Chapter 206: Conspiracy Arises
The sun was slowly climbing to the center of the sky, and the temperature started to rise.
A yellow bird suddenly landed on the balcony of a villa in the trade quarter. It flapped its wings, moved its claws, and chirped a few times before hopping into the villa.
A puff of white smoke spread across the room, and a tinge of black appeared in it. A moment later, a slender man with dark-gold eyes came out of the smokescreen. Roy took a deep breath and looked at himself. He had returned to his human self, and not even a feather was seen on the ground. This is one precise spell. I’ll have to try it again if I have the chance. He liked soaring across the sky, and he wanted to fly more.
“Congratulations, witcher.” The man sitting before the desk swiveled around. He broke into an ugly grin, and his brown-colored goatee trembled as well. “It was a clean operation. You didn’t even leave any evidence behind. I’d say you exceeded all expectations,” Kalkstein praised. “Mr. Roy, I have to say that you more than made up for Berengar’s mistake. You’ve certainly changed what I think of witchers.”
“It’s also thanks to your plan. So, about that debt…”
“It’s forgiven. And I’ll be giving you your reward. Here, the crystal, as promised.” Kalkstein produced a rhombus-shaped crystal the size of a fist, and it was gleaming brightly.
‘Magic Crystal
Contains a spell made by the famous alchemist—Kalkstein
Random Transfiguration Level 1: Costs 100 Mana. Channel your mana into the crystal for one minute and turn your target into a random animal. Includes but not limited to: cat, dog, lizard, pig, fish, rabbit, and pigeon. One charge per day. Effect lasts for twenty-four hours. Warning: the spell will backfire if the target retaliates during the channeling.’
Roy cocked his eyebrow and tucked the crystal away in his inventory. He turned his attention to the telescope that was standing upright beside the desk. It had a surveillance crystal embedded in it, and the crystal had turned into a colorful screen, slowly playing the scene Roy saw in the laboratory.
Kalkstein made a circle in the air with his right index, and a quill scribbled away on a paper without anyone holding it. For a moment there, only the rustling of the paper was heard in the room.
“Mr. Kalkstein, I’m curious about a part of the records as well, can I—”
Kalkstein tensed up, and his face fell. “What did I tell you before the operation?”
Roy’s heart skipped a beat, and he explained, “I don’t have to read everything. I just need that last bit. It won’t take too long. I can just—”
“Again, witcher, this is science.” Kalkstein interrupted him, and the look on his face was replaced by a happy smile, while Roy felt himself palpitating. His jaw dropped a little. Kalkstein continued, “And science prides itself in discourse. You’re a partner of mine, technically speaking. Of course you can go through Azar’s journal.”
Roy could see the excitement bubbling in Kalkstein’s eyes, and the alchemist beckoned Roy. “Come. We shall watch this together, and don’t tell anyone about this.”
***
The journal of Azar read, ‘This is a gorgeous and magical creature. Legends are told about them, but few have ever seen their true face.’
***
‘Experiments show traces of seaweed in the specimen. She might not be amphibious. Her looks might have deceived me. They can’t stay on land for too long. I’m sure she’ll be severely weakened if she stays on land for more than one week.’
***
‘The specimen has incredibly low resistance against acid and fire. In other words, she has low defenses. If she is ambushed, even regular weapons can damage her.’
***
‘Rudolf says she possesses some sort of charm magic. She can plant suggestions in the subconscious of humans and non-humans just by talking, looking, and moving. Everyone will be inevitably drawn to her, but this is not anything I can’t handle. Some simple anti-witchcraft equipment should keep her spell at bay. She also takes a liking to people with virtue. I can use that.’
***
Roy rubbed his eyes. They were starting to feel dry. He looked away from the screen. The young witcher might’ve looked calm on the outside, but he was actually shaken on the inside. He thought this was just an interesting request, but he never would have expected the journal to contain a conspiracy. “That bastard is trying to find the Lady of the Lake’s weakness!”Roy might have not contacted Vivienne a lot lately, but he did take her sword, and her existence could benefit him. Roy could not stand by and watch as someone was trying to attack Vivienne. “I can’t let them hurt Vivienne.”
Kalkstein heard Roy’s mutterings, and his eyes started to shine. “Vivienne? Goddess of the Church of Virtue and the Lady of the Lake? That’s it! That’s the creature this journal is talking about. So that’s what Azar has in mind!” Kalkstein pinched his goatee, looking all excited, and he gushed, “He’s going to work with Rudolf and use the order’s knights to attack a legendary creature! How could I have missed that? The Lady of the Lake! She’s a legendary creature! The best specimen a scientist could ever hope for! Azar is a genius!” Kalkstein’s eyes were turning into two little shining beacons, and his face was getting red from the excitement.
“Who is Rudolf anyway?” Roy stood up and gave the alchemist a look. The fanaticism he was showing did not sit well with Roy.
“Rudolf Valaris…” Kalkstein mumbled, his attention still on the screen. “The leader of Vizima’s Order of the White Rose. Seems like he’s working with Azar. The plan’s already in place. It’s obvious that they want to slay a go— No, wait. The Lady of the Lake is a legendary creature, just like how dragons are. They’re slaying a… dragon? A Lady of the Lake? A nymph? A…”
Roy’s heart sank. So the leader of Vizima’s soldiers and the royal consultant are working together to kill the Lady of the Lake? Why? The Lady of the Lake is the symbol of the church, and Princess Adda is her high priest. This plan is a direct violation of the princess’ orders. They’ll be exiled if the princess finds out. No, wait a minute. Roy punched the wall. It’s possible that someone else gave them the permission to do this. Someone really high up in the ranks.
