Chapter 57: Our Cause is Just
Lynn carefully considered his answer.
"Your Excellency, if I were to give you the standard answer according to the code, then I would reply: Witchers usually try their best to avoid getting involved in politics, as this could potentially make the witcher's situation even more difficult."
Istrad's eyes lit up: "You said 'if'?"
"Yes, if."
"Good, then let us assume such a situation: if I were to allow... I mean, if a king exiled to another country with a strong claim were to promise a witcher that if this witcher could help him return to his homeland and regain the throne, he would be ennobled. Would this witcher agree?"
This was almost a blatant hint.
Since everyone had laid their cards on the table, Lynn wouldn't pretend anymore.
"Your Excellency, the professional habit of witchers is to negotiate a suitable price before accepting a contract. Therefore, I think that witcher might first ask that king what price he intends to offer?"
"I imagine that king would not be stingy with an earl's title, and the land that comes with it, and of course, possibly more."
"In that case, then I think that witcher would be very happy to help a king with legitimate rights return to his loyal country."
...
The group returned to the inn and used the nags they had brought back from Jadd's mercenaries to pull the carriages.
Although the quality of these nags was not as good as the horses the caravan had used before, having them was better than nothing.
With these horses, the group could continue their journey without having to abandon the carriages.
Having learned from their previous experience, everyone preferred to camp in the wild rather than stay in rural inns again.
And so, they traveled for several more days.
The group finally arrived at Tretogor City.
Tretogor City was located at the foot of the Dragon Mountains, surrounded by high walls, and the city's buildings were mostly topped with spires.
A man-made moat surrounded the high walls, wide and deep, and only a bridge that could be raised at any time allowed entry into the city.
Gallows stood on the plains outside the city, indeed the iconic structure of Tretogor, as rumored.
The line waiting to enter the city on the bridge was very long.
It was not easy to get to Lynn's group. Just as the guards were about to inspect them, Istrad stopped them and showed the ring he wore on his finger.
The guards immediately recognized it as the signet ring of the Tyssen family.
"Please forgive us, my lord, we didn't recognize you."
Istrad said coldly, "Can you let us pass now?"
The guards immediately made way.
"Of course, please come in."
Upon entering Tretogor City, Istrad handed over the caravan to the guard captain and left in a hurry with only a few people.
It was likely because of King Rad's assassination attempt on the road that he was anxious to see the ruler of Tretogor—Lady Benica.
Before parting, Istrad told Lynn and Geralt that he would come to see them after he was done with his business, to settle the payment and everything else.
After arriving in Tretogor City, Lynn and Geralt had completed their escort work, so they no longer needed to travel with the caravan.
The two went directly to the city's inn, rented two rooms, and settled down.
They took a comfortable hot bath, washing away the fatigue of the journey.
In the evening, Istrad came to visit as promised.
Istrad had changed into a magnificent outfit.
Previously, when he was still with the caravan, he was dressed as a wealthy merchant.
But now, he no longer concealed it and wore noble attire.
He didn't beat around the bush. After sitting down, he went straight to the point.
"I know the two Witcher Masters have many questions, and I also promised to reveal everything. Now, I believe the time has come."
He paused, his hands clasped tightly on his knees, as if gathering courage, and said.
"Actually, my full name is Istrad Thyssen."
"Are you a descendant of Baldwin Thyssen, who once ruled Kovir?"
Geralt frowned beside him.
He hadn't expected his luck to be so good.
A long-term escort mission he had taken casually.
Its leader was actually a descendant of a long-dispossessed royal family.
If there was anything that annoyed Geralt more than encountering troublesome commoners, it was working for royalty and nobles.
Geralt couldn't remember how many times he had accepted what was clearly a witcher contract, only to be inexplicably drawn into courtly intrigue.
But the problem was that as a low-ranking witcher, many times he couldn't refuse even if he wanted to.
More often than not, the more he tried to stay out of it, the deeper he got involved.
But fortunately, those past events would not be repeated... at least not this time.
Because their escort mission was now over.
They could take the opportunity to withdraw.
"Lord Istrad, forgive me for being impolite. If we were discourteous in any way during the journey, please forgive us."
Having dealt with royalty and nobles many times, Geralt had more or less figured out a way to deal with them.
Simply put, it was to praise them as high as possible, the higher the better.
No one disliked hearing good words, and royalty and nobles were even more so.
Say a few nice words, appease them, then take the money and leave, never to be seen again.
That was Geralt's idea.
But this time, his approach didn't work on Istrad.
"Master Geralt, what are you talking about? We don't need to say such things between us."
"But you guessed correctly, Baldwin Thyssen was indeed my father."
"When the thrones of Kovir and Poviss passed from my grandfather to my father, it wasn't long before the Poviss secession occurred."
