The Witcher: Make Witcher Great Again

Chapter 77 If nothing unexpected happens, something unexpected will happen

As the conflict between humans and dryads becomes increasingly intense, the dryads living in the Brokilon Forest become increasingly hostile to humans.

If someone disappeared in that forest, there would be nothing to investigate.

The arrows of the dryads are more accurate and sharper than those of the elves.

Triss was not angry when she heard the witcher's refusal.

She still said with a smile on her face.

"Yes and no, Witcher. You know a lot about Brokilon, but not enough."

"Of course, this cannot be blamed on you. After all, you demon hunters first experienced a split, and then suffered a massacre. It is normal for the inheritance to be broken."

"To be precise, the area where the tree spirits live is mainly in the southern forest, that is, the area near Sintra, Bruge, Soden, and Verden."

"As for the northern forest, even the tree spirits wouldn't easily set foot there."

"Don't look at me like that, young demon hunter. This forest has a very long history, even before the birth of the true ancient races of this continent."

"You don't need to worry about the dryads. They won't be angry if you step onto territory that doesn't belong to them."

"What you really need to worry about is what I'm going to say next."

Triss picked up the wine glass and took another sip to moisten her throat before continuing.

"We just said that Brokilon is divided into the Southern Forest and the Northern Forest."

"To the east of the northern forest lies Temeria, to the north lies the Kingdom of Sidaris, and to the west lies the Principality of Blimwood and the Kingdom of Kelak."

"If merchant ships from the Kingdom of Kerak wanted to reach Temeria, they would have to depart from their home port, sail north along the coast, pass Blimwood, and then sail east to reach Gos Velen, the capital of the Temeria province of Velen."

"Not only is the journey long, but Blimwood is a vassal state of Sidaris, and there has always been some unpleasantness between Kelak and Sidaris."

"Therefore, Sidaris has long prohibited Kelak's merchant ships from docking at his own ports and those of his vassal states."

"As a result, merchants in Kailak will have to prepare large quantities of supplies, forcing them to reduce the amount of goods they carry, resulting in lower profits."

"So, some daring businessmen would take the risk and cross the Aidalat River."

"This river originates from the northern forests of Brokilon, flows through the kingdoms of Sidaris and Kerak on both sides of the Dol Aidalat River Valley, and finally flows into the ocean at Kerak City, the capital of the Kerak Kingdom."

"The merchants from Kelak sailed upstream and disembarked at the source of the Aidalat River. It only took a few days to get out of the forest and into the province of Velen."

(PS: The blue line is the fixed sea trade route of the Kairak merchants, and the green line is the shortcut that the Kairak merchants are trying to open up)

Lynn said thoughtfully.

"But if nothing unexpected happens, something unexpected will happen, right? Okay, please continue."

Triss nodded and continued.

"As I said just now, after reaching the end of the Idalaat River, it will probably take a few more days to get out of the forest."

"But during these few days, they will never be able to get out."

"Of all the caravans that disembarked at the end of the Idalathe River, no one survived and made it through the forests north of Brokilon."

"The Kingdom of Kailak also sent troops to search the forest near the end of the Aidalat River, but no one returned either."

Lynn raised her hand like a good student asking a question to her teacher.

"I have a question. Since the harsh reality has been revealed to them and that path is blocked, why don't they just go by sea?"

"Because of profit, little witcher." Triss smiled. "If we can open up the route through the forests north of Brokilon, the merchants of Kerak will reap enormous benefits. They no longer have to rely on the wishes of Cidaris and its vassal states."

"The royal family of Kailak also supports the merchants in doing this. They do not want to make concessions or compromises with the Sidaris for any reason."

Lynn sighed.

"Well, it seems this is another foolish royal family that puts its own face above the vital interests of the people."

Triss blinked and said, "Be careful with your words, witcher. The royals in this world only like to hear sweet words, not the truth." Lin En bowed slightly.

"The next time a true royal stands before me, I will definitely keep your advice in mind, ma'am."

"Well, my dear lady, since you have agreed to come personally, it means that the royal family and merchants of Kelak have made you an offer that you cannot refuse, right?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you are very smart, young witcher?" Triss coughed lightly and did not explain what kind of reward the other party gave her, but changed the subject.

"You guessed right, that's why I need a demon hunter."

Lynn understood.

The Kingdom of Kailak couldn't even get back the troops it sent out.

Their leaders must have realized that the darkness hidden in the forest cannot be solved by mortal power alone.

That's why they thought of seeking help from sorcerers.

Although Kerak is also a kingdom in name, its economy, military and land area cannot be compared with powers like Temeria.

Therefore, a small kingdom like that cannot gain the favor of the vast majority of sorcerers.

The only exception is a sorceress from the Skellige Isles.

Although sometimes she would stay in the capital of the Kingdom of Kailak, Kailak City, for a long time.

But that was not out of an obsession with the power of the royal advisor of Kairak, but simply because he liked the coastal city of Kairak.

Because of her Skellige blood, she also loves the sea and loves to sail and travel to distant places.

Lin En guessed that the sorceress was definitely not in the city of Kerak during this period, so the royal family and merchants of Kerak wanted to clear the trade route in the northern forest of Brokilon, so they could only ask Triss, the royal advisor of Temeria, for help.

And Triss serves King Foltest.

However, the power of a royal advisor is not as all-encompassing as the general public imagines.

The agreement reached with Karak is a private matter.

There was no way King Foltest would send an army to aid Triss.

That's why she had to come to the witcher.

As for why the merchants of the Kingdom of Kailak would rather take the huge risk of crossing the forest than take less goods and more supplies by sea...

In this regard, Ma Sheng had already made comments hundreds of years ago:
When profits reach a certain level, they can even sell the rope to hang themselves.

Lin En stroked his chin and said, "I understand it in general."

Triss blinked and looked at the witcher expectantly: "So what's your answer?"

"I'll take this commission," Lin En said solemnly, holding up four fingers. "Even the army can't find any trace. This proves that this missing person case is not as simple as it appears."

"I need to make a lot of preparations to ensure everything goes well. Therefore, I require a minimum compensation of 400 crowns."

Triss frowned slightly.

The price the demon hunter asked for was a little higher than she had in mind.

She had originally planned to pay Lynn only three hundred kronor.

But the witcher actually asked her for four hundred crowns.

But Triss changed her mind and realized that this disappearance was indeed unusual.

And they also need to go deep into the forest.

In a place like that, who knows what kind of dangers you might encounter.

If I could have a good swordsman by my side to protect me at that time, the money would be well spent.

(End of this chapter)