Facing Wayne's request, Triss was a little confused. What exactly were these large creatures he wanted to teleport? Was he planning to use the portal to transport goods or perhaps large beasts?
She pressed her face against Wayne's chest, tracing the lines of his well-defined abs with her soft hands. With a smile, she asked, somewhat puzzled, "What do you want to teleport? Ordinary portals can still rely on a warlock's magic, but large portals require significant magical materials and complex arrays. The destination must also be a place abundant in magic or tied to a powerful source."
"It costs at least three thousand orens to use a large portal even once, and it can only transport less than a thousand individuals. The preparation time is lengthy—if all the materials are at hand, it will still take at least three days to complete."
"Because of these restrictions, even kings rarely use such rituals. It's simply too costly."
After hearing this, Wayne reached out, pulling Triss closer before kissing her forehead. He then spoke, revealing what he had long contemplated. "I'll show you what I'm planning to transport later, and I'll share some of my secrets with you."
"You're the first person in the world to know this, Triss. You're also the one I trust most right now. I believe you'll keep this secret for me."
Wayne's words, though not extravagant, touched Triss deeply, filling her heart with the warmth of trust. As a clever sorceress, she had long suspected that her lover harbored secrets. After all, how else could a witcher grow so rapidly in power and wealth in just a few years?
She turned over, straddling Wayne, and kissed his chest with a smile. "I've rested. Let's go another round. This time, I want to be on top."
By noon, after the two had risen, Wayne took Triss around the beautiful city of Beauclair, purchasing many gifts for the red-haired sorceress.
He also presented her with the most valuable piece of jewelry he had found in the giants' hoard: a precious necklace, inlaid with six massive gemstones of different colors. No matter where it was worn, it would undoubtedly be the most striking accessory. Extremely rare and valuable, it was a piece without equal.
No woman could refuse such a gift, not even a noble sorceress. As a result, Wayne received countless passionate kisses from Triss, the joy never leaving her face.
Later, Wayne brought Triss to the place where the giants were encamped.
When the sorceress saw the hundreds of giants—each eight or nine meters tall, clad in iron armor, and armed to the teeth—she couldn't help but gasp. And when she witnessed these towering beings kneel before Wayne, calling him "Master," her jaw nearly dropped in shock.
Stunned by the scene, Triss eventually turned to Wayne, her surprise evident, and asked about the origin of these giants.
Wayne no longer held back and carefully considered his words before explaining to Triss: "Triss, as a knowledgeable sorceress, you must have heard of the Elder Blood, right?"
Triss was momentarily taken aback, her eyes widening with disbelief as she asked, "You have that legendary bloodline, Wayne?"
"I thought that bloodline had been lost to time, just a myth fabricated by those who wrote the histories."
Wayne remained calm, gently touching Triss's face, and nodded. "Yes, Triss. Aren't you curious how I was able to improve so rapidly and become a powerful witcher within just a few short years?"
"In addition to my talent, my bloodline has played a significant role," Wayne said, leaning in to kiss Triss. After a few lingering moments, their lips parted, and he whispered in her ear, his voice low and intimate:
"Just like some books mention, my bloodline allows me to travel to other worlds through space rifts."
"The flow of time in many of these worlds differs from ours. In truth, I've spent years training in those places, gathering resources and treasures."
He paused, his gaze steady. "The giants you see now are a result of that journey. I conquered them in another world, and they are completely loyal to me—a formidable force at my command."
Wayne took a deep breath, his voice softening as he continued, "I'm telling you this because I trust you, Triss. You're the first person I've ever shared this secret with."
Triss lay quietly on his chest, her mind turning over everything he'd just revealed. After a few minutes, she lifted her head, her voice thoughtful but curious. "Wayne, with all this power and these allies, you're no ordinary witcher. What is it you truly want?"
Wayne didn't hesitate. He cradled her face in his hands, looking deeply into her eyes. "Triss, you know my situation. I'm a witcher and a half-elf. My first goal is to rebuild the Witcher Order—to give us the life we deserve."
He paused, then added, "I also want to help the elves. They've suffered too much. If I can make their lives better, even just a little, I will."
He smiled, his tone softening further. "But beyond that, I want the people I care about to be happy. That includes you, Triss. I want you to have the life you deserve."
His words, though earnest, made Wayne feel a bit self-conscious. But he knew Triss, who cherished love and loyalty, would appreciate his sincerity.
Her eyes softened as she grasped his hand, stepping closer until their foreheads touched. "I understand, Wayne. I'll keep your secret."
She smiled, determination in her voice. "Leave the portal to me."
Then, after a brief pause, she added, "I'm guessing you don't have any sorcerers in your Witcher Order yet, do you? If you'll have me, I could be your Order's sorceress, maybe even a part-time advisor."
