Time moved swiftly, and before anyone knew it, the month of May 1253 arrived. For the Southern Kingdoms and much of the North, it had been a relatively peaceful period, with little of note occurring. But for the people of Kaedwen, this month was marked by turmoil.
The strange hunting celebration that was meant to showcase the prowess of the nobility descended into chaos. An earthquake and fire disrupted the event before the nobles even set off on their hunt. Though there were no widespread casualties, a few unfortunate souls perished in the flames, while many others were left injured.
More importantly, King Henselt of Kaedwen had fallen into a deep coma. Despite the efforts of the Warlock Brotherhood to revive him, the king remained unresponsive. A month passed with no sign of death or recovery, and the entire kingdom was left in an eerie, stagnant state.
Soon after, the Warlock Brotherhood conducted their tests and investigations, concluding that the events surrounding Henselt's collapse were the result of pure misfortune. No foul play had been detected—just the tragic misfortune of a king already known for his bad luck.
However, the kingdom could not afford to remain without a ruler. Henselt had neither heirs nor brothers to take up the throne, and with the king now in a vegetative state, Kaedwen found itself in a perilous position. The aristocracy began to stir, as the question of succession sparked a scramble for power. With distant relatives and powerful nobles all vying for the throne, Kaedwen was on the verge of civil conflict.
The undercurrents of betrayal and backdoor dealings ran deep among the noble families. Each faction sharpened their blades, preparing for the inevitable conflict. Even the Warlock Brotherhood, which typically exerted control over such matters, could do nothing but watch from the sidelines, unable to intervene in the internal struggle.
Meanwhile, things grew worse. Green Valley Mountain, the epicenter of the earthquake, had been devastated. Soon after, a thick fog rolled over the region, blanketing the mountain in an impenetrable mist. Hunters who ventured into the fog rarely returned, and those who did emerged raving about monsters lurking in the shadows and a looming apocalypse.
These wild tales quickly spread through the kingdom, and the fog continued to grow, extending beyond the mountain. Panic and riots ensued as the people of Kaedwen were gripped with fear. The kingdom, already without leadership, now faced another crisis.
In the past, such a situation would have prompted a call for witchers, the experts in dealing with monsters. But Kaedwen's long-standing rejection of non-human races had left it bereft of witchers. The few remaining witchers had long since abandoned the kingdom, leaving its people to fend for themselves. Desperate for answers, the kingdom turned to mercenaries, but they too failed. None could pierce the mystery of the fog or defeat the monsters rumored to dwell within.
Unbeknownst to most, even the Warlock Brotherhood, the most powerful magical organization in the North, had twice attempted to deal with the fog—only to fail miserably, losing several warlocks in the process.
While Kaedwen plunged deeper into chaos, Kaer Morhen—the ancient stronghold of the Witchers of the Wolf School—underwent a dramatic transformation. After nearly two months of work, the castle had changed beyond recognition. The old outer walls had been demolished, and much of the ancient structure was dismantled. Large swaths of land were cleared, with only the core building remaining.
This was not Vesemir's original plan. The old witcher had intended only to make small repairs, ensuring that Kaer Morhen could withstand another century of use. But Wayne's vision for the future was far grander. He persuaded Vesemir to embrace the idea of rebuilding Kaer Morhen on a massive scale.
After all, the ancient stronghold could barely serve as the headquarters for the few remaining members of the Wolf School, let alone accommodate witchers from other schools if they were to return. Wayne envisioned a future where Kaer Morhen would become a sanctuary for all witchers, a place where the scattered schools could unite.
With the help of the giants—whose immense strength made the work of demolishing and gathering stones much easier—preparations were well underway. Vast amounts of raw materials were collected, and land was cleared for the new castle. The next step would be to bring in professional architects and skilled laborers, who would design and construct a new home worthy of the witchers' legacy.
Indeed, when it came to sheer size and strength, giants were far superior to humans for labor. Each one was like a living, breathing crane, effortlessly handling tasks that would normally require heavy machinery or numerous workers. With their incredible power, they cleared land, hauled stones, and carried out demanding construction tasks far more efficiently than any human workforce. This saved time and resources, allowing the rebuilding of Kaer Morhen to progress at an astonishing pace.
According to Giant General Glass, news of even greater significance had spread among the giant tribe—several female giants were pregnant, marking the first new generation in some time. This development brought a sense of hope and renewal to the once-violent and savage tribe. It was as if they had been given a second chance at life, and they embraced it wholeheartedly.
Wayne's rule over the giants had proven to be both effective and unexpectedly benevolent. He was not the cruel taskmaster they might have feared, and instead of facing harsh punishments or miserable conditions, the giants found their lives improving. They had food, shelter, and most importantly, a future. Their resistance to Wayne's authority faded quickly, replaced by a sense of purpose. They smiled more, worked harder, and seemed genuinely motivated, rather than simply toiling under the threat of a whip.
As the saying goes, "If you can't resist it, enjoy it." The giants, now thriving under Wayne's management, embodied this sentiment. The vast quantities of construction materials they produced and the land they cleared around Kaer Morhen made the rebuilding process smoother. Even the lake at the foot of the mountain was utilized for fishing, bringing further resources into the fold.
