Lann stood up sweating and disoriented, looking around. "What happened to me just now?"
Triss watched him seriously from across the room. "Your magic power has been drained by the [Artefact compression]. You should listen to me and stop in time when you feel that you are unable to do it, instead of investing in it without restraint."
Lann looked annoyed. "But I feel that I am almost there."
In front of him, there was a piece of wood carving that had no shape at all.
Triss shook her head. "Even if you learn the [Artefact Compression] spell, it will take a long time and practice to master it. An immature spell can damage internal organs, especially the kidneys."
Lann was stunned. "My kidneys?"
Triss looked at him reproachfully. "The kidneys of the person being cast."
Lann nodded. This content seems to have been mentioned in The Witcher Series, which makes sense.
Just as Lann was about to meditate to regain his energy and continue practicing magic, a knock was heard at the door.
"Come in."
The one who opened the door was a common soldier from Cintra. "My Lord, Mr. Chappelle of the Eternal Fire is here to visit."
Chappelle entered Lann's room, followed by several Eternal Flame guards and some Cintra soldiers who, concerned for Lann's safety, had also entered.
"You may leave." Chappelle told his guards. "I have something to talk to Earl Lannister alone."
Lann also waved to the Cintra soldiers. Suddenly, only Lann, Triss and Chappelle were left in the room.
"I've heard about the White Wolf's love stories." Chappelle looked at Lann and Triss with a fake smile. "It seems like witchers are always destined to be with sorceresses."
"His Eminence came to visit early in the morning. I suppose he is not here to count how many people are in my room."
Lann wasn't bothered by Chappelle's sarcastic comment. He knew it was a front and he knew Chappelle's true identity, but now was not the time to expose him.
"Sorceresses are dangerous individuals. I certainly can't ignore them if they rashly enter Novigrad." Chappelle glanced at Triss meaningfully, but soon turned his gaze back to Lann.
"You asked me to find the giant toad in the sewer before, right?"
"You have news?"
Chappelle nodded. "What do you plan to do about it?"
Lann asked back: "It worries you?"
Chappelle spoke seriously. "Recently, several water sources on Temple Island have been contaminated. According to the alchemists, it is toad poison. That toad is affecting the lives of the citizens and must be eliminated."
Lann's eyes lit up. "In other words, this toad is now in the sewer of Temple Island?"
If Lann remembered correctly, there were some treasures under Temple Island. It was a secret laboratory of a sorcerer, which also housed a cat school witcher in unknown status.
However, the Eternal Flame was not yet as corrupt as it would be in the future. Surveillance was strict and Lann's group had come to Novigrad on a diplomatic mission, not wanting to cause trouble.
Now it seems that it can be solved easily?
Chappelle nodded and said: "I sent soldiers to kill the toad, but none returned. Now I can only rely on a witcher and a sorceress. You guys should be more than capable of handling this."
Just as Chappelle finished speaking, the system issued a timely notification.
[Mission discovered: Where the flame cannot illuminate.
A poisonous creature has appeared in the sewers of Temple Island. The Eternal Flame has repeatedly failed to eradicate it, and Chappelle doesn't know what to do. This is a job for a professional, right, monster hunter? After all, that creature is already your target.]
Lann always enjoyed missions where he could accomplish multiple objectives at once.
"Of course." Lann nodded. "Making sure Novigrad never suffers from the giant toad again is exactly why I came to find you."
"That monster likes wine and flesh, which should give you some ideas." Chappelle nodded with satisfaction and said: "My guards will take you to the sewer. I must remind you - don't bring ordinary soldiers, otherwise there will be heavy casualties."
Lann nodded to accept the commission and asked another question: "You have sent people to encircle it and failed. If we don't show up or fail, what are you going to do?"
"I will guide the toad towards Oxenfurt through the sewers."
After giving the information to Lann, Chappelle hurried away, he always seemed very busy.
Triss looked at Chappelle and suddenly sighed. "I have seen Chapelle before. At that time, he was still an extreme religious person. Cruel, ruthless, willing to sacrifice others for his beliefs. I even think that the 'Eternal Fire' is just a tool for him to gain power. I didn't expect that he is now like a different person. I heard he became like this after the heart attack."
