The young lord hadn't even uttered a single word.
He had merely shown his face, and his Witcher companion's commission was completed with almost no hitches.
This invisible influence was more effective than any words or force.
After the irrelevant people had left, the Night Queen, true to her word, handed Geralt a heavy purse.
"This is the agreed-upon reward, three hundred and fifty oren. Do you need to count it, Witcher?"
Geralt took the purse, weighed it in his hand, then slipped it into his pouch, shaking his head.
The Night Queen's red lips curved slightly, and she glanced downstairs meaningfully: "As for that special reward... you'll need to actively discover and experience it yourself."
As her words fell, her gaze immediately turned to Karl, with a glimmer of interest in her eyes.
She was about to speak, to have an in-depth conversation with this powerful young man.
However, Karl seemed to see through her intention, before she could utter a sound.
Updates are not easy, remember to share 101kanshu.com.
He preemptively said, in a purely businesslike tone: "Night Queen, I am very interested in the House of Night's... operational model."
"Perhaps we could discuss investment cooperation? As for any other topics, please forgive me, but I'm not interested at the moment."
Upon hearing this, the Night Queen's smile stiffened slightly, and a wave of helplessness welled up in her heart.
The House of Night she established followed a high-end, mysterious, and 'rarity is value' route.
She deliberately limited the number of vampire women and recruited human women as supplements precisely to maintain this unique appeal.
Accepting outside investment? This was completely outside her plans and could even destroy the atmosphere she had meticulously cultivated.
She couldn't help but roll her eyes elegantly, her previous interest fading, and her tone became somewhat unenthusiastic: "I like peace, not the clamor of business. Please make yourselves at home."
Geralt and Karl were both intelligent and immediately understood her meaning.
They said no more, simply bade farewell, and then left the flickering candlelight of the upper room together.
Walking on the bustling streets of the Trade District, Karl finally explained his true purpose for finding Geralt.
"Geralt, I have something I'd like to ask of you. My two attendants, Dalton and Philip, need to escort a batch of important items back to Bardu."
"The journey isn't short, and I hope to have a reliable and powerful person accompany them."
Geralt almost didn't hesitate, nodding directly: "I can."
He recalled the recently concluded commission and added: "This House of Night matter, if it weren't for your name, probably wouldn't have been resolved so easily."
"Such a small escort task, I don't even need to be paid for it."
Karl, however, shook his head, his attitude firm: "No, Geralt, even brothers settle accounts. If you don't accept payment, then I can only find someone else."
Geralt looked at Karl's serious expression, knowing he wasn't joking, and sighed softly.
The two then engaged in a brief and efficient negotiation on the street.
Ultimately, the reward for escorting Dalton and his party back to Bardu was set at twenty oren.
This price was quite fair; a typical monster-hunting commission, like killing a drowner, was only about two oren.
After the matter was settled, Geralt and Karl temporarily parted ways. He turned and walked back towards the distant House of Night.
He intended to claim that special reward, already agreed upon, which required active discovery.
Meanwhile, Karl turned and walked in the direction of the Royal Palace; he needed to see Foltest... In the palace garden, Karl made a request to Foltest: "Your Majesty, I would like to purchase some dimeritium from the royal family, to guard against potential magical threats."
Foltest heard this request, first stunned, then burst into laughter, patting Karl's shoulder.
"Karl, your vigilance is even more acute than mine, the King's, now!"
Although he felt Karl was overly cautious, out of his admiration and gratitude, he still waved his hand generously.
"Buy what! There's a batch in the storeroom; I'll have someone fetch it for you!"
Soon, attendants carried up a box containing over a hundred pounds of dimeritium ore with a deep green luster and some pre-refined dimeritium ingots.
And Foltest took not a single coin, gifting it all to Karl.
Leaving the Royal Palace with this heavy "gift," Karl felt much more at ease.
Foltest in the back garden, watching Karl's departing figure, fell into contemplation.
Karl's initiative in seeking dimeritium subtly reminded him of something.
The tragedy of his daughter, Adda, stemmed from that malicious curse, and behind curses often lurked the shadow of sorcerers...
"It seems... it's time to strengthen my own defenses," Foltest murmured, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
From that moment on, he decided to selectively incorporate some dimeritium into his everyday sword, armor.
Even some personal clothing accessories.
As King, he had to guard against any possible magical threats.
And Karl's purpose for wanting dimeritium was indeed related to what happened with Keira previously.
Before, he had a powerful physique but was almost ambushed by the opponent's mind magic because he lacked effective countermeasures.
He absolutely would not allow himself to make the same mistake a second time; acquiring dimeritium was the first magical defense line he was building for himself... The next morning, at the city gate of Vizima, Geralt and Karl said a simple farewell.
"Be careful on the road, Geralt."
"Mmm. I will," Geralt nodded.
Dalton and Philip had carefully loaded all the luggage, including the exquisite armor.
The lily glaive, some oren, and most importantly, the letter of pardon, onto the carriage. The coachman was also in position.
Geralt swung onto his mount, Roach, glanced at the ready carriage, and gestured to Dalton.
"Depart!"
At Dalton's command, the carriage slowly started, its wheels rumbling, embarking on the long journey back to Bardu.
Geralt rode his horse, escorting them, his white hair gently fluttering in the morning breeze.
Karl stood at the city gate, watching them leave until the convoy became a blurry black dot in the distance, then turned and walked towards the Temple District.
As he arrived at the Temple District, just as he approached the building where Triss's laboratory was located, a short, panicked female scream came from the direction of the laboratory.
"Is that Triss?!" Karl's heart tightened, thinking Triss had encountered some misfortune.
He didn't hesitate for a moment, immediately sprinting towards the laboratory door.
However, just as he was a few steps away from the door.
For more chapters
patreon.com/Robertt45