir II did not comment on Lan's request.

"What about Olgierd? Is he dead?"

Indeed, he died without a complete body.

But Lann shook his head. "I destroyed the Wild Ones, but only managed to drive him away."

Vizimir II showed no reaction, but Prince Radovid's brow furrowed deeply.

"Why? I thought swords have no eyes."

Lann said sincerely: "Regardless of what he has done, he is still a noble and your vassal. Even if he has committed crimes, he should be judged by you. I have no right to execute him. Therefore, I only dispersed his army, to ensure that he does not cause you any more trouble."

"Where is he now?"

"In the hands of the Nilfgaardians."

Vizimir II was stunned.

"With your spy network, you surely know that the Nilfgaardians were behind the recent uproar in Novigrad. Olgierd made a deal with them, and the last time I saw him, he seemed to have boarded one of their ships."

Lann expressed his outrage: "He betrayed his country!"

Radovid, who had been listening silently, looked confused, as if he hadn't fully understood what Lann had just said.

Vizimir II closed his eyes in pain. "The von Everec family... I never thought they were leaning south now."

"Imran!"

Hearing the king's angry shout, the royal butler in the room immediately stepped forward.

"Go and call Count Reuven. I want him to draw up a document proclaiming to the entire kingdom the atrocities of the von Everec family. It is necessary that everyone knows of their treachery!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The system prompt sounded at this moment.

[Quest - Justice and Equity - Completed]

Lann gave a barely perceptible smile.

It seemed that the king was really affected by the betrayal of one of his oldest vassals. It took him a while to regain his composure. Then, he looked at Lann softly. "Lannister, thank you for helping me find this cancer in time."

"We are friends, this is what I should do."

The prince, following his father's signals, poured Lann wine, and for a moment, host and guest shared an atmosphere of cordiality.

"I must advance the trip to Hagge Castle. I plan to leave in a few days. Would you like to accompany me?"

Lann had spent almost a month in Novigrad, and the date of the northern meeting was fast approaching.

Hagge Castle was situated at the intersection of the four great northern kingdoms. If they set out from Oxenfurt now, they would arrive just in time, a few days before the meeting began.

"I don't want to bother you. We plan to travel on our own."

"All right." Vizimir II did not try to persuade him too much. "But be careful on the road. According to my intelligence, things have been uneasy recently."

Lann asked doubtfully, "Are the southerners coming again?"

"No, I heard there are many more monsters." Vizimir II shook his head. "Ghouls and other creatures. Even those disgusting beings that usually inhabit the forests have begun to appear in the villages. Many city guards are asking for help."

"But I heard you have some witchers in your group, right? With them and you, you shouldn't worry."

The king said jokingly: "If it were possible, I would even like to borrow one of those witchers from you."

...

The Pontar Valley. The intersection of the four kingdoms of Temeria, Redania, Kaedwen and Aedirn is one of the most important strategic areas in the north.

The conflicts of interest between the above kingdoms have erupted here more than once. Countless battles have been witnessed by the trees and stones here, and blood often accompanies conflicts and mixes with the water of the Pontar River.

The causes of each conflict are also different: the ancient struggle between elves and humans, the conflict between the interests of nobles and merchants, and the occasional peasant uprisings.

Now these have become the historical embellishments of Pontar Valley.

The Pontar Valley is destined to witness more history, as it is now: an unprecedented gathering of the four great kingdoms of the North, along with Cintra, Lyria and Rivia, to take part in the Northern Talks.

This is an unprecedented event.

At this time, half of the participating kingdoms have arrived at Hagge Castle. The merchants of the four kingdoms on the border have also heard the news and set up temporary shops nearby to sell wine, meat, even anesthetic powder and other things and services to the soldiers gathered here to make them comfortable.

Soldiers, who in peacetime do not know what to do with their energy, spend large sums of money, and in wartime, these merchants follow them like vultures, sweeping away the remains of the battlefield. 'Follow the army and you will make a lot of money' is a motto among merchants.

A sergeant wearing a beaver hat took a glass of wine from the merchant next to him and drank while watching his subordinates who were holding a 'boxing match'.

"Has anything interesting happened here recently?"

The Pontar Valley is now home to troops from several kingdoms, and to avoid conflict, each army has strictly demarcated areas. However, merchants are free to move around, bringing with them news that the soldiers enjoy along with their drinks.

“Nothing major has happened. The kings are very cautious, and the soldiers are tense.” The merchant said excitedly. “But about the ‘Lion of Cintra’, I have heard several recent rumors.”

"Oh?" The beaver hat sergeant showed an interested look. "He has many nicknames now. For example, 'Friend of the Dryad', 'Griffin Knight of the Lady of the Lake', 'Brave Lannister', 'Lion in Flame', etc. These either happened during his fight against Nilfgaard or on his way to Hagge Castle."

"Oh?" The beaver hat sergeant touched his chin. "So many nicknames?"

"That's right, I heard that Mahakam has made new Gwent cards for him recently."

"Mahakam?" The beaver hat sergeant's eyes suddenly changed, becoming indignant and ferocious. “Damn dwarves!”

The merchant, who was telling the story, was perplexed, not knowing why the sergeant, who had been speaking kindly a moment ago, had become so violent.

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