Chapter 1427 - 1392: Giancardi Bank

During this time, Yennefer educated Ciri on the basics of magic... or rather, she let the girl see her female warlock side.

No doubt, Ciri’s identity as a Magic Source also destined her to become an extraordinary female warlock.

So it can almost be considered that Yennefer is showing Ciri what she might become in the future.

Yennefer has a strong personality, even to the point of being autocratic.

However, despite being rebellious and defiant, Ciri surprisingly doesn’t dislike it.

Perhaps it’s because she is gradually realizing that she might also become ’this cool’ in the future.

As Yennefer says, learning magic is a systematic major project, one that she alone cannot teach well or comprehensively.

But at least she taught Ciri what kind of people female warlocks she might become in the future are.

Strong-willed, independent, contemptuous of most societal rules, and... learning to respect strength.

Because female warlocks are a group of strong women, they know better what kind of behavior to maintain when facing stronger power.

After graduating, apprentices of Airetusa need to find a mentor for an internship lasting several years.

During this process, if the mentor is gentle and easy to deal with, it’s because they have good character.

And if the mentor treats you like a servant, there’s nothing to fuss about.

Because even if you fuss, no one will care; this is normal.

If you can use various means to overthrow the ’evil mentor’ or force them into equal cooperation, then that’s considered news worth talking about in the warlock circle.

Warlocks’ stylish clothing and self-respecting demeanor are just the outer shell of their group.

The Talent and Skill Association and Warlock Supreme Council seem to be fair and just organizational structures.

But ultimately—Wasn’t the organization firmly established through the blood of opponents when it was founded?

No one understands the meaning of ’power’ better than they do.

So under Yennefer’s orders, although Ciri is a bit rebellious and disobedient, she still does everything.

"Alright, stop, we’re here."

"Is this the academy you mentioned?" Ciri looked up at the majestic facade of the building, mumbling, "Doesn’t look very big..."

"Don’t say too much, dismount. This isn’t an academy, it’s a bank."

"Then why are we here at the bank?"

"Think for yourself. Get down, don’t step into water puddles! Look at me, Ciri. Adjust your hat, fix your collar, keep your back straight. Yes, you should learn some manners now."

Yennefer directed the girl, while the girl herself sighed heavily.

Coming from the grand entrance are dwarves, vying to bow and offer service to the female warlock and her ’little attendant’.

Yennefer walked into the bank unsurprised, but Ciri felt a bit curious.

She’s seen dwarves before, but she hasn’t seen ones like those inside the Giancardi Bank. They’re uniformly dressed, neatly bearded, and considerably respectful, quite different from the ’very individualistic’ dwarf workers she’s met before.

The magic cream of Yennefer’s still hasn’t worn off, and the moment she walked in, her enchanting beauty caused a stir.

Another group of dwarves rushed over, eager to serve her.

The bank instantly became chaotic.

However, both Ciri and the female warlock noticed that this place had already been tumultuous before they entered.

Their height as humans let them... at least Yennefer, see over the dwarf heads into other areas.

The whole Giancardi Bank Hall now gathered two groups of people, and those attracted by her female warlock’s beauty weren’t even many.

In the most intense, noisy gathering of dwarves, stood an unusually tall figure.

The robust body surpassed the normal human build, even wrapped in a wide cloak, still highlighting the perfect body proportions beneath.

Not to mention directly exposed, under the silver-like hair, a face that even beyond the female warlock’s possessed demonic charm.

Yennefer raised an eyebrow.

She only saw among the dwarves there a vibrant red-bearded dwarf pulling and lamenting, leading the tall figure towards the reception room at the back of the bank.

"Make way! What’s this got to do with you? This is our Valerian Commerce Association internal discussion!"

The red-bearded dwarf’s voice was loud, but not really angry.

And Lann dared not move too quickly among the dwarf bank staff, fearing he might accidentally bump into someone.

But after a quick glance, the young Demon Hunter’s eyes lit up.

He simultaneously saw the surrounded Yennefer.

The female warlock first gave him a smile, and Lann nodded in response.

Until an extravagantly dressed, white-bearded stout dwarf appeared, the hustle and bustle in the bank hall subsided.

"My dear Yennefer!" As soon as he came out, he headed directly for the female warlock, only mid-way turning his head to see the Duke also surrounded by dwarves, for a moment stammering and added, "Oh! and, and even the respected Duke!"

"Today truly surprises and honors me!"

"You folks stop standing there stupidly! Go back to your work, calculate your accounts! Don’t crowd around the Duke! It’s not your time to shine yet!"

As always, the dwarf had a loud voice, with a thick gold necklace hanging around his muscular neck, so long it almost reached his belt, even longer than his white beard.

