Bear School Astartes

”Karkstan?”

That name made Lann repeat it with a hint of surprise and put the spoon back into the soup bowl.

”Are you talking about... Karkstan of Vizima?”

Triss next to Lann also seemed a bit surprised, considering she had been serving as Temeria’s royal advisor in Vizima, she might be quite familiar with him.

”Exactly that person.” Dandelion responded confidently and smugly.

”I am quite good at remembering those tongue-twisting and lengthy names, drastically different from ordinary poets who stumble over announcing before performances. Adalbert Aloysius Karkstan.”

”This alchemist’s full name just fits my memory cue.”

”He is indeed a powerful alchemist.”

Lann no longer doubted it and acknowledged Dandelion’s previous assessment.

This alchemist named Karkstan is not only famous locally in Vizima, but even his published works are seen in Airetusa’s classrooms.

Master Alchemist, chemist, scientist, diviner, runemaster, warlock...

Truly a genius.

Lann once studied his book ”Animating Lifeless Matter” and gained a lot.

”Why would he come to Novigrad?”

Lann asked puzzled.

At the same time, he wasn’t quite used to having someone just watching him eat, so he instinctively pushed his fried fish a bit towards Triss.

And the female warlock who just claimed she had ’already eaten’ naturally started nibbling like she was at her own dining table.

Dandelion raised an eyebrow slightly at this sight but continued explaining smoothly.

”Where do you think this is, dear Lann?”

”If an alchemist needs quirky devices and materials, where else would they go besides here?”

”Whatever you want, you can find it in Novigrad. Serycania spices? Plenty here. Swords forged in ancient dwarf furnaces, or Valerian Steel Swords remade with old techniques? They’re all on the shelves here. Toussaint wine? Just state the year and origin, and you can find it.”

”Anything is available, as long as you have money, and plenty of it.”

”My schoolmate said, Karkstan initially attended a fire divination and earth divination symposium in Ossenford, and after the meeting, he had a sudden spark of inspiration and changed course to Novigrad to make purchases.”

”Then his stay in Novigrad is bound to be short.”

Lann stated firmly.

”That’s right.” Dandelion also frankly admitted, ”But Dudu is intent on making progress in alchemy products, and I happen to know a way to a master alchemist, so why not help him out?”

”Alright, got it.”

Geralt, sitting next to Dandelion, pinched his forehead and said.

”Looks like we need to find that alchemist first to gather information... Damn, I was going back to rest, how did this become another task.”

”Go all the way when helping others, Geralt.”

Lann gestured with his hands and smiled, Geralt could only nod helplessly.

-----------------

By the time they emerged from the private room of the Spear Cave Tavern, it was late afternoon approaching dusk.

Fishing boats at Novigrad Harbor began to return, dock workers started their final peak period of work, and those responsible for repairing the temple or other items began to pour into the various large and small taverns on the street after work.

Exchanging their hard-earned day’s wages for tavern owners’ equally prepared cheap drinks and rough food.

The city operated this way.

The group parted ways at Master’s Square in the central area of Novigrad.

Master’s Square was undoubtedly the central district of Novigrad...except for Temple Island occupied by the Eternal Flame Faction.

It’s the center of belief for the Novigrad people.

Master’s Square is a large plaza with every inch of land paved with stone brick roads.

Many profitable shops are set up here.

The Vivaldi Clan’s bank, a high-end blacksmith shop, a herb shop, and even a bookstore.

These sporadic shops all have proper storefronts, conducting business within whitewashed stone walls and glass windows, exuding presence while allowing owners and customers to remain unaffected by the elements.

And in this square, even a roadside vegetable stall looks cleaner and more orderly than stalls in other Novigrad markets.

Undoubtedly, this is a wealthy area.

Even beggars here must be top-tier individuals.

Lann was sitting on a Qilin, with Rong Buqiu in his arms and Triss sitting sideways on his back.

Alongside Dandelion and Geralt, two old buddies, he was riding on a horse while the other two were walking, which was no issue at all, as men do not care much about such details.

But when with Triss, Lann paid more attention.

He couldn’t let the female warlock be walking while he rode the horse.

”Hoo~”

Under the mask of the magic horse harness, the Qilin’s red crystal-like eyes darted around.

The densely populated city seemed quite novel to it.

”Turn right ahead.”

Lann felt a gentle pat on his back, so he gently tugged at the mane on the Qilin’s neck.

