The Witcher: Lord of the Empire

Lann, hearing the Prince of Ofir offer information about Ophir's alchemical technology, showed a joyful expression. "That's great. But according to you, such advanced technology also has strict confidentiality measures. Will it not cause trouble for you to teach it to me?"

The prince of Ofir waved his hand indifferently. "The cost is high, so it cannot be used on a large scale in the army, at most, it serves to reinforce guard units. Therefore, most of the time, it is only a symbol of the power of the nobles. In addition, many alchemists, after learning this technique, use it for trade, so there is not much to keep secret."

The prince of Ophir looked at him with sincere eyes. "Please don't refuse this again, Lann. The technology of 'infusion' alone cannot express my gratitude to you. Please accept it!"

Lann also responded with a sincere look. "Since you insist, it would be impolite for me to refuse again. Thank you, Your Highness!"

...

To receive the 'gratitude' of the Prince of Ofir, Lann and his group needed to return to Oxenfurt.

But before leaving, Lann had some other affairs to deal with in Novigrad, and also to make plans for the future.

Two days later, in Novigrad Square, an abandoned underground bank vault.

This place used to be the territory of the Cutups Gang, subordinates of the Wiley family. However, after this mafia family caused riots that damaged Novigrad in various ways, they became public enemies, hunted by everyone.

The entire family fortune was confiscated, and this underground vault, which had once been an underground casino, was transformed by the Eternal Fire into a small underground meeting room.

Most of the furniture was removed, leaving only a round table in the center. Only two people were sitting there.

One wore a simple cloak, his face hidden under the hood; the other wore an open vest, his chest covered in tattoos.

They were Francis Bedlam, 'King of Beggars', and Carlo Varese, 'Cleaver'.

They seem to be waiting for someone.

Apart from the table, the only decoration in this underground room were several dozen chandeliers, which illuminated the place as brightly as if it were daylight.

Cleaver seems to enjoy this environment. "This is a place to talk. That sorcerer who greeted us earlier seemed more like a member of an underground organization than us."

The King of Beggars let out a little snort.

Cleaver laughed, not caring about the Beggar King's cold attitude. "By the way, during the riots in the city, I saw that you also sent your men to help sweep away the Cutups Gang. Did that Lannister fellow contact you?"

The King of Beggars stroked the back of his neck and nodded silently.

Just as they were about to continue talking, they heard the sound of footsteps in the underground tunnel.

The footsteps indicated that several people were coming and that they were moving at a good pace. Soon another group entered the chamber, which was illuminated by candles.

The first to enter was well known to Cleaver and the King of Beggars: it was Chappelle.

At his side stood a blond knight. The King of Beggars had seen him before, and Cleaver, seeing the lion emblem on his breastplate, could immediately deduce his identity.

"The Lion of Cintra." Cleaver muttered, repeating the title that Zoltan had mentioned to him several times. He couldn't help but remember the witcher from the Viper School who had burst into his house like it was nothing, feeling a chill.

Following behind them were several temple guards and Cintra cavalry, who were obviously the guards of the two. One of the red-eyed warriors wearing light armor was particularly eye-catching.

The King of Beggars and Cleaver frowning. They were invited by Chappelle to participate in this meeting, but they knew nothing about the topic at hand.

When Lann appeared, they became even more perplexed: Why would the Earl of Cintra continue to be involved in the affairs of Novigrad?

"Thank you both very much for your help during the riots caused by the Cutups Gang. Novigrad is pleased to have such 'friendly citizens' as you," Chappelle said coldly. "And I also appreciate you taking the time to come today."

Cleaver glanced at Chappelle and the soldiers escorting Lann, pursing his lips. Suddenly, he missed his bathhouse, where he usually held meetings, since everyone there was 'unarmed', which ensured sincerity.

"We didn't expect Whoreson's son to be even crazier than his father. What he did doesn't represent us." Cleaver replied firmly, not swayed by Chappelle's gratitude.

The King of Beggars pulled his hood even tighter around him. "Just tell me what's going on, Lord Chappelle. We are not the kind of people who beat around the bush."

Chappelle nodded after seeing the two's reactions, but suddenly directed their attention to Lann. "Although I invited the two of you today, it is not me who actually presided over the meeting, but Lord Lannister."

