This powerful country has a king, this prosperous city has a mayor, and those damned Scoia'tael, they have gallows.
, City Guard Captain Vincent is
...
After returning to the Vizima ferry crossing and disembarking, Victor bought two large fish from a fisherman, tied them with rope, and handed them to Angoulê, planning to take them back and make fish pies.
Then, on the road back to the Temple Quarter, every stall that had packed up late, as long as they sold food that was easy to preserve, such as jerky or flatbread, all experienced the joy of having their stock cleared out. He believed Toruviel would like these things.
When they passed St. Lebioda's Hospital, Shani had already left and gone ho. Through the fence, the inside and outside seed like two hazy different worlds.
When they passed the Order of the Flaming Rose, the Eternal Fire burned fiercely within, symbolizing people's hopes for a better future.
Then, in front of his ho, Victor ran into soone he had not seen in a very long ti... soone who could tentatively be considered a friend, the Royal Guard knight squad captain, acting administrator of the current intelligence agency, Lily Knight Roderick de Wett.
Eight ard knights stood around him as guards. He wore full heavy armor, the lily emblem on his chest gleaming, and his two carefully grood handlebar mustaches were quite eye-catching.
"Long ti no see, Dragonborn Bard Victor. Welco back to Vizima." The knight's Nilfgaardian accent had already beco very faint. If one did not listen carefully, it was impossible to tell, or perhaps it was already impossible to tell, and the young man was simply biased by his first impression.
Victor placed a hand on his chest in greeting. "It is my honor to see Your Excellency again as well. Could the reason you are here now be...?"
"Just as the master thinks. Although it is sowhat impolite, after receiving news of you before the banquet began, Princess Adda urgently sent to invite you to attend tonight's reception. The location is still the White Hall, and the program is at your discretion."
As he spoke, he handed over an exquisite invitation. It was carved with golden floral patterns, and the signature was written in a bold, sweeping hand. An invitation from Teria's crown princess was sothing no normal person would reject out of pride.
The young man accepted it with both hands. "My honor."
Hearing the voices outside, Shani walked out of the house. She glanced at the knight and the invitation. "Vic, what's going on? Are you going to a banquet?"
Seeing her, Roderick showed not the slightest surprise and saluted humbly. "Ah! It is a great honor to et the respected Dr. Shani. On behalf of the princess, I sincerely invite you to attend the reception together with Master Victor!"
Normally, his senior had no interest in such activities at all, but attending a reception with the young man and watching him perform poetry in front of everyone was different.
Shani blinked. "I... don't think I have suitable clothes?"
Hearing the doctor's answer, Roderick chuckled. "Please believe , that is the least important part. Madam Dorothy and her team are always willing to serve you. Would Lady Angoulê also be interested in attending?"
Madam Dorothy's team specialized in creating appropriate images for people who temporarily needed to enter high society.
Before Victor had entered the palace last year, he had been served by them. At the ti, the team had originally wanted to dress the young man up as a peacock with his head covered in feathers, but after strong resistance from the person involved, he had ultimately only changed into a tight black top with white patterns.
Although Victor privately criticized Madam Dorothy's aesthetic sense, that was limited to n. As for their professionalism in dressing won, Victor still had confidence. So, eting his senior's and the girl's inquiring gazes, he smiled and nodded in approval.
He turned to the Lily Knight. "Roderick, Madam Dorothy has most likely forgotten already. I am afraid I will have to trouble you to introduce us again today."
Roderick tapped his breastplate. "It is my honor to serve two beautiful ladies, but in fact, Madam Dorothy has not forgotten you. As far as I know, over the past year, she has more than once expressed regret that the look she designed for the Dragonborn Bard back then was too plain."
His words amused several people, and Victor also smiled. Then his gaze sharpened, because behind the Lily Knight, about fifty yards away, he saw a bald head he recognized.
Director of Intelligence Thaler. Forr.
He stood in the shadows of an alley, not easy to notice. If he had not waved his arm and secretly greeted Victor, the young man would never have noticed him.
...
Located east of Natalis Square, Madam Dorothy's clothing shop was bustling with people and packed with custors.
Those who needed to attend the banquet at night, lacked experience, and wanted to make a good impression would often co here early in the morning to prepare. Of course, there were also plenty who, like Victor and the others, hurried in only when the banquet was about to begin.
Thanks to the ti pressure, otherwise, the young man believed that the two young ladies could spend an entire day choosing clothes.
And at such a busy ti, Madam Dorothy personally brought six people over to serve them, which undoubtedly drew considerable attention. However, as long as one saw Lily Knight Roderick, one would know that bringing out six attendants made perfect sense.
