The Witcher: Make Witcher Great Again

Chapter 373 Every gift bestowed by fate has already had a price tag attached in secret.

In this era, nobles were always able to obtain certain privileges.

When the temple guards learned that the visitor was a nobleman, they stopped obstructing him.

They didn't even need to issue a notification; they just let them pass.

However, there was still a temple guard sitting next to the coachman, guiding him in the right direction.

After some time, the carriage stopped in front of a building with a strong religious style.

The coachman was asked to stay outside, while the temple guard was tasked with leading the way for Lynn.

They arrived at an office, and a temple guard knocked on the door.

"Your Excellency, the security officer, Baron Brandon, who identifies himself as Toussaint, requests a meeting."

Soon, a response came from the office.

"Let him in."

The temple guard opened the door and gestured for Lynn to enter.

"Please come in."

Lynn went inside and saw Shapel working at his desk.

"Close the door."

"Yes."

The temple guards closed the door.

Schapel stood up, walked to the door, pressed himself against it, and listened to the sounds outside.

Lynn, however, sat down in the seat that Shapel had just been sitting in.

"Don't worry, I've 'seen' it with my Witcher's senses. Your men are far away."

“It’s always better to be careful,” Shapel sat down opposite Lynn, a seat usually reserved for those he interrogated. “Lord Lynn, what brings you to Temple Island? You could have sent someone to deliver the message; it would have been safer for us to meet outside.”

"Are you still afraid of being eavesdropped on on your own turf?"

Lynn knocked on the wall, but no sound came out.

Clearly, this office is protected by a sound-blocking barrier; any sound inside the office cannot be heard outside.

Schapele chuckled and said, "It's just a professional habit."

Lynn placed her hands on the table, interlaced her fingers, and rested her chin on the back of her hands.

"The reason I came here this time is that I hope you can carefully select a group of people from within the Eternal Flame to establish a new department."

"This department is primarily responsible for affairs in Redania and Temuria."

Upon hearing that there were new instructions, Schapel immediately sat up straight.

The last time Lynn issued instructions was before.

Each of Lynn's instructions further enhanced the influence of the Eternal Flame.

Since he succeeded the real Shapel, in these short years, throughout Novigrad, from nobles and the wealthy to commoners, almost everyone has come to believe in the Eternal Flame. Even scoundrels and prostitutes recite a few hymns of praise in hopes of finding peace and salvation.

Therefore, since the instruction required Lynn to come over was certainly not ordinary.

"I'm all ears."

Lynn nodded and continued.

"Over the next few months, I will travel to the major cities of Redania and Temuria to reach out to the orphanages there, provide them with supplies and funds, and offer them protection."

"Of course, none of this is free. In exchange, I have the right to give priority to those children job opportunities." "You know my true identity and can probably guess what I want to do, but I'm not supporting those children so that they can die on the operating table of the Grass Trial in the future."

"I will give them a future, a future where they can achieve great things as long as they are willing to work hard."

“In a country established by witchers, of course, there can’t be only witchers. People are needed in all walks of life. No matter what they study, as long as they learn something, I will arrange suitable positions for them and give them a bright future.”

"As for you, my friend, the task of protecting the orphanages and escorting supplies will be handled by the new department of the Eternal Flame."

"And this is also a great opportunity for the Eternal Flame to further expand its sphere of influence and increase its power."

After hearing Lynn's description, Shapel was deeply shocked.

He had mentally prepared himself, but he still underestimated Lynn's ambition.

The other party actually wanted to spread the gospel to two neighboring countries.

Moreover, they are the two most powerful nations in the north, ranking highest in terms of overall national strength.

Sapele frowned slightly and remained silent.

After a long pause, he carefully considered his words before speaking.

“I’m not questioning you, but… Lord Lynn, why not outsource the work of escorting supplies and protecting the orphanage to mercenary groups? If you’re worried about mercenary groups embezzling, you could hire some of the larger mercenary groups with high credit ratings. Wouldn’t that be cheaper?”

Just thinking about it, Shapel could already foresee that the size and budget of this new department would inevitably exceed that of the temple guards.

Of course, given the size of Novigrad, selecting suitable candidates from among them is not a problem.

But this budget is probably going to be outrageous.

As the saying goes, you don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. Since Schappeler took the position of security officer, he has been overwhelmed by a large number of documents and reports, and has naturally developed the habit of being meticulous, saving money wherever possible, and always paying attention to the cost-effectiveness of everything.

"Because this has nothing to do with spending money, the church's armed forces must be firmly in our own hands."

Parliamentary struggles are just for fun; if you really want to get things done, you need the gun to bring about political power.

Furthermore, neither the Syndicate nor the Brotherhood Without Flags are armed forces that can be openly deployed. Therefore, the Hospitallers, who provide medical charity and help those in distress, are the best force to exert influence abroad.

After Lynn's explanation, Shapeler understood, but then he asked with some concern.

"But will the kings and nobles of Redania and Temuria agree to let us expand our sphere of influence there?"

Lynn had thought about this before, but he wasn't too worried.

“They will agree as long as we donate a political donation to them.”

Aside from the Witcher, civilian military organizations generally don't face much trouble. For example, the White Rose Knights in the original work and the Flame Rose Knights in the game can even obtain territory from the king.

Of course, the reason why the Flaming Rose Knights were later stripped of their territory by King Foltest and Radovid V and became cannon fodder was for other reasons.

It could be because of their own foolish actions, or something major has happened.

But at least for the decade or so before 1271, there was no need to worry about the aforementioned events occurring.

"By the way, the name of this new department must be the one I came up with:"

"The Hospitallers".

……

Triss, Keira, and Foltest, under the protection of a troop of heavy cavalry, arrived at Maripo, a city located south of Vigema.

Outside the city of Maripo, a group had been waiting for some time.

Upon seeing the King's banner appear, Prince Jurcaster of Maripo and his wife Dobrohenna hurriedly went forward to greet him.

Upon seeing his cousin, who bore a striking resemblance to himself, alight from the carriage, Jullcaster and his wife bowed.

(End of this chapter)