The Witcher: Make Witcher Great Again

Chapter 369 When the King Makes a Mistake, the People Suffer
After leaving Oakes and the others, Lynn went to find George, who was in a meditative state.

Lynn didn't want to disturb George, but when she sensed the approaching footsteps, she pulled herself out of her meditation.

"Lynn."

“George, I need you to do something for me,” Lynn said bluntly.

George pulled out a chair, gesturing for Lynn to sit down: "Speak freely."

Lynn nodded: "If I remember correctly, the Griffin School's headquarters is Kel's Siren Castle, located in Bovis, right?"

“You’re right, it was a castle on the coastline,” George said, his face somber. “But the castle was buried by an avalanche caused by a blizzard summoned by the sorcerer.”

Kael'thas Castle was originally a castle built by sorcerers. It stands on a cliff on the coast of Bovis, backed by the Wyvern Mountains, and has an extremely advantageous geographical location.

From a mortal's perspective, this is definitely a fortress that is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

If the attack is launched from the land, there is only one bridge to reach the castle. Even if the defenders do not destroy the bridge, the attackers will find it difficult to take the castle with only one bridge.

But magic is different.

Out of jealousy for the vast treasure trove of knowledge within Kael'thas's castle, the warlock summoned an avalanche that buried the priceless castle along with almost all the witchers within.

"But if I remember correctly, there is still an old witcher who has been guarding the ruined castle and has not left?"

"You mean Mentor Kelda?"

Kelda is Vesemir of the Griffin School.

Even Eran of Larvk, the founder of the Griffin School, was disheartened and left after returning to the Griffin School's home and witnessing the tragedy at the castle, and his whereabouts have been unknown ever since.

Kelda, however, remained at Kel'Siren Castle and mentored younger generations like Cohen and George.

For such a respected senior, even without considering any utilitarian perspective, just for the sake of providing for his old age, he should be invited to Kayle Mohan.

……

Under the dim sunlight, Foltest walked down an unfamiliar and quiet street.

All the shops on both sides of the street were closed, and there was no end in sight, neither in front of nor behind.

Foltest was quite certain that there were absolutely no streets like that in Vigema.

What he couldn't understand was how he ended up here.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recall what he had been doing before.

Foltest, who rarely walked, was exhausted after walking for an unknown amount of time.

Ignoring the dust on the ground, he sat down directly on the floor.

As he rested with his head down, he suddenly noticed that the sunlight casting his shadow was strange, with an unnatural dim yellow hue.

He subconsciously raised his head.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, they saw that what was hanging in the air, emitting light, was not the sun, but a giant octopus.

When he saw the octopus, the octopus was also staring at him.

A strange murmur suddenly echoed in his mind.

That is not something that normally exists in this world, nor is it something that humans should see.

Even if the thing's true form isn't here, even if it's just a projection, even just looking into it will...

Foltest suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. He instinctively looked down.

But then he saw the sharp spike at the end of the amulet hanging around his neck pierce his heart.

Crimson blood flowed from the wound, instantly staining the magnificent brocade robe on his chest.

Foltest was startled, and then he opened his eyes abruptly.

Sunlight streamed through the windows of the king's bedroom, and tiny dust particles danced in the bright sunlight.

……

After a comfortable hot bath, being dressed by his servants, and having breakfast, Foltest met with his loyal Prime Minister in his study.

The throne room was where orders were announced and foreign envoys were received. When the king needed to discuss domestic and foreign affairs with his confidants—especially when other nobles were mentioned—he needed a more private place.

For example, the king's study.

The Prime Minister was a middle-aged man with a large belly and thinning hair, but he was able to sit in this position closest to the King not because of his appearance, but because of his ability.

The Prime Minister presented the information he had collected and organized over the past period to Foltest, and with a serious expression, reported on the situation in the province of Velen.

Based on information from various sources, he drew the following conclusion:

He believed that Baron Veserad, the lord of Velen, was extremely negligent, as he only allowed his soldiers to maintain order and security in his own raven's den and in Goth Velen, the province's most economically developed and prosperous region, while leaving the rest to fend for themselves.

This situation is particularly evident in southern Velen.

Even the Baron's tax collectors often got lost in the countryside of southern Velen and never returned; most of his spies also failed to come back.

Even the survivors went mad.

The Prime Minister expended considerable effort to glean some useful information from the survivors' incoherent ramblings:

I have heard that in the countryside of Velen, people no longer revere the gods or fear the king's majesty; they regularly hold blasphemous ceremonies and willingly become slaves to evil.

Therefore, the Prime Minister, deeply concerned, advised Foltest that His Majesty the King should send a strong-willed nobleman to rule Velen and rectify its corrupt practices.

Otherwise, if the situation is allowed to continue to deteriorate, the rest of Velen province, except for Goth Velen, will likely become a swamp teeming with evil spirits, with unimaginable consequences.

As a result, after the Prime Minister delivered this long and heartfelt speech with a heavy heart, he thought it would be enough to make Foltest realize the seriousness of the problem.

However, when he looked up, he saw Foltest's absent-minded expression.

"His Majesty?"

“I’m listening,” Foltest said, as if he had just been jolted awake. “Your Excellency, you’re right. I’ll remember that.”

The Prime Minister sighed.

He looked at the ruler who had inherited the throne at a young age, a man he had practically watched grow up. Although he knew the man was no longer the trembling young king who would even tremble when stamping a document, he still couldn't help but offer his advice:

"Your Majesty, although you have been on the throne for several years, I still urge you to be careful and attentive in handling state affairs, because if the king makes a mistake, the people will suffer."

Upon hearing this, Fortest rubbed his face vigorously with both hands. He desperately closed and opened his eyes several times, and after that, he felt that he was feeling a little better than before.

He nodded: "I understand, Your Excellency, we..."

At this time, there was a knock on the door.

"Your Majesty, Lady Keira and Lady Triss have arrived."

(End of this chapter)