Chapter 222: You're a Good Judge of Character
"Aren't you worried she might one day be captured by the Eternal Fire and accused of being a witch?"
Facing Lynn's doubt, Regis said with conviction.
"No, Lynn. From my understanding of common folk, even though they often appear shortsighted, only seeing immediate petty gains."
"No matter how brainless, no one would betray the only herbalist in their village."
"Otherwise, the next time they get a headache or fever, they'd just have to lie in bed and wait to die."
Lynn greeted everyone individually.
Then he prepared to help in the kitchen.
Unexpectedly, he found a black-haired man already there.
"Dettlaff, what are you doing here?"
"Did you forget? You invited me back in Beauclair. What, am I not welcome?"
Lynn remembered.
There was indeed such an invitation.
However, at the time, he wasn't sure if Dettlaff would actually come.
But since Dettlaff had arrived, that was certainly for the best.
"Not at all, I couldn't be happier you're here," Lynn patted Dettlaff's arm. "Make yourself at home, don't be shy. You can stay as long as you like."
....
A few hours later, everyone gazed at the table laden with enticingly fragrant dishes, utterly dumbfounded.
The food in this world wasn't as unpalatable as the historical medieval food in his home world, but compared to the endlessly emerging, diverse modern cuisine, there was definitely a gap.
Among those present, even the pampered Ciri had never seen such aromatic food.
No one spoke; only the sounds of cutlery and chewing filled the hall.
Everyone ate their fill.
Taenseel even thought that a trip to the North was worthwhile, even if just for Lynn's cooking skills.
....
The next morning, Lynn got up early.
He first took a shower, then went downstairs.
He found Kassia was already up, beginning to tidy up the previous night's mess.
"Sir Lynn."
As usual, Kassia greeted him.
"How long will it take you to clean this by yourself? Call Geralt and Letho and the others; tell them to help too. Don't be too polite with them."
After giving these instructions, Lynn left the house.
He crossed the street and stopped in front of a dark alley.
A Syndicate agent was hiding in a corner, out of sight of others on the street.
"Sir."
"Go tell Drek there's a new task, besides recruiting beggars: have them gather information on Chapelle, the Eternal Fire's Security Officer. The more, the better, the more detailed, the better. Preferably, get his travel records."
"Yes."
....
Afterward, Lynn went to Vivaldi Bank.
In the VIP room, he met Vimme Vivaldi.
"Master Lynn, my old friend, long time no see. How have you been recently?"
"Not bad. Just returned from the South, and had some gains."
"That's great, that's great. Seeing a friend doing well makes me happier than doing well myself."
The two chatted idly for a while, then Vimme got to the point.
"But speaking of which, Master Lynn, do you remember the matter I entrusted to you last time?"
The witcher nodded.
He had previously entrusted the dwarven banker with a task: finding a suitable shop in the city for a blacksmith's forge.
However, at the time, his intention was for Berengar to use it.
He had seen Berengar's craftsmanship, which was just a step away from being a master blacksmith.
But compared to most rural blacksmiths who could only forge farm tools, he was far superior. However, that idea changed after he met the master blacksmith, Taenseel.
This forge should still be given to Taenseel, and Berengar could be his assistant.
Becoming a master blacksmith's assistant and learning his skills, Berengar surely wouldn't refuse.
"Recently, I don't know what's going on, everyone's rushing to the city, as if there's gold to be picked up here."
"Although Novigrad offers many opportunities, not everyone can get rich."
Lynn rubbed his forehead.
"Just get to the point, Sir Vimme. What exactly do you want to say?"
Vimme chuckled awkwardly: "There's no suitable place in the lower quarter anymore. I only found one suitable storefront, but it's in Hierarch Square. The place is spacious enough, but as for the price..."
Hierarch Square was the center of Novigrad.
No city center could be cheap.
"I'll take a look first, then decide."
"Of course, of course. I'll send someone to take you there."
Vivaldi Bank was also in Hierarch Square, so the location was actually diagonally opposite the bank.
It was only a few steps away.
It was a two-story pointed-roof house.
Perhaps because the rent was too high, all the other storefronts on either side of the house were tightly shut, showing no intention of being rented out.
The guide Vimme sent to lead him opened the house's door with a key, allowing Lynn to inspect the interior.
The house was empty, all the furniture removed.
But the house was indeed very good.
Although the rent here was considerably more expensive than in the lower quarter, considering Taenseel's status as a master blacksmith and that he would be crafting master-grade equipment, it wasn't something ordinary people could afford anyway.
Besides, Taenseel's original shop in Beauclair was in quite a good location; they couldn't possibly make him uncomfortable now that he was in Novigrad, could they?
In truth, Lynn didn't really care if Taenseel made money for him.
Strictly speaking, Taenseel wasn't his subordinate; their relationship was a collaboration.
Taenseel was willing to come to the North only because Lynn told him that a massacre of non-human races might break out in Beauclair soon.
Taenseel wasn't here to join Lynn.
Therefore, even if Taenseel's forge barely broke even, it didn't matter.
Because Lynn had given Berengar to Taenseel.
As long as Berengar could learn Taenseel's skills, that would be enough.
Making money was secondary.
After the on-site inspection, Lynn returned to Vivaldi Bank.
"Heh heh, Master, you're back. How was it?"
"It's good. That place. Not bad at all."
"Of course, that place has no flaws except for being expensive... So, shall we sign the contract now?"
"Yes, let's sign a two-year contract first... Oh, by the way, didn't you say before that raw materials could also be sourced from you, at a lower price than other suppliers?"
As soon as shining crowns were mentioned, Vimme began to play dumb.
"Uh, did I say that?"
"Perhaps I remembered incorrectly. No matter, I can get my goods elsewhere."
The dwarven banker quickly grabbed the witcher.
"Heh heh, I was just joking with you, Master. I, Vimme, would never cheat a friend, would I?"
"However, Master, since you're getting raw materials cheaper from me, I also have a request."
Before Vimme could state his request, Lynn voiced what he was thinking.
"You can buy any weapons from my forge at a friendly price, but I also have a condition: you can resell the weapons you acquire from me elsewhere, but you cannot resell them in Novigrad or its surrounding areas."
Vimme's expression changed as if Lynn had exposed him, but he quickly returned to normal.
"Oh, Master, what makes you say that? Do I look like that kind of person?"
....
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