At high tide, water from the delta flows through the Novigrad Canal, leaving behind a fetid trail of excrement, soap scum, oil and dead rats.
The passengers on the boat began to hold their noses in disgust. Lann looked at Shani and noticed that she seemed to have a high tolerance for strong odors.
"I've also heard rumors about these gigantges insect-like monsters." Lann said. "As monster hunters, we witchers are always interested in studying unusual creatures. According to rumors, these monsters most closely resemble a creature called Aeschna."
"Aeschna? If you have studied it, then it is a magical creature?" Shani, whose erudition was remarkable, began to make conjectures. "From its name, is it an Insectoid class monster? Does it come from the Conjunction of Spheres or is it the product of a mage's experiment?"
Given her curiosity, Lann did not hesitate to respond.
Jerome had provided Lann with several books before his departure. Over the past few days, Lann had taken advantage of every free moment to read these books relentlessly.
"The Aeschna does not come from the Conjunction of the Spheres, nor was it created by mages." Lann explained. "It was first sighted recently. We believe it is the product of environmental contamination, such as chemical waste in the water or residue from alchemical experiments."
This less mysterious and romantic explanation somewhat disappointed Shani, but she soon perked up again with the interest of an academic discussion.
At that time, she completely forgot about the legends of the Lion Knight and the differences between nobles and commoners, adopting a pure, rigorous and scientific stance.
"But a creature this size should live in large swamps or lakes. How can it survive in the delta?"
Lann remembered what he had read in the books and replied: "Humans have altered their food chain, replacing swamp prey with other warm-blooded animals."
"I suppose the Aeschna sees every barge, raft or ship in the delta as a potential meal."
"Dragging large animals off the ship wouldn't be difficult for the Aeschna, especially on a cargo ship like this." Lann stepped on the deck beneath his feet. Shani showed a hint of fear and took half a step back. Comparing with science, Shani obviously believes that life is more important realistically.
"I think I heard something in the water." Shani said nervously. "Something big is swimming this way..."
Lann's eyes narrowed, and he heard it too. Lann's vision seemed to cut through the fog.
His senses sharpened, picking up not only the sound of the water, but also the squeak of the oars. She was a ship of customs officers, and it was not just one. It wasn't the Aeschna they were talking about.
"Shani, go back to your room. If you are really scared, go to the Cintra soldiers. They can protect you."
Lann then went to find House and Levin, interrupting their card game. Although they lost their leisure time, they showed no regrets, but rather palpable anticipation.
"I'm going to gather the soldiers right now." House said as he cleaned his sword.
Levin hesitated. "We should have entered Redania. Maybe this is a normal customs inspection? Wouldn't it be bad for us to have such a tense posture with the other party on the ship?"
House shook his head and corrected Levin: "The ship hasn't docked yet."
"Climbing on board at this time is illegal in any country. Either they are bandits disguised as soldiers, or soldiers doing dirty work for money. In any case, weapons will have to be used."
Milva looked left and right and felt that both of them were right.
Lann made a decision. "Have the soldiers stand by, but don't all go out together."
"If it's a normal customs inspection, it doesn't concern us. If they are bandits in disguise, we will lure them out and catch them. And if they come after us, we will feign weakness to obtain information."
The count had spoken, and his assistants argued no more. They obeyed and let the Cintra soldiers remain in the cabin waiting, while the three attendants stayed with Lann.
Shortly after, a large ship docked next to the cargo ship and seven or eight energetic and loud individuals jumped onto the deck. They surrounded the captain, shouting ferociously to impose their authority, and then eagerly pounced on the passengers' belongings and luggage.
"What's in the boxes?" The group leader asked. "Hey, unwrap those packages! Whose carriage is this? Are there coins? Answer, there are coins? Are they from Temeria or Nilfgaard?"
Zoltan and the dwarves approached Lann and his party. Observing the scene, Zoltan explained the behavior of the customs officers.
"This is because of the tariff war." Commented the dwarf. "King Vizimir forced Novigrad to implement priority sales rights."
"King Foltest responded by opening these duties in Vizima and Gors Velen. This severely harmed Redania's merchants, so Vizimir began imposing high tariffs on Temerian products."
