Witcher's Atelier

On the east side of Lomne Square, in the center of the Temeria camp, is Marshal John Natalis's room.

The map hanging on the wall shows the entire territory of Temeria, with the territorial divisions of the seven major dukes marked on it. When the king was alive, they were all loyal barriers. When Foltest died, they turned into hyenas that ate carrion.

Staring at the map with brown eyes, John Natalis frowned deeply. Even in the Battle of Brunna, facing the Nilfgaardian army that was twice his size, he was not so troubled.

As a patriot, he loved this country, loved it purely, and was willing to shed blood for it. But now the enemy is inside, not outside, and many constraints hold him back.

King Foltest died suddenly, and the two children were rushed to Vizima, but an accident occurred on the way.

After Balsi's death and Anais's disappearance. Although Natalis served as regent and came to participate in the Lomne Summit, he could only represent himself in the absence of authority and claims.

The map came into view and shone into his heart. The situation was not optimistic.

With a long sigh, he turned around and sat back in his seat, slightly adjusting his sitting posture to make himself look more confident and majestic.

What has happened cannot be changed, and people must look forward. He hoped that what Keira said was true and that the next visitor would bring him a surprise.

…

The door was pushed open, and Marshal Natalis had a very good impression of the person who came in.

He was six feet tall, well-proportioned and strong, and he was majestic in heavy armor. His appearance seemed ordinary at first glance, but his calm posture, mutant pupils and scars on his cheeks combined to create a wonderful masculine charm.

He was worthy of being the man that Keira emphasized to pay attention to.

"Victor of Keldro, Viscount Corleone, I am surprised by your visit... and I am also very happy. Please take a seat!"

After paying his respects and sitting down, Victor also met this famous imperial marshal for the first time. He had heard many people mention his deeds in the past.

The earliest John. Natalis was just a border guard, but in the Second Nilfgaard War, he rose to prominence with his military exploits, and in the end led the four-nation coalition assembled by Foltest to create the miracle of the Battle of Brunner, defeating more than twice the number of black-clad men. It can be said that without him, the world today would not be what it is.

This man who once influenced the world was a bald man with a broad face and heavy chin, wearing silver-white heavy armor, tall and strong, a circle stronger than himself, and looked "tough and honest".

Although there are many cases of beasts in human form, John Natalis should be really tough and honest, otherwise everyone from Taller, Keira Metz to Vernon Roche is not a fool, and it is impossible for them to pin their hopes of maintaining Temeria on him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Marshal Natalis, or Regent. I am the witcher Victor Corleone, you can call me Wick.

I have heard of your reputation for a long time before visiting you, and many people have spoken highly of you. They call you a true patriot."

"We are all patriots, united under the lily flag of Temeria. I have also heard of your reputation for a long time, Dragonborn poet. If the time and environment are not inappropriate, I actually hope to listen to "The Return of the Dragonborn".

Before leaving Vizima, Ms. Keira talked to me about the death of His Majesty Foltest. You can be trusted.

Although I think she has too high expectations of you because of personal feelings, it is undeniable that I want to know what you want to tell me by appearing here now when the Lomne Conference is about to be held? I believe you will not come to visit just because you admire me."

The other party was frank and direct, and Victor responded cheerfully.

"That's right, Marshal. As you know, I'm looking for the Kingslayer. There is no doubt that the Kingslayer is now in Lomne. I don't know where he is exactly, but I want to find him. This is why I'm here. Based on personal reasons and friendship, I have the honor to visit His Majesty King Radovid V of Redania. He shared some personal information with me, which may be of interest to you."

The Marshal's majestic chin was stubbled, "You can call me John, Mr. Victor. I am happy to listen to your sharing."

"Anaise, Anaise La Valette."

The effect of this name was immediate, prying the Marshal's iron face, making him reveal visible urgency, and his eyes pierced the witcher's face like a knife.

"Relax, John, don't stare at me so fiercely. I must remind you that His Majesty Radovid's information may not be correct. As the regent, I believe you understand that false news is worse than no news."

With his eyes not relaxed, Natalis knocked on the leg armor, signaling Victor to continue speaking quickly.

"Anais is in the Nilfgaard camp. With Henselt's arrival, she will be moved to the Kaedwen area tonight.

