Chapter 123 The Sorceress Takes Action (End)
These are two extremely beautiful women, and also two extremely powerful women.
One of them was dressed rigorously, with black hair tied into a classic bun, wearing a plain skirt, and a cold face. However, she had curves that were so graceful and even gorgeous that they couldn't be obscured by the dress. The plain dress made her charm shine through. The contrast was completely heightened, making her proud, stunning, and impossible to look directly at.
Tishaia de Vries, a high-ranking sorceress, a member of the Coven, a sorcerer who now stands at the top of the world.
The other person was dressed like a standard court sorcerer. He was gorgeously dressed but abandoned the conservatism of aristocratic ladies and ladies. The top is sleeveless, low-cut, and hollow, and the skirt is tulle, semi-transparent, and lace. These designs use every possible means to show off the beauty of the figure. She wears many black onyx jewelry, paired with pleasing long black hair and exquisite makeup. She is as attractive as Tisaya next to her.
Philippa Eilhardt, magical advisor to the royal family of Redania, one of the members of the Supreme Council of Warlocks, and a senior sorceress. Although she looks no older than thirty, there are rumors that she is over three hundred years old.
In addition to the two ladies, there were three other warlocks in the house.
This is a real secret location in the Northern Kingdom, where the top leaders of the warlocks gather to hold a real secret meeting.
Vilgefortz was wearing leather armor and sitting at the head. He is the initiator of this meeting. Since leading the warlocks to win the Battle of Soden Mountain, he has gained great prestige among the warlocks of the Northern Kingdom. Everyone is willing to listen to the war against Nilfgaard first. his opinion.
"First of all, thank you very much for coming." Vilgefortz said modestly, "I am also sorry that all ten people from the Wizards Association and the Supreme Council of Warlocks were invited to this meeting, but only half of them were present."
Wilgefortz said sadly: "We have lost a lot of friends during this time."
The Wizards' Association and the Supreme Council of Warlocks totaled ten people, but there were only three men and two women present at the secret meeting.
"Hen Gedimidis is physically inconvenient, and Francesca has other things to deal with." A man said, "Don't make it sound like everyone died on Sodden Mountain, they heard you I will definitely not be happy."
"Okay, okay." Vilgefortz accepted the correction helplessly, "Thank you for the reminder, Alto."
The sorcerer who doesn't give face is called Alto Terranova. A member of the wizarding guild, he is short and fat, and he is one of the few unattractive male wizards.
"Let's get straight to the point, Vilgefortz." The last warlock in the room said, "I used the portal three times from Temeria to get here. I didn't do it just to listen to those endless chatter. ."
The warlock who spoke this time is called Fekart. Like Triss, he is one of the three royal advisors of Temeria. He survived the Battle of Mount Soden and was praised for his bravery in battle. He is now the highest ranking member of the Supreme Council of Warlocks. Young members.
"Okay, okay" said Wigefortz, "we have many topics to discuss today, and I believe everyone has their own preparations. But before that, please allow me to show my hospitality. After all, everyone We have come a long way, and now there is bad weather everywhere."
Wigfortz smiled gently, turned his head and asked in a low voice behind him: "Lydia, can you please help me? Then I want to use the good ones. Ingredients and old red wine from Sidaris to entertain my guests."
Lydia van Bradvoort, Wigfortz's assistant and personal secretary, walked out from behind the curtain like a disembodied phantom, He looked at the warlocks present with a smile in his eyes.
The warlocks all knew this famous female assistant and nodded to her.
Lydia clapped her hands, and then two maids were busy. Their dresses rustled and various tableware were placed on the table.
Finally, Lydia gracefully conjured a flame with her thumb and forefinger and lit the candle on the candlestick. Tisaya saw traces of oil paint remaining on her hands. She kept this in mind and prepared to wait until after dinner before asking the young sorceress to see her latest work. She knew that Lydia was a talented painter.
The dinner went on in silence. The stocky Aalto was unceremonious, and before his host could say anything, he shamelessly took the glass bottle of red wine and reached for the food at the same time—frequently.
Tisaya ate slowly, and most of her energy was focused on arranging dishes, cutlery, and napkins symmetrically. In her opinion, the placement of those things was still not neat enough, which detracted from her sense of order and aesthetics. .
Philippa drinks very restrainedly, and Vilgefortz eats and drinks even more restrainedly. As for Lydia, she didn't even touch the food or wine.
The gold and red candles flickered. Raindrops tinkled against the stained glass.
"The weather has been getting worse and worse recently." Philippa suddenly said, "The strong winds and heavy rains appeared without warning. If not for this, Cintra, with the support of Skellige, would not have been defeated so much that we could not react. Come."
