Chapter 1418 - 1383: Minor Intrusions

The dangers facing High Hill Castle have been arranged.

Although only eight summoning talismans were left, Lann, combined with Geralt’s continuous investigations over the past week, could be confident that it was more than enough.

So now, he has basically let go of any worries about High Hill Castle and the Embers Knight Order.

"It’s been hard on you." Lann patted Lincoln’s shoulder with effort, "Stay alert, we can start drawing the summoning talismans when they attack."

Even if all the siege machinery parts were scattered along the road, then assembled, and pushed along the road to surround the castle, the noise would be considerable.

However, compared to the average reaction time of armies in this world when facing sudden situations, it still counts as an advantage.

But first of all, the quality of the Embers Knight Order is completely unmatched by any so-called ’average’. Secondly, those White Rose Knights secretly building siege machinery in the hills do not realize that the situation has long reversed from being openly against us to secretly for us.

Their surprise attack being effective would be nothing short of miraculous.

"Since you have confidence, I have nothing much to add."

Geralt shook his head calmly.

Earlier, he was concerned about how the Embers Knight Order would cope with such unfavorable conditions, even though Lann had straightforwardly said he wouldn’t make a move.

After all, despite not contacting often, the entire Embers Knight Order originated from the refugee group that supported each other in the chaotic battle of Sintra with him.

The Ember Knights still respect this Demon Hunter Master, and Geralt still cares about them.

But now it seems, the situation should be stable this time.

"The wizards’ conference is about to start." Lann calculated the timing and spoke to Geralt, "By now, Yennefer and Ciri should be halfway there, entering the territory of Velen?"

The White Wolf nodded, and due to his fatigue and sternness from continuous investigation over the past week, a touch of softness and warmth appeared on his expression.

Previously, to allow Ciri to engage with society and have a normal girl’s growth environment, he had sent her to the Meretelli Temple in Elrand, raised as an ordinary girl fostered by Nanik, whom he trusted.

Because of Ciri’s identity as a [Magic Source], he also swallowed his pride to ask Yennefer to teach her magic, due to her gradually awakening powers that could be harmful to herself and others if not guided.

If Yennefer doesn’t use the teleportation portal on the last day to attend the conference on Sandy Island, then by now, she should not be far from Gos Velen.

"No... they can’t possibly use the teleportation portal."

Thinking of the female warlock with black hair who always carried the scent of lilac and gooseberry perfume, Geralt affirmed in his heart.

Yennefer also knows that currently, there are those who stop at nothing to trace Ciri’s whereabouts.

The portal seems convenient, but now it’s like the magical communication methods.

With the increasingly tense situation, coupled with General Meno Kuhorn’s genius-like expansion of warlock group command on the battlefield during the Battle of Sodden Mountain.

All who analyzed even a shred of battle reports have recognized the warlocks’ potential regarding information and goods, personnel transmission.

Currently, too many are secretly watching.

It’s said that the Emperor of the Southern Empire specifically established a new department to monitor the portal fluctuations across the continent around the clock.

No matter if this is a rumor fabricated by the Northern intelligence agencies, it’s been used by the nobility of the Northern Territory countries as a conversation starter with the warlocks.

Discussing Niflgaard Empire’s defenses against the Northern warlocks and their attitude towards their own warlocks akin to using tools.

On the surface, the portal fluctuations across the continent appear as calm as a few years ago.

But all knowledgeable, well-informed warlocks, upon seeing this calmness... are instead stirred with a deeper anxiety than facing stormy winds and rain.

Presumably, now only those truly ’having no hidden matters in heart, and nothing clinging on their bodies,’ secluded and idle wild mages might still casually use the portals.

The world is constantly changing, just in recent years, the speed of change has reached a point that even these long-lived warlocks struggle to comprehend.

"Once Triss supervises the remaining five individuals through their mutation and safely passes the most dangerous period, you can set out to return to Gos Velen."

Lann repeated their schedule arrangement to Geralt once more.

It was an emphasis.

The common person seeing Geralt’s usually straight face might believe him to be the standard cold Demon Hunter.

But Lann, sharing a life-and-death bond with him, knows that beneath Geralt’s cold facade... is actually an emotional person.

