After hearing that Eithné wanted to meet him, Lann straightened his posture and nodded after pondering for a moment. "It's true. Whether it's because of the care the village received last year or because of the necessary future collaborations with the dryads... It's necessary to visit Mrs. Eithné."
Luka hurriedly said: "I'll let my grandson take him to our camp in the forest. Dryads often go there."
"There's no rush, I have to finish things here first." Lann shook his head. "But we can let Levin start preparations."
After finishing the visit to Brokilon Forest, the former mayor retired and then Lann's servants entered the room. Lann had other instructions for them.
Old butler Enns, future butler Hardy, servants Ace, House, and Milva. These are Lann's current direct team members.
"Tell me, what happened at home when I was away, and what's your situation now?"
The eyes of several people looked at Lann in different ways. Young people such as Hardy, Ace, and House all looked excited, even a little unbelievable. At the same time, they were also shocked by Lann's fighting prowess when facing the Nilfgaardians, and they all felt excited at this moment.
Milva, on the other hand, was relatively calm about Lann's return, although she felt extremely grateful to have been rescued from the dryads by him. However, because she had not yet reached an effective skill level, Lann had not taken her with him, distancing her from the others.
Enns was the most excited among everyone. When he looked at Lann, his eyes gradually turned red. Finally, Enns held back his emotions and explained the current situation.
During Lann's absence, the Lannister property was transferred in the name of protection to Ciri, who in turn handed it over to Enns for administration. Therefore, after fully accepting the affairs of the Lannister family - in fact, he had almost full power before - the first thing he did was to build Brokilon.
It was unclear whether this was Enns' decision or whether Queen Calanthe wanted to leave a way out for her granddaughter, but after hearing all this, Lann only thought one thing: you can always trust the old butler.
Lann moved to thank the old housekeeper: "You have really worked hard during this period, Enns."
Enns did not consider his job 'hard', but there was one serious problem to mention. "Sir, now we will have to use our own money for the development of the territory. You can't play anymore..."
Lann quickly shifted his gaze to the others. "Is there anything else I need to know?"
But Lann suddenly thought of a question, and he hesitated: "Ace...where is your father?"
Ace replied calmly: "My father remained in the castle until the last moment, fulfilling the destiny of a knight."
Lann sighed. He decided not to intervene in the development decisions they had made during the year. After briefly explaining the future matters, he left Milva and Ace alone.
Both were key candidates for future combat training. Ace has already shown vague leadership skills, and Milva is a person who can become a Gwent gold card in the future. Lann wanted to see if they could push their limits.
He wants to make a contract with the two of them as [followers].
Their situation is different from that of Black Wind, because in addition to upgrading and sharing skills, the [Follower] system also has a core effect: providing 20% of one's own experience.
Followers had their own quest bars. Lann thought that with more followers in the future, he could gain experience without doing much.
But ability points were still valuable. Lann didn't have enough for himself, so he decided to open the follower panel only to those focused on combat to maximize the benefits.
"I have gained an ability, which you can understand as magic. After I give it to you, you can increase your power by killing enemies or helping others."
After hearing Lann's words, Milva's first reaction was disbelief, while Ace's eyes widened.
Ace remembered some rumors he had heard among the troops and refugees, as well as Lann's combat ability before becoming a witcher. He seemed to understand everything now.
Ace was shocked, while Milva approached curiously. "My Lord, how can we obtain that power?"
Lann said: "Don't resist in your heart, choose to be my [follower], and when I feel your thoughts, I will respond and give you power."
"This is a pride of lions..." Ace muttered, gradually becoming excited.
Spending two ability points for two follower slots, Lann placed his hand on Milva's head, and her experience value decreased slightly.
[Follower: Milva (Maria Barring)
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Level: 1
Talent: Sharpshooter
Experience value: 0/1000
Health: 100/100
Mana: None
Inventory: Ranger Armor, Ranger Shin Guards, Ranger Gloves... (+)
Skill column: Concentration, Precision Shooting, Jungle Veteran, Wilderness Survival, Advanced Archery
Missions: None]
[Shared follower talent: Sharpshooter]
[Sharpshooter: Increases shooting weapon proficiency, and the skill level increases by 1 after learning shooting skills.]
Lann's reaction upon experiencing this was one of astonishment. This is the first time Lann has shared talents. It can only be said that [talents] are indeed something above [skills], and Milva is worthy of being a gold card in the future.
However, Lann did not plan to explore archer skills for now, as they did not fit his current tactics.
Just as Lann was preparing to call Ace, he saw Milva staring at him with a strange expression.
"Any questions?"
Milva shook her head absentmindedly, but her eyes seemed to be glued to Lann's face. "It's nothing... I suddenly felt like everything I had learned before came to my mind at once."
"I also feel that suddenly, Count, you... look more imposing and handsome, it's hard to look at you directly." As she continued to watch, her face became redder and redder.
Lann was left speechless by Milva's cheeky look. 'Is this what you mean it's hard to look at me directly?'
Because Black Wind is a horse, Lann was unable to understand the changes he experienced when someone became a [follower].
After signing the contract with Milva, Lann turned back and shouted to Ace: "Ace, what are you mumbling? It's your turn!"
Ace who was muttering distractedly, was suddenly taken aback, then straightened his back proudly and took big steps forward, full of ceremonial sense.
Subsequently, a panel that surprised Lann appeared...
[Follower: Ace
Sex: Male
Race: Human
Level: 1
Talent: Magical Aura (Unawakened)
Experience value: 0/1000
Health: 200/200
Mana: not enabled
Inventory: City Guard Armor, City Guard Greaves... (+)
Skill column: Advanced Archery, Intermediate Riding, Intermediate Swordsmanship
Mission: None]
[Shared follower talent: Magical Aura]
[Magical Aura: The attack distance of magic skills is increased by 20%, and the attack accuracy of magic skills is increased by 20%]
Lann knew that talent was a very rare thing. It was normal for Milva to have a talent with the gold card as a base, but she never expected that Ace also had a talent.
And besides, he was a magical talent.
"My Lord." Suddenly Ace spoke, breaking Lann out of his thoughts. "I also feel that what I learned before is clearer. And you are more heroic, more majestic, and more handsome."
"You don't have to tell me how you feel about the second half." Lann hesitated and asked: "Ace...has your family ever produced a mage, a druid, or an alchemist?"
Ace replied strangely: "As you know, my lord, I am the son of a knight, and my family is full of sword skills..." His voice became softer and softer because he saw Lann's solemn and troubled expression. He heard the earl say: "Perhaps, my arrangements for you will change..."
...
Night, Lannister Mansion, garden.
"I have lost a follower, a friend, a comrade.
"He supported me countless times in life, and when we said goodbye for the last time, he fell into an enemy magic trap while trying to protect me."
There was a small mound of dirt in the garden, surrounded by colorful flowers.
Lann held Swade's helmet in his hands, lamenting in a low voice. "He was my sharpest sword and my strongest shield."
"He was the son of a blacksmith, but his virtue surpassed that of a knight."
"He was a man of oaths, and he died for it."
Behind Lann were all his vassals, besides Geralt and Ciri.
Ciri cried uncontrollably, regretting the things she said to Swade in the past.
"He was born in a wonderful city and rose up from it with a group of outstanding people."
"He died in that good city, among those who fought for it."
"He will remain in our hearts forever and in the hearts of generations to come."
"The rest he now had was far more peaceful than anything he had ever experienced."
Lann stepped forward, placed the helmet on top of the tomb, and whispered: "Your oath ends here, rest in peace, Swade."
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