Wigfortz nodded and said regretfully: "If you really want to say that, that storm was really one of the turning points in the north. That's why the current situation is so unfavorable to us." "Okay, Wiggo
. Fortes," Alto finally spoke as he seemed to be full of wine and food, but at the same time he was still looking for meat on the plate with his fork. "What do you think of the behavior of the kings? We want to know your point of view. . Tisaya and I are also very interested. The Wizards Association hopes that all members will have a consistent position on this matter. If we start to take action, we also hope that everyone will act in a consistent manner."
Vilgefortz nodded: "Since I am the organization Well, then I should start the conversation first: I believe everyone has recently heard about the public talks that the Northern Kingdom is planning to hold?"
Naturally, all the magicians knew about it.
Philippa said jokingly: "The kings have decided to start talks, and they will not let us participate or help. They would rather spend several months on the road than use our portal."
Vigo Fortes nodded and said: "Yes, this is not good news. The kings began to think independently. They began to make their own plans without the advice of advisors. In a short period of time, their thinking level changed from Did tactics rise to the level of strategy? Obviously not long ago in Soden, they could only gallop and shout for attack. They didn't even think of looking back to see if their men had fallen behind or gone in the completely wrong direction." He regretted
. He said: "None of the kings have asked for our permission, and they will never ask for it again. The kings don't trust us anymore."
Feikat frowned and said: "Obviously we were the first to see the threat from Nilfgaard, and also We sent a large number of warlocks to fight against Nilfgaard, and thirteen of us died! If it weren't for us, Nilfgaard would have rampaged across the north." "
We have no choice, Feikat." Philippa He said coldly, "It is precisely because we played such an important role that the kings were frightened by us. We happened to have lost a large number of members now, so the kings also started to take back the rights that should have belonged to us."
" Very good." Vilgefortz nodded, "Thanks Philippa for the summary, this is exactly the problem I want to point out. So today we have to come up with a way to reverse this situation. With all due respect -"
He looked around, taking in the reactions of the warlocks, and said slowly: "The Brotherhood is worried about how to deal with the kings' plans? This is unnecessary. Just ignore their plans."
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Alto's left hand holding the wine glass and his right hand holding the bottle stopped in mid-air, "Did I hear you correctly? You want us to do nothing? Just let it go..." "That's it already
. "No." Vilgefortz interrupted. "No king has asked for our permission, and will never ask for it again. I repeat, we should pretend to know nothing. This is the only reasonable approach."
"You mean," the short and fat Alto frowned, "we cooperate with them to continue this dance?" "
Yes, Alto." Vilgefortz looked at him, his eyes flashing, "You guys Dance this dance to their beat or you have to leave the dance floor. Because the orchestra's podium is too high, you can't climb up and tell the musicians to change the song. You have to remember this. If you If you think there are other solutions, you are wrong. You mistook the reflections cast on the lake for the stars in the night sky."
Everyone lowered their heads and pondered Wigefortz's suggestion. Although the warlocks participate in politics, they only have the right to make suggestions to the king. Let them directly resist the king? This is not how a warlock operates.
"Then we do nothing, wait for the king to marginalize us, and wait for Nilfgaard to invade while we are weak?" "
No, no, we are not doing nothing." Wigfort Zi said, "First of all, we need to replenish the staff of the Wizards Association and the Supreme Council of Warlocks. If these two organizations are not full, how can we manage the Warlock Brotherhood?" No one questioned this suggestion
. , after all, faced with such a severe situation now, the Warlock management organization, which can only achieve half of its operating efficiency, is indeed somewhat stretched.
Only Tishaia, the female dean of the Magic Academy, added while adjusting her lace sleeves: "But we also prefer to be short of things. These two institutions represent the pinnacle of warlocks." When
Tishaia was adjusting her sleeves, Her concentrated and elegant look attracted the attention of people on the side. Especially the pudgy Aalto and the young Fecat.
"Of course, Tisaya, your suggestions are very helpful." Vilgefortz smiled, "But I believe you will not object to the next candidate: I want to recommend someone to enter the highest level of warlocks." Member of the Council: Yennefer of Vengerberg!"
When Vilgefortz said this, his eyes shone with a different light. Warlocks who didn't know him well might not notice it, but Tisaya, who was keen, caught it.
Tishaia thought to herself: He is planning something.
Tisaya had noticed something was wrong with Vilgefortz a long time ago. The strength of this young wizard grew day by day, and his brilliance eclipsed the others. His achievements and strength forced other warlocks to subordinate themselves to him.
In fact, Tisaya felt that the wizard was becoming more and more like a chess player when handling affairs in the North. What worries the female dean is that they know nothing about the rules of this chess game.
But everything Vilgefortz has done so far has been beneficial to the North and the warlocks, so she can't find any reason not to cooperate with him.