As for the na Victor Corion, that needed even less explanation. It absolutely required Madam Dorothy to take the field personally.
Ordinary perforrs could be gaudy, or even dress up strangely and act foolishly to attract attention, but the Dragonborn Bard was now a newly famous poet, second only to Master Dandelion in popularity. His clothing could even lead fashion trends.
When he stepped onto the stage, all eyes would be on him. The king or princess might ignore a minor noble passing by, but they would definitely care about Master Victor's clothing.
So ti later, Madam Dorothy's sinister sche to dress the young man as a three-toed kingfisher was seen through and rejected by Victor. However, under Shani's dignified gaze, he yielded and agreed to keep the ruffles on the tight-fitting top.
Last year, his senior had said she wanted to see him in formal wear. This small request had to be satisfied. However, the color still had to be black with white patterns. A dazzling, multicolored combination did not suit his aesthetic sense.
After changing clothes first and politely refusing the powdering and makeup service, Victor greeted Roderick and went outside to breathe so fresh air.
...
Natalis Square, nad after the brave Terian general John Natalis, was the most prosperous area of the Trade Quarter. It was worth ntioning that this fellow was still alive, and in the pri of his life too. From that, one could see just how favored and trusted he was.
At this ti, the square's nightlife had only just begun. Avoiding several waves of people, the young man turned into a dark alley, then stopped.
Originally, there had been a man relieving himself here, but Victor kicked him. After one glance at the clothes Victor was wearing, the man fled without looking back. Then Thaler's bald head appeared in the darkness, and he walked toward the young man step by step.
He wore an old long coat, like a cobbler on the street, forming a sharp contrast with Victor's luxurious clothing.
His monocle flickered faintly, but when he ca closer, the young man's build towered over him.
"Long ti no see, Director of Intelligence Thaler."
"Forr." He corrected him in a low voice.
The young man rolled his eyes. "All right, then, forr Director of Intelligence. Could you tell what business you have in suddenly appearing here? If this is about handing over work, I believe Mr. Roderick would be very happy to serve you."
"I apologize. Please do not hold such deep hostility toward . I admit that my past work made so mistakes, especially in how I positioned you. I now believe that you were only deceived by the Scoia'tael into clearing the monsters in the sewers, and that you were not colluding with them."
Victor tugged slightly at his gorgeous top. "It's nothing. I don't care. Besides, whether you believe or not, I've already co back."
"Yes, you have co back, back to Vizima, which is on the verge of eruption. Are you also preparing to join this chaos?" Thaler pushed up his monocle.
The young man replied irritably, "I don't know what you're talking about. If you have sothing to say, say it plainly! I believe you can see that I am about to attend a banquet, so there isn't much ti left for you to explain."
Lifting the towel draped over his shoulder, Thaler dusted off his trouser leg. "Then I'll speak plainly! Vizima is very likely to erupt into racial conflict. I need your help. There is sothing wrong with Roderick. He has interfered with the normal operation of intelligence, causing many matters to have their severity seriously underestimated by the ti they are passed upward.
"In previous years, situations this restless should long since have led to asures to soothe the nonhuman communities and control human discrimination. But this year, it has been explained as unreasonable troublemaking by nonhumans, and the situation is supposedly under control."
"Stop! Mr. Thaler, I don't know what misunderstanding you have that actually makes you think I would help you!" Victor clearly cut him off. "But please allow to state this. I do not like you, for the following two reasons. First, soone like you, who engages in underground activities, should not appear around my senior. You should stay farther away from Shani, especially after she explicitly rejected you.
"Second, I really... really do not want to get involved in these complicated matters. I am only a witcher apprentice, and I have already made my Decision! I will soon beco a witcher. I believe there is no need for to emphasize the witchers' rules to you!
"I will not help you. Also, no matter what you want to do, do not include in your plans. Otherwise, sothing very unpleasant will happen between us sooner or later."
Unwilling to give anyone the chance to use him, Victor coldly finished stating his position and turned to leave.
"No! You are the one who does not understand." The bald man's monocle flickered faintly. "You are already in the ga. Whether you like it or not, from the mont you went to expose Salamandra's biological experints, you had already been placed on the chessboard. And you put yourself there with your own hands!
"I can be certain that both Salamandra and the Scoia'tael are pushing this riot forward!"
The young man's steps paused. Salamandra had sold weapons to the Scoia'tael. He had known that since last year. "Salamandra and the Scoia'tael are conspiring? Are you sure you didn't say that wrong? They are a gang mainly composed of humans. What benefit would inciting a riot bring them?"
