A fantastical journey across the heavens, beginning with the Witcher.

The setting sun is like blood.

The royal gardens, which were usually reserved for royalty and nobility, were now teeming with people. The delicate flowers were trampled underfoot and crushed into the soil, just like the people of a fallen kingdom—ragged soldiers, terrified young men, white-haired old men, and still-young children.

In the deathly silence, only the crackling of the burning torches and suppressed, heavy breathing could be heard.

Calanther was still wearing that solemn, gilded armor, with bloodstains still visible on its surface.

She walked slowly to the makeshift platform and looked at her apathetic subjects.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice not loud, but every word resounding and making people tremble.

"People of Sintra!"

"We...we lost, we lost terribly."

The Queen's voice was low and hoarse, without any sorrowful lamentations, only a solemn acceptance of defeat. Her gaze swept over every face stained with dust and blood, her tone calm to the point of being piercing.

"The walls of our ancestors have collapsed, our fields have burned, and our home is gone."

"The iron hooves of Nilfgaard trampled over our bones. They thought Sintra had already knelt down, that we would cower in the ruins, waiting to be slaughtered and enslaved."

She paused, gripping the holy sword tightly until her knuckles turned white, and her voice suddenly rose, carrying a chilling, metallic clang: "They are wrong."

"The king of Sintra never begged for life; the people of Sintra never yielded."

"To defend this isolated city to the death is to die; to charge out tonight is also to die. But even in death, we must die with sword in hand, we must die on the path of the charge, and we must let those invaders remember—we can be killed, but we will never be conquered!"

"Distribute the gold and silver from the national treasury! It's ours; leave not a single piece for the jackals! Distribute the armor from the storehouse! Protect as many as you can, kill as many as you can!"

"Tonight, we abandon the city. But not to flee, but to fight! With the hope of Sintra, with indomitable spirits, we charge out! Those who live, remember today's fire, today's blood; those who fall, I will wait for you in Valhalla to meet you again!"

"Sintra may perish, but it will never surrender!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the square fell into a deathly silence, then erupted into a deafening roar. Despair was dispelled by rage and bloodlust, and a glimmer of light ignited in everyone's eyes.

There was no weeping, no retreat; the pain of national subjugation transformed into the courage to fight to the death.

"Sintra, we will never surrender!"

"No reduction!"

Kalanzer watched and listened, and after a long while, the roar gradually subsided.

Her gaze swept over every face, finally settling on Li De.

She beckoned for the Witcher to come up on stage.

Li De was somewhat surprised, but still carrying the lingering stench of blood, he steadily stepped onto the high platform.

Calanther walked slowly to Li De and drew the holy sword inherited from his ancestor from his waist.

First, he raised his hand and gently pressed it on Li De's left shoulder, placing the holy sword horizontally and steadily. Then, he slowly moved it to his right shoulder, with the blade fitting against his shoulder.

This is a knighthood investiture ceremony. Although the current setup is rather modest, lacking both a magnificent procession and grand music, it is nonetheless exceptionally solemn.

"Li De, warrior of Sintra."

"In the siege and the desperate battle, you took the lead and did not retreat a single step, which is called 'heroic';

Protecting the elderly and weak, having a kind heart, and showing compassion to the orphans and disabled is called "compassion".

Acting with integrity, staying true to one's principles, and keeping one's word are the essence of "honesty."

Impartiality, adherence to the right path, and impartiality are the essence of "justice".

To face danger and peril, to sacrifice oneself for one's country and people, is what is meant by "sacrifice."

Not seeking rewards or fame, but upholding one's integrity, that is true "honor";

Being humble and modest in one's actions, without being arrogant about one's achievements, is what is meant by "humility".

Even in dire straits, one must remain true to one's original aspirations and uphold one's integrity; this is 'faith'.

"Your loyalty and courage are witnessed by the entire city; your outstanding achievements will be remembered by the whole nation."

"Today, in the name of the Queen of Sintra, I hereby bestow upon you the title of 'Fearless Knight' of Sintra. This title is a supreme honor bestowed by all previous kings, free from harsh demands and burdens, and without any imposed pressure."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sword was raised, completing the investiture ceremony.

The two people, one tall and one short, calmly looked at each other.

Knights enjoy honor but bear corresponding responsibilities, and the Queen's last words mean that Li De is not bound and can still be the Witcher who comes and goes as he pleases.

Li De placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly.

"With this body and this heart, I fulfill my mission and my faith, and I will certainly not fail in my duty."

The crowd below cheered in unison.

In the crowd, an elderly man dressed in fine clothes held a simple drawing board. His fingertips trembled with excitement as he gripped a charcoal pencil and sketched the scene on the paper, hoping to memorize it forever.

"Damn it, no paint, no canvas... I must start with a first draft. Goddess above, this will surely be the greatest work of my life!"

……

After the proclamation and investiture ceremony, everyone went their separate ways to prepare for their breakout.

Calanther removed his heavy armor, washed away the bloodstains, put on casual clothes, changed into a soft, plain dress, and walked alone towards Ciri's bedroom.

His usually sharp features were now gentle, but deep in his eyes lay an unyielding reluctance and pain.

She stood outside the door, her fingers hovering over the doorknob, not letting go for a long time, each breath choked with sobs.

She was afraid that if she opened her mouth, she would burst into tears; she was afraid that her vulnerability would be seen through by the perceptive Ciri; and she was even more afraid that this farewell would be forever.

In the end, she gently pushed open the door.

Ciri was sitting obediently on the edge of the bed, clutching her beloved plush toy tightly in her arms, her bright eyes filled with unease and fear.

The moment the little princess saw Kalancer, she immediately threw herself into her arms, her voice trembling with tears, soft and helpless.

"grandmother……"

The little princess remained innocent, yet she keenly sensed that after tonight, everything would likely be different.

Calanther held Ciri tightly in his arms, so tightly that he seemed to want to meld her into his very bones, and remained silent for a long time.

She had so much to say, but all her words ultimately turned into the gentlest of admonitions.

"Ciri, my little princess, listen to your grandmother, and go with Uncle Reed later. He will protect you and take you away from here to Skellige, to Temeria, to any place without war or smoke."

"Remember, from now on, you are not allowed to mention that you are the princess of Sintra. You don't need to carry hatred or think about restoring your kingdom. Just grow up peacefully and carefree, and be an ordinary girl. That's enough."

Ciri shook her head, tears streaming down her face. She clung tightly to Calanther's neck, crying out.

"Grandmother, don't abandon me! I'll be good. I'll marry Prince Cordwin, and we'll leave together, okay?"

Calanthe closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks. She gently patted Ciri's back, uttering the cruelest yet tenderest lie, her voice choked with emotion, yet utterly resolute.

"Silly child, how could your grandmother bear to leave you alone? Of course I'll go with you."

She gently wiped away Ciri's tears and placed a deep kiss on her forehead. It was a final farewell, all the tenderness and love that her grandmother could give.