I'm not a Witcher anymore.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the air was filled with a damp chill.

The ground beneath my feet was soft and muddy, a trace left by the rain a few days ago.

Saskia led the way, as she knew the terrain best. Sieg brought up the rear, with Zoltan and Dandelion in the middle.

The four traveled westward along the south bank of the Pontal River, avoiding main roads and choosing instead secluded paths and forest trails.

The reason for doing this is simple—during times of war, you might encounter all sorts of people on the road.

The routed soldiers, the bandits who took advantage of the chaos, the refugees who fled in all directions, and even the Nilfgaardian scout cavalry.

Although Sieg and Sakia are more than capable of dealing with these people, they'd rather avoid trouble.

After all, their goal is Novigrad, not to pick off people along the way.

Dandelion's mouth never stopped the whole way.

He complained one moment about how difficult the road was, the next about how cold the weather was, and then he started reminiscing about a certain noblewoman's boudoir, talking animatedly with spittle flying everywhere.

Zoltan was used to it, only occasionally chiming in with a few sarcastic remarks.

Sakia remained silent throughout, her steps steady, always alert to any movement around her.

Zieg lagged behind, equally vigilant.

Although things appeared calm on the surface, he knew that this land was already the front line of the battle between Nilfgaard and the northern kingdoms.

Unexpected dangers may arise at any time.

a few days later.

Zieg and his group finally saw the outline of the floating harbor.

It was a town built at a bend in the river.

The white lily emblem of Temuria still flies above the town.

Sakia's words were proven true.

The floating port was still in the hands of the Temurians, but they were indeed on high alert.

Just a few miles from the floating harbor, a massive military camp rose from the ground.

Black tents were densely packed across the flat ground along the riverbank, and flags fluttered in the wind.

That was the Nilfgaardian Empire's sun flag, which stood out conspicuously against the sky.

Zig looked into the distance and roughly estimated that the military camp housed at least a thousand soldiers.

On the river, the situation is equally dire.

The Pontal River narrows here, with a heavy iron cable spanning its surface, its ends fixed to huge winches on either bank.

The iron chains were also adorned with strings of rusty iron hooks and spikes, and any ship that attempted to force its way through would be torn to shreds.

The iron chain across the river.

Sakia's judgment was entirely correct.

"Looks like the waterway is completely out of the question." Zoltan squatted behind a large rock, peering out to observe the situation in the distance. "Damn, the men in black are quick. It hasn't been long, and they've already set up their camp."

“Nilfgaard is different from the northern kingdoms,” Sieg recalled the part of the story he knew. “They didn’t just temporarily gather nobles, knights, and peasants together to fight. The empire itself was a war machine; the emperor, marshals, legions, provinces, and logistics all revolved around expansion.”

"During the Second Nilfgaardian War, they mobilized more than 300,000 men. This includes frontline troops, reserves, auxiliary troops, logistics, and even the elven allies."

"What's truly terrifying isn't the number itself, but their ability to mobilize these people and send them north."

"How much did you say? Three...three hundred thousand?"

Dandelion's face turned somewhat pale.

The ability to mobilize 30,000 people is an astonishing astronomical figure for northerners.

Three hundred thousand...

He huddled behind a large tree, his voice trembling.

"Then... what do we do now? We can't travel by water, and the land routes are blocked... how are we going to get to Novigrad?"

His words echoed the doubts of others.

The floating harbor guards the throat of the Pontal River and is the only way to reach Novigrad from the east.

Whether traveling by water or land, you must pass through here.

Now, that road has been completely blocked.

The Nilfgaardian army blocked the harbor, while the Temeria strung iron chains across the river.

The two armies were locked in a tense standoff, and anyone who tried to cross between them would be considered an enemy or a spy.

Silence spread among them.

Just then, Zoltan suddenly spoke up.

There is a road.

Everyone looked at him.

The dwarf veteran turned his head and looked south.

"Mahakan".

Zoltan uttered the name with a complex emotion in his voice.

"By crossing the Mahakan Mountains, we can bypass the floating port route and enter Temuria from the south."

"Mahakam?" Dandelion blinked. "The land of dwarves and gnomes?"

"That's right."

Zoltan nodded, his rough, large hand pointing to the majestic mountain range to the south.

That's my hometown.

Mahakam.

This name is known to almost everyone on the mainland.

That was the mountain home of dwarves and gnomes, with iron mines, furnaces, and forging workshops scattered throughout the mountains.

The steel and weapons produced in Mahakam were so sought after that even the northern kingdoms and Nilfgaard were vying to buy them.

In name, it was a vassal of Temeria.

In truth, everyone knows that Mahakam is not truly under the command of the King of Temuria, but rather the High Elder of the Dwarves.

They dislike outsiders and the war outside the mountains.

The Nilfgaardians had no interest in attacking the dwarven fortresses for a few mountain passes, and the northern kingdoms dared not truly push Mahakam to the enemy's side.

Therefore, in this chaotic land, Mahakam has become one of the few places that can still maintain neutrality.

……

"Go through Mahakam?" Saqia frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. "Will it work? As far as I know, the Mahakam dwarves are not friendly to outsiders, especially during times of war."

That's right.

While Mahakan maintains neutrality, this neutrality is based on strict border controls.

Anyone attempting to enter Mahakam must undergo rigorous checks.

Without a legitimate reason or reliable guarantee, don't even think about setting foot on the mountain path.

"Those rules are for outsiders."

Zoltan grinned, revealing a set of not-so-straight teeth.

"But I'm not an outsider."

He patted his chest, his tone tinged with pride.

"I was born and raised there. Although I've been away for many years, my brothers in Mahakan will not forget my old face."

"Are you sure?" Sakia was still somewhat worried. "After all, you participated in Phodgen's rebellion. What if Mahakam doesn't want to cause trouble..."

Don't worry.

Zoltan waved his hand, interrupting her.

"The Mahakam dwarves don't concern themselves with outside affairs. To them, the Phrygian rebellion and the Nilfgaardian wars are problems for the people outside the mountains."

"As long as I am a dwarf, as long as Mahakand blood flows in my veins, they will not turn me away."

He paused, then added:

"Furthermore, Mahakam is an ally of the Temurians. The Temurians would not station soldiers at the exit of the mountain pass in Mahakam."

"As long as we can get through the mountains, we can go directly into Temuria without having to get involved in the mess at Floating Harbor."

After listening, Zieg remained silent for a moment.

Mahakam.

In his memory, this country was indeed, as Zoltan had said, an existence independent of worldly conflicts.

Throughout the Witcher story, Mahakam maintains a detached stance, neither intervening in the internal strife of the northern kingdoms nor becoming an enemy of the Nilfgaardian Empire.

If we can get through there, it is indeed the safest option at present.

"Then let's go to Mahakan."

Zieg made a decision.

Upon hearing this, Zoltan's smile widened even more.

"Leave it to me."