"Everyone, I am the lion of Cintra, Earl Lann Lannister..."
The turbulent villagers below calmed down a little when they heard Lann's name. It turned out to be an earl, not those wandering thugs who came to rob the execution ground, which made them feel a little relieved.
Lan thought for a moment and drew out the Sword of the Lady of the Lake. The rune sword appeared again in the world after who knows how many years. The golden runes were shining in the sun, which also dazzled the onlookers.
Then he added his own title: "...I am also the knight of the Lady of the Lake, and I have just arrived at White Orchard today."
With that, even the outsiders calmed down. Although they could not confirm the authenticity of the sword, their hostility towards Lann was reduced. Troubadours and scholars who had seen illustrations and heard of the Sword of the Lady of the Lake had more intense reactions.
Some couldn't believe it and showed disdain on their faces. Others, however, stared at the runes, they did not seem false, and remembering the deeds of Lann sung by the bards, they believed his words.
"Lord Count of Cintra, what do you want to do?" The voice came from a group of travelers. They were not locals and obviously didn't want to be involved in the disaster of White Orchard.
Lann looked towards where the voice came from and was surprised to see Yarpen smiling subtly at him.
Lann raised an eyebrow and answered Yarpen's question out loud. ""Don't worry, this is a matter between nobles. The people of the Lord of White Orchard insulted my dignity, but I do not want to punish the beekeeper, nor do I want to implicate you."
"It's like when you are wounded with a sword, you don't break the sword, you only catch the one who wields it."
Lann put his hand on Verrieres' shoulder, and the people of White Orchard were completely relieved after hearing this, as if they had received a guarantee.
Although in their experience, it is normal for lords and nobles to break their promises, they can still feel at ease every time they face such a verbal promise.
"Hello, are you a Griffin School brother?" Kolgrim hesitated and stepped forward and was immediately stopped by the servants and soldiers.
Lann waved his hand to let them disperse and took the initiative to step forward and shake hands with the other party. "I am Lann of Cintra, from the Griffin School."
"I am Kolgrim of Nilfgaard, thank you for saving me."
...
Temeria, capital Vizima, royal palace.
"So, that Lannister kidnapped a lord in my country, near my capital?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"What caused it?"
"Your majesty, Lord Verrieres was publicly judging a witcher, and Lord Lannister seems to have the eyes of a witcher. The villagers of White Orchard... offended the earl for this, and I heard that they spat at him."
"Huh, spit?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"That idiot Verrieres organized the trial, didn't he?"
"That's right, which led the villagers to insult the dignity of Earl Lannister."
"Idiot."
Foltest, the king of Temeria, was sitting in a low armchair carved from black wood, his feet stretched out by the stove, and two dogs curled up at his feet to keep warm.
Even though he was already in his forties, he still had amazing charm.
In front of the king, was a woman with light golden hair, dressed luxuriously and with an arrogant look. But because she was in front of the king, the arrogance on her face was slightly restrained.
"Witcher." Foltest carefully chewed that word. "That idiot is judging a witcher."
"And it seems that the rumors are true, that this Lannister is also a witcher now."
The corners of the king's mouth showed a smile, as if he had heard some good news.
"Keira, tell me. How many people did this Lannister kill because of the offense?"
Keira Metz, the royal advisor stationed in Temeria, shook her head after hearing the king's question. "He did not kill anyone, Your Majesty. He seemed to want Verrieres to atone for his people. He said, 'If they wound me with a knife, I will not break the knife, but will seize the one who carries it.'"
Foltest turned his head away, as if he was surprised by what he heard, and then he frowned, feeling troubled.
"White Orchard is a major transportation route. How many travelers witnessed this scene?"
"Many, Your Majesty. Verrieres summoned all the villagers of White Orchard to witness the trial, in addition to a large number of merchants and bards."
"Fool." The King didn't know how many times he had uttered this word today. "Remind me, Keira, how many stupid things did Verrieres do?"