As he spoke, Chappelle sat down, but not in the main seat, but left it vacant for Lann.

This gesture surprised both gang leaders.

Lann smiled and instead of sitting at the head of the table, took a seat next to Chappelle, before saying: "Gentlemen, allow me to introduce myself again: I am Lann Lannister of Cintra."

"We've come a long way to get here, mainly to thank you for your bravery during the recent riots." Lann smiled. "And as a token of gratitude, I want to do you a favor."

What qualifications does this Lannister have to represent Novigrad to thank them? The two leaders of the underground world were stunned again. They looked at Chappelle, but found that the other party's face was normal, and he didn't seem to think there was anything wrong.

Things began to become a little complicated.

"First of all, Mr. Bedlam." Lann turned his attention to the King of Beggars. "We have met before."

For the King of Beggars, that was not a pleasant memory.

"News from the North reaches Novigrad, and news from Novigrad reaches the King of Beggars. That phrase stuck in my memory." Lann said with a smile. "And what surprised me the most was that your sources of information seem to not be limited to just the North."

The King of Beggars shook his head. "I know what you're trying to do. You want us to help Cintra resist Nilfgaard, right? You overestimate us. I only get information from merchants, nothing more. My knowledge of the South is limited."

Lann spread his hands. "Please don't be so quick to reject, Mr. Bedlam. As I said, I want to do you a favor, I'm not a selfish person."

"You are a person who makes a living by intelligence, but at present, in my opinion, your way of obtaining intelligence is too loose and too passive. I want to help you make it more refined and systematic."

Lann said: "Now you only get information from merchants and travelers coming to Novigrad. Why not go from being passive to active?"

The King of Beggars laughed. "You want me to be the ears of Cintra? Let's put aside why I would share my information with you. Do you know who my men are? Beggars, orphans, and vagabonds, what reason do they have to listen to you?"

Lann nodded. "It is precisely these vagabonds and beggars that I need. They can infiltrate the Nilfgaardian caravans with ease. I am sure that not all of them have chosen their current life and that a job that allows them to earn their bread would be to their liking. Besides..."

Lann pretended to reach into his pocket, but actually pulled out a bag of money from the [Inventory], tossing it onto the table as he said: “I will finance them, giving them a double salary. And when Cintra is restored, I will provide them with a home. Is that reason enough for you?”

Cleaver, who had been listening silently, burst out laughing at Lann's gesture. “You speak very well, but do you think a bag of crowns is enough?”

The King of Beggars' face also darkened. "Are you insulting me, Lannister, or are you insulting my men?"

Lann was stunned for a moment, but then understood the misunderstanding.

He stood up and opened the bag of money.

A handful of sparkling diamonds slid across the table, a generous donation from the Master Mirror.

Cleaver's laughter faded immediately.

Money for the poor, a home for the homeless.

Looking at the silent King of Beggars, Lann continued: “I’ve heard rumors that you are a man of principle. If accepting this ‘donation’ hurts your pride, you can see it as me hiring those poor and homeless people through you, and their wages are temporarily under your custody.”

In The Witcher Series, the King of Beggars selflessly helped many in times of crisis. During the Witch Hunt, he organized the evacuation of all the sorcerers hiding in Novigrad to neutral, peaceful kingdoms.

Although he was the leader of a criminal organization, his character was not simply dark. He was also a man of skill, something Lann knew could be useful.

"What can I get?"

"Change the 'News from the North gathers in Novigrad' to 'News from the Continent gathers in Novigrad', isn't that enough?"

The King of Beggars took the bag, picking up the diamonds from the table with both hands.

"Aren't you afraid that I will take your money and run away?"

“I would like to say that I trust those I employ, but neither you nor I would believe such naivety.” Lann pointed to Chappelle beside him. "So the Eternal Fire will serve as a witness to our cooperation."

He then pointed to Kiyan, who had accompanied him to the basement. "My spokesperson will also stay in Novigrad to supervise the implementation of our agreement."

The red-eyed witcher smiled kindly at the King of Beggars. The latter, having been kidnapped in his own room by a witcher before, did not dare to underestimate him.

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