Chapter 1430 - 1395: Minor Friction

"I have some expenses to settle, Molnar."

The female warlock said casually.

"But considering that if I use my account at Vivaldi Bank, I fear someone might break their neck drunk, so..."

"Yennefer," the dwarf banker interrupted immediately, "you can borrow as much as you want from me. The non-human massacre in Wenger Castle was a long time ago, maybe even you’ve forgotten."

"But I’ll never forget what you did in that massacre, no one in the Giancardi Clan has forgotten. You just need to tell me a number. Just a number."

Lann opened his mouth to say something, but before he could speak, Ciri tugged at the corner of his cloak and shook her head at him.

Ciri also knew that this demon hunter was wealthy but didn’t care about money.

However, a deal is a deal, and the girl and the female warlock had been together for a while, she was quite aware that this powerful female warlock likely wouldn’t accept money given to her under the guise of ’help’.

Yennefer would even consider it condescending.

Taking a loan from the bank is much better because Yennefer isn’t short on money, she just doesn’t want others to see her account’s financial movements.

"Fifteen hundred Temerian Oren," the female warlock said firmly, "transfer it to the branch of Zion Fanreni Bank in Elrand, the recipient is Meritelli Temple."

"Leave it to me. Transferring like this is smart, donations to the temple are tax-free. Anything else?"

"How much is Airetusa Academy’s tuition now? I haven’t taken any graduates in a long time, and haven’t paid attention to these things."

Ciri listened intently.

But before Molnar could respond, leaning against the wall, Lann spoke methodically.

"Tuition is calculated in Krona now, it’s twelve hundred a year, and including miscellaneous fees, it adds another two hundred."

Yennefer turned from the armchair.

It must be said that the curve of this female warlock was quite eye-catching when she turned.

She looked at the demon hunter with a surprised raised eyebrow, as if not expecting him to know Airetusa’s apprentice tuition so well.

Lann waved his hand: "Don’t look at me like that, I have a good relationship with an apprentice at the academy, she keeps complaining to me, even has to work part-time as a barber to earn some pocket money."

Yennefer clicked her tongue in joking disdain: "The increase is quite steep now."

"Everything is going up now, at least this tuition lets apprentices live like queens." Molnar lamented, "Half the city depends on them to make a living, those candy vendors, tailors, shoemakers, peddlers..."

"I know, Molnar. Although I took out a student loan back then, I also enjoyed these benefits. Transfer two thousand Krona to the school’s account for me, anonymously, and add a note..."

Saying this, Yennefer paused, turned thoughtfully, and saw the demon hunter gesturing with open hands to her.

The female warlock smiled: "No, no need for a note, Molnar. I have someone here who can speak directly with the headmaster behind closed doors."

The dwarf banker pretended not to understand, just pulled out a piece of paper, swiftly writing and drawing with a quill pen.

"Alright, alright. Yennefer, is that all?"

"Then give me three hundred Novigrad kroner, in cash. I need at least three dresses for the Sandy Island gathering."

Three hundred kroner for three dresses, these dresses are more expensive than top-quality armor.

Needless to say, these dresses in the female warlock’s mouth are positioned not as clothing, but as luxury items.

"Why cash? I’ll write you a five hundred kroner draft. Imported fabrics have been surging recently, and you don’t wear wool and linen. If you need anything else, or if any Airetusa prospective apprentice needs anything else, my shop and warehouse are always open."

"Thanks. What interest rate do you think is appropriate?"

"Interest?" The dwarf raised his head, "Your interest was prepaid to the Giancardi Clan long ago, Yennefer. In Wenger Castle. Don’t bring up this matter again."

"I don’t like debts, Molnar."

"Neither do I. But I’m a businessman, a trader among dwarves. I know what obligations are, and I know their value. So I’ll repeat: don’t bring up this matter again. I’ll fulfill your requests, even those you haven’t mentioned."

Yennefer raised an eyebrow.

"A demon hunter I consider family," Giancardi laughed, "recently went to Dorian City. I heard he owes a creditor a hundred kroner. And that creditor just happens to work for me. I’ll cancel his debt."

The female warlock’s face turned cold: "Don’t do extra things, Molnar. I’m afraid he no longer cares about me, if he finds out, he might even resent me. We all know how much he values his pride."

Lann listened with a puzzled expression, he looked down at Ciri, shaping silent words: Are they at odds again?

The girl also opened her mouth wide, emphasizing the shape: I don’t know either! Probably!

Geralt and Yennefer’s tangled relationship is very chatty among their circle of friends, endlessly enduring.

Every time they touch a sore spot, it leaves the White Wolf sulking for a while.