Lann glanced at the sorceress and affirmed: "Literally, he's a different person."
Triss's eyes widened, full of confusion.
Lann smiled, brought his nose close to Triss's red hair and whispered something in her ear.
Triss's eyes widened even more, this time filled with surprise.
...
Since reports indicated that the giant toad only appeared at night, Lann and Triss did not go out until nightfall.
The Cintra riders accompanied them, but Lann did not take them into the sewers. Instead, he left them guarding the entrance to prevent civilians from approaching.
Chappelle was right: fighting a giant creature in the sewers would be disastrous for ordinary soldiers. Their place was on the battlefield, not in the dark underground tunnels.
If his three attendants were with him, Lann would have taken them to be trained. But Triss was company enough.
The entrance is a well. Lann went down all the way under the worried eyes of the soldiers and soon reached the bottom.
The contrast between the surface and the underground world was stark. While above the elven structures were beautiful, below it looked like an unexploited mine, with barely visible traces of human construction.
Rough rocks and moss covered the uneven walls. Garbage and the carcasses of small animals formed piles that emitted an indescribable stench. Occasionally, signs of beggars could be seen, although there was no sign of living people.
Triss, dressed as a traveler again, looked around in disgust. However, unlike other delicate sorceresses, she took out a small bottle from her bag, sniffed its contents, and then offered it to Lann.
The herbal scent and Triss's fragrance, which Lann was already familiar with, displaced the stench of the place.
The atmosphere became more tolerable.
Lann raised his eyebrows. "Potion? I thought you were allergic to this stuff."
Triss shook her head. "It's just herbs." Triss replied, waving her hands. A blue circle of protection appeared around her, glowing briefly before fading.
The sorceress was ready for battle.
"Let's go, lion of Cintra, I have been looking forward to fighting side by side with you."
Lann smiled, pulled a potion from his inventory and gulped it down. His lion eyes lit up.
The contours of his surroundings became sharper, though the colors dimmed.
Lann drew Aerondight, the glowing runes serving as momentary light, outlining his face in the dark tunnel.
The echo of their metallic footsteps resonated in the silence, occasionally accompanied by the dripping of water from the walls, creating an eerie atmosphere.
But Lann and Triss, accustomed to greater dangers, still found time to talk.
"So, this toad is really a prince, a toad prince?" Triss said in surprise. "And after capturing him, we will explore a mage's secret laboratory beneath the Eternal Flame headquarters?"
At this time, Lann had told Triss about the arrangements for tonight.
Lann nodded. "Yeah, I haven't been able to find a chance to explore the sewers, but tonight is perfect."
Triss ignited a ring of flames in her hand and exclaimed: "So many secrets under Temple Island? How do you know all this? Are these the dreams of Elder Blood?"
Lann could only nod.
"It's really fascinating, the legendary Elder Blood. Speaking of which, Ciri also used to have strange dreams in Kaer Morhen..."
Suddenly, Lann raised his hand, signaling silence. In the distance, a sound similar to a baby's crying could be heard, accompanied by the chilling sound of chewing and tearing flesh.
They were drowners.
There were many, but such enemies posed no threat to Lann.
It just happens to add some damage to the Sword of the Lady of the Lake, adding a layer of damage.
"Do you need help?"
Hearing the sorceress's question, Lann chuckled. "Just keep your eyes on me."
Lann hit the ground hard, the echo resonating in the underground tunnels, attracting the attention of all the drowners.
When grouped together, the drowners became bolder. Even though they had food in front of them, they charged towards Lann and Triss with greed.
Lann moved slightly to the side and raised his left hand, forming a sign and waiting for all the drowners to enter his attack range.
[Igni Sign] + [Melt Armor]!
Being underground, it was unwise to use fire excessively. Lann made the flames fan out in front of him, igniting the fire-hating drowners. The monsters lost their balance and fell to the ground as they burned.
Then Lann lunged forward.
[Whirl]!
The simple yet beautiful sword movements shone with the light of the runes, illuminating the entire sewers.
After three sword whirls, Lann stopped.
From Triss's perspective, it looked as if a peacock was spreading its feathers. Apparently the sorceress liked this display, as she clapped her hands softly.
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