Chapter 192: Unloved Children Grow Up to Be Monsters (Part 2)
Duchess Carolberta once accidentally stumbled into the laboratory of Fringilla's uncle, the illusionist Artorius. To test and improve his magic, Artorius had captured many animals and experimented on them.
Duchess Carolberta had always considered herself a strong woman. She had appeared at execution sites without flinching, staring directly into the eyes of notorious bandit leaders until they were executed in her name. She had even personally visited battlefields, taken off her skirts, donned armor, and fought like a man.
But she had never realized before.
There were many things in this world more terrifying than death. That was being imprisoned in a sunless cage, treated as an experimental subject. Dying directly from side effects was, in a way, a kindness. What was truly terrifying was not being able to die, but repeatedly suffering immense torment from side effects.
Of course, Duchess Carolberta was not so naive as to be a bleeding heart. Artorius was merely testing his magic on animals. There was nothing inherently wrong with such practices. Humanity's dominant position on this continent was, after all, built upon oppressing non-human races like elves and dwarves, and stripping other animals of their right to exist. Whether it was magic or medical technology, how could it develop and progress without experiments performed on countless corpses? This was a necessary sacrifice.
But as a mother, she did not wish for her child to suffer such a fate. If Syanna became a witcher, even if one day she died fighting a monster, that would be her destiny. At least she would have fought.
"Your Grace, the Law of Surprise is indeed an unwritten law established by custom in this world, but it is not exclusive to witchers; anyone can use it to claim a reward."
"You may not be aware, but the execution of the Law of Surprise actually has strict requirements."
Lynn considered the Black Sun Curse to be nonsense. But the Law of Surprise and destiny, Lynn had no choice but to believe in. They genuinely existed in this world.
Lynn paused, then continued to explain. "Simply put, the Law of Surprise usually demands the first thing the rescued person sees upon returning home, or something the rescued person doesn't know about but already possesses. Miss Syanna, in every respect, does not meet these conditions."
"However, if Your Grace wishes for me to take Miss Syanna away, then you only need to offer a commission."
The witcher's words made the Duchess's eyes light up. "In that case, Master, I request that you take my granddaughter away. No matter where you take her, just ensure she never sets foot in Toussaint again for the rest of her life."
"If you accept this commission, I can pay you two thousand florens as compensation."
Lynn gasped, drawing a sharp breath. Hiss! Hiss! Hiss! This was terrifyingly generous! Duchess Carolberta truly had deep pockets. Two thousand florens was equivalent to over twenty thousand Orens.
In the original novel, Geralt received only a meager three thousand Orens as a reward for helping Foltest lift his daughter's Striga curse. And that was already the highest paying commission Geralt had undertaken in the entire novel.
Now, Duchess Carolberta was offering him the equivalent of over twenty thousand Orens in one go. Even if Toussaint was wealthy, it shouldn't be this extravagant, should it?
Lynn looked at Duchess Carolberta's face, thinking that if his former roommate, who was like a father to him, were here, he would probably be figuring out how to live off a rich woman.
However, he quickly realized the reason for the Duchess's generosity. The reason Foltest only paid Geralt three thousand Orens was not because Temeria was less prosperous than Toussaint.
It was because those three thousand Orens were paid as a witcher's fee. The over twenty thousand Orens Duchess Carolberta was offering him, strictly speaking, was not only his fee, but also included Syanna's living expenses for the next decade or so.
After all, no matter what, Syanna was still a lady of the ducal family. She couldn't truly be expected to live like a farm girl, eating coarse food and vegetables, could she?
Having understood this, Lynn solemnly assured the Duchess, "Please rest assured, Your Grace. I will certainly take good care of Miss Syanna."
Duchess Carolberta had been waiting for these words from the witcher. Although the witcher hadn't stayed long in Toussaint, the Duchess instinctively felt that Lynn was a trustworthy person.
The Duchess commanded a company of knight-errants who upheld the Five Virtues of Knighthood and the spirit of chivalry, swearing eternal loyalty to her. But even they were not as reliable as a witcher. Because they were men, not "monsters."
Ever since the news of Syanna being a "child of calamity" spread, the Duchess had seen things very clearly. Even many of those whom she had previously considered the embodiment of knightly virtues, the knight-errants, shamelessly suggested executing or burning Syanna. This left her deeply disappointed.
It also made her realize that the knights' chivalry was merely a means for them to pursue honor, not true chivalry. If she were to entrust them with escorting Syanna out of Toussaint, the Duchess dared not imagine what they might do to Syanna...
Given the circumstances, the Duchess preferred to entrust Syanna to the witcher.
Seeing Lynn's solemn agreement, Duchess Carolberta rose from her seat. To the astonished gazes of Fringilla and the guards, she walked step by step to Lynn, then bowed her head.
"Then I entrust everything to you, Master Lynn."
Just then, footsteps suddenly echoed. A servant hurried over.
"Your Grace, something terrible has happened!"
Duchess Carolberta shot him a displeased glare: "Such panic? What is the meaning of this!"
The servant, realizing his impropriety, immediately knelt: "Your Grace, please forgive my lapse."
"Your Grace, Krowser is usually so composed. Something serious must have happened to make him so distraught. Please forgive him this once." Fringilla, standing behind Duchess Carolberta, interjected.
"For Lady Fringilla's sake, I will not punish you this time. Let there be no next," the Duchess said, returning to her seat. "Speak, what is it?"
"Yes." The servant cast a grateful look at the court sorceress, then stood up and said, "Miss Anna Henrietta and Miss Syanna are missing."
"What?!" Duchess Carolberta's fingers, gripping the armrest of her seat, turned white from the intensity of her grasp. "Then go find them, quickly!"
Cold sweat beaded on the servant's forehead. "We've searched everywhere, but no one has seen the two young ladies. The guards stationed at all palace entrances and exits also said they didn't see the young ladies leave."
"This is impossible..." Duchess Carolberta felt a sudden wave of dizziness.
"Your Grace?!" Fringilla quickly moved to the Duchess's side, a gentle magical glow illuminating her fingers as she lightly touched the Duchess's temple.
"I'm alright now, thank you, Fringilla." Duchess Carolberta reopened her eyes and patted Fringilla's hand. The latter then stepped back.
....
For 120 advanced chapters:
Get advanced chapters ahead of everyone else.
👉 Join now: patreon.com/Chaos_God