"His Majesty, if we don't count this trial, also forced his homosexual son to die. He demanded the right of the first night at the wedding of his subjects."
"She cut off a peasant's head for removing his hat too slowly and massacred his village."
"Then let Lannister kill him." Foltest said angrily. "If Lannister has the guts!"
Keira let Foltest vent his anger, and said after a while: "Your Majesty, there is something else you may need to know: Lannister appears to have produced the Sword of the Lady of the Lake at the scene."
"The Sword of the Lady of the Lake?" Foltest this time showed real surprise. "The legendary sword granted by the Lady of the Lake to knights?"
"That's right, Your Majesty. Furthermore, he calls himself a knight of the Lady of the Lake."
Foltest rose from his chair and began pacing nervously. "Is the sword authentic? Did the merchants and bards present see it?"
"Whether it is authentic or not does not seem to be so relevant now, Your Majesty." Keira said. "Still, I would recommend that you receive it in person."
Right now, that was sound advice. Foltest sighed deeply. "Then let you be the one to bring him here as an emissary."
Keira left with that order, since opening a portal in the king's room could cause damage to the decoration, so she had to do it outside.
As she left, a slender figure followed her from outside the king's room.
"Miss Keira."
Hearing her name, Keira turned around. In front of her was a young redhead.
The young woman with red hair was dressed almost like a sorceress, with her hair down and a daring outfit, without the formalities typical of nobility.
Seeing Keira turn around, the young redhead smiled. "I just heard outside my father's door that you're going to find Lann, right? He's a witcher too, right? How about you take me with you?"
"Princess Adda." Keira responded, recognizing her identity and nodding at her. "This requires the king's consent. But you don't have to worry, I will be able to bring him back soon."
After saying that, she no longer looked at Princess Adda's reaction. She waved her hands, and the wind blew, the light flashed, and then she disappeared from the princess's sight.
...
White Orchard, City Lord's Mansion.
Verrieres pressed on the chair, his eyes confused.
After a while, he suddenly shuddered, and the whole person woke up, looking at Lann opposite and wanted to shout.
Before he could speak, Lann waved his hand, casting [Axii Sign] and adding a little less magic power than the first time he used it.
"Sit down." Lann said softly, but this time Verrieres did not follow the instructions as before, but wandered as if he had lost his soul, circling away from Lann, as if sleepwalking.
Lann nodded in understanding. It seems that after the magic power is reduced to a certain point, the ability [Delusion] from the Axii Sign tree will no longer have a hypnotic effect but will only retain the power of the skill level itself.
Perhaps it was due to the lack of determination of this Lord's will, which made him vulnerable to manipulation. Lann began to consider whether he should do some more experiments to have a control group...
[Knock! Knock! Knock!]
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Lann shouted, and House pushed the door open.
"My Lord, the witcher named Kolgrim wants to see you."
"Where is he?"
"Waiting for you outside the door."
Lann nodded, picked up the anesthetic that had been prepared a long time ago from the table, pointed to Verrieres and said to House: "Give it to our Lord of White Orchard, take him to his own bed and let him sleep."
"Send someone to watch him and continue administering it when he wakes up."
"Remember, no violence, no ties, no taking of any property here, understand?"
House nodded and took Verrieres carelessly away.
After all, this was Tameria. Lann's orders could be interpreted as a negotiating tactic. He was seeking justice as a nobleman whose dignity had been insulted, and as long as that 'justice' was not obtained, he could continue seeking it.
Verrieres couldn't give him what Lann wanted, so Lann waited for the intervention of someone with more power and authority, in the meantime, he needed the travelers to spread the news.
While he waited, he could not allow Verrieres to suffer too much, lest they consider Verrieres' suffering to compensate for the insult to Lann.
This was actually unreasonable, and there was no way to use it as a bargaining chip on the negotiation table. But this was originally a surprise outside the plan. Lann did it casually. As long as he could meet the King of Temeria, it would be considered a success.
Although he had an idea of the other side's attitude, he wouldn't give up without trying in person and testing his attitude, what if there was a chance?
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