Chapter 327: You Can't Solve the Problem
The Skelligans certainly didn't forget the main architect of their victory. They first paid Lynn a full two thousand orens, and that was just the initial payment. Once all the Nilfgaardian ships were sold, they would give him a tenth of the total revenue.
Don't think this one-tenth share was small. In this era, how did you ensure a soldier's loyalty? How did you make a soldier willingly charge into a battle they knew was a certain death? The answer was to give them their share of the spoils.
At least one-third, or even two-thirds, of the loot from every battle had to be distributed to the soldiers. Only then could you prevent them from scattering at the first sign of trouble.
There was no army in this world that could march forward purely on belief and ideals, not even the Temple Guards of the Eternal Fire. They also needed to be driven by profit. Without a sufficient division of spoils, there would be mutiny.
Therefore, the Skelligans had to give six-tenths (including compensation for casualties) to their soldiers. Only the remaining four-tenths could be kept by the three jarls themselves. In other words, the profit Lynn received was the same as what each of the three jarls got. This was more than enough to show how grateful the islanders were for his contribution.
Of course, Geralt also contributed a great deal to this battle. Count Torgill likewise rewarded the Bear School witcher with a full sack of gold for his efforts.
Even after receiving such a generous reward, Lynn still had one more request. He wanted to deal with Chalamire himself.
Yes, after the Nilfgaardians surrendered, Chalamire, who had been imprisoned by them, naturally fell into the hands of the Skelligans. Count Torgill agreed almost without a second thought.
Crach and "Madman" Lugos didn't even know who Chalamire was. When they learned he was just a knight from the Duchy of Curved Coast, they had no objections either, and Chalamire was handed over to Lynn.
Count Torgill sent a squad of soldiers to escort Lynn to the dungeon to check on Chalamire. After confirming that he was still alive, Lynn instructed them to move Chalamire to a cleaner, more orderly holding cell.
He also requested that Chalamire be given two meals a day so he wouldn't starve. Lynn offered to cover the extra costs, but the Tursach family soldiers immediately said it wasn't necessary, as the count had already instructed them to meet any of Lynn's needs.
Lynn thanked them and left the dungeon. In truth, he didn't want Chalamire just to extort ransom from the knight's family. He wanted to solve Geralt's problem. He hadn't forgotten the trouble Geralt was in.
During the civil war in the Duchy of Curved Coast, Geralt had rejected the offer of the current duchess, Helana, causing her to hold a deep grudge. That was why she had sent Chalamire and his group to assassinate him.
Though Lynn had already helped Geralt eliminate everyone except Chalamire, where there's a first time, there's always a second. This was a rare opportunity, and he might as well use it to permanently solve this problem for Geralt.
"So, what are you planning to do?"
Upon learning that Lynn was going to help him put an end to his troubles for good, Geralt was both moved and a little confused.
Lynn wore a confident, knowing smile. "In my homeland, we have a saying: If you can't solve the problem, solve the person who caused it."
"You want to assassinate Duchess Helana?" Geralt was startled. Then he said solemnly, "I appreciate it, Lynn, I really do, but you don't have to go that far for me."
"No, no, no, you misunderstand, Geralt. I won't do it myself." He looked at Geralt and reassured him, "Don't overthink it. Just leave it to me."
Lynn found a secluded corner and pulled out his communication box to contact Triss. After exchanging pleasantries, he told Triss he had a bargaining chip that could bring great benefits to both her and King Foltest.
He explained that the details couldn't be revealed over the communication box and it would be best if they could meet. Triss didn't doubt Lynn for a second. She immediately said she would personally come to Skellige in a few days to see this great benefit for herself.
For the next few days, Lynn remained in Kaer Tursach, not going anywhere. However, while waiting for Triss, he didn't waste his time. He sought out Geralt and expressed his desire to learn the Bear School's sword style.
"Isn't the Wolf School's style good enough?" Geralt asked, then suddenly recalled something he had read in a book back when he was an apprentice at the now-fallen Bear School stronghold: the Wolf School's sword style was a standard witcher technique, unlike the Bear School and Cat School, which had modified their styles based on the standard.
"I understand what you mean," Geralt said. A witcher was also a warrior, and a warrior's pursuit of martial arts, like a scholar's thirst for knowledge, was endless. But Geralt still spoke with a tone of regret.
"A sword style isn't necessarily better just because it's stronger; the best style is the one that's right for you. The Bear School's physical training and Trial of the Grasses are different from other schools precisely so their witchers can handle heavier weapons, more ferocious attacks, and wear heavier armor.
The Wolf School's physical training and Trial of the Grasses are fundamentally incompatible with ours. I'm not sure if you are suited to learning the Bear School's style."
Geralt's words made perfect sense. Just as a Bear School witcher couldn't balance on a narrow log like a Wolf School witcher, a Wolf School witcher couldn't wield a two-handed greatsword with ease.
But what others couldn't do didn't mean Lynn couldn't. Because he had a cheat. "Please, Stat Panel, I beg you!" As long as he could add the Bear School's sword style to his character sheet, he would not only quickly master the Bear School's style, but he would also gain another feat to greatly increase his strength. It was a win-win situation.
So...
"What you say is very logical, but I still want to try."
Geralt sighed. He had explained everything he could, but it still couldn't stop Lynn's curiosity. There was nothing more he could do. Besides, it was free to try, so why not? And persistence was a common trait among the strong. Even a genius needed to be persistent day after day.
But before they started the official lessons, Geralt made a request. He wanted to spar with Lynn. He was a warrior, too, and he was curious to see whose martial arts were superior.
The two then went outside the castle, found an empty space, and stood a distance apart from one another.
(End of Chapter)
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