A playful smile crossed her lips as she confessed, "Honestly, I'm getting tired of running around for those stubborn nobles. If I can use my magic to help you achieve your goals, I'd be more than happy."
...
Wayne was surprised by Triss's suggestion. He had been toying with the idea of convincing Triss to join the Witcher Order as its exclusive sorceress for a while. However, he had always been hesitant, knowing that most sorceresses were drawn to power and luxury.
Kaer Morhen was a desolate, remote place, and the Witcher Order was still in its infancy, lacking even a basic framework. Bringing Triss there now might not only strain their relationship but also alienate her.
But with Triss offering to join on her own, Wayne couldn't refuse.
Later they both departed to Beauclair to gather the materials for the portal.
Fortunately, Beauclair was a bustling trade hub, where one could find specialties from all over the world, albeit at a high price. After spending around 800 crowns, they finally gathered the necessary materials for the large portal.
Triss then set about arranging the magical circles and constructing the large teleportation gate in the Forest. However, unlike small personal teleportation gates, this large portal required both coordinates at the origin and destination to be set up. The destination also needed to be a place rich in magic.
This meant that Wayne would have to travel to Kaer Morhen himself to place a magical artifact that would establish the coordinates. Thankfully, Wayne had a hearthstone that allowed him to return directly to Kaer Morhen, sparing him a long and dangerous journey.
After explaining the situation to Triss, Wayne entrusted her with the magical crown, instructing her on how to use it to control the giants. He then activated the hearthstone, returning to Kaer Morhen in an instant, right before the astonished gaze of the red-haired sorceress.
Using the hearthstone felt strange—like an invisible force pulling his spirit toward his bound location. When his soul reached that familiar place, warm and comforting, his body followed in an instant.
Before Wayne could shake off the dizziness of his sudden return, a familiar voice reached his ears.
"Wayne? Boy, why are you back so suddenly?"
Wayne turned to see Vesemir, the old witcher dressed in his home clothes, holding one of the books Wayne had brought back from Aretuza Academy. Vesemir was clearly surprised, having expected Wayne to be out on a long commission.
Scratching his head in slight embarrassment, Wayne launched into his prepared explanation.
"Ah, teacher, it's like this. I've been in the Toussaint Kingdom in the south this year, working on a commission."
He continued, "While there, I came across some opportunities that could greatly benefit the rebuilding of our Witcher Order."
Wayne pulled a few barrels of fine red wine from his space bracelet, setting them down on the table near the fireplace before continuing.
"But let's discuss this over a drink. The main reason I've returned to Kaer Morhen is that I've taken in a group of beings who view me as their leader. They need a place to live, so I'm planning to settle them in the Blue Mountains."
Vesemir frowned at this. As a traditionalist, he was wary of exposing Kaer Morhen's location to outsiders. He had always believed that most people, especially those from the outside world, were untrustworthy. Many were foolish or malicious, from greedy nobles to warlocks with ulterior motives. Trust was a rare commodity.
But after the winter discussions, Vesemir had come to terms with Wayne's vision of reviving the Witcher Order. He didn't object outright, though his tone was stern.
"Wayne, most humans cannot be trusted. Over the centuries, the noble class has spread rumors that we witchers are monsters and thieves. These beliefs have taken deep root. Don't let a moment of weakness cause you unnecessary trouble!"
Wayne, understanding Vesemir's concerns, stepped forward and draped an arm around the old witcher's shoulders, guiding him to the dining table. He opened a barrel of the best red wine and brought out snacks he'd stashed in his space bracelet. With a smile, he tried to reassure Vesemir.
"Teacher, trust my judgment. These aren't humans—they're a humanoid race, like trolls. They see me as their king and will follow my orders without question. I have the means to control them completely. They'll be a great asset to our Witcher Order."
"When you meet them, you'll understand why I say this."
Seeing Vesemir's face still clouded with doubt, Wayne quickly shifted the topic. He pulled out several master-level equipment blueprints and research on secondary mutations he had acquired in Toussaint, presenting them to Vesemir with the enthusiasm of a young man eager to impress his elder.
"Let's talk about this later. First, take a look at the treasures I've brought back. You'll be amazed, teacher."
"And that's not all—I've also made contact with a group of witchers from the School of the Viper in Toussaint, found a Cat School witcher, and convinced a trustworthy sorceress to join us as the first official sorceress of our Order of Witchers."
"We've made significant progress toward rebuilding the Witcher Order."
As Wayne finished speaking, a system prompt echoed in his mind.
Ding! Epic mission [Rebuilding the Witcher Order], progress updated.
Current progress: 2/10.
Rewards currently available: 600 experience points, 2 master-level treasure chests.