“How did this happen? The church has only been here for two months, and now it’s going to fall?” Roy shook his head. “Letho’s right. The Church of Virtue is in trouble now.”
***
“Oh, is this what you want? Alzur’s Witcher Research Journal, huh?” Kalkstein broke his train of thought. The screen had flipped through Azar’s journal, but the quill was still transcribing, though this time, it was making a copy of the ancient journal.
Roy asked Kalkstein for a copy of that.
“I need to sort the journal out. Some of the details are confusing.” Kalkstein was looking at the copy of Azar’s journal like it was his lover lying naked on a bed, asking him to ravage her.
“Are you interested in Azar’s plan as well?”
“And now we wait. Time to steal something again…” Kalkstein muttered under his breath. Roy could feel his curiosity flooding the air around him. “Right, it’s time for you to leave now, Roy.”
“Mr. Kalkstein.” Roy stared the alchemist in the eye. “Advice before I leave. Curiosity begets improvement, but it can also be the source of misfortune.”
***
Letho was gazing into the distance when Roy came back to the blacksmith shop. The young witcher patted his shoulder, but Letho put his finger to his lips.
A great fire burned in the shop’s furnace, and a deep red mass of steel slept within the flames. The sea of fire burned it, tempered it, and washed all the impurities out of it. Berengar took the mass of steel out inch by inch with a pair of tongs. The moment the mass was taken out of the furnace, Roy heard it sizzle and pop. The air was filled with white smoke, and it was shaking from the sheer heat the metal was giving off.
When the smoke faded, all that was left was the deep-crimson steel. Berengar turned it around, and Roy could see the engravings gleaming on the surface. The blacksmith was gazing at the blade with pride and joy. He whispered to it, as if it were his lover. A moment later, he sighed. “Get in here!”
“Huh?” The witchers looked at each other.
Berengar roared impatiently, “Will someone just get in here already?”
Roy trotted into the shop. The young witcher looked where Berengar was pointing, and he saw an exquisite hilt covered with black leather just sitting right there. Its crossguard split to two sides perfectly.
“Pick it up and hold still. Hold it like your life depends on it, and whatever you do, do not falter.“
Roy gripped the hilt tightly and held it in the air. Berengar held the steel with tongs and pointed the base of the blade at the hilt Roy was holding up. He thrusted it at the hilt slowly but firmly. A dull scorching sound played in the air, and the stench of something burning filled the room. The blade and hilt came as one, and a sword of the Viper School was made.
That was not the end, however. Berengar held the sword by the hilt and submerged the blade in a water trough. Steam filled the air as the water cooled the blade down. When Berengar took it out again, the blade was no longer red. Instead, it was a beautiful platinum.
The blade buzzed as it was swung through the air, and the engravings gleamed under the flame’s illumination.
‘Viper Sword
Type: Steel Sword
Materials: Leather, steel ingot, venom extract, sapphire dust
Traits: Weighs 5 pounds, hilt measures at 11 inches, blade measures at 38 inches
Affix:
Sharp Blade: Thanks to its special craftsmanship, Viper Sword has double the sharpness of other steel swords. It can cut through light armor easily and has greater durability.
Venomblade: Viper Sword is naturally venomous thanks to the ghoul part that went into its creation. The wounds it causes are extremely hard to heal, and they will rot if not treated in time.’
Berengar handed the sword to Roy and started the finishing touches of the silver sword. Letho came in as well. He looked at the sword closely. Roy could see how much he liked it, but Letho said nothing about it.
“It’s yours, Letho.” Roy sheathed the sword into the black scabbard made from black snake skin, and he tossed it to Letho.
Letho held the sword, looking a little touched. “You spent a fortune on this, kid. You’re giving it away just like that?”
“I’m used to Gwyhyr and Aerondight.” Roy smiled. He had never planned on changing his weapons. The weapons bound to him were easier to use, after all. The three pairs of swords were meant for Letho, Auckes, and Serrit.
“You’re still the strongest witcher of the school. The school gets stronger if you get stronger. You should be the first one to wield this sword.”
Letho took a deep breath and unsheathed the sword. He swung it around, and gusts of wind swept across the shop. The blade buzzed, and Roy could see nothing but white flashes of light as Letho swung the sword around. “Money well spent.” Letho strapped the sword to his back happily.
Berengar handed him the silver sword a moment later.
‘Viper Silver Sword
Type: Silver sword
Materials: Leather, iron ingot, silver ingot, venom extract, sapphire dust.
Traits: Weights 4 pounds, hilt measures at 12 inches, blade measures at 40 inches.
Affix:
Mana Reduction…
Venomblade…’
Letho finally got his hands on the swords of their school, and for the first time, his face was red with excitement, and he muttered under his breath, “See this, Kolgrim? You didn’t die for nothing. We made these thanks to the blueprints you brought us.”
“Recreating the school’s weapons is just the first step, Letho.” Roy sounded delighted as well. “But it’s a good start. If we keep this up, we’ll eventually revive the school.”
Berengar was exhausted. He leaned against the wall and stared out the window, lost in his own thoughts.
***
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