The knock on the door became more urgent and then Mousesack's voice was heard: "Lann, are you there?"
"Yes." Lann got up to open the door, but the old druid entered without waiting after receiving his answer.
His expression was very serious, and he was holding a letter in his hand.
"Lann, the Northern Kingdoms are holding a war conference, and Cintra has been invited."
Hearing what Mousesack said, Lann suddenly felt that the matter was not simple. He quickly took the letter and started reading it carefully.
Basically, the Northern Kingdoms have managed to contain Nilfgaard outside their borders, but they are currently in a stalemate. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the next strategic deployment.
Due to the development of the situation, no major Northern country can decide on its own. They have completely understood the ambitions and strength of Nilfgaard.
If they wish to continue attacking or defeat Nilfgaard, they need to cooperate fully. And if they wish to negotiate with Nilfgaard, they need to coordinate what to offer and what to get between the various factions of the North.
The meeting date was set for three months from now, and the meeting place will be at Hagge castle in the Aedirn Kingdom.
Lann reviewed the participating kingdoms. Well, besides Cintra, the only ones participating in the conference are the United Kingdom of Lyria and Rivia, which has a similar geographical location to Cintra, plus the four northern kingdoms: Temeria, Redania, Kaedwen and Aedirn.
The other small kingdoms of the North would probably be represented by the four great kingdoms. Their opinions didn't matter much.
Seeing that Lann was thoughtful and silent after reading the letter, Mousesack still waited patiently even though he had hundreds of suggestions in his heart.
The relationship between the two has become more complicated now. After Ciri left, Lann became the actual person in power as a member of the royal family.
Although Ciri remained the undisputed heir to Cintra, Mousesack now saw himself as the royal advisor in serious discussions with Lann.
He will make suggestions and admonish, but these will have to wait for Lann to give his own ideas first, and in the end only Lann can make the decision.
After a long time, Lann sighed. "It seems like we have to take this trip. But reading the letter, it seems like they are more interested in inviting Ciri."
Mousesack nodded and began to speak, analyzing the situation. "Battle reports from Cintra have been sent to the forces paying attention to the north. Ciri's status as first heir of Cintra is the most sensitive. Having protected her so much, other northern kingdoms may be interested."
Lann frowned. "You mean they want to do harm to Ciri?"
Mousesack shook his head. "What worries me is not Ciri's safety. As long as the northern kingdoms want Cintra to continue resisting Nilfgaard, they absolutely do not want anything to happen to Ciri."
"That's why they want to make sure Ciri is under their supervision."
"Turn her into a puppet to control Cintra? And they want to supervise Ciri. Do they have the ability to protect Ciri? Although they don't know anything, they are always worried about being left behind." Lann said with disdain. "Ciri is not ready to expose herself yet. She does not have the ability to protect herself."
Mousesack has a different view. "Not everyone wants to turn Ciri into a puppet. Some kings of the North may have more modest ambitions than you imagine."
"Maybe they want Ciri to become the next Calanthe, so they could rest easy without worrying about Nilfgaard and continue living their life as decadent monarchs."
"But your concerns are valid. Ciri is not ready to appear yet."
Ciri does not appear, then Lann is the only person qualified to speak to the outside world about Cintra. He should be at Hagge Castle in three months.
For Lann, this is actually an opportunity. The recovery of Cintra requires the support of other kingdoms in the north. Even if they do not provide real help in terms of troops or materials, they can already solve Lann's urgent need by just using troops to hold back Nilfgaard's large army.
Therefore, Lann must attend the North's meeting and seek allies as much as possible.
At the moment Lan made up his mind and put down the letter, the system prompt sounded.
[Discovered Task - Hear my Roar Part One:
The battle between the lions of Cintra and the black sun has been prolonged, with the eyes of the North watching closely. Many hands and eyes are on here. And you, lion of Cintra, now it is your turn to show your fangs and claws, let all the forces that try to approach Cintra taste blood and tears, and let the lion's roar echo again through the north.]
Lann raised his eyebrows, a new main mission. The context of this main mission is easy to guess. Just follow the restoration of Cintra and push forward. What is not known is how many missions this series of missions will have and how many benefits it will bring.
Since it was decided that Lann will go to Hagge Castle, the base camp needs a person with enough prestige to protect it. Currently, only Mousesack can take on this important task. The old druid is different from the royal advisor mages of other kingdoms, who are considered outsiders. The old druid has always been one of their own in the eyes of the people of Cintra.
Have sufficient prestige and a prominent reputation. Especially in the recent refugee gathering places, he did not hesitate to approach, comfort and help the refugees, which earned him a lot of gratitude.
Making an internal decision, Lann took the map and began to study how far he would have to travel to reach Hagge Castle.
After analyzing the route and the places he would have to pass through, Lann sighed to himself. 'This will truly be a long and exciting journey, as Master Mirror said.'
"Actually, I can send you there directly through the portal." Mousesack said to Lann very considerately.
Lann cleared his throat and speculated dryly. "Other kings wouldn't choose this way, otherwise why would they set aside three months to hold a meeting?"
Surprisingly, Mousesack nodded. "The kings are wary of mages, so they will not choose to use the portal unless they have to, and they themselves enjoy the process of traveling."
This was the first time Lann heard this statement. "I just made a casual guess... So these three months are really reserved for me who is the farthest?"
Mousesack affirmed. "There is also Queen Meve of the United Kingdom of Lyria and Rivia. They are also on the front line against Nilfgaard. Their situation is very similar to ours."
Lann reflected. "In other words, this long journey is also an opportunity. I can visit the kings of Temeria and Redania along the way to win their support."
Mousesack added. "That would be best. You should do everything possible to gain the support of Temeria and Redania before the talks. And Queen Meve is our natural ally and King Demavend III, although cruel, is full of insight."
"You will be able to speak with them in detail when you approach Castle Hagge."
With these words, the two had already drawn up a contact plan with four of the five participating kingdoms.
Lann asked curiously: "What about the king of Kaedwen?"
Lann really can't remember the personalities of these non-main characters very clearly.
Mousesack said emotionlessly: "He is very radical and easily irritated, so he often acts like a fool."
After confirming that he would definitely pass through Redania, Lann looked at the mirror on the table, and after thinking about it, he put it in his coat.
The system prompt sounds again.
[Discovered Task - Heart of Stone Part One:
This is not your first contact with the devil. Many things that happen around you are actually not coincidences if you think about it carefully now. You agree to meet again in Novigrad. This may be the beginning of a great adventure. For the foreseeable future, this adventure will be filled with joy but also deadly danger.]
From this moment, his next itinerary was completely defined.
Lann's eyes fell on the Griffin School contact book on the table. Since the situation has developed to this point, some plans had to change.
...
Kaer Seren, an elven castle in the snow, the headquarters of the Griffin School.
After a period of cleaning, the main part of the castle used for daily life has been cleared out. Although it is no longer as gorgeous as before, the traces of time and war damage make it look more primitive and have a unique sense of beauty.
In the hall, a few logs of dry wood were thrown into the fireplace. As soon as the flames flashed from Jerome's palm, heat waves poured into the castle continuously from the fireplace.
A white-haired but sturdy witcher brought a pot of soup, and the two sat by the fireplace and began to comfortably enjoy the rest and food.
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