Chapter 225: Witchers Have More to Consider
"Sir!"
Hearing the sounds of combat from inside, Drek, scimitar in hand, crashed through the door and rushed in.
Once she saw the scene within, her taut body instantly relaxed.
"Are you unharmed?"
"I'm fine," Lynn sheathed his Gwyhyr. "How's it outside?"
"All dealt with," Drek called out softly towards outside. "Lads, bring him in."
Two agents carried the coachman's body in and dropped it on the ground.
One agent rummaged through the bodies of Chapelle and the coachman, handing what he found to Drek, who then passed it to Lynn.
Lynn kept one of the silver daggers, tossing the rest to the doppler, who had been hiding aside since the fight began and only dared to approach after it was over.
"Shasha, catch."
Dimetirium amulets could only affect chaotic magic, while what inhibited dopplers was silver, not dimetirium.
Their operation was unusually successful; no one would have imagined that the esteemed Security Officer of the Eternal Fire had fallen here.
Lynn, while putting the two bodies into his runic leather satchel, gave orders to the Syndicate.
"Drek, pick out three sharp ones to return to Temple Isle with our 'Security Officer,' so they can look out for each other."
Drek nodded in agreement.
She quickly selected suitable individuals.
But she had a question.
"What about that anesthetic powder dealer, Oscar?"
Lynn waved his hand as if shooing a fly, saying without thinking: "Kill him, then burn down this house. I don't want even a speck of anesthetic powder left behind."
While Lynn and Drek spoke, Shasha had already transformed into Chapelle's likeness.
The witcher whistled.
"I must say, you look quite convincing. So, Shasha... no, Sir Chapelle, I look forward to your continued care."
The "Security Officer" extended a hand and shook the witcher's.
He spoke with a slightly wary tone.
"Witcher, as long as you abide by the law in my city, there's no need to shrink back. The Eternal Fire illuminates everyone, even mutants like you."
...
Subsequently, the citizens of Novigrad were all discussing one thing:
The Security Officer who controlled the Temple Guards, a first-rate villain, seemed to have suddenly changed his ways:
Not only did he postpone the executions of a batch of blasphemers disrespecting the Eternal Fire who were confined in the dungeon, he also restricted his Temple Guards and priests, no longer allowing them to arbitrarily arrest innocent citizens in the name of disrespecting the Eternal Fire.
....
In a room on the second floor of the villa.
Listening to his subordinate's report on recent developments, Lynn nodded.
"Not bad. I think Comrade Shasha is doing very well." But Drek said worriedly: "Sir, some citizens in the city are already changing their preconceived notions about the Eternal Fire. If this continues, it might lead to people who originally don't believe in the Eternal Fire joining the sect. Aren't you worried about its influence becoming too great and eventually difficult to control?"
Lynn shook his head and said.
"The reason the Eternal Fire can attract followers is that its original doctrines have merit. All we need to do is guide it back onto the right track."
Instead of destroying an existing religious organization and rebuilding a new one, it's better to control the organization that has already taken root in people's hearts, and then initiate reforms from the top down.
Internal reform always costs far less time, effort, and resources than completely tearing down a house and rebuilding it on its ruins.
Not only that, Lynn also considered one more point:
Just as Philippa, in the future, wanted to establish a state for sorceresses but dared not show herself publicly, instead pushing a puppet to the forefront...
Even when he truly gained control of this free city, the witcher couldn't openly declare himself the ruler of Novigrad.
But the Eternal Fire could.
"One more thing, I asked you to investigate the city's gangs. How's that investigation coming along?"
Drek lowered her head.
"Yes, sir."
"The city is primarily divided into three major gangs: the Cleaver's Gang (led by Carlo 'The Cleaver' Varese), the Wille's Gang (Alphonse Wille, known as 'Whoreson Senior'), and the Razor Gang."
"Carlo 'The Cleaver' Varese is the protector of the non-human district. He himself is a dwarf. His nickname 'The Cleaver' comes from his youth as a butcher, knowing where best to make a cut."
"Despite his fearsome nickname, he is surprisingly a kind person. As long as you follow his rules and obey his commands, he will offer you protection."
"But if anyone dares to cross him... they can visit the bottom of the Pontar River to see the bleached bones that accompany the fish daily and know the consequences of provoking him."
"'Whoreson Senior's' real name is Alphonse Wille. He owns many of the city's casinos, fighting pits, and brothels, making him the wealthiest gang leader among the three major gangs."
"He is brutal, ruthless, and has extreme sadistic tendencies. If Carlo Varese's nickname 'The Cleaver' only targeted those who didn't follow rules or opposed Carlo..."
"Then Alphonse's tyranny is entirely capricious, which is why the people, who dared not speak out, gave him the nickname 'Whoreson.'"
"As for the Razor Gang, their name comes from a habit of theirs—sewing razor blades into the brims of their cloth caps, to be used as weapons when needed."
"The Razor Gang primarily controls many industries and businesses in the lower quarter and the Portside District. Their methods are somewhat similar to Carlo Varese's—that is, they also provide protection to the poor common folk in exchange for their offerings."
In the events of The Witcher 3 game, Novigrad is controlled by four major gangs known as the "Big Four."
But now, the Witcher 3 game's storyline is still over twenty years away.
The city doesn't have the Big Four yet; only three major gangs exist.
Even the Land of the Rising Sun, which handed over its defense and security, managed to crush its local criminal organizations to the point where they could only steal watermelons from supermarkets, by launching a "War on Top" anti-gang operation...
Lynn naturally couldn't coexist with these three major gangs.
Of course, one step at a time.
This is still just the starting phase.
He won't move against these three major gangs for now.
Until later, when it's time to deal with them.
....
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