Chapter 132: Dwarves must be fooled.
"We can only send you here, Lan." Yarpan scratched his head, "That is the King of Temeria after all. Without his summons, we can't It’s easy to go in, and we also have other things to do.”
Vizima, outside the palace, the dwarves brought Lan all the way here, and they were about to say goodbye.
"Thank you very much, Yalpan and Zoltan." Lann looked at the two dwarves respectively as he spoke, "If it weren't for you locals to lead the way, I don't know how much time I would have been delayed on the road. "
Yarpan laughed, but Zoltan's expression was very unnatural.
Lan noticed Zoltan's look and knew that the dwarf was very concerned about his retreat when there was a commotion before, so he took the initiative to comfort him: "
Zoltan, I believe that if you were the only one at that time, you would definitely be firm and unyielding. I have always stood by my side. But you have partners and brothers to take care of. This is a responsibility, I understand."
Lann smiled and said: "Responsibility sometimes makes us do things that go against our true intentions, but this does not mean It's not a shame, but more admirable."
Regarding Zoltan, Lann knew that this dwarf had a kind nature, and he was one of the few people who had great love and could put it into practice.
After Nilfgaard's invasion, he would gather refugees in the war, regardless of whether they were old people, women or children. And spent all his wealth to protect them.
However, he was also a witness to social beatings, so his kindness later became much smoother. For example, he would rob other refugees to help his own refugees.
Geralt politely questioned this when he met Zoltan, and Zoltan said: I can't stop myself from helping others, but I also know that I can't help everyone. It would be like going into the sea. Mix it with a drop of water; so I only help specific people so that I don't waste my efforts.
Lane applauds this thinking.
After listening to Lann's words, Zoltan suddenly became even more guilty.
The smile on Lan's face also became brighter.
"If it's convenient, can you tell me about your subsequent itinerary? I'm going to Redania to visit the king there, maybe I can stop by."
Yarpan patted his head regretfully: "I'm going to Koko Devin, the Scoia'tael have brought shame on us dwarves, so I'm going to help their king fight Nilfgaard and earn back the dwarves' reputation!"
Zoltan was very happy: "I'm going to Novigrad. I have a few partners there for business. But if you want to go find the king, Lan, I have information that he is in Cowburg recently. I know a friend with a big ship, and I can take you there by water."
Lan He was disrespectful to Zoltan for his help, and then turned to Yalpan.
Lann had a different view on the dwarf's decision:
"Yarpan, I regard you as a friend, that's why I say this: If I were the king, when I faced a team of unknown origin, I would definitely I will try every means to test them, and at least have a few people in the team die for me to prove their loyalty, and then I can accept them as my own, do you understand?" Yalpan, who leads the dragon-slaying team to travel across the mainland, has rich social experience, but makes
friends But most of them are the same mud-legged mercenaries and rangers, and they really don't have much understanding of the thoughts of the superiors.
Lann knew that this dragon-slaying team would be devoted to Kaedwen in the future, but what they got in return was suspicion and ridiculous "tests", and in the end Yalpan even lost two team members who got along day and night.
A warrior with the glory of slaying a dragon died under the king's ridiculous suspicion. This is nothing new in the Northern Kingdom.
After hearing Lan's words, the enthusiastic dwarf leader was obviously stunned: "But I am here to help them." "I don't know if
you have heard of King Kaedwen's reputation, Yarpan." Lan En said sincerely, "But that is a king who treats inhuman races and is cruel. In a sense, the Scoia'tael is his own fault. And you have no obligation to sacrifice your brothers for him." Zoltan also came to persuade him
. : "You stupid hammer head! I have told you long ago that it is enough for us to protect our brothers and friends. Will Lann's view of those kings be worse than yours?" Yarpan could see with the naked eye
. Became lost.
At this time, because of this conversation, Lann and his party had been staying at the entrance of the palace for a long time. Keira's figure could be seen not far away, apparently coming to receive them after hearing the report from the guards.
Lan pretended to take something out of his pocket, but actually took out two tokens with the Lannister family crest from the [Inventory].
He handed the two coats of arms to the two dwarf leaders respectively: "Yarpan, no matter what you choose in the end, I respect your decision. But if you encounter difficulties, you are welcome to come to Cintra to find me at any time. As long as you Show this token and you will be able to travel unimpeded where the Sintra flag is planted."
After saying this, he smiled sheepishly: "You also know that Sintra is still very difficult recently, and you may not be able to give it. I may even ask for your help, but I can guarantee that you will receive enough respect and courtesy, and no outsider will be able to harm you in Sintra before I die." Yalpan became even
more Lost, and Zoltan opened his eyes. Obtaining this coat of arms meant that he could open up a new trade route, especially in a country at war, where the business opportunities were greater.
