Chapter 1471: News of War

The Ember Knights left with the [Big Appetite Energy] that Lann had mass-produced.

These potions would be personally delivered by Stuart to High Hill Castle to complete the subsequent strengthening process of the Ember Knight Order.

And after they had escorted these alchemical potions, they would head directly north to Novigrad to complete Lann’s task: execute all the members of the Eternal Fire involved in this matter and clean up the scum within the Dark Alley Gang.

Afterwards, they would turn towards Yaden in the east and participate in the internal work of the rebel army under Sachia’s command.

These tasks were all time-consuming and labor-intensive, and they exhausted mental energy. Normally, they were not things that a mere knight order could handle.

But the Ember Knights showed no complaints, nor any hesitation.

They, as always, would never let Lann down.

Lann also trusted them wholeheartedly.

On Sandy Island, the battle scars and slaughter mess left that night were swiftly cleaned in a few days.

The previously relaxed and lively academy atmosphere was now solemn and silent.

People were all discussing matters of war.

The news spread from the harbor of Gos Velen to the entire city, faster than the salty sea breeze.

On the night Stuart and the others arrived, Lann heard that the Niflgaard Army had already breached the upper reaches of the Yaruga River, the defense line jointly held by Livia and Yaden.

Unannounced, they went to war.

The Niflgaard people’s stance was: the other side attacked them first, so they were giving a rightful and equal retaliation.

But it was clear to the keen observers that the Niflgaard Army gathered on the river segment surely took at least two months for assembly. If secretly assembled, the time would be doubled to least four months.

So everyone said, actually the provoking soldiers from Yaden and Livia were disguised Niflgaard people just to stir up war.

But Lann already knew from the insider at Gastang Palace—Tishaya—they talked while embracing.

The Demon Hunter knew that it was indeed Yaden and Livia’s soldiers, only Enshir should have obtained the Northern Kings’ plot early, he simply went along with it.

“Both Spala and Skala fortresses in Livia were immediately captured. It’s said they were ready for months of defense, but under the pressure from the merchants and guild inside the city, they surrendered and opened the city gates.”

“Because the Niflgaard people said: As long as they give up resistance and pay a ransom, they won’t pillage the town.”

The poet, the best at probing and spreading news, at this moment took a sip of warm red wine while rubbing his hands.

Wandering around on the pier in today’s sea breeze wasn’t indeed a relaxing matter.

“Did they keep their promise?”

Lann asked.

“They did.”

“Interesting.” Lann sneered.

“In this era of hatred and contempt, just opening the door with a single promise? I remember craftsmen and merchants never open the city walls; they only help defend them. Their own residences are built like small castles, with arrow towers and forts.”

“Money knows no borders, Lann.” Dandelion shrugged, “As long as merchants can earn money, they don’t care who the ruler is. Niflgaard people don’t care who pays taxes either, dead merchants can’t earn money, nor pay taxes.”

“Let me guess…” Lann pinched his chin, his mind constructing a battlefield map based on Dandelion’s information.

“It must be the Niflgaard Eastern Front that breached the upstream Yaruga River defense line, commanded by… Meno Kuhorn?”

“Amazing!” Dandelion looked at him in surprise, his mustache curling up, “How did you know?”

Lann chuckled.

How did he know?

Because a slave-driven military dictatorship empire couldn’t have suddenly repented with human actions just due to a defeat two years ago.

But the Niflgaard Eastern Front truly adhered to the promise of no pillage or massacre.

That could only be the commander’s issue.

And Meno Kuhorn… he was the sole remaining highest commander after Lann had killed all high command on the Sodden Mountain battlefield.

The only reason Lann let him go was that he seemed a rare rational individual among the Niflgaard military leadership.

He knew that relying solely on violence and slaughter couldn’t win a war and understood the importance of politics and reputation, so he was always restraining his legion’s criminal tendencies.

And now, it seems, the words that Lann said were indeed etched in his mind.

“Alright, thank you, Dandelion.” Lann patted the poet on the shoulder, “Thanks for gathering intelligence for me before you leave.”

“Not a big deal, it’s easy for me.” The poet proudly raised a brow, though he declined it verbally.

“But… really ask me to escort Geralt to Brokilon? I heard the Tree Spirits there kill without blinking an eye!”

Lann said nothing more, only placed a bag containing seeds from the New Continent crops into Geralt’s saddle bag.

Geralt himself lay lethargically on his horse.

“So, seeing Geralt in this state, would you not go, Dandelion?”