His Majesty Radovid asked me to find a way to rescue the girl and hand her over to him. He will then protect his sister as her brother-in-law. I'm not sure if the regent knows about this."

John Natalis's eyes flashed with brilliance, "I see... I see..."

The marshal sighed for a moment, and facing Victor's puzzled expression, he bowed to the witcher to thank him, "It seems that Ms. Keira is not exaggerating. She told me that although you refused to be loyal to Temeria, you can trust you, just like trusting her."

Touching his nose, Victor didn't expect that the proud Keira would introduce herself so grandly.

"So what I am going to say next is all known to the royal adviser.

The situation in the country is very serious, and seven fiefdom knights are trying to divide the country. In addition, I just received news that I suspect that Kaedwen and Redania may have reached a secret agreement to divide Temeria.

And facing this feast, whoever can control Anais can take the initiative.

If the girl was in Henselt's hands, the bandit would be able to get more points from Radovid.

On the contrary, if Anais is protected by Redania, Radovid can manage the entire territory of Temeria in the name of his brother-in-law.

Perhaps it was based on this interest that Henselt invited Nilfgaard to participate in the summit in exchange for the girl's belonging. "

Natalis's narration revealed a lot of things that Radovid did not tell.

"It sounds like Temeria is simply at the mercy of others. If Anais returns to Vizima, will the situation improve?"

"If Anais appears, Temeria will become an independent country again. I will use all my strength to ensure this, and this time I will never trust the integrity of those nobles.

In fact Vernon. Roche is also investigating the attacks on Balsey and Anais. Your intelligence is an important piece of the puzzle. It proves that there must be traitors among the Temerian nobles who colluded with the Nilfgaard Empire to cause this situation. "

"I see. Thank you for your willingness to tell me this. I will keep it secret and promise not to betray your trust. Now that the purpose of informing Anais's whereabouts has been achieved, please allow me to leave."

They caressed each other's breasts and saluted.

John. Natalis, watching Victor. Corleone left until he was near the door when he suddenly called to him again.

"Wait. Wick, please read this letter first." He opened the iron box, took out a confidential letter and handed it to the young man.

After taking the object, the letter exuded the fragrant scent of rosemary, which evoked the witcher's wonderful memory. The unique seal ensured that it had not been opened.

…

"Rosemary-Scented Letters"

Victor, you bastard who deserves syphilis, I threaten you: 'If you don't want me to destroy all Professor Moru's things, help Natalis. ’

As I write this letter, I have a premonition. At the most critical time, you will appear in the most critical place. After all, you are a prophet! A prophet who deserves syphilis!

I'm busy as hell trying to keep this country from falling apart. Lack of sleep, dark circles under the eyes when looking in the mirror, little time for bathing, and rough skin.

Wick, my Batman, my Dark Knight, my happy life depends on your help.

When you see this letter, it means Natalis has chosen to believe you and seek your help.

I threaten you to help him, but you must be threatened by me this time! Please let me threaten you this time!

──Your Keira. (lip print)

…

After reading the letter happily, Victor chuckled happily. He never expected that Hengduan Continent, thousands of miles apart, would be able to receive threats from Keira.

"Witcher, originally I didn't want to take out this letter because I wasn't sure of your intention or purpose, but you left without hesitation and made me put aside my last hesitation.

Sir Corleone, I need your assistance. I can't easily attack Nilfgaard or Kaedwen, but a brave witcher can.

Perhaps I will have to condemn you when all is said and done, but I can guarantee that I will never issue any arrest warrants for you. "

Victor blinked. He didn't care about being wanted, and it didn't matter if he offended Kaedwen. All signs are telling that the third Nilfgaardian War is imminent. By then, all the four northern countries will be unable to protect themselves. Who will have the heart to pay attention to the witchers.

Moreover, even if the worst happens and he is wanted by various countries, Corleone is still a nobleman after all. At worst, he can return to Toussaint to make wine and enjoy the leisure life of a landlord.

Natalis's words are true, and there is no empty talk. In addition, Keira's threat is still present, and there is a lingering fragrance in her hands.

Putting his hands on the table with his palms facing up, Victor said with a strong character, "Two requirements. First, the witcher should not work in vain. The price to save the princess is a fair price of 3,000 oren. Please pay half of the deposit first. I will convert the extra request into a promise. Wigger Krone Pays.”