However, the steps that were just rushing toward the female warlock now hesitated with some reluctance, and an unexpected polite smile hung on his face.

"Yennefer, you must have business with me. Let’s talk in my office. As for Duke Lann..."

Saying this, he gave a meaningful look to the red-bearded dwarf beside the Demon Hunter.

"How about the first parlor? Shilton, today the first parlor can be filled with the schedule of the Valerian Commerce Association."

Shilton Giancardi immediately understood, this female warlock probably had some personal connections with the bank.

"No problem, Uncle Molnar. Let’s go, Lann."

Shilton said as he led the way forward. He knew his friend and boss didn’t really care about face, and thus didn’t think Lann would be dissatisfied.

But the Demon Hunter didn’t follow the steps Shilton had already taken; he tilted his head with interest, looking at the girl acting as a sidekick beside Yennefer.

The teasing smile made the girl turn away and cover her face.

Yennefer was also watching that smile, but she was exchanging greetings with the old dwarf instead.

"It’s good to see you, Yennefer. You look... oh! Damn, breathtakingly beautiful!"

"Same to you, Molnar. Well-maintained." Yennefer bent down to kiss the dwarf’s face in greeting, then said, "But I feel there’s no need to complicate things."

"What?"

Molnar Giancardi hadn’t understood what this meant, then saw the female warlock openly giving a beautiful smile to the not-so-distant Lann.

"We’re friends, and since we met here, what’s the point of deliberately separating?"

It was then that Shilton noticed Lann hadn’t caught up, turning back with a slightly "so that’s it" expression looking at the Demon Hunter.

Lann glanced down and immediately knew that the red-bearded dwarf must have misunderstood, but he just rolled his eyes and walked over to Yennefer.

"Back on Sodden Mountain, you saved my life." As Lann got closer, Yennefer first flicked her hair back, then reached out her hand, "But time has never been on our side, I’ve never had the chance to properly thank you."

The scent of lilac and gooseberries was distinctive.

From under his cloak, Lann extended his hand, revealing a corner of his majestic and powerful armor.

He glanced at his hand armor but ultimately didn’t take it off, directly grasping Yennefer’s hand.

"No need for thanks." Lann nodded to her first, then discreetly adjusted his angle, glancing at Ciri with a smile, "Indeed, it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other."

He spoke with deep meaning.

"Haha! All friends here!"

The old dwarf smiled, though this did make his earlier intervention a bit awkward.

Yet a banker is a banker; he quickly shook off any trivial emotions and started chatting openly.

"Shilton, is the Duke here on business? Or...?"

"We really have no official matters, Uncle Molnar." The red-bearded dwarf shrugged, "Lann is here just taking the opportunity to chat about the state of the commerce association; and Miss Yennefer here? If you’re discussing business, we can wait."

"No," Yennefer shook her head, "I’m also here to hear about recent news, you bankers are always well-informed."

"In that case..." The old white-bearded, gold-necklaced dwarf turned and called out, "Weifu! Bring my bottle of Newcastle red wine! Open it and send it to the office!"

The old dwarf called out as he began to move, leading everyone to his office.

The office was a bit dim, but the temperature was pleasant, with the smell of ink and parchment, and the dust covering the oak furniture, fabrics, and old books, making one feel at ease.

Molnar pulled out an armchair by the desk for Yennefer, but looking at the Demon Hunter standing like a wall, he became distressed.

"No, don’t mind me, friends." Lann casually crossed his arms, then leaned against the wall, appearing very relaxed, "I didn’t expect to find a chair suitable for me at Giancardi Bank."

He even cracked a joke, which made the old dwarf, who hadn’t interacted much with him, relax quite a bit.

Shilton was very familiar; he pulled another armchair up to his uncle’s desk and motioned to Ciri.

But when Yennefer silently waved her hand in refusal, he pulled out a stool for the girl and sat in the armchair himself.

"Lann is a good guy, Uncle. You don’t need to fuss over him."

The red-bearded dwarf said cheerfully.

Meanwhile, Ciri shifted the stool Shilton gave her, moving little by little until she sat next to Lann’s leg.

She lifted her felt hat covered with hair, with a somewhat ashen face she gazed up, giving Lann a slightly silly smile.

Lann was amused, stifling his laughter with a ’pfft’.

Yennefer’s stunningly alluring figure stretched out on the armchair.

She watched the interaction between Lann and Ciri, her gaze profoundly deep with ambiguous meaning.

"Since everyone here is a friend able to gather in the same room..."

Molnar sat at the edge of the desk, hands clasped. Though speaking, he still looked somewhat indecisively at Yennefer.

Not until Yennefer and Lann, understanding his implied meaning, exchanged nods again, did the dwarf banker let out a long breath.

"Alright, since you all think so, it seems we really can open our hearts and talk openly."