The young Feikat knew nothing about Wilgefortz's strangeness, and he quite agreed with Wilgefortz's proposal: "Yennefer fought bravely in the Battle of Sodden Mountain, and almost paid the price of his eyes permanently. , her strength and qualifications are sufficient."
"But there is a problem." Wigfortz regretted, "We can't find her, she disappeared after the battle." The
short and fat Alto laughed: "Let such an irresponsible person join our organization? Don't forget that Yennefer even abandoned the title of consultant to Vengerberg and abandoned his responsibilities!" Young Feikat retorted: "But this time
she It was to save Triss, whom we mistakenly thought had been sacrificed!"
As a royal adviser to Temeria, Feikat obviously valued Triss very much, and at the same time he also valued Ye Nai, who had rescued Triss. I have a good impression of the law.
"That's right." Vilgefortz said happily, "So why can't we trust Yennefer like this? Feikat, did Triss say where Yennefer went after she came back?" Young
Feikat Shaking his head: "It seems to be Kaer Morhen, one of the base camps of that demon hunter, and he also brought Princess Sirilla of Cintra. I remember that Yennefer was rumored to be very close to a demon hunter. Now It seems the rumors are true."
Alto laughed gracelessly: "I also heard that she was very close to a demon hunter for a while. If I remember correctly, his name was Geralt. It seems like They are not in a casual marriage, and Yennefer is quite emotional towards him...a demon hunter, ha, a demon hunter!"
Vilgefortz smiled and said: "This is Yennefer's private matter, and it has nothing to do with us. It's just that It's really distressing that she disappeared in her own way, and she also brought the princess of Cintra with her...Cirella, is that her name?"
As Vilgefortz spoke, Tisaya secretly observed.
When it comes, it feels like this, like the feeling of moving a chessboard. Tisaya secretly thought, which sentence from Fekart caused Wige Fortes to change? Is it Kaer Morhen, a witcher, or Sirilla of Cintra?
"Speaking of Cintra." Tisaya took the initiative to speak. "There was a new demon hunter there recently. The rumored Lann Lannister Lealen was long dead. Does anyone remember it?
" The fat Alto praised Tisaya very much: "Of course, before, Cintra vaguely praised him as the number one among the younger generation in the north, but he suddenly died suddenly. Unexpectedly, he suddenly jumped out now, and he also Became...a demon hunter, haha."
Alto laughed contemptuously again.
Disaya ignored Alto at all, she focused on the changes in Wigfortz. He had the same feeling, and he also reacted to the name "Lann". Is there any inevitable connection between these reactions?
Tisaya ignored Alto, but some warlocks showed disgust at his reaction.
Philippa suddenly spoke up: "It was this 'Demon Hunter' who fought all the way from the capital of Cintra to Brochlon, and also fought back Fringilla Vigo and scattered her army. The so-called Nilfgaardian Warlock Force."
The sorceress who had been silent before said: "I think this is an opportunity. Lannister is one of the heirs to the royal family, Princess Sirilla is still young, and He has prestige, and his attitude towards warlocks is said to be pretty good. Cintra is full of things to do, and we can support him." "
Huh? Support a demon hunter?" the short and fat Alto exclaimed exaggeratedly, " When did we fall to this point?"
Philipba said expressionlessly: "The kings in the north have lost trust in us, but this demon hunter has gained the actual power to rule a country. In a sense, they are our kind, aren't they? I think this will be an inspiration for our future path." The
short and fat Alto pinched Philippa's exposed skin with his eyes, and screamed even more Loudly: "Are you kidding, Philippa? You said that the witcher is the same kind as us? And he just gathered a group of refugees! Where is the rule of the country?" Faced with the warlock's
shouting Yelling, Philippa exposed him mercilessly. She mocked expressionlessly: "If you despise the witcher so much, why did you go to covet the magic library of Caer Siren in the first place? You were just jealous and added Is it just fear, or does the Lannister's record of defeating Wei Ge give you a sense of crisis?"
Alto slammed the table, stood up, and began to argue nonstop with Philipba.
Of course, it was not so much a quarrel as it was Alto making a unilateral noise, and Philippa just looked on with cold eyes. After a long while, he shouted that he was tired, and then everyone continued to discuss things.
Unlike Alto, the young Feicart has a good impression of Lann: "Lannister's support for the warlock is obvious, and he is the opposite of Calanthe. It was he who saved Triss, and I heard Said that he also discovered a potential magic apprentice, and asked Triss to bring him over to be your apprentice?"
When Feicart said this, he turned towards Wigfortz and turned all his eyes away. To him.
"Yes, but that apprentice's qualifications are not as good as you think." Wigfortz nodded generously, "I plan to let him spend more than ten years to consolidate his knowledge and become familiar with experiments, and then slowly Train him, and he might be able to become a royal advisor to Cintra in the future."
