Chapter 153: The Lady of the Lake Comes to Me
Master Mirror? Gaunter O'Dimm?
How is this glass boy everywhere?
Damn it.
Lynn said, "If I could..."
Regis shook his head, "Please, Lynn, if I could, I wouldn't want to revisit that past. It was an unpleasant experience for me."
"Alright, I understand," Lynn said. "If it truly is a demon's power, then it's understandable why Fringilla and her uncle were helpless."
Geralt took a long breath, then sighed, "It's a shame. If we could save the Duchess, the ducal family's reward would surely astound us. Now, we'll just have to give up."
Demonic knowledge was forbidden on this continent. Mere contact could lead to corruption, degradation, and chaos. Mortals were like delectable cheese to demons, utterly unable to protect themselves effectively.
Even sorcerers tried their best to avoid dealing with demons.
Since even the two Vigo sorcerers were helpless, they, too, couldn't offer any aid.
However, Geralt then saw Lynn give him a smile. "Who said we're giving up?"
As night fell, the group set up camp in the wilderness to rest.
In the middle of the night, everyone else was sound asleep.
Lynn, on watch duty, stood alone before the roaring campfire.
He gazed into the flames.
As if talking to himself, he said, "Madam Fringilla, if you don't show yourself now, I'm going to bed."
The burning flames suddenly twisted.
The next moment, a fiery red woman, appearing as if entirely ablaze, stepped out of the fire.
It was Fringilla, whom they had seen earlier that day.
Only, this was not her physical self, but an illusion.
Lynn bowed to her, a smile playing on his lips.
"Good evening, Madam."
Fringilla asked, puzzled, "How did you know I placed a magic imprint on you?"
Lynn didn't answer.
His face still held that inscrutable smile.
But in his heart, he silently cursed.
From what he knew of the novels and games, and his personal experiences...
He knew that none of these sorceresses were easy to deal with.
Especially since he had left the Duchess's palace so quickly earlier that day.
This would surely arouse her suspicion.
It was entirely possible she had done something to him.
Hence, his deliberate probing just now.
He hadn't expected her to actually play a trick.
"Witcher, have you discovered something?"
"Madam, you've been in the palace for so long and found nothing. How could I have discovered anything?"
However, Fringilla didn't believe Lynn's words.
"No, you must have discovered something. The way you left was very different from the Viper School witcher that day."
"Tell you what, if you tell me what you've found, I'll tell you what I know about that Viper School witcher, including the things I haven't mentioned yet."
Lynn's pupils contracted.
He knew it. This woman had indeed been holding back.
But he didn't easily agree to her deal.
Instead, he spread his hands, posing a question first.
"Madam Fringilla, if I may be so bold, what do you think of Duchess Anna Henrietta?"
The short-haired sorceress answered without hesitation, "Ha? May she live long."
Lynn carefully observed Fringilla's illusion.
It didn't seem feigned.
So he sighed.
"Madam, I genuinely haven't found anything suspicious, but after seeing Duchess Anna Henrietta with my own eyes, I confirmed one thing."
"What thing?"
"I confirmed how to save her."
Fringilla looked surprised. "You're not joking? But how?"
"I can't reveal the specifics... In short, just wait in the palace. When I return, simply tell me everything you know, in every detail."
Early the next morning, the group set off again.
Their destination was an inland lake called Lake Serawe.
Lake Serawe wasn't far from Beauclair.
When the sun hung directly above them, the group arrived at Lake Serawe.
For some reason, when they saw the calm lake water, they were immediately filled with a sense of peace and refreshment.
The scenery around here was no different from other parts of Toussaint.
But when they were around this lake, they felt a sense of tranquility.
Lynn tethered his horse to a nearby tree.
Then he walked towards the lake.
The others had questions brewing in their stomachs for a day and a night.
However, seeing that they had reached their destination, they were no longer in a hurry to ask.
Instead, they followed behind Lynn.
They wanted to see what he was really up to.
Lynn walked until he reached the edge of the lake before stopping.
Then, facing the calm water, he greeted it with the same courtesy as if addressing an esteemed lady.
"Good day, Madam."
The next moment,
The calm surface of the lake suddenly rippled outwards.
A golden-haired woman with exquisite features, wearing a golden crown, slowly rose from beneath the water.
The woman was clad in a light, flowing gown reminiscent of ancient Greek style.
Her graceful form exuded an ethereal, unblemished aura.
"Th-this is... the Lady of the Lake?"
Massimo's mouth hung open in astonishment.
Although the dominant faith in Toussaint was now Lebioda, this was still a knightly nation, and a portion of the population still adhered to the worship of the Lady of the Lake.
Of course,
Even for those who weren't believers of the Lady of the Lake, witnessing a deity descend before them was not an everyday experience.
Even Regis, the higher vampire, bowed respectfully.
The Lady of the Lake smiled faintly at the others, then fixed her gaze on Lynn.
"Young witcher, for what purpose do you call upon me?"
Lynn bowed deeply in return.
"Esteemed Lady, forgive me for skipping the elaborate rituals, but I have come for an urgent matter."
He pointed to Massimo, who was now kneeling.
"This is Sir Massimo Norris Maclino, a ranger-knight of Toussaint. His sworn liege, Duchess Anna Henrietta, has been afflicted by the power of a demon for two years now."
"I humbly ask you, in the name of Toussaint's ranger-knights who, in your name, clear away evil and show mercy to the weak, to bestow the Holy Water that can cure all ailments in this world, so that Duchess Anna Henrietta may regain her health."
Massimo was both surprised and delighted.
Surprised that Lynn's method involved seeking help from a deity.
Delighted that if the Lady of the Lake was willing to intervene, Her Grace the Duchess would surely be saved.
But the next moment, the Lady of the Lake's ethereal voice made his heart sink.
"Young witcher, do you not know that all mortals must die? Even I cannot rashly interfere with the life and death of mortals."
Lynn knew it wouldn't be that easy.
He wasn't the Lady of the Lake's illegitimate son.
How could he possibly get her sacred water for free just by asking?
Anyone who had been out in the real world wouldn't be so naive.
However, the Lady of the Lake's refusal was within his expectations, and he had already prepared a countermeasure.
"Geralt, Lord Regis, and Sir Massimo, please step away for now."
"I have something to discuss privately with the esteemed Lady."
....
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