Such a money-mad man, John. Natalis shook his head and laughed, "If His Majesty hadn't paid this fee for Yada, I wouldn't have been able to ask for a price."

The marshal opened the money box, took out a large bag of gold coins, and solemnly handed it to the witcher, "What is your second request?"

"As far as I know, there is a mage named Vanhema in the Nilfgaard camp, and the villain Renua Matson seems to be in trouble, so I am preparing to attack the Kaedwen camp.

Let the blue-clad iron guards provide me with intelligence support, at least the layout of the camp and the possible area where Anais can be settled. The more detailed information I give, the more confident I will be in bringing her back silently. "

"I heard that Henselt's Desmo is also difficult to deal with?"

"That mage is indeed difficult to deal with, but don't worry. I guarantee with my reputation that he has not come to Lomunne." When talking about Desmo's whereabouts, Victor looked half-smiling, and the certainty in his tone was unmistakable.

Infected by his confidence, Natalis nodded, "Then please come again tomorrow afternoon. I will find Vernon Roche and ask him to provide you with information."

"One more thing, Your Excellency Marshal, what are your specific thoughts on Geralt of Rivia?"

"...He may not be a king-killer, but he is definitely a guard who failed in his duties. I don't want to see this person, but I will not order his arrest."

Satisfied with the regent's answer, the witcher took the full purse and put it in his arms, patting his chest and saying goodbye.

…

After leaving the Temerian camp and returning to the central square, Victor continued to go to Philippa's residence.

Overall, the communication with Natalis was very successful. Although this strong bald man was not as well-informed as the little bald man, he could command people who were good at gathering intelligence, and he was quite willing to pay.

He bought a piece of yeast cake from a roadside merchant and chewed it while walking. He began to think about women.

Thinking about Keira Metz... thinking about that proud little man.

The letter paper had long been put into the herbal bag and placed together with the previous letter, but the rosemary scent on his fingers had not dissipated.

People can close their eyes, cover their ears, and purse their lips for a long time to block the interference of vision, hearing, and taste, but they cannot stop breathing continuously.

As long as they are still breathing, the fragrance will be like a wisp of light smoke, creeping into the tip of their nose and bringing him back to the depths of his memory.

Thinking about Keira Metz... thinking about that little blond man.

It is said that the brain area that controls the sense of smell is adjacent to the limbic system that controls emotions, and emotions are closely linked to the storage of memory.

Therefore, among all the senses, the reaction of "smell" is the most direct, primitive, and difficult to describe.

I miss the sweetness of caramel, the saltiness of the sea breeze, the fragrance of coffee, the freshness of phytoncides, and the rosemary of Keira Metz.

She actually dared to write a letter to threaten me. This bastard woman needs to be severely punished from top to bottom, from outside to inside.

Now, I want to hug her and make love with her.

…

Approaching Philippa's residence in reverie, the Redanian soldiers guarding outside the door made Victor suddenly sober and passed by in front as if nothing had happened.

As many signs appeared, the young man knew that the timeline was approaching familiar memories. Some things might change, but some things would never change.

For example, Radovid's desire to kill Philippa would not be shaken even if the white frost came, and it was definitely not something that a butterfly like him could change.

So the presence of Redanian soldiers in the sorceress's residence means that the situation is very serious. The little bald man probably knows that his tutor is here.

Turning the corner to an alley, the witcher noticed an elf waving at him in the dark. He was a subordinate of Iorveth.

Walking to the entrance of the alley, "How are Iorveth and Angouleme? Where are you stationed now?"

"Sir, we are stationed in the ruins in the northeast. When entering the city, Ms. Angouleme found a strange corpse in the sewer, and the commander asked us to come out to find you."

"Got it. Go check what those Redanian soldiers are doing? It doesn't matter if you can't find it, pay attention to safety first."

On the way east by boat, Victor and Angouleme, who are familiar with the Squirrel Party, successively obtained temporary limited command rights, which allowed them to do things that are not too dangerous.

After issuing the order, the witcher went directly to the ruins in the northeast.

Thanks to the book friend Prof_S_Snape for his reward and encouragement.