If he truly hadn’t cared about the Embers Knight Order, Geralt might have directly stayed behind.

"Bring along Belengar, Triss. Oh, and Stuart, it’s time for his face to return to its former look..."

"Alright, alright." Geralt impatiently interrupted, "Why do you sound like a nagging old woman now, Lann? I thought I was talking to Nanik. Do you really think I’m stupid?"

"Precisely because you aren’t stupid." Lann retorted with a blank expression, "You’re even smart and resourceful, which is why I have to remind you: don’t do anything unnecessary."

"By the way, could you also send Rong Buqiu back for me?"

"Hmm?" Geralt raised his eyes in surprise to look at Lann, "You’ve just been arranging our schedule here, what are you planning? Not even taking the little cat?"

At this point, Lann smiled faintly, stretching his tongue out to lick his dry lips.

Yet this ordinary gesture of moistening one’s lips, at this moment, felt quite chilling to both Geralt and Lincoln.

It was like a lion with the smell of blood in its mouth, licking its teeth by one’s neck.

In an instant, goosebumps rose involuntarily on the nape of both men.

"The White Rose Knights removed their Shield Emblem and turned into bandits, even dared to fabricate devices on the spot to attack my castle."

Lann continued smiling, speaking unhurriedly.

"But wouldn’t you say it’s ironic? Their knight order’s garrison should also be facing bandits right now."

"My Lord," Lincoln interjected somewhat dumbfoundedly, "That’s not very likely, right? The White Rose Knight Order is very close to Duke Seward, not only politically allied but their castle is also near the Duke’s castle, bandits don’t seem plausible..."

The young secretary hadn’t even finished saying the word ’possible’ when he was silenced by Lann’s glare.

"I say it’s possible, so it’s possible."

Under Lann’s silent, annoyed retort, Lincoln’s expression swiftly changed from bewilderment to sudden realization.

"Oh!!!"

Then Lincoln revealed a knowing smile, making a ’zip it’ gesture with his hand in front of his mouth, indicating he would say no more.

"Bandits..." Geralt reacted even quicker than Lincoln, tilting his head to look at Lann with arms crossed, "So that’s why you’re not taking the little cat? Yeah, it’s indeed too unique and noticeable."

Then, the White Wolf sized up Lann once more: "The Qilin too is understandable, it can escape quickly. But where are you going yourself?"

"That’s good enough. Having an excuse to muddle through, what more do you want?"

Lann grabbed the large hooded cloak he had also placed on the desk and shook it, evidently, this cloak was his ’excuse’.

"Really giving them face?"

"The White Rose Knight Order and the Duke of Erland have been at odds recently, isn’t that obvious? But what of it?"

"Those White Rose Knights in the mountains have some brains, knowing not to blow things up right from the start. Remove the knight order’s Shield Emblem as an excuse."

"Alright, now everyone doesn’t want to blow things up." Lann rubbed the fabric of the cloak in his hand with interest, "Let’s see who’s capable then."

"..." Geralt relaxed his shoulders, letting them drop, "Alright, now I’m completely assured. As you said, once Triss is done, we’re heading back to Gos Velen. Not wasting any minute."

-----------------

Within two hours after Geralt brought the news, the remaining five mutation slots began.

It was still Lann administering the injections to each of them.

From Belengar’s experience, who was already feeling somewhat numb, they were expected to begin experiencing the most dangerous physiological reactions of the mutation around early dawn tomorrow.

And by the afternoon, the process would have calmed down with the support of the Big Appetite Energy. Meanwhile, Triss would be ready as insurance to intervene with the Stabilizing Spell at any time.

As long as the mutation’s most dangerous phase was overseen, Triss and the others would immediately depart for Gos Velen, preparing for the Warlock Summit that was about to start the following night.

According to Geralt’s investigation, the very night of the Warlock Summit might be when those White Rose Knights choose to act.

After all, they aren’t foolish.

They know how to conceal their identities to confuse, minimize impact, and have been hiding all along.

Only waiting for Lann to be occupied by the warlocks’ meeting, unaware of what’s happening at his castle, would be their safest time to act.

Yet Lann himself, indeed as they thought, is no longer concerned with the matters at High Hill Castle.

Only the reason for this ’lack of concern’ differs slightly from what they imagined.