Demon Hunter and female warlock’s genuine love beyond physical desire... before Lann appeared, it was indeed a rare sight.

But despite Yennefer’s unpleasant expression, she still asked, "When did he go to Dorian City?"

"About a month and a half ago. Then someone saw him in the small swamp. Heard he went from there to Hilton, a few farmers commissioned him for work. As usual, to kill some monster."

Molnar seemed quite familiar with Yennefer’s situation, where she’d argue but still ask questions, and he spoke methodically.

"As usual, they will pay him peanuts as compensation."

Yennefer’s tone changed slightly but still carried that unique sarcasm.

"As usual, it’s not enough for his medical bills. Same old story. Molnar, if you truly want to do something for me, try this: contact the farmers in Hilton, and increase the compensation so he can survive."

"Same old story?" Molnar rubbed his forehead in frustration, "But what if he learns the truth one day?"

Yennefer looked around: "Then who would he... learn the truth from?"

Shilton, who had been silent, immediately buried his head, sipping red wine in a manner unseen before among the red-bearded Dwarves, like a cat lapping water.

In contrast, Ciri bravely met Yennefer’s gaze.

Lann directly interjected, "Your information’s outdated, Molnar. Geralt already ran some errands with me somewhere else more than half a month ago."

"He didn’t have a big bag of peanuts in his pouch, but a bag of turnips instead..." Lann first complained, then looked at Yennefer, "However, you don’t need to secretly take care of his business."

"If he’s short of money now, he can find work at the Academy. We’ve cooperated many times before."

Obviously, the conflict between Yennefer and Geralt was still evident; she didn’t even know how long the White Wolf had been here.

The Female Warlock apparently thought of this as well, her expression becoming even colder, making Ciri lower her head in fear.

Lann, however, was accustomed to these powerful women wielding Magic Power, with their strong and independent personalities.

So, he nodded to Yennefer, seemingly unfazed.

"He’s in the city now too, want to meet? It’s just a five-minute walk, Silver Swan Tavern. The largest and most luxurious inn in the city."

Talking about this, the girl who kept her head down under the Warlock’s fury, her eyes flickered with joy.

"No, I said." Yennefer coldly refused, "I suppose we’ve both stopped caring about each other, and I don’t want to see him again."

Lann acted as if he hadn’t understood a word of what it meant.

"Really? But it’s really not far, you just have to go out the door, turn left, then right, and then..."

Lann’s description was brief and accurate, enough to draw a route map on the spot from the description. Even specifying which room Geralt was staying in at the inn.

This made Yennefer feel increasingly uneasy, her brows furrowing tightly.

Meanwhile, a gap appeared behind Ciri, who was originally blocked by the tall and strong body of Lann, as the Demon Hunter’s footsteps shifted.

The girl first calmly pressed down the felt hat she used to cover her mouse-gray hair, and then, amid Lann’s abnormal rambling, bent over and dashed through the gap beside the Demon Hunter!

Her speed and nimble steps were like a little rat!

She got up from the stool, slipped through the gap beside Lann, yanked open the office door, and bolted outside.

A series of actions completed in one go!

Never mind a girl, not even a nimble adult man could compare to her!

"You dare!!!"

From the moment Ciri abruptly stood up, Yennefer’s eyes widened in a roar of anger!

Her voice was obviously gentler than the warriors fighting on a battlefield, yet Ciri still instinctively pulled back, only to stubbornly retort.

"I dare everything!"

The girl’s defiant comeback made Yennefer’s face, smeared with Magic Cream, flush with sudden anger!

A harsh sound of chair legs scraping the floor erupted, as the Female Warlock pushed the chair away, rushed outside, trying to catch the girl.

Lann quickly sidestepped against the wall.

But as Yennefer passed by him, she still glared at him venomously with her violet eyes.

Outside the office, the bank which was originally busy but orderly, suddenly erupted into a chaotic noise.

The exclamations of Dwarves and the clattering of tables and chairs were incessant, intermingled with the sound of paper pages fluttering.

Both White Beard and Red Beard Dwarves were sitting in their chairs, smacking their lips.

Molnar, acting as if he’d seen nothing, handed the recently written bank draft to Lann.

"I rarely see Yennefer so eager to care for a girl, if others hadn’t said, I would suspect she’s her daughter."

The Dwarf Banker waved his hand, indicating for Lann not to explain.

"She doesn’t want to say, I won’t ask either, could you kindly take this bank draft to her."

"Certainly, gentlemen." Lann took the bank draft in one hand, pulled the hood back over his head with the other, "Goodbye then."