Chapter 395 - 395: An Unforgettable Night

Wolves asleep amidst the trees,

Bats all a-sway in the breeze,

But one soul lies anxious, wide awake,

Fearing ghouls and wraiths.

...

For your dolly Polly, sleep has flown,

Don't dare let her tremble alone,

For the witcher, heartless, cold,

Paid in coin of gold.

...

He comes, he'll go, leave naught behind,

But heartache and woe,

Oh, deep... deep woe.

...

Birds are silent for the night,

Cows turned in as daylight dies,

But one soul lies anxious, wide awake,

Fearing ghouls and wraiths.

...

My dear dolly Polly, shut your eyes,

Lie still and quiet, no more cries,

For the witcher, brave and bold,

Paid in coin of gold.

...

He'll chop and slice you,

Cut and dice you,

Devour you alive,

And eat you whole.

...

At the orphanage outside the city, Lullaby of Woe drifted gently through the night.

After making sure all the children had fallen peacefully asleep, the red-haired lady tucked each of them beneath their blankets before gracefully leaving the building.

Some time later.

Gazing toward Beauclair in the distance, Orianna saw columns of smoke rising into the sky while dark clouds reflected the orange-red glow of countless fires.

She shook her head with a bitter smile.

Although Dettlaff had not technically violated the ancient covenant, he had still gone far too far.

If humanity's fear and hostility were provoked once again, the hard-won peace would be shattered, and it might even draw the attention of that being whose name could not be spoken.

At that thought, the red-haired lady licked her upper lip.

She hoped the witcher could resolve the problem. Otherwise, if the situation had still not settled by dawn, she would have no choice but to pay Him a visit.

And when she thought of Victor, Orianna found him rather interesting.

He had actually managed to foresee the actions Dettlaff would take.

Higher vampires could evade sensory detection. Countless attempts over several centuries had proven that divination magic was useless against them, and even the most precise scrying mirrors were of no help.

Yet Victor had accurately predicted tonight's bloodshed.

That was more than enough to prove that the young man was no ordinary third-rate prophet.

He was worth observing further.

Assuming Dettlaff didn't kill him first.

Water murmured softly beneath the crisp autumn wind.

With a flick of her wrist, Orianna tossed the head of the fleder she had just torn off deep into the grass. Then she removed her clothes, stepped into the river, and washed the blood from her body.

...

Midnight, Beauclair Palace.

In an unnoticed fountain within the courtyard, golden ripples suddenly spread across the water.

Brilliant waves of light grew increasingly dazzling until they finally burst outward, and a princess and a witcher leapt from within.

The instant Victor felt the School of the Wolf medallion vibrating, he drew his silver sword and moved in front of Syanna, shielding her while searching for the monster's location.

"Relax, Victor. There are no vampires here. Putting the portal exit inside a fountain was certainly a creative idea..."

Yennefer strode toward them with her head held high, perfectly composed.

She wore black trousers, and at first glance her outfit bore quite a few similarities to Syanna's.

In Victor's opinion, their personalities were also similarly arrogant.

"Congratulations on making it back. The sisters often used this secret passage to hide from their tutors when they were young. Fortunately, every governess recorded everything in her journal, which is how I knew to wait for you here.

"And Lady Syanna, are you ready to clean up the mess you've made?"

The sorceress's arrogant gaze and mocking question immediately ignited the princess's temper.

Syanna stepped forward, planting her right hand on her hip.

"My mess? At Dun Tynne Castle, I was about to explain everything to Dettlaff. Who was it that attacked him with magic first?

"And when the threatening letter arrived, who confidently guaranteed that if the vampires dared attack, you'd definitely be able to capture him?"

"That was an accident. How was anyone supposed to know beforehand that Dettlaff could command lower vampires?"

"Excuses. You're nothing but an incompetent bitch!"

"And you're a lying fraud!"

"You're a whore who'll spread her legs for anyone!"

The confrontation was on the verge of exploding.

Yennefer's gaze turned razor-sharp.

Syanna showed no fear whatsoever.

"Ahem. For my sake, enough."

Victor forcibly stepped between them and separated the two women.

"Both of you calm down. Syanna, wait here for a moment. There's something I need to discuss with Yennefer."

After calming the princess with a sincere look, the witcher and sorceress moved aside to speak privately.

"Syanna!? You're already calling her that affectionately, and she actually listens to you. Did you sleep with her in the Land of a Thousand Fables?"

"Would you please shut up, Yennefer... I'm just calling her by her name. I don't recall ever sleeping with you either."

Already irritated, Victor opened his Blue Rinnegan and stared directly into her violet eyes.

Several seconds passed.

Yennefer brushed back her hair.

"Fine. What did you want to discuss?"

"How are the palace defenses holding up?"

"Well enough. Damien and Horace are commanding separate groups of guards. With vampire oil and anti-invisibility silver powder helping them, they're gradually pushing the monsters back and securing more safe areas."

"Good. Yennefer, what I actually wanted to ask you is..."

"What?... That's ridiculous..."

"..."

"...Impossible, Mr. Victor. I refuse."

"..."

"Without cannon fodder... the risk is far too high... You're walking straight into your own grave!"

"..."

"Shut up and listen to me. My final advice to you is..."

...

While the witcher and sorceress were talking, Syanna walked onto the viewing terrace and gazed out over Beauclair, engulfed in battle.

Beneath the blood-red moon, columns of smoke from countless fires rose into the sky. Innumerable bats and monsters circled overhead, with shrill screeches occasionally piercing the night.

This surreal scene was the manifestation of Dettlaff's rage.

A sudden wave of sorrow and understanding welled up inside her.

...

Not long afterward, Yennefer and Victor finished their conversation and returned to the elder princess.

"This is a miserable sight to look at. Let's go, Syanna. I want to settle this as quickly as possible."

The witcher's tone was gentle.

Yennefer followed behind him, a hint of amusement curling at the corner of her lips.

After their exchange just now, she didn't mind granting someone facing almost certain death a final measure of respect.

So Yennefer placed a hand over her chest and inclined her head.

"Your Highness, I'm afraid I don't have the coordinates needed to open a portal directly into the Tesham Mutna ruins. I can only send you to the road at the foot of the hill beneath the castle."

With that, she elegantly began chanting an incantation.

A rumble filled the courtyard as a silver ring of light expanded outward, forming a brilliantly glowing passage.

Syanna looked at the portal, then turned around.

"Yennefer, you're not coming with us?"

"My apologies, Your Highness. I must remain at the palace to protect Lady Anna Henrietta and respond to any emergencies that arise.

"Rest assured, the valiant witcher Viscount Victor Corion is more than capable of ensuring your safety."

The sorceress bowed once again.

Syanna gave Yennefer a sidelong look filled with disdain and chuckled softly.

Then, without saying another word, she strode straight through the portal.

She did not even wait for Victor to go first.

Only the sorceress and witcher remained, their eyes meeting.

"Be careful out there, Victor. You're an intelligent man, so don't do anything rash or stupid. Deliver her to her fate, then get yourself back to the North in one piece. I'm still waiting for your prophecy to come true!"

"Thanks for the advice, Yennefer. Act in haste, repent at leisure. I already know that without you telling me."

Victor answered coldly, then stepped through the portal and disappeared.

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