[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-witcher-make-the-witcher-great-again":3,"chapter-the-witcher-make-the-witcher-great-again-the-witcher-make-the-witcher-great-again-chapter-156":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Witcher: Make the Witcher Great Again",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1881855,2497,"Chapter 156 - 156 – The Last Lick...","the-witcher-make-the-witcher-great-again-chapter-156",156,"\u003Cp>Everyone crouched in the reeds, quietly observing the situation from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Judging from the footprints, it looks like the Innsmouth cultists are all hiding in that cave,\" Lynn said. \"But I doubt they'll just let us walk in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir Maximus, you and Lord Regis—Regis should stay here. Geralt and I will handle those guys ourselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn quickly made tactical arrangements based on the current team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Maximus couldn't hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Lynn, you've already looked after me during the scouting. If I shrink away from the fight now, it would bring shame to my honor. Please, I must join the battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn, however, rejected his offer without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ranger-knight's heavy armor might be fine on flat ground, but in this slippery, swampy terrain, it would only become a burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just like the famous Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the muddy terrain that bogged down the French knights and the chaos in their command structure, England's longbows—however formidable—wouldn't have secured such a decisive victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn offered Maximus a few kind words to soothe his pride, then began preparing for battle alongside Geralt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though they were only up against a few cultists, no one could guarantee there wasn't a whole army of them deeper in the cave, ready to come pouring out at a moment's notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Complacency could be fatal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And witchers who get careless don't live long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn pulled a few vials of advanced potions from his runed pouch and handed half of them to Geralt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In alchemy, Lynn was on par with Vesemir—the ancient relic of Kaer Morhen. Even Geralt couldn't quite compare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt accepted them without argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advanced potions took effect much faster than regular ones, and the telltale signs of toxicity soon became visible on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharing a quick glance, Lynn and Geralt burst out of the reeds like icefield wolves, charging the cultists guarding the cave entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn's masterwork silver sword flashed like a silver arc, slicing down hard into a cultist's shoulder before the man even had time to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultist's eyes dimmed, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud, blood gushing from his mouth like a fountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint warmth surged through Lynn's sword into his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the cultist's life force rapidly faded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn released the sword and quickly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a pitchfork thrust at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a flash, he grabbed the pitchfork's shaft with one hand and slammed his palm into its wielder's chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boosted by a master-level Sign, high-grade Petri's Philter, and the \"mutagen enhancement,\" Lynn's Aard Sign exploded with terrifying force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At such close range, the Sign detonated inside the cultist's body, blowing out his organs and spine in a gruesome blast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn casually discarded the bloodied pitchfork and calmly retrieved his silver sword from the previous corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as if he had eyes on his back, he spun around like a dancer, swinging his blade in a perfect half-arc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword cleaved effortlessly through the skull of another cultist trying to ambush him from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elsewhere, Geralt had already dispatched three cultists of his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whole skirmish lasted no more than a few breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the guards at the cave entrance taken care of, Lynn and Geralt waved for Maximus and Regis to follow, and the four entered the cave together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, the cave was dimly lit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A damp chill hung in the air, making the atmosphere feel oppressive and cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of dripping water echoed off the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground underfoot was slick and wet—every step required caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the ambush they had expected never came. The cave had no forks or side tunnels, and they walked forward uninterrupted for several minutes until they were stopped by a dark pool of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Regis stepped forward and volunteered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lynn, I believe I should be the one to scout ahead this time. You, Geralt, and the good knight should stay here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't mean to underestimate anyone,\" he added, \"but even witchers struggle with underwater combat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt didn't object either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them already knew Regis's true identity—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a higher vampire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A near-immortal being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only another higher vampire or legendary sorcerers like Alzur, \"Pure White\" Raphad, or Vilgefortz could pose a real threat to someone like Regis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we'll leave it to you, Regis,\" Lynn said politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maximus looked stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no idea what a \"higher vampire\" was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, Regis was just a humble barber-surgeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to speak when Regis, as if reading his thoughts, smiled and gave him a playful wink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, right in front of the ranger-knight, Regis transformed into a misty cloud and slipped into the pool with a splash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maximus gaped, completely dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt, on the other hand, wasn't surprised. A pitchfork couldn't even kill a higher vampire—turning into mist was nothing special.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What really annoyed him was that Lynn and Regis kept making decisions for him without asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you two ever think about consulting me first? Why do you always decide for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn could hear the irritation in his voice, sounding almost like a scorned lover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With exaggerated humility, he gave Geralt a courtly bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well, esteemed Master Geralt. Would you do me the honor of staying here with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be in the presence of such a skilled witcher is a great privilege. I am truly humbled, brought to tears, and at a loss for words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veins bulged on Geralt's forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lynn... you're not Yennefer's long-lost brother or secret son, are you? You sound just like her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When she's pissed off, she starts using formal titles too. Like 'dearest friend.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was referring to Yennefer of Vengerberg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His relationship with her was... complicated, to say the least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time she showed up, Geralt turned obedient and mild-mannered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some might call Geralt a simp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he actually won his goddess's heart in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't just worship her from a dark corner, crying little pearl-like tears in secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes later, a cloud of mist rose from the water and reformed into Regis's usual appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All clear. I've eliminated the dangers underwater,\" he reported. \"But just above the water's surface, there's a chamber that looks like a gathering hall. I think all the cultists are assembled there, so once you surface—stay quiet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long will it take to swim there?\" Lynn asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At a normal pace, under ten minutes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so they got ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three removed their outer layers and armor, leaving only their undershirts and shorts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, following Regis, they slipped into the icy water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The underwater darkness was even more oppressive than the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lynn and Geralt had taken high-grade Cat potions, so the darkness didn't affect them at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regis, being a higher vampire, didn't need any potions—his night vision was innate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Maximus was basically blind underwater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't see a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the two witchers swam on either side of him, guiding him forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way, the ranger-knight wouldn't lose his way in the depths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trailing behind Regis, Lynn also noticed several floating corpses in the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their appearance and attire matched the cultists guarding the cave entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they had died only recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Regis had killed them while scouting earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several minutes of swimming, a faint glow appeared above the surface ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn and Geralt pushed forward and emerged with Maximus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regis, in front, signaled for silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn gave a slight nod and began scanning the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber was about the size of a sports arena, clearly carved and flattened by human hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the deepest part of the cave stood a large painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It depicted a humanoid figure standing atop stormy seas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stood four meters tall, with no visible facial features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its face was dominated by a single enormous mouth that constantly dripped seawater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of cultists knelt in prayer before the painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious now—all the cultists from Innsmouth were gathered here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a cultist priest stepped forward. Unlike the others, he wore a robe and a strange crown on his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if hearing a whisper from the void, he suddenly turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fish-like eyes locked directly onto the group just emerging from the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second later, a shrill, piercing screech rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire chamber exploded into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ritual site had erupted into full frenzy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For early access to +100 advanced chapters on p@treon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[email protected]\u002FChaos_God\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you so much for your support and for reading\u003C\u002Fp>",1440,"2026-06-10T06:33:50.715Z",1,"novelbin.me","5f12972afd4a066fcd9cbbe2b8cadd8bc392d4eed4b035b3207458fc56ba180b","the-witcher-make-the-witcher-great-again-chapter-118","the-witcher-make-the-witcher-great-again-chapter-155",398,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-witcher-make-the-witcher-great-again-cover.jpg"]