The Kingdom of Kovir and Poviss was a kingdom composed of Kovir, Poviss, Tretogor, Crayden, Malleore, Holopole, Camarthen, the Coast of Ys, and other city-states.
At its peak, the territory of Kovir and Poviss was comparable to that of Redania.
And the beginning of the so-called "Poviss secession" was actually a rebellion launched by a noble from Poviss.
This noble, named Rad, declared Poviss's secession from the kingdom and proclaimed himself king.
After Poviss became independent, Tretogor, Crayden, Malleore, Holopole, Camarthen, the Coast of Ys, and other city-states also followed suit and declared independence.
This was the "Poviss secession."
"The independence of Poviss also triggered rebellions within Kovir."
"A great vassal named Duke Idi seized the throne from my father during the chaos."
"The Thyssen family lost power from then on and had to flee Kovir, going into exile in the Duchy of Tretogor, which had also become independent due to the Poviss secession."
"During the escape, my father suddenly fell seriously ill and died. The Thyssen family reached its most dangerous moment."
"But fortunately, Lady Benica, who ruled the Duchy of Tretogor, took us in. At the same time, there were still many branches of the Thyssen family in the Duchy of Tretogor, and they also provided me with a lot of help."
The more Geralt listened, the more uneasy he felt, and he quickly made a gesture to stop him: "Please wait a moment, Your Excellency."
"I think I understand roughly what you want us to do, but please don't continue, otherwise we won't be able to withdraw."
As royalty, being interrupted while speaking would probably cause other nobles to fly into a rage.
But Istrad was not angry.
"Master Geralt, if you are worried about the issue of payment, I can swear to you in the name of the Thyssen family that we will absolutely not mistreat the two of you. I wonder if this can dispel your doubts."
Geralt shook his head.
"No, it's not a matter of payment."
A look of confusion appeared on Istrad's face: "Then what is the problem?"
Geralt said firmly, "The witcher's code is to remain neutral, Lord Istrad. We do not participate in political struggles."
Istrad had actually heard of the witcher's code.
But...
Istrad's gaze turned to Lynn beside him.
At Lynn's prompting glance, he did not continue this topic.
He took out two large bags and a disc slightly larger than his palm, as well as a delicately crafted signet ring, and placed them on the table.
"There are five hundred crowns in each of these bags... Master Geralt, I know what you are going to say, please hear me out first."
"I am not someone who likes to force others. Since you have mentioned the witcher's principle of neutrality, I naturally will not continue to make things difficult for the two masters."
"I know that the payment we agreed upon earlier was two hundred crowns each, but the two masters saved my life and the lives of my men on the road, and more than once."
"Moreover, I also said that my gratitude would not just be empty words."
"So, please accept these."
"As for this Eye of Nehaleni, it is a magical item that can dispel illusions. Masters, you face more dangers than I do, please don't refuse. I would be very happy if it could be of use to you."
"Finally, this signet ring, the pattern on it is the silver hand emblem of my Thyssen family. If the two of you encounter any trouble, you can go to the headquarters of the 'Rustwater Syndicate' in Novigrad and show this signet ring."
"But please be sure to keep it carefully and do not lose it. If it falls into the hands of irrelevant people, it will cause me a lot of trouble."
The "Rustwater Syndicate" was the largest multinational trading company in Kovir. Nominally, it was just a civilian merchant organization, but in fact, the Thyssen family often used commercial activities as a cover to send secret agents and spies to other countries and regions.
After the Thyssen family lost power, the Rustwater Syndicate sided with King Idi, who had seized power.
But now it seemed that the Rustwater Syndicate only outwardly showed loyalty to King Idi.
In reality, it was still firmly controlled by the Thyssen family.
Lynn's face showed no emotion, but his heart was already churning.
Istrad was really willing to spend a lot to win over allies.
The Eye of Nehaleni was one thing.
No matter how precious this magical item was, for a member of the royal family, it was still something they could part with.
The most valuable item was the signet ring.
It should be known that what Istrad was doing now was a capital offense.
This signet ring was probably only secretly given to Istrad's most trusted people.
It was equivalent to a tool for identifying friend or foe.
Therefore, once this signet ring fell into the hands of irrelevant people, it would cause a great disaster.
From this, it could be imagined that Istrad had almost laid bare his heart in order to win over Lynn.
Geralt took the two bags full of gold coins without hesitation.
But the Eye of Nehaleni and the signet ring were too valuable.
He couldn't take them.
Especially if he took the signet ring, it would be equivalent to taking sides.
Geralt had been careful enough to avoid the political vortex for decades, as if avoiding the plague, how could he ruin his reputation at this time.
However, just as he thought this, Lynn actually reached out and took both the Eye of Nehaleni and the signet ring.
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