The sound of hooves on the cobblestone road was clear and melodious.

”Whistle~”

When he turned the corner, Lann looked at the villa ahead and couldn’t help but whistle.

”Looks pretty good.”

”If it wasn’t ’pretty good’, I wouldn’t have used it to entertain you.”

Triss jumped off from behind Lann and went ahead to open the villa’s door.

It was a double wooden door, and after opening it, there was a rectangular small courtyard.

There were a few trees planted inside, and even a small marble fountain.

And to the side of the courtyard was a four-story building.

The courtyard and the building together made up the villa Triss had purchased in Novigrad.

Lann also jumped off the Qilin’s back, while the Ancient Dragon stretched its neck towards the fountain, wanting to drink water.

And Rong Buqiu hopped up onto the head of the small angel sculpture at the top of the fountain.

”How much did you spend buying this place?”

Seeing that his two companions didn’t need his care, Lann followed Triss into the building.

The walls and structure of the building were made of stone bricks, but the interior floors and furniture were entirely wooden.

So when Lann stepped inside, his weight made the smooth and expensive wooden floor emit a ’creak’.

”Don’t ask that question, as if you really cared about the money.”

After entering, Triss nonchalantly pulled off her hunting jacket, leaving only the shirt underneath.

And that shirt was thin enough to let light through.

She walked towards a cabinet in the room on the ground floor, took out an opened bottle of wine and two glasses.

Triss smiled and handed Lann a glass.

”If you really cared about money, everyone would find dealing with you much easier.”

Triss was one of the first Female Warlocks to understand Lann...

At the time, this young Demon Hunter, unknown to many, had already shown her his life philosophy.

He didn’t care about money or enjoyment; those things were far from important to him.

But because of this, he became significant and charming in Triss’s eyes.

The night grew deeper, and outside, an Elu Cat and an Ancient Dragon seemed to be playfully engaging with each other.

Inside, Triss waved her hand, and the dim, ambiguous candlelight filled every floor.

She could have used Magic to get a good lighting effect, but she knew well.

Sometimes, warm-toned dim light is much more useful than bright, blinding light.

”Don’t be so cautious, Rita gave me your current height and weight. I’ve replaced all the furniture here, they can definitely handle it.”

Triss sat at one end of the woolen couch, one hand resting on the couch’s back, the other holding the wine glass on her knee.

She patted the spot next to her, signaling Lann it was safe to sit down.

The Demon Hunter scratched his head a bit woodenly... why did he feel... this woman’s eyes were shining?

In the ’searing’ atmosphere, Lann didn’t ask why Rita would give her his body data.

Of course, the ever-detail-oriented biological intellect noted this... but Mentos was just focused on watching the show and wouldn’t leak a word.

Lann carefully walked over the creaking wooden floor and sat down on the couch.

His size didn’t allow him to sit too far from Triss, as the couch wasn’t that spacious.

”Sodden Mountain Triple Honey Wine, said to have honey added three times during brewing... huh.”

After sitting down, Lann sipped the liquid in his glass, reflecting the candlelight.

The wine’s origin, and the stories that happened in that place before, made Lann a little lost in thought.

Triss no longer had her previous ’aggressive’ demeanor; instead, she simply held her wine glass, staring through the refraction of liquid and glass at the blurred figure opposite her.

”It was a great victory.” Triss said.

”No, it was a victory that came after enduring sad suffering.” Lann said.

Being refuted, Triss instead showed a more delighted smile after a moment of silence.

”You know...” she suddenly took a sip of the sweet strong wine and then said with a smile.

”During that burn, the only pleasure I could get was from being in touch with you, to fight the pain of feeling worse than death after being burned.”

”The pain of burning is indescribable, whether during the burn or after. At the time, I thought: it hurts too much, it really hurts too much. And the solace from being with you was never enough; in such agony, any comfort would only feel insufficient.”

”At the time, I even wished I could melt into your arms, like a withering sapling, absorbing all moisture from your body.”

Lann’s fingers circled around the rim of the glass, he lowered his head and said nothing.

”But whether to be thankful or sorrowful is unknown...”

Triss, holding the wine glass, continued to gaze at the man beside her through the refraction of liquid and glass with a dreamy look.

”At that time, my whole body burned to that appearance, made me feel ugly, so instead it was my own inferiority controlling me: don’t think about what it’s like to make love to you.”