In addition to the damage caused by the red dragon, Vavrinek had other troubles to deal with. At this moment, he was punching and kicking the Scoia'tael captured by the Cintrans, and he almost couldn't help but use an axe to chop down these traitors to their race.
Mahakam was also extremely hostile toward the Scoia'tael because these terrorists had greatly damaged the reputation of dwarves in human society, causing them to suffer many unwarranted consequences. Mahakam's diplomatic relations and trade activities with other northern countries had also suffered severe negative impacts.
Therefore, Mahakam might hate the Scoia'tael even more than some human nations did.
At this moment, these dwarf Scoia'tael were tied up tightly. Because the warriors of the Ferenc clan had not returned yet, they even needed the help of the Cintrans to detain them.
Rayla walked to Lann's side in silence, and after much hesitation, she said: "Duke Lannister, are you going to hand over these Scoia'tael to the dwarves? I found many criminals wanted by Aedirn among them. If possible..."
"If possible, you can go and ask His Majesty Demavend to request these criminals through diplomatic means, Rayla," Lann interrupted. "I know what you are thinking, but I can't agree with your proposal."
"And believe me, the punishment that the Elder of Mahakam will impose on these Scoia'tael will be no lighter than what human law stipulates."
After hearing Lann's reply, Rayla seemed somewhat unwilling, but she still gritted her teeth and lowered her head to apologize: "It's my fault. Sorry, Duke Lannister."
Lann and his team had gotten along very well with Rayla along the way, and Lann also admired this captain of the Aedirn special forces. But Rayla was a soldier of Aedirn after all, and she stood on Aedirn's side. Lann did not want to lose Mahakam's favor because of Aedirn.
Just then, the cry of a Ferenc youth rang out: "It's too scary outside! Aedirn is scary, Lyria is scary, and Kaedwen is even scarier! They deceive us, abuse us, and punish us for other people's mistakes. I don't want to leave Mahakam anymore!"
Rayla looked at the Scoia'tael who were being detained, then at the Ferenc youth who were crying in their parents' arms.
Rayla's left hand was on her ear—the same as a human's. The ears of half-elves showed slightly pointed features between elves and humans, but a quarter elf blood did not give the carrier any visible difference from humans, except for making their appearance more attractive.
But Rayla rubbed and rubbed her ear hard, as if something dirty was on it.
She murmured to herself, "Scoia'tael..."
…
Since the Ferenc clan had undergone a great ordeal, Lann could not disturb them too much. This was obviously not the time to discuss any rewards or support.
They were arranged to stay in a moderately sized house in the town. Lann summoned his confidants to his room, and Saskia came along.
There was no need to hide the Dragon Girl's identity from his confidants. They needed to know how much power they held in their hands. After learning the truth, everyone thought back to the various anomalies during the journey and suddenly realized what they had missed, then collectively took a sharp breath.
"I originally thought you became a 'dragon slayer,' but I didn't expect you to become a 'dragon rider'... or rather, a 'dragon tamer'?" Kolgrim's keen insight never failed him.
He became excited. No one in history had ever been able to communicate with a dragon so peacefully. Even the descriptions of dragons in the Witcher's bestiary were quite limited. The appearance of Saskia would surely drive any academic researcher in Cintra crazy.
"So can all dragons turn into humans? Or are there special conditions?"
"Only my father and I can turn into humans," Saskia chuckled, not hiding anything. "But my father is more powerful. He can transform into countless forms, whereas I only have this human appearance you see."
Kolgrim looked at Saskia and exclaimed, "You have a great sense of human aesthetics!"
Geralt was thoughtful: "You're the little one from back then... Is your father doing well?"
Saskia replied: "Thank you for saving my mother and me alongside Ms. Yennefer. As for my father... he is better than anyone else."
At this answer, even Geralt himself laughed. Yes, a miraculous dragon like the golden dragon possessed power that surpassed that of any giant dragon. Moreover, he lived in Zerrikania, a kingdom that revered dragons. How could he not be doing well?
Lann suddenly knocked on the table to attract Saskia's attention.
He asked a question that had been on his mind for a long time.
"Now that everything's out in the open, we can discuss topics that weren't convenient before."
"Saskia, as you can see, Kolgrim, Geralt, and I are all witchers. I heard that Zerrikania also has a witcher school, called the 'Manticore School.' Have you heard of it?"
Saskia seemed to have expected Lann to ask this question. She smiled happily at Lann's expectant gaze and said, "Of course."
...
The continent where Lann is currently located is not as big as it seems. The so-called 'South' and 'North' are actually just divisions for the land that has been explored by the existing society.
To the east of the Northern Kingdoms and the Nilfgaard Empire, there is a long mountain range called the 'Blue Mountains' that clearly separates them from the other half of the continent like a dividing line. And if an adventurer spends more than a month and is lucky enough to cross the Blue Mountains, he will have the opportunity to come into contact with a completely unfamiliar kingdom—Zerrikania.
Zerrikania is a kingdom largely unknown to both the North and the South, but with a legendary reputation. Legend has it that it has a desert climate like a steamer, and poisonous insects as big as cows can be seen everywhere on the road; but it also boasts an extremely prosperous human civilization and advanced alchemical technology.
