For Lann, Saskia can play a role far beyond that of an 'ordinary' dragon.
In the story that Lann is familiar with, Saskia will continue to struggle and train for her ideals in the days to come. In the future, Saskia will join the war against the powerful and become the leader of the Aedirn peasant uprising army, leading them in battle against the kingdom's forces multiple times. She will be widely loved by the peasants and will be called 'the Virgin of Aedirn'.
She has strong military acumen and personal charisma, leading the rebel army to conquer the entire Pontar Valley with great momentum. When King Demavend of Aedirn was assassinated and Aedirn was left leaderless, she even briefly protected the kingdom's border and defeated the invading King Henselt of Kaedwen multiple times.
When she achieved all these feats, aside from the 'I Kill Myself' drama she directed and performed early in the uprising to gain fame and earn the title of 'Dragon Slayer', she never used any dragon powers, relying solely on her ridiculously strong 'human' abilities.
In this process, Saskia also gained the loyalty of some members of the Scoia'tael through her assistance to the non-human races. She had humans, elves, dwarves, gnomes, and halflings working for her. Later, she almost established an independent kingdom and came close to realizing her ideal.
Unfortunately, in the chaotic situation of the North-South War, Saskia fell into the conspiracies of many mages. After a series of slanders, she lost the trust of the people. But even so, after being stripped of her leadership, she still protected her former people with her dragon form until the arrival of Nilfgaard's cavalry, after which she disappeared.
For Lann, the addition of Saskia is not just the gain of another dragon but also that of a general and marshal who can take command in the future. What's more, Saskia has a golden dragon father behind her, and she may serve as the key to opening the door to the Kingdom of Zerrikania, which lies even further north than the North…
"I'm very happy to have you join us, Saskia." Lann sincerely emphasized again. "You can't imagine the joy in my heart at this moment."
After grabbing Lann's hand, Saskia also showed a relieved smile, satisfied that she had finally found her purpose.
"Perhaps I can imagine it a little because I feel the same joy at this moment."
But immediately afterward, Saskia restrained her expression and hesitantly said, "I actually have a request, Lann. I just didn't want you to misunderstand it as a threat, so I waited until after I agreed to join Cintra to say it… If this request makes you feel uncomfortable, you can just pretend you never heard it."
"So, what is this request?" Even though he was happy, Lann did not blindly agree but instead remained fully rational.
"It's about Keltullis." Saskia looked in the direction where the red dragon had flown away. "She… is my compatriot, after all, and our numbers are getting smaller and smaller. If possible, I hope you can spare her life."
Lann had expected this request. After a moment of silence, he replied, "You know I don't like killing or fighting, and I have no interest in dragon treasures. All of this was caused by the conflict between the dwarves and Keltullis."
"I am willing to persuade the dwarves to let the red dragon go or even pretend to have killed it to hide the truth," Lann said. "But all of this depends on whether Keltullis is willing to leave. We don't yet know why she has become so crazy. If there is an irreconcilable conflict between her and the dwarves…"
"Then let's prioritize Cintra's interests. I understand." Saskia was very considerate and didn't force Lann to say it outright but instead finished his thought for him.
The Virgin of Aedirn is an idealist, a rational thinker, and a doer. Her future independent kingdom was fought for on the battlefield, and she knows what is right.
Lann nodded, then looked at Saskia's cloaked figure and thought, "Perhaps you'll have to hide your identity as a dragon for a while. You are one of only two dragons in the world who can take human form. This is an excellent secret weapon."
Saskia nodded, fully aware of her strategic value. Then, suddenly, she laughed under Lann's puzzled gaze.
"I have a good idea—consider it my first gift to you after joining Cintra."
"I wonder if you'd be interested in the title of 'Dragon Slayer,' Lann?"
…
Ferenc Clan.
After such a long time, Kolgrim and Geralt had already returned. They delivered the young dwarves of the Ferenc clan to their parents, and then to Vavrinek, the Scoia'tael group that had infiltrated Mahakam.
At this time, the familiar rumbling earthquake sounded on the ground, and the ice giant returned from the mountains with frost and wind. His body was covered with blood, and not only was Lann standing on his left shoulder, but also Saskia, who had just disappeared from the team, was in his hand.
"Lann killed the green dragon, he is a dragon slayer!" As soon as she landed, Saskia began to describe the battle scene she 'witnessed' to everyone in a vivid way.
According to what she said, she secretly left the team and returned when the red dragon flew towards the Ferenc clan. On the way, she happened to see the scene of the red dragon fleeing and the green dragon carrying Lann to fly. The subsequent green dragon was shot down by Lann and landed near Saskia, so she quietly touched it and witnessed Lann's 'dragon slaying moment'.
"I even shot an arrow from a long distance to help!"
Sakia raised her chin proudly and winked at Lann, as if to say, "This way no one will suspect that I am the green dragon, and it can also increase your reputation, killing two birds with one stone!"
Lann shook his head gently, feeling that the dragon girl in front of him was still a long way from growing into the future virgin of Aedirn. Saskia's remarks could only deceive these dwarves who didn't know what was going on. Didn't they see that the suspicion in Geralt's eyes never subsided after it rose?
Especially Geralt, the white-haired monster hunter who had already smelled a very familiar smell and was just waiting to find Lann in private to verify his guess.
Milva had the most ferocious eyes among all the people. The reason why she stared at Saskia was different from others, because her eyes were focused on the clothes that belonged to Lann on Saskia.
As for Vavrinek, he looked at Lann and the ice giant more than ten meters tall beside him. Thinking of the blood-spouting face of the red dragon when it flew to the town before, he couldn't help but believe it.
…
"Duke Lannister, did you kill the green dragon? Where is Keltullis?"
Faced with Vavrinek's question, Lann shook his head: "When I got rid of the green dragon, the red dragon had already flown away."
Vavrinek was disappointed when he heard this, but he still expressed his gratitude to Lann: "That's good. We dwarves of Mahakam can barely afford to keep a Keltullis, let alone another green dragon. I thank you on behalf of our Ferenc clan and Mahakam, Duke Lannister."
Sakia just smiled as she listened.
Vavrinek then apologized: "An achievement like slaying a dragon is worthy of being celebrated with a carnival banquet for the entire mountain range - not to mention that you saved our town. But... as you can see, we really don't have the energy for it right now."
Lann nodded sympathetically. He had not asked for any banquet. At that moment, he looked around the Ferenc clan village. Having experienced the fall of Cintra, he even felt a sense of empathy.
Keltullis had caused death and destruction here.
The houses on the edge of the town had turned into torches. The wooden materials inside had all been burned to charcoal, and the stone structures outside had also melted slightly, leaving a shocking sight for anyone who saw it. And this was not the most important thing. The houses were not important.
The young people of the Ferenc clan who had just returned home cried and ran toward their parents, but some of them looked around blankly. After receiving the unbearable confirmation from the clan elders, they immediately collapsed to the ground, bursting into tears at the sight of the charred bodies.
Although Saskia had arrived in time, Keltullis had already caused considerable damage. The joy of reunion for the wanderers returning home had disappeared.
[Mission - The Place Where You Can't Return - Completed]
Bringing the young people home safely, Lann's side quest was also completed. However, he didn't feel much joy at completing the mission, he could only sigh deeply.
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