[{"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-204":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},1881850,2497,"Chapter 204: Don't Eat Food from Strangers","the-witcher-make-the-witcher-great-again-chapter-204",204,"\u003Cp>Around a roaring bonfire sat several men dressed in black, each with a golden pendant hanging on his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, the men were chatting and laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a merchant, who seemed to be their leader, silenced the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shh! Quiet, everyone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others immediately shut their mouths, their hands slipping into their clothes to grip hidden hand crossbows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader's gaze swept towards the darkness beyond the bonfire's reach: \"Who's there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Friends, we are merchants from Nilfgaard. If you're looking for a safe place to spend the night, you are welcome. Don't be shy, come out, let us see you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, silence reigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as his companions began to wonder if their leader was battling thin air, a small figure stepped into the firelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men all froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had expected that the one who appeared before them would be a mere little girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised them even more was that, while this little girl displayed the fear of strangers typical for her age, her demeanor was overwhelmingly one of condescension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are merchants from Nilfgaard?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite wearing commoner's clothes, Syanna tried her best to project an air of command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through her earlier discreet observation, she had already deduced that these weren't bandits or ordinary travelers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her governess had once told her and Anarietta that, unlike errant knights who might act against their own interests out of chivalry and honor, merchants only pursued profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the profit was great enough, they would even sell the rope used to hang them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, if she wanted to leverage their power, she had to demonstrate her value and make herself \"profitable\" to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had gambled correctly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Syanna watched the merchant leader exchange glances with the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he cautiously inquired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are members of the Nilfgaardian Merchants' Guild. Have you heard of the Merchants' Guild, esteemed young lady?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchant leader's polite tone and words greatly satisfied Syanna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While in the palace, though the servants dared not beat or scold her, they also hadn't shown much reverence due to the Black Sun curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for her journey with the Witcher, her treatment had been even worse, less comfortable than in the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the merchant leader's deferential attitude finally made her feel at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Nilfgaardian Empire's Merchants' Guild? I know of you. You operate in Toussaint too, but one of your members recently used some tricks at the knightly tournament that displeased my grandmother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchants exchanged bewildered glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>News of Lord Douglas's downfall in Toussaint had already reached Nilfgaard immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nilfgaardian Merchants' Guild certainly wouldn't protest to Toussaint on behalf of Lord Douglas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Toussaint was a \"friendly nation\" to the Nilfgaardian Empire, and besides, Lord Douglas's actions truly weren't honorable enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone had an attachment to land, wanting to own a piece of their own land, which was understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you couldn't just do it so blatantly at a knightly tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did you take the audience for fools, or the judges?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blatantly cheating in a fair, just, and open competition, did you think this was Nilfgaard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What truly shocked the merchants was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be that you are a lady of the ducal family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Syanna proudly puffed out her small chest: \"You have some insight. Indeed, I am Syvia Anna, a descendant of the 'Lance Duke' Ludovic, and the granddaughter of Duchess Carolotta.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchant leader was the first to drop to one knee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It truly is Her Highness... What are you all staring at? Come quickly and pay your respects to Her Highness!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness.\" xN (multiple voices)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the merchant leader's urging, the others also hastily knelt on one knee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Syanna felt immense satisfaction: \"You may all rise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchant leader spoke indignantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, forgive my impertinence, but you are a person of immense value. How do you come to be alone in the wilderness? Where are your guards? This is far too dangerous, and irresponsible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I got separated from them,\" Syanna casually spun a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She concealed the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she didn't intend to linger on this topic for too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you send me back to Toussaint? It's not far from here; it shouldn't delay your business. And I can assure you, Grandmother will reward you handsomely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is certainly no problem,\" the merchant leader said without hesitation, \"but not for the sake of Her Grace the Duchess's reward, but out of respect for nobility, especially for a ducal daughter such as yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zawan, go warm up some goat's milk. Our esteemed young lady must be famished... Here, young lady, have some melon seeds first to tide you over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchant called Zawan quickly ran off, rummaging through their wagon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchant leader and his men, meanwhile, engaged Syanna in small talk, sharing stories of what they had seen and heard during their travels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the pleasant conversational atmosphere, Syanna gradually relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zawan returned, cradling a full bowl of goat's milk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here's the goat's milk, young lady.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchant leader glanced at it and then scolded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You idiot! Why didn't you blow on it to cool it for the young lady? How can she drink it like that? Her Highness is precious; if she burns her throat, you couldn't pay for it even if we sold you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zawan suddenly understood: \"Yes, yes, I was negligent, please forgive me, young lady.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Never mind, I'll do it. Don't blow your saliva into it; no one wants to drink your spit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchant leader himself took out a small fan and began to cool the steaming goat's milk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After fanning for some time, seeing no more steam rise, the merchant leader touched the bowl holding the goat's milk with his hand, then took out a spoon, scooped a little, and tasted it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he respectfully hand the bowl to Syanna: \"It's perfect now, neither too cold nor too hot, just right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Syanna thanked him and took the bowl with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, she tried to maintain her ladylike composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as the first sip of goat's milk slid down her throat, her hungry stomach immediately craved more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was far, far tastier than coarse whole-wheat bread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Syanna couldn't help but gulp it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zawan offered a fawning smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I added a little sugar; it should be to your taste. Children usually like sweet things... I didn't mean to imply you are a child, young lady, please forgive me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bowl of goat's milk was quickly emptied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Syanna wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, I forgive you. And, the goat's milk you made was very delicious. I'll remember this. When we return to Toussaint, I'll ask Grandmother to give you extra money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For advanced chapters:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Get early access to 120 advanced chapters before anyone else!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>👉 Join now: patreon.com\u002FChaos_God\u003C\u002Fp>",1148,"2026-06-10T06:33:50.715Z",1,"novelbin.me","3aa47c4ea6110e97378dd5f75ba34ac0a48769d85e800cd79a45e013bf3d4015","the-witcher-make-the-witcher-great-again-chapter-205","the-witcher-make-the-witcher-great-again-chapter-324",398,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-witcher-make-the-witcher-great-again-cover.jpg"]