The magic planting area Wayne had established also saw considerable growth, though there were limitations. The two beautiful dryads, Aiglais and Marika, worked tirelessly to cultivate magic vegetables, but without additional sources of magical energy, they were limited in how much they could produce. Still, the expansion of this project signaled the potential for future growth, as Wayne sought new ways to infuse the crops with magic.
However, the most momentous development came after two months of intense study. Triss, the talented sorceress who had devoted herself to unlocking the secrets of the Mystic Lock Magic Array, finally succeeded. Her remarkable intellect, combined with the knowledge of the magical world, enabled her to activate the ancient and powerful device—a feat that would change the fate of Kaer Morhen and the Witchers forever.
The day Triss activated the array was one to be remembered. Everyone, from the witchers to the giants, gathered on the mountainside where the magical node resided. Triss, with faint dark circles beneath her eyes that she had skillfully concealed with makeup, stood at the heart of it all. Though visibly tired, her excitement was palpable. This was a culmination of weeks of hard work, and her achievement was nothing short of extraordinary.
She, along with Vesemir, Berengar, Wayne, and the others, watched in awe as the Mystic Lock Magic Array began to hum with life. Small magic crystals floated in the air, circling around a central, larger crystal. Their rotation created a mesmerizing, complex pattern of light, casting mysterious shadows across the ground. Strong waves of magic emanated from the device, expanding outward, and everyone present felt the power coursing through the air.
The atmosphere was tense, each person concentrating on the arcane mechanism before them. The magic crystals spun faster, sending ripples of magical energy through the area. It was clear that this was no ordinary enchantment.
Triss, despite her hoarse voice from long hours of research, spoke with urgency and excitement. "Wayne, the magic lock circle is fully activated now. In just half an hour, the enchantment will be complete, forming a powerful barrier around us."
Her tone was filled with pride as she explained the intricacies of the Mystic Magic Array. "With this magic node, although we can only activate about half of the array's full potential, it's still an incredibly formidable defense. This will be the most powerful barrier in the world, controlling an area with a diameter of 50 kilometers."
Wayne, who had been deeply involved in the research alongside Triss, took over to address the others, particularly Vesemir. "This barrier will give us a level of control over Kaer Morhen like never before," he said confidently. "No one will be able to observe what's happening inside, and teleportation spells from the outside won't work. Anyone who tries to force their way in will be immediately teleported outside the barrier."
He glanced around, making sure everyone understood the gravity of what he was saying. "Only those we allow will be able to enter, and once inside, we will have absolute control over the magic in the area. We can cut off an enemy's access to magic, rendering them powerless. On the other hand, we can empower our own casters with enhanced magical energy, making them far stronger."
Wayne's eyes gleamed as he turned toward Aiglais and Marika, the two dryads. "And for our projects," he continued, "this will be a game-changer. We can increase the magical concentration around the planting area, allowing us to accelerate the growth of our magic vegetables exponentially."
As Wayne detailed more aspects of the Mystic Magic Array's capabilities, Vesemir's eyes widened in disbelief. The old Witcher ran his hand through his beard, his expression one of both astonishment and awe. "This array," Vesemir said slowly, "puts you in a position of unmatched power, Wayne. Within this magical realm, you're almost like a god. No battle will be too difficult, and no enemy will be beyond your reach."
"As long as this magical barrier remains, the Witcher Order will be invincible and endure forever, right?" Vesemir asked, his voice filled with awe.
Wayne felt a bit of embarrassment at such high praise. "Teacher," he began, choosing his words carefully, "it's close to what you're saying, but the magic barrier does have its limitations."
He continued, "If the enemy is strong enough, perhaps as powerful as a god, they could resist the effects of the magic circle and bypass its control. Such beings do exist, though they are exceedingly rare. In our world, the likelihood of encountering one is slim, but the possibility still remains."
The group fell silent, absorbing the gravity of Wayne's words. Vesemir eventually broke the silence with a soft cough. "Regardless, this is a great step for the witchers. With this barrier, our order will be safe from the types of sieges that nearly wiped us out in the past. The new generation of witchers will have a secure training ground and a place to grow."
He continued, "And with this territory, we can welcome allies, those who are willing to fight by our side and build something greater together."
With that, the final preparations for the Mystic Magic Array were complete. Wayne nodded to Vesemir and the others, then joined Triss at the control device. He slid the master control ring onto his finger and issued the command to activate the magic barrier.
A harmonious, almost otherworldly melody filled the air.
Immediately, a surge of potent magic radiated from the array, stretching outward in all directions. Every living being within the area felt the wave of energy pass through them, and as it did, a translucent, mist-like barrier began to form, separating Kaer Morhen and its surroundings from the outside world.
Wayne stood silently for a moment, watching the barrier solidify. This was a momentous achievement—Kaer Morhen was now a secure stronghold, a sanctuary for the Witcher Order, shielded from the dangers beyond.
His thoughts were interrupted by the familiar chime of the system.
Ding! Epic mission [Rebuilding the Order of Witchers] progress increased.
Reward: 300 experience points, Master-Level Treasure Chest*1.
Current progress: 3/10.
Wayne exhaled, a sense of relief washing over him. With the barrier in place, the foundation of the order was secure. Now, it was time to expand—to recruit and grow the numbers of the Witcher Order once more.