The poet opened his mouth, finally with a seemingly righteous and somewhat theatrical expression, mounted his mare.

Geralt’s most serious injury was his leg, but the hardest to deal with was his brain.

The issue with his leg, Lann had already taken care of, only needing rest.

Originally, Lann wanted to use “Big Appetite Energy” or other recovery potions used by Demon Hunters on him.

But those things also need energy to be absorbed into the body before they can sustain physical consumption. And Geralt is currently suffering from a concussion, unable to eat anything.

After thinking it over, it was best to send him to a place full of life force, treating injuries while resting all at once.

Considering where in this Magical Middle Ages life force is most abundant, the first choice is, of course, Brokilon, where Geralt had connections and where an Ancient Deer-headed Spirit that had visited the New Continent has been subdued.

By the way, Lann also wanted to ask Tree Spirit Queen Aisne to try better cultivating plants from the New Continent.

The portal opened, and the change in air pressure made one feel as though a membrane had formed in their ear canal.

Lann finally called out to Dandelion, confirming a few things with him.

“You’re sure you didn’t remember wrongly?” Lann’s silver hair was floating in the portal’s airflow, and he asked seriously, “Dandelion, when you were giving the sword to Ciri and Geralt, you gave that dagger to her?”

“Of course! I’m sure! That dagger felt very comfortable to touch, and I passed it to Ciri!”

Dandelion shouted while holding his hat in the airflow, and Lann nodded.

The dagger, enhanced by the Flame World’s “Blessing Gemstone,” normally functions almost as an endless source of miniature restorative miraculous magic items.

Plus, Ciri carries with her a little gift from Belengar—a modified sleeve sword wristband.

Normally, she shouldn’t encounter any major issues.

Having seen the grown-up Ciri and having confidence in her safety, Lann still couldn’t help but worry about the girl.

The poet took the lead in walking into the portal. He will appear directly outside Brook Leon Great Forest with Geralt.

In the following days, the news of war continued to spread incessantly. Even without the poet going to the docks to inquire about information, these messages seemed to have wings, spreading everywhere.

Yaden and Livia rallied over fifteen thousand soldiers and more than three thousand knights, but they quickly collapsed in front of the Niflgaard people, with at least one third of the troops trapped in Lilia.

The remaining soldiers continued to retreat, retreat more.

The Niflgaard people seemed to be conducting a risk-free yet fruitful hunt.

Prey was within easy reach, defeated soldiers and crowds could be used and sold as slaves, and the army had already disbanded, with no one left to protect them.

Later, news came that Free Elves and the Niflgaard Light Cavalry Legion had together defeated the Hundred Flowers Valley’s governor in Yaden.

Although the market had already guessed that the Squirrel Faction was supported by Niflgaard people, this was when they officially stood together to conduct military operations.

The conquered Hundred Flowers Valley was rumored to be divided by the Niflgaard Emperor and given to Francesca Fendapei, becoming a nation for the elves.

Apart from the Eastern Front, other Niflgaard Army forces also started to bring news.

Their western coastal line had directly breached Viden Kingdom, currently attacking Hidaris.

The central line similarly crossed the Yaruga River.

But unlike the Eastern Front led by Meno Kuhorn, they implemented a scorched-earth policy.

The Niflgaard Army burned everything and plundered everything.

Foundries, giant furnaces, stirring furnaces, zinc casting factories, wool factories, malt beer workshops…

Military and livelihood, factory technology, tools, and even products.

Food, fabric, livestock in warehouses.

Niflgaard plundered everything.

Demolish, and then move them away.

Enshir’s order was that simple.

He wanted everything that could enhance the national power to be transported back to the Niflgaard mainland.

Not caring at all for those occupied areas, even if they later became part of the empire’s territory, with what would the people there live?

The so-called great empire, unified territory.

It sounded inspiring, and even those who don’t seek deeper understanding might take it as a step forward for civilization. But its essence is nothing more than a trick of taking over then plundering colonies.

Niflgaard people only cared about their core territory, other occupied areas weren’t regarded as Niflgaard people at all.

They also weren’t qualified to talk about any civilization fusion.

In the following days, the situation unfavorable to the North was brewing. Even in the streets and alleys of Gos Velen, everyone suddenly realized how close the war actually was.

Without the help of magic, how could they resist the mighty force of the Niflgaard people?

And in a bright afternoon, a team of soldiers appeared at the closed gate of Airetusa.

A team of Blue-clothed Iron Guard.

The Personal Guard of Veltrest.