The Witcher World: The Path to Domination Begins in Velen

Chapter 129 Artis's Loyalty and the King of the Islands

Ron didn't reply, but walked deeper into the passage with his sword. The firelight at the front of the passage grew brighter and brighter, and he could hear people talking, their voices low and indistinct, as if they were chanting something.

The two of them tiptoed and peeked out from the side.

In the center of the stone chamber ahead was a huge pattern with runes arranged in a circle. Three people stood inside the circle, their upper bodies bare, their muscles gleaming with oil. On the outer side stood an old man in a long robe, holding a twisted wooden staff; he was a druid.

Three giant bears appeared outside the circle, pounced on the three people and devoured their bodies. The entire ritual lasted only a short time. When they stood up again, the giant bears had disappeared, and they had transformed back into human form.

Ron frowned. "No wonder he lost all his senses during the transformation. Is this a human turning into a bear, or a bear turning into a human?"

Halma's breathing became heavy, and he couldn't help but draw his sword and charge forward, shouting, "Whatever, I'll just wipe them all out!"

The nearest warrior had barely gotten up from the ground and hadn't even turned his head when Halma's sword pierced his heart.

Ron followed closely behind, his greatsword flashing past in a flash, and the remaining warriors fell into pools of blood before they could even scream.

The cave fell silent. The old druid leaned against a stone pillar, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't make a sound.

Halma walked over, sword in hand. "Our ancestors forbade the worship of Swabolo; to violate this prohibition was to die."

The druid's Adam's apple bobbed. "You...where are you from...?"

7

"We're from Kel'Thuzad, you should know why we're here," Ron interrupted him.

"Inlander, you have no idea about the honor and customs of the archipelago. This has nothing to do with you!"

Ron looked at him, his lips twitching slightly. "You call that massacre honor? I really don't understand."

The druid raised his head, his cloudy eyes filled with seriousness. "What blinds us is not darkness, but ourselves. We do this for Skellige, to support a king we can be proud of."

Ron stared into his eyes and slowly began, "Bilna Bran and her son Svanridge Tursek, right? She's been trying to win over others to turn the islands into a hereditary monarchy, and many people know that."

The druid's lips parted slightly, his face deathly pale. "No... how could you...?"

"I have to say, her schemes and plans were really terrible," Ron said with a hint of disdain.

"She thinks she can fool the lords in a place like the archipelago. Any noble from any continent could see through this terrible scheme at a glance. To be honest, the people of the archipelago are far inferior when it comes to scheming and plotting."

The druid's face flushed red, and he swung his wooden staff violently, unleashing a burst of blue-white lightning that surged toward Ron.

Ron dodged the lightning, took a step forward, and punched the druid in the stomach. The old druid instantly knelt on the ground, his staff slipping from his hand, and he began to gag in pain.

"Come on, Druids are indeed physically strong, but if you want to fight me in melee, aren't you overestimating yourself?"

'

"Ron, here's a letter." Harma pulled a piece of parchment from beside the altar and handed it to him.

Ron took the letter, opened it, and glanced at it. "Oh, your name is Artis. Birna promised you an advisory position to the new king in the letter? I see."

Artis raised his head, his expression changing from pain to stubbornness.

"Kill me!"

Halma drew his sword and took a step forward, but Ron stopped him with a gesture.

"Wait a minute, Halma, I have something I want to talk to him about."

Artis spat bloody saliva onto the ground. "I have nothing to say. Just kill me already!"

Ron waved the letter in his hand and looked down at him. "This letter doesn't even have a signature. Do you really believe that Birna will give you this position?"

I think this is nothing but a baseless lie. She can deny it anytime after she's used you. What proof do you have that she promised you that?

Artis froze, his eyes flickering. "What...do you mean?"

"What I mean is that I agree with Birna's view. The archipelago does need an iron-fisted ruler. The current system of multiple families jointly governing is too inefficient. The key issue is that they are not harmonious with each other. This situation of mutual conquest and plunder will only exacerbate the internal strife of the archipelago and give external enemies an opportunity to take advantage."

Halma suddenly turned to look at Ron, his eyes wide. Ron waved his hand, signaling him not to speak. Artis looked up, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

"You want an official position? Very well, having a desire for power isn't a bad thing, but think about it, is the Tursek family really the best choice? It's true that the former King Bran left them a rich political legacy, and many islanders and families are willing to respect them, but you should know the strength of Little Skellige, which the Tursek family controls. How many villages can a small island have? How many soldiers can it mobilize?"

"Faced with the powerful Clayt family, they could only resort to such underhanded tactics because Birna knew very well that a direct confrontation with Tursec was no match for the Clayts. The Clayt family controlled the most prosperous and densely populated area of ​​Greater Skellige, and the resources they could access were on a completely different level. Supporting Tursec was tantamount to bringing the archipelago to the brink of civil war."

Artis stammered in rebuttal: "But...I...you..."

Ron patted him on the shoulder. "The Skellige Isles do need a hereditary monarch, but that monarch will be Harma Ann Clayt. Most importantly, the Clayt family has my support."

Artis looked up at Ron, puzzled. "You? I know you, but aren't you just a mercenary leader?"

Ron raised his right hand, revealing the heraldic ring on his index finger, engraved with a lion. His deep voice echoed through the cave.

"No, that's just my cover. I am Ron Arenicos, Lord of Velen, a partner of the Temerian Blue Guard and Redania. I command tens of thousands of professional soldiers, and I am about to go to war with Nilfgaard!"

Artis's eyes widened as he looked up at Ron, his lips trembling slightly.

"The Clayt family is my most important strategic partner. I will not allow anyone to disrupt the succession to the throne of Halma. If Turseik dares to sit on the throne, I will immediately raise an army to aid the Clayt family and overturn the entire archipelago!"

Ron grabbed Halma's shoulder and pushed him in front of Artis.

"Artis, you now have two choices: either die here clinging to the empty promises Birna has given you, or choose to pledge allegiance to the true king of the archipelago. The position she promised you, Harma can give you as well, as long as you swear allegiance and stand up to accuse Birna. Harma will pardon your sins, and you can have whatever you desire."

Halma looked at Artis, her voice unusually solemn, "What Ron just said, I can agree to. Artis, tell me your choice."

Artis braced himself on the ground with his hands, his shoulders rising and falling slightly, his breathing deep and heavy. Then he slowly raised his head, turned to Halma, and shifted his knees to face him.

"I... Artis, in the name of my ancestors, swear... From this day forward, I will be loyal to you, Halma Ann Klett. I will dedicate my loyalty and knowledge to you and help you ascend the throne."

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