Later, Lann and the dwarves parted temporarily, and walked into the Temerian palace under the guidance of Keira.
His entourage of soldiers and attendants was well placed, for the king wanted to see him alone.
The steel greaves made a "treading" sound on the marble corridor, and the guards on both sides held spears and shields and stared intently. In the middle, Lann also passed through a royal garden, where the aroma of lilacs was refreshing.
Lann couldn't help but sigh. It had been a long time since he had walked in a palace-sized building, and he felt nostalgic for the moment. Keira quickly led Lan to the entrance of the living room of the palace. Lan nodded to her and pushed the door open.
Foltest, one of the most powerful kings in the North and the most handsome king in the North, was warming himself by the fire with his back to Lan.
"Lord Lannister," he greeted softly.
"Your Majesty the King." Even if the other party couldn't see it, Lan still performed a court salute.
The king turned around, and Lann couldn't help but sigh that the other man was indeed as handsome as the legend, even as handsome as himself.
There were at least ten guards in the room staring at Lann. The moment he entered, all the guards stamped their spears in unison, making a loud noise.
The smile on Lan's face didn't change at all.
"Sit down, Lannister." The king pointed to the seat in front of his desk.
"Don't say any more unnecessary words. I believe you are a smart person, so I will treat you the same way I treat smart people." The king's majestic eyes looked directly into
Lan's lion eyes: "Let's get straight to the point, Cintra Lion, why did you go all the way to see me?" "
I went all the way to see you because I noticed your attitude. I feel uneasy now, but not for Sintra, but for Sintra. It's for Temeria and the northern kingdoms."
Lann said unhurriedly: "Your indifferent and neglectful attitude makes me frustrated when I come here with sincerity, but for the sake of the north, I feel that I must come to see you. Your side."
King Foltest laughed: "Your Cintra is almost gone, Earl. You want to use sweet words to lure me to send troops to help you, right? How do you want to convince me?" "It's not you who helps me, Your Majesty
. , but we help each other." Lann said leisurely, "I saw an old saying in a book: If the lips are gone, even a hint of cool breeze will make the teeth feel cold." "Today,
Xint The two lips of the Northern Territory are about to be torn off. By then, the bones and flesh of the entire Northern Territory will be directly exposed to the cold wind of Nilfgaard. Cintra is using the blood of countless warriors to defend the North. Do you intend to turn a blind eye and let the imperial cavalry drive straight in?"
The king said indifferently: "I don't mean to offend, but Cintra cannot be the same as Temeria. Nilfgaard leaves you with no ability to fight back. , but it is impossible for them to invade Temeria at all."
Lann sighed: "But as far as I know, the United Kingdom of Livia and Leilia is also being invaded by the empire, and is separated from Nilfgaard. Kaedwen in Redania has been attacked by the Scoia'tael again. With your wisdom, you will not fail to see the connection." "
Nilfgaard's invasion has never been limited to cavalry, they use all kinds of weapons. Extremely, it even includes trade and academia. I can tell by just guessing that Temeria has had a big tax problem recently."
In response to the question raised by Lan, the Temerian king finally fell silent.
He worked hard to build Temeria into the most powerful country in the north today, so he is naturally proud of it. However, Nilfgaard's tactics are endless, and even if there is no direct challenge, it seems that it has been attacked. Temeria wanted to fight back, but couldn't see the enemy.
In other words, those "enemies" are his own people and nobles, and even himself.
"Your verbal attacks have countered every attack of mine. It turns out that you are smarter than I thought. I never thought that Henselt was not as knowledgeable as an earl who is less than twenty years old."
Henselt He is the king of Kaedwen, one of the four great kingdoms in the north. Unfortunately, there seems to be something wrong with the inheritance of this generation. Anyway, as far as Lan is concerned, he has heard contempt for him more than once.
"You are so complimentary." Lann smiled modestly.
"According to what you said, I really have no reason not to help you, but as a king, I have to consider my people." King Foltest said, "I can't completely trust you, so you need to Provide us with a guarantee."
Lann made a listening gesture, expressing his willingness to hear the details.
"Marriage, this is the strongest covenant." King Foltest raised his chin slightly, "I only have one princess, but I have many illegitimate children. You can choose a suitable husband for your Princess Cirilla. I Will recognize his identity and make him a real prince to match the identity of the Lion Cub of Cintra."
Let Lan choose a husband for Ciri, in the eyes of King Foltest, it is a big concession, which means Then Lann can choose a straw bag to use as a puppet in the future without worrying about Cintra's power falling away.
But Lan En's lion eyes narrowed and shone slightly.
.........
While Lan and the king were discussing matters in the drawing room, Keira Metz outside the room was blocked again by the red-haired Princess Yada.
"Lady Keira, is the Lion of Sintra inside now, conferring with my father?"
(End of Chapter)