Zerrikania can produce the most expensive spices and the most durable longbows. Milva and Lann's current bows were made in Zerrikania. Dragon's Dream and Moon Dust bombs were also introduced to the North through Zerrikania's merchants. Zerrikania is also famous for its female mercenaries, who wear clothes made of lion's mane and have tattoos on their faces. They are unmatched on the battlefield—and in bed.
Around the time the schism happened at the School of the Bear where Ivar Evil-Eye failed to take over, his group split off and was further joined by others who also didn't share Grandmaster Arnaghad's philosophy, with one of these individuals being Iwan. As this group headed into the Tir Tochair Mountains for a rumored fortress to found the School of the Viper, Iwan realized he also didn't agree with Ivar's view, so as the group headed to the mountains, Iwan and others who also doubted Ivar split off and headed to where they knew they could find work: Elskerdeg Pass in the Tir Tochair Mountains. This pass sat on the edges of the infamous Korath desert where Zerrikanian caravans regularly tried to pass through the treacherous area to trade with the western portion of the continent. In a short time, Iwan and his fellow witchers went from being solely hunters to skilled defenders as they escorted caravans safely back and forth across the desert.
One day in the desert, Iwan and his group found a royal Zerrikanian caravan under attack by a pair of manticores and ran in to help. After they had killed the monsters, they discovered the caravan was headed to meet mages at Aretuza and among their group was the Zerrikanian Queen's Court Mage, Nasira Faizan. Having seen how skilled the witchers were, Nasira then offered them substantial pay and an audience with the queen if they could get her safely back home to Zerrikania and they readily agreed. Once they got to Zerrikania's capital, the sorceress told all about the School of the Manticore exploits and the queen offered a proposal: if the witchers would work exclusively for the crown and guard their merchant caravans and emissaries, then Zerrikania would build a castle on each side of the desert to help build up the school. The witchers agreed and the two castles were built: Behelt Nar in the west and Bialsuf Alsarea in the east, the latter of which Iwan stayed at.
Over the years, Nasira worked with Iwan to recreate the mutation process though Iwan was a bit evasive of giving the full details, having not known the full process himself. They even tried to apply the mutations to some of the famed warrior women of Zerrikania, but these experiments were deemed inconclusive. Despite this, they brought in the best warriors to be trained at the new School of the Manticore, with a focus on defense and employing potions. To add to their arsenal they added in special shields made of meteoritic steel and silver. During this time Iwan later changed his name to Imad Asem and became the personal witcher to the Zerrikanian queen.
...
Facing Lann's question, Saskia thought for a moment before nodding: "The Manticore School of Witchers is also a story my father once told me, but they seem to have fallen into decline now. I haven't seen them since I can remember."
"But calling them 'witchers' doesn't seem very appropriate, because they have transformed into mercenaries. It is said that in the beginning, they were responsible for protecting caravans crossing the desert. Later, they were highly regarded by the Queen of Zerrikania and were incorporated into the Royal Guard, specifically to protect royal caravans and envoys."
This made Kolgrim and Geralt raise their eyebrows. It sounded like these witchers had fared much better than most.
"But about a hundred years ago, they took on the task of escorting Prince Zerrikanian to his wedding and sent out 90% of the school's witchers. However, while passing through the Flame Mountains, they encountered a fire elemental over 20 meters tall, and the entire force was wiped out."
Kolgrim and Geralt exchanged incredulous looks. A fire elemental over 20 meters tall? That could destroy a small kingdom!
"After failing their mission, the Manticores were neglected by the royal family. Moreover, as Zerrikania began developing safer maritime trade routes, they could no longer sustain themselves there. It is said that they are now gathered in the West, hunting monsters once again."
Saskia finished her recollection and nodded confidently. "My father gave me a special test on this subject, so I know it for a fact."
Kolgrim and Geralt looked at each other and sighed. The decline of the witchers seemed inevitable. The once-prestigious Griffin School and the Manticore School, which had once served as royal guards, had both met the same fate.
Lann thought for a moment and then asked Saskia, "In addition to hoping to build a harmonious multi-ethnic nation, I am also committed to reviving the witcher profession. If possible, Saskia, could you help contact any friends in Zerrikania or other acquaintances so that I can get in touch with the Manticore School?"
"No problem! I've always thought the concept of witchers is great—drawing swords for those who cannot fight, even more chivalrous than the knights of the North!" Saskia nodded excitedly. "It's just that it seems many witchers have deviated from their original path, but with Lann leading them, they will surely be able to restore that noble cause!"
Kolgrim muttered, "We still have to charge money, so the only truly noble ones are the Griffins," before being pulled into silence by Geralt.
Saskia herself had been trained in magic and had a unique way of contacting friends far away in Zerrikania, as well as believers who worshiped dragons. However, the road was long and full of obstacles, and it was uncertain when news could be sent and received.
But having hope was always good. This was also the first time that Lann and his friends had a way to reach out to Zerrikania. Lann had even hoped that Saskia could contact her golden dragon father, but she refused.
"It's not that I don't want to, but I can't contact my father myself," Saskia spread her hands. "When he agreed to stay in Zerrikania for decades to raise and teach me, that was already his limit. Now, I don't know where he has gone. He didn't leave me a way to contact him—for the sake of peace."
Lann understood. He is a golden dragon who yearns for freedom. A true lone wanderer, the kind who could spend a night in the big bathtub with Geralt and the other four.
Lann no longer pushed the matter.
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