After answering this question, Vilgefortz looked at Tisaya expectantly: "Tisaya, among the people present, you and Yennefer are the best. The most familiar person, can you locate her?"
Tisaya shook her head: "Yennefer wears an amulet made of gems, metals and crystals, which is enough to block any spiritual visits. As long as Yennefer does not want any If people know where she is, no one can find her."
This feeling came again. Although he concealed it well, he was very disappointed that he could not find Yennefer, which was more than a normal level of disappointment. . Tishaia felt it, but she didn't know why.
"If you can't find Yennefer." Young Feikat suggested, "I think Triss is also good. She fought bravely in the battle of Sodden Mountain..." Wigfortz refused: "
Triss Si is still too young, let her be Cintra's supporter. Isn't this what you want? And I think she enjoys it herself."
At this time, everyone had basically finished their meal, and Vigo Fortes' assistant Lydia brought the maid over to clean up the mess and add wine to everyone.
"Thank you, Lydia." Disaya said softly, looking at Lydia who never made a sound and sighed.
Lydia is a beautiful sorcerer and a superb painter. A landscape painting by Lydia hangs in the glorious corridor of Arethusa Magic Academy. The painting depicts Lord's Craignan and Meet Laura Doran.
It is a pity that such a beauty and painter once participated in an experiment to study ancient cemetery artifacts on the recommendation of Wigfortz. The artifacts were cursed, costing Lydia severe burns, a broken jaw, and a mutated throat.
There were five warlocks participating in the experiment at that time. Except for Lydia, three of them died on the spot, and the fourth one lost his eyes and hands, and then went crazy.
Afterwards, Lydia resisted the regeneration spell to regenerate skin and flesh, and only used illusions to maintain a normal appearance. She lost the ability to speak and used telepathy as her only method of communication. It was also from that time that she truly became the shadow of Wilgefortz.
A male apprentice whom Tisaya had never seen walked in with the maids and helped clear away the tableware.
Because it was an unfamiliar face and his temperament was too incompatible with those of the servants, Tisaya could not help but look at the apprentice twice until Lydia took him away.
It's weird, a lot of places have become weird. Tisaya began to adjust the lace on her cuffs again. She tried to think hard, but she couldn't figure out what was wrong.
.........
Night, Redania Palace.
The portal opened in mid-air, and Philippa Earhart's figure appeared from inside.
It was getting late at night, but she was not in a hurry to rest. Instead, she walked to the side of the magic communicator made of crystals and gems and muttered something.
Invisible magic waves rippled, and a figure gradually became solid from illusion, and was projected in front of Philippa.
With her unique short hair, arrogant and stubborn eyes, and the appearance of a court sorceress, she turned out to be Fringilla Vigo.
One of the top talkers among the northern warlocks is actually related to the Nilfgaardian sorceress. If other people knew about it, their jaws would probably drop.
"How's it going? Am I right?" As soon as she saw Philipba, Fringilla Vigo couldn't wait to say, "There must be something wrong with Wigfortz!"
Philipba said calmly: " His biggest problem is that he has a close relationship with you, although I am the same now."
After saying that, before Fringilla could mock her, Philippa continued: "But Vilgefortz did hide a lot of things. , his reaction to Princess Cirilla and Lannister was abnormal, he had more demands, but he hid them from us."
Philipba deduced: "Either, his demands will hurt us, so he hid them; Or, he can get huge benefits from it, so he doesn't want us to know how to share the profit."
Philippa thought quietly for a while, raised her head and drank the wine in the glass.
She asked Fringilla: "Is that Lann really as powerful as you say?" The
short-haired sorceress was sure: "He used fire magic. Or maybe his seal is more powerful than fire magic - then This problem is even bigger."
Philipba nodded and said: "In this case, I will contact him at the right time."
Fringilla asked curiously: "What do you want to do?"
Philipba finally said at this time A smile appeared, a beautiful smile, a confident smile, a smile that could be recognized by all careerists.
"It doesn't matter whether it's the North, Nilfgaard or the Witcher. The reason why I contacted you is because we have similar ideas." She went to the table and poured out
a glass of Toussaint wine. , walking around his workbench covered with retorts, crucibles, test tubes, crystals and many magic instruments, and walked slowly towards his bookshelf.
"We all agree that magic is above all else, and I also think that warlocks who have mastered magic should get more than they do now."
Philippa looked at the bookshelf for a moment and took out two tomes.
"If your description is correct, then this Lann of Cintra may really be higher than a demon hunter, or even higher than an average warlock..."
Philipba said decisively: "We will need him. "
The moonlight shone down, slightly illuminating the covers of the two old tomes in her hand, revealing the names written in ancient languages - "Ancient Blood (Aen Hen Ichaer)" and "Islini Prophecy ( Aen Ithlinnespeath).
(End of chapter)