Under Wayne's arrangement, Vesemir met Countess Mignole that afternoon.
The reunion between the two old acquaintances was deeply moving. There were no dramatic embraces or declarations of love, nor sweet words exchanged. Instead, simple phrases like "You're here," and "I've always wanted to find you," carried a weight of time and change, leaving Wayne reflecting on the passage of years and the inevitability of life's transformations.
Though Wayne had not yet experienced the pain of losing a lover or friend to the passage of time, he understood that, as a Witcher destined to live for centuries, he would inevitably face such moments. The truth of his long lifespan meant that many he cared for would one day leave him behind, their lives extinguished by the relentless march of time.
In the realm of fantasy, the disparity in lifespans has always been a poignant narrative device. Relationships between long-lived and short-lived beings often begin with beauty and romance but are frequently shadowed by tragedy. For Witchers, whose lifespans often exceed three centuries, this reality is all too familiar.
Decades had passed since Vesemir last saw Countess Mignole. She had transitioned from a youthful maiden into a middle-aged noblewoman, and her feelings for him had undoubtedly evolved. What once might have been youthful admiration and impulsive affection had matured into fond memories and nostalgia for days gone by. Yet, despite the inevitable changes, this reunion allowed both Vesemir and Countess Mignole to find closure, preventing their shared past from becoming an unspoken regret.
After ensuring that the meeting went smoothly, Wayne had little time to rest before Syanna arrived with pressing news from Aedirn.
"King Demavend has suffered a crushing defeat. Nilfgaard's Black Army was victorious," she reported.
While the capital had fallen and Aedirn's forces were routed, King Demavend himself had narrowly escaped. Under the cover of night, he managed to lead his remaining troops through the siege and retreat to a stronghold within Kaedwen.
This outcome was unsurprising to Wayne. The disparity in military strength between Nilfgaard and Aedirn made such a result inevitable, and anyone familiar with the situation could have predicted it.
Although Witchers were largely indifferent to the politics of kings and wars, their work—slaying monsters—was intrinsically tied to the state of the world. As the head of the revitalized Witcher Order, Wayne knew he could not entirely ignore events like the Nilfgaardian conquest, as they would shape the future of the Continent and, by extension, the Order itself.
Interestingly, in contrast to the original timeline, the usurper emperor of Nilfgaard had demonstrated a far more calculated approach than Emhyr var Emreis. While Emhyr was known for his grand ambitions and unyielding desire to conquer the North, the usurper emperor exhibited a strategic subtlety in military affairs.
The usurper, who had risen to power through the support of lower-ranking officers and years of accumulated military merit, had carefully cultivated Nilfgaard's strength. His overthrow of the Emreis dynasty had ultimately allowed the empire to expand and dominate its neighbors. Unlike Emhyr, who launched large-scale campaigns against the North, the usurper focused his efforts solely on Aedirn. This limited approach prevented a unified northern resistance, ensuring a series of steady victories.
Even before the war began, the usurper dispatched emissaries to craft a plausible pretext for his attack on Aedirn, framing it as a justified conflict. This tactic undermined any attempts at northern unity. Petty rivalries and distrust among the northern kingdoms further hampered their ability to support Aedirn, leaving Demavend's forces isolated.
Without reinforcements, Aedirn's army was unable to withstand the relentless assault of Nilfgaard's Black Army. Despite holding the capital for two weeks, the kingdom ultimately fell, and its forces were decimated.
The entire war lasted less than two months, and a kingdom that had stood among the Northern Realms for centuries fell entirely into the hands of Nilfgaard.
Although Demavend escaped by sheer luck, his remaining strength was insufficient to mount an army capable of reclaiming Aedirn. His kingdom was effectively lost.
According to Syanna's latest reports, after seizing Aedirn, Nilfgaard halted its military advance. Instead, the Black Army turned its focus to consolidating control over the conquered territory. Resistance forces were systematically crushed, leaving no room for rebellion.
The old nobility of Aedirn, the scattered remnants of its defeated army, and even civilians who opposed Nilfgaard's rule became targets of suppression. Under the iron grip of tens of thousands of Nilfgaardian soldiers, resistance was either eradicated, coerced into submission, or enslaved. The influence of King Demavend and his royal family eroded rapidly, disappearing with startling speed.
It seemed inevitable that, within a few years, Aedirn's citizens would forget Demavend entirely, resigning themselves to life as a vassal state of the Nilfgaardian Empire.
This development sent shockwaves through the Northern Realms. With their fractured alliances and limited resources, no northern kingdom could stand alone against Nilfgaard's military might. The sheer disparity in power struck fear into the hearts of the more pragmatic and farsighted leaders of the North. Quietly, they began reaching out to one another, discussing the possibility of a united front against the empire.
Wayne, however, remained an observer for the time being. He was curious to see how the Brotherhood would respond to this shift in the balance of power.
But before the northern kings or the Brotherhood could take decisive action, trouble found its way to the Witcher Order.
In the grand hall of Kaer Morhen, Wayne sat on the ornate central chair, his chin resting on one hand while his other tapped rhythmically on the armrest. His brows were furrowed as he regarded Francesca Findabair, who sat before him with an equally troubled expression.
Wayne's tone was sharp as he questioned her. "So, you're saying Nilfgaard has sent emissaries—warlocks—to locate the Valley of Flowers and its elven inhabitants? They wish to discuss a potential alliance?"
"They've promised to support the independence of Dol Blathanna, to help establish an elven kingdom, and even to back your claim as the Queen of the Elves." His voice grew colder, and his tapping ceased. "And in return, they want you to sow chaos across the North, inciting non-human races to rebel and thereby weakening the North's ability to resist Nilfgaard's expansion?"