Wizard: This witcher is neglecting his duties.

Chapter 35 The Pontal River

The Pontal River, also known as the Pontal River, or by the Elves as Avion y Ponte al Gwennaren, meaning River of Alabaster Bridges, is one of the largest rivers in the North.

Like the Yaruga River to the south, they all originate in the Blue Mountains, flow from east to west, traverse the entire Northern Kingdom, and merge into the sea near Oxenford and Novigrad.

The Pontal River flows through four countries, serving as the northern border between the southern countries of Temuria and Aden, and the southern border between Redania and Cordwin. The region where these four countries meet is known as the Pontal Valley, or simply "Pontal".

At the same time, this river was also the most prosperous canal for transportation and trade in the northern kingdom.

Many scholars believe that if a country could completely control this river, it could become the richest country in the entire north solely through trade taxes from the Pondar River.

Therefore, the struggle for control of this river was almost a daily task among the kings of the north throughout history.

Every few years, disputes and even bloodshed arise over the ownership of the Pontal River.

After leaving the inhuman stronghold in Torruville, Wayne and Geralt traveled south, accepting commissions and traveling as they went. They had money and no worries about food or drink, so they lived quite comfortably.

To ensure a smooth journey, the two deliberately avoided large human towns that were prone to causing trouble, instead accepting demon-hunting commissions and purchasing supplies only in the small villages surrounding the towns, trying their best to avoid conflicts with the people of Cordwin.

Even with such precautions, the two were still ambushed and tricked several times by the savage and unruly people of Cordwin.

Although these thugs wielding pitchforks and sticks could not possibly cause any harm to the two sword masters who could use magic.

But after each battle, they had to leave the scene as quickly as possible to avoid being entangled by the arriving soldiers and causing a bigger conflict.

Such an experience is undoubtedly very annoying.

Therefore, neither Wayne nor Geralt wanted to stay in the Kingdom of Cordwin any longer.

They rode to a port town near the banks of the Pontal River, found a merchant ship bound for Novigrad, and prepared to board it directly to the floating port town of Temuria.

Fortunately, after being rejected by some clearly prejudiced businessmen, they met a captain who was willing to give them a ride.

This was a huge merchant ship, and the captain was a Skellige named Wesker. He had a strong, bear-like physique, a bald head, and a rugged appearance, but his eyes were bright and intelligent; he was not the kind of simple-minded warrior.

What is most striking about him is his thick, bushy black beard, just like his nickname "Blackbeard," a distinctive feature.

He agreed to Geralt and Wayne's request to travel on the merchant ship after only a dozen seconds of consideration.

However, he also demanded that Geralt and Wayne, in addition to helping the crew protect the ship in the event of battle, each pay 150 ducats for their tickets.

After all, two people and two horses not only require a lot of food and fodder, but also need a fairly large room, so this price is already very generous.

During their conversation, the two finally understood why Captain Skellige had treated them so well.

Blackbeard Wesker downed a large glass of dwarf beer in one gulp, nonchalantly wiped the beer off his beard, and said in a gruff voice:

"I know there are many fools and farmers on the mainland who hate Witchers, thinking they are thieves, freaks, and even shamelessly blaming them for the disappearance of many children."

"However, in our Skellige Isles, witchers are highly respected figures."

"They were all brave warriors and fearless heroes who had killed many powerful monsters and saved many islanders. Their stories have been passed down in many poems."

Wesker, his eyes glazed, stroked his large beard and sighed, saying:

"When I was a teenager, I met a master demon hunter. At that time, my family and I went out to sea to fish. We were attacked by a group of human-faced birds on the beach. My brother and father were killed by the monsters. In order to protect my mother, I could only flee for my life."

"It was that master who helped us when we were at our most desperate, and that's how my mother and I survived."

"That was a witcher with a griffin-shaped badge around his neck."

"I don't know his name. After killing the monster, he left silently without speaking to us or asking for any reward."

"But I know he is a good man, and compared to those hypocritical and despicable noble knights, he is the one who truly embodies chivalry."

After hearing what Wesker said, Geralt's face remained expressionless, but Wayne could see the complex emotions in his eyes.

Yes, there may be many people in the world who have misconceptions about Witchers and harbor malice towards them, but at least those who have been helped by Witchers will remember their kindness.

Just like Misha, whom they had helped not long ago, this old woman would surely remember who accepted a paltry reward to help her find her two sons and continue the fate of her family.

The journey on the Pontal River went fairly smoothly. Apart from a few clueless water monsters who always liked to follow the boat and try to attack the bottom deck, we did not encounter any other threats.

They sailed westward along the river, passing through the large towns of Fujen and Hajj, and finally arrived at the port of Floating Harbor, which belonged to Temuria, on the afternoon of the eighth day.

And during our time on the ship, something interesting happened.

Wayne and Geralt, both avid Gwent players, discovered while resting on the ship that the crew, including Captain Blackbeard and many of the other sailors, were also Gwent enthusiasts.

According to Wesker, this interesting form of gambling is now quite well-known in the free city of Novigrad.

The dwarven bankers there were actively promoting Gwent, hoping to replace the old dice games with this new form of gambling, and had even spent money to host several small Gwent games.

These sailors, who travel all over the country, are naturally more receptive to new things than ordinary people who stay in one place, let alone fun games to pass the time.

With his big beard thumping his chest, Wesker boasted that even in Novigrad, he was a well-known Gwent player and feared no challenge.

Unfortunately, this time they encountered a Witcher who was blessed with luck and extremely skilled in Gwent.

In just one night, Wayne easily won back the money he and Geralt had spent on their ship tickets using Gwent, and even added three hundred gold coins and several rare cards to his pocket.

If it weren't for Wayne not wanting to let Captain Big Beard, a good guy, lose his pants, and therefore showing mercy...

Perhaps if he gambles for a few more days, this merchant ship will become his property.

Geralt, who also lost to Wayne by more than two hundred Ducats, even publicly swore an oath.

I will never play cards with this lucky successor again until I have collected a strong enough deck.

Wayne simply shrugged. After winning against so many people in a row, his Gwent level had increased to level two, gaining two points of luck.

In the long years to come, his Gwent skills will only get better and better, his luck will only get stronger, and the decks he collects will only get more and more powerful.

It's estimated that unless he's willing to let him win, Geralt will never be able to beat him at the gambling table.

(End of this chapter)