Karol City.
The trading centre of the Water Mirror Empire. Oddly enough, the empire's name came from a popular legend that even small children listened to before going to bed. And the city of Karol was very lush and colourful even at night. Merchants from different parts of the continent could be found here, mercenaries in groups and individuals, either escorting trade caravans or drinking in the taverns. But even in the midst of this bustling city, a silent mercenary could be found, a member of his guild.
Nameless.
It was his nickname because he never said his name, and he didn't even have time to think of a nickname, so he resigned himself to being called that. No one knows his past except the old members of this mercenary group. Even the leader of the group, Herald, didn't know all of his past, but he could guess. They hadn't talked about it for ten years, although the Herald had become his guardian when he met a three-year-old boy in the countryside, tattered and bloody, returning from another mission.
The Herald was a good man. Rumour had it that he and the main members of his party had been royal knights of the fallen kingdom, but were later forced to become mercenaries. His group didn't engage in robbery, but mostly just guarded the caravans of rich merchants and escorted aristocrats. During the time that Herald's group had existed, they had gained a great deal of respect among the mercenaries, and were given priority in the selection of escorts for wealthy families.
At that moment, the entire group stood in silence, and Herald stood next to Nameless and said: "...This time it will be the same as always: we will travel from Karol City to the Imperial Capital, escorting the fourth lady of the Aqua family with her daughter Melissa....".
The whole group was used to this route, after all, aristocrats and merchants often hired them to travel around the Empire. But everyone listened quietly and attentively, perhaps the rumours about the knight's past weren't far from the truth....
The Aqua family was one of the largest in the kingdom. They traded throughout the Empire and beyond, so much so that even the Imperial family recognised their wealth and influence. The importance of escorting such a group could not be overstated.
The Fourth Mistress became the wife of ordinary concubines because of Melissa's special body, which allowed her to control water from childhood without training. Since childhood, Melissa had been trained by people chosen by her family to become a pillar of the clan.
Although she was only 12 years old, her status among the nobility was even higher than that of imperial princesses.
Everyone in the group understood the importance of this mission, so the Herald, satisfied with their reactions, finished his speech: "...I see that everyone has understood everything about tomorrow's mission, so tomorrow at dawn we should gather here for training, and by noon we should arrive prepared at the main square of the city and head towards the Imperial Capital. This is the end of the day.
Everyone dispersed quietly. Only Geralt and Nameless stayed where they were.
"Boy, I know you work hard and like to travel, but I want you to go to the Imperial Academy as soon as we arrive in the capital.I want you to study and become someone great, not trade your life to accompany this old man," Herald said with a sigh.
"Uncle Herald, I knew you would say that, but I don't know how to get there." Nameless replied
"Eh, brat, I'll figure it out, just take all your books with you, there are few educated among us, so anything you forget will go to make bonfires in the evenings. You've always been a quick learner, so three years ago I arranged with Duke Eldsim to get you into the Academy for 300 gold pieces. I don't know what impressed him so much, the work of our group or the way you criticised his defence team's past itineraries, but he even asked me to tell you that he would be happy to give you a job after you graduated.
"Why didn't you tell me that three years ago?"
"Did you think I couldn't connect the fact that you wouldn't give me your name with the fact that Ada's group was on an immoral mission not far from where I found you?"
"So what, how would you have found me, those butchers can only wave their arms around and they've only got a swamp in their heads!"
"Well, first of all, don't show off with words, you think I know what a crinkle is?! What kind of kids are you...There are few mercenaries who are educated in the exact sciences, mostly everyone develops physically, and you're a wit and only trained in quick attacks, so a puny and intelligent guy won't attract the attention of the Hell group. That's why I kept you from showing your face to them, only going out on escort missions between Karol and the capital. Now they won't bother you and you can study with your peers in the capital."
For a long time, they carried on a lively conversation in a similar tone, something that no one would have expected to see within the guild, as Nameless always had a frown on his face and didn't talk much in public, except when it came to knowledge...