"Temeria is flooded with cheap goods from the workshops of Nilfgaard, and that's why customs officers are so nervous."
"If too many products from Nilfgaard enter, Redania's economy will collapse. Redania does not have many workshops and its artisans cannot compete with foreigners."
"Merchants only care about profits, not politics." Lann commented.
"Nilfgaard is slowly taking over with goods and gold the lands he failed to take by force."
"Neither Temeria nor Redania can do anything about it. If they close the borders, merchants will protest, and even local nobles will be affected."
The dwarf praised: "I thought the nobles would not pay attention to these things, but your knowledge surprised me, Lann."
"No." Lann shook his head. "The most surprising thing is the Emperor of Nilfgaard. His way of waging war surpasses the traditions of the entire continent. And I am destined to face him."
The captain of the ship was dealing with several disputes. Some merchants were arguing to the customs that the silver fox skin they brought was an astonishingly large cat skin, so that they could pay less customs duties. Some nobles' family members had a bad attitude. Attempting to exercise one's privilege to be immune from inspection.
The ship sailed slowly through the wide channel, between islands covered with bushes.
Finally, the soldiers approached Lann and his group. They looked at their ornate armor and coat of arms, and then noticed Lann's lion-like eyes.
Lann sensed the hesitation of the soldiers, who increasingly surrounded his group, but their leader seemed to hesitate.
House frowned. He recognized that feeling and knew that those soldiers were coming for them.
The reason for their hesitation was probably an error in the information. These soldiers were real soldiers of Redania, surely working for money, but they clearly had not been told the whole truth, and that made them hesitate to attack Lann and his group.
"Are there any currency in circulation?" Perhaps their number gave him courage. The team leader looked at them with bloodshot eyes. "Is there anything you want to declare?"
"No." House said coldly. "You should be able to tell that we are not merchants. We have no goods, so we don't need to pay taxes."
Even though the soldier was talking to House, Lann noticed that his eyes kept drifting toward him.
"What is your lord's name? Is he a knight?"
"He is an earl." House corrected. "Lann Lannister, Earl of Cintra, The Lion of Cintra, Lord of Brokilon, Griffin Knight of the Lady of the Lake."
That long list of titles seemed to confuse the leader. He muttered a few words, and Lann faintly heard a commotion from the soldiers behind him.
"You are all wearing full armor." The team leader said with a serious face, pretending to be serious. "If you only carried axes, I could pass you off as mercenaries, but in full armor you are a danger."
"We are sorry to offend the count, but it is our duty. You will have to accompany us to Oxenfurt."
"One, two, three, four... it's only four, right? Don't worry, it's a routine inspection. It won't take long."
"Oxenfurt and Novigrad are free cities. They don't prohibit wearing armor, it seems they don't know the laws of their own country well." Lann finally spoke from behind. "Also, I am here to visit your king. Do you want to arrest a guest of the king?"
Lann began to advance, and House and Levin stepped aside to let him face the Redania soldiers.
The leader could only hold Lann's gaze for two seconds before stepping back. He immediately felt offended, and his face turned red.
"What nonsense? I am a Redanian. Do you know the laws of Redania better than me?!" The leader shouted. "You are in Redania territory now! I don't care who you are or where you come from, if you are in Redania, you must obey our laws."
A dangerous light flashed in the eyes of House and Levin. They would never tolerate these soldiers speaking nonsense in front of the earl. Lann hadn't given the order yet, but their hands were already on their weapons.
"What are they doing? Are they going to resist?" The leader overreacted, or perhaps he was too excited. He screamed as he backed away, trying to get his soldiers to attack Lann.
But the soldiers, looking at Lann, seemed hesitant due to House's initial mention of the earl title.
"What are you afraid of? He's just a count of Cintra, a kingdom about to perish! He doesn't even compare to a baron of Redania!" The leader of the soldiers shouted. "There are only four of them! What are they afraid of?"
"And look at his yellow eyes. It's him, he's a witcher!"
Hearing this, all the Redanian soldiers drew their weapons.
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