The forr Director of Intelligence slowly approached. "I don't know, but I want to investigate all of this clearly and stop the possible disaster. You are investigating Salamandra, aren't you? We could actually work together!"
Victor turned around and looked deeply at Thaler. "A tempting proposal, but I refuse. I dislike you, thoroughly and completely. Don't place unrealistic hopes on . I am not Terian. I do not even belong to this land.
"In fact, whether you believe it or not, I am reducing the Scoia'tael's manpower from the side. Of course, that absolutely is not being done for you.
"Now please get lost! Or do you need to shout Roderick's na?"
"You should be careful of that man. He is dangerous."
"Of course. He is a Nilfgaardian. You should have been wary when he first appeared, shouldn't you?"
"In the past, his record was flawless, at least that was what I found, so I could not convince the princess. But now there is a problem with his actions, and that is more convincing than anything!"
Victor let out a long breath. "How about this, I'll ask you a question. If your answer satisfies , I will consider your suggestion. From the ti I left last year to the ti I returned this year, a docunt disappeared from my room!"
"Alzur, Records on the Effects of Herbal Reagents on the Human Body," Thaler answered cleanly and decisively. "It disappeared during the period when your house was sealed off last year. At that ti, the only people who could enter and leave were Grand Master Jacques, Captain Vincent, the two knights of Rose and Lily, and Jethro, a City Guard squad leader!"
Victor raised an eyebrow. He was genuinely surprised. As expected of the King's Eyes, Thaler was quite capable. He definitely did not know alchemy, but he still noticed the docunt and rembered its title. Yet back then, he had simply been dead set on biting him.
The bald man continued, "Aside from Jethro, who could be bought with money, I cannot think of anyone who would take your things. But it was not Jethro, at least according to my investigation last year."
Thinking for a mont, Victor stretched out his hand and opened his palm, catching strands of rain. He closed his eyes. "No promises. I need ti to verify what you said. Now tell where I can find you, or where I can leave you a ssage."
Thaler quietly reported a string of addresses in the Temple Quarter, then added with a low laugh, "My residence. Of course, if possible, please knock before visiting."
Without paying any further attention to Thaler, Victor walked straight out of the alley.
Walking in the fine rain, the young man knew perfectly well that even if the bald man had left his post, he definitely still held part of his hidden strength. Perhaps one day, when they needed to fight on a large scale, they could receive help. Not to ntion his friendship with the King's Hand.
Vernon Roche and his Blue Stripes, a powerful force that could not be ignored. And speaking of the Blue Stripes, one could not help thinking of Ves. Her style of dress was truly morable.
His thoughts drifting, Victor soon crossed through the crowd and returned to Madam Dorothy's clothing shop.
On an oak high chair, Angoulê had already finished dressing up and looked quite proper. In a light-yellow fitted evening gown and a feathered hat, she actually had a bit of a quiet beauty's charm. Unfortunately, the two caterpillar-like thick eyebrows, along with her rolling eyes, completely ruined the atmosphere.
Victor naturally walked over and sat down beside her. "Not bad. You look like a lady. But why didn't you put on makeup? Look at those two thick eyebrows of yours. I don't believe Madam Dorothy didn't propose a reasonable rectification plan!"
Glancing sideways at Victor, Angoulê's tone was neither salty nor bland. "I don't want makeup! And I like my eyebrows. They can grow however they want. No one should even think about harming them!"
Liking them was an extrely sufficient reason. Victor did not ask further, and Angoulê did not explain. Then Shani walked out of the dressing room.
Perhaps because she usually always dressed neutrally, seeing her suddenly beco so feminine produced an extraordinary visual impact.
A high-collared, deep-blue gown, dotted with silver-foil sequins. Light makeup on her face softened the originally too-sharp heroic air and made it a little rounder, together with a charming little blue hat.
For a mont, Victor actually did not know what to say...
Turning around once in place, Shani's skirt fluttered, and a fragrant breeze struck him. It was the scent of rowan blossoms. Usually, because of her dical work, she did not use any perfu, but Victor knew she liked rowan blossoms.
Noticing the young man's daze, his senior put one hand on her waist. "What is it, Vic? Do I look strange? Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Only because you're too beautiful!" he blurted out.
Angoulê burst out laughing with a pfft and hurriedly covered her mouth, turning to the other side so Victor would not see her twisted face from holding back laughter. The girl dared to say that this corny line would beco the leader's lifelong dark history!
And although a blush rose on her face, his senior was composed and graciously accepted the complint.
She touched her ear. "Thank you."
"My honest thought." He rubbed his nose.
//Check out my P@tre0n for 30 extra chapters //[email protected]/Razeil0810
User Comments
0 comments from readers