Chapter 119: Francesca's Invitation

Under the leadership of Toruviel, Wayne and Geralt entered the Elven ruins in the forest again. After passing through a karst cave like a maze, they saw the non-human residents living here again.

However, what surprised him a little was that, unlike the situation when he left at the beginning of the year, the number of residents here had probably doubled or tripled. Children and old people were gone, and the tents they lived in were no longer randomly built with linen, but simple wooden houses made of trees cut from the forest outside.

The mental outlook of these people had also changed. They were no longer the weak, hesitant, fearful, and helpless people he saw at the beginning of the year, but a kind of moth to the flame, full of vitality, willing to risk their lives for their ideals.

If you want to ask, just ask. Wayne didn't have anything to hide.

He looked at those residents who had taken on a new look and asked Toruviel:

"There are many more of your people, and their changes are also very big. Are these all non-human races persecuted in Kaedwen?"

Toruviel looked at Geralt who was following the two upon hearing this, didn't answer immediately, but combed her shiny black braided braids.

Seeing this, Wayne was about to explain that Geralt was a trustworthy person, but the White Wolf spoke before him: "Elven leader lady, may I ask, is the dwarf blacksmith Horton I saw last time still here? In the first half of the year, that guy won dozens of Orens from me. I have always remembered this grudge."

Toruviel was silent for a second and answered softly: "Yes, Witcher, he is now the quartermaster in the camp. You should be able to find him in the wooden house by the big bonfire."

After hearing this answer, Geralt didn't stay, just greeted Wayne and Toruviel, and walked toward the position of quartermaster Horton.

Wayne originally wanted to keep him, but thought about it, with Geralt's personality, he really didn't like to mix in such things, so he gave up.

Seeing Geralt leave, Toruviel pondered for a few seconds and said to Wayne: "The people here are all warriors willing to stay in the Kingdom of Kaedwen and save our compatriots, and those old people and children have been sent to Dol Blathanna by us, in a safe environment."

"We have been trying every means to save more people. The suggestion you gave us was very good. We formed a special team, always using bribery, purchasing, and hiring to secretly save some non-human races that were captured."

Wayne frowned upon hearing this. In his memory, it seemed that it wouldn't be long before the Elven King of Dol Blathanna would be wiped out by the armies of several Northern Kingdoms because of a riot.

And from then on, until the sorceress Francesca became the Elven Queen, the Elves had no leader in a practical sense.

During this period, Dol Blathanna couldn't be called a safe place.

Of course, at this time, he wouldn't show his ability of foresight in front of Toruviel, but nodded and said: "This is also not bad, but I remember that there should be many humans living in Dol Blathanna, right? The Elves of Dol Blathanna should only occupy a very small part, and most of them are forced to live in forests and mountains."

Toruviel nodded. Although Dol Blathanna was known as the last settlement of free Elves, it was currently a territory controlled by King Demavend of the Kingdom of Aedirn.

This king constantly moved human residents to the forests of Dol Blathanna, destroyed forests, reclaimed fields, and built houses, just to squeeze the living range of those free Elves in the forest.

However, unlike those Elves and half-elves who had been tamed in the city, the free Elves living in Dol Blathanna inherited the will of the ancient Elven Kingdom and were the batch of Elves with the most rebellious spirit and also the strongest strength.

It was precisely because of their efforts to resist that the Elves were not completely deprived of this only territory in the Northern Continent, and it also let those Northern kings know that the Elven race was not without the power to fight back.

Toruviel seemed to trust Wayne quite a bit. After some thought, she revealed a secret to Wayne.

"Wayne, actually we have already made contact with a big figure in Dol Blathanna. It was she who helped us evacuate the old people and children, and also sent elite warriors from Dol Blathanna to help us train soldiers, provide us with supplies for living, and enhance our courage to resist the Kingdom of Kaedwen."

"The golem cores you left at the beginning of the year have been bought by that lady, a total of five hundred Crowns. This price is 30% higher than the market, and she expressed her gratitude for your work in helping us clear this ruin."

Speaking of this, Toruviel paused before continuing: "That lady said, if you are willing, she wants to meet you in person. She is quite curious about you, this fellow clansman." "But if you are not willing, she will not force you, because, if it is arranged by fate, you will always have the day you meet."

Seeing the Elven leader speak so mysteriously, Wayne didn't take it seriously in his heart. As a person who had read the original novel and played the game, he had actually probably guessed who was helping them.

Although with that person's identity, she should indeed cover up and not be exposed, so as not to cause other disputes, but looking at the entire Elven race, the only person who could be brought out was her and one or two others.

So, he pretended to be confused and asked: "Toruviel, I think, no matter who you go to see, out of the most basic sincerity, you should tell me her identity first."

"Isn't it?"

Toruviel looked at Wayne's face, hesitated for a second, but nodded and said:

"I can tell you her identity, but Wayne, in order not to cause unnecessary trouble to that lady, I hope you can keep it secret and not tell others."

Wayne immediately nodded seriously and said:

"No problem, I promise you, Toruviel."

Toruviel nodded and didn't hide it anymore, saying: "As a Witcher, you may have heard her name."

"Lady Francesca Findabair. She is a great noble in the Elven race and also one of the five members of the core Council of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers."

"She is the most powerful Elven sorceress in the world at present, or you can say she is the most powerful sorceress."

It was indeed her, Wayne thought, but his face still showed a somewhat surprised expression, then pretended to consider for a dozen seconds before saying:

"It's this lady! I have heard her name from other sorcerers. It is said that she is the most beautiful lady in the world and is very famous in the circle of sorcerers."

Hearing Wayne say this, Toruviel frowned slightly, but soon relaxed and said:

"Indeed, Wayne, Lady Francesca is absolutely the most beautiful lady I have ever seen. She is a pure-blooded Elf who is extremely rare in the world. Hundreds of years ago, she had already made various contributions for our Elven people. In the hearts of all clansmen, she is absolutely one of the most respected people."

Wayne nodded thoughtfully. Whether in the game or in the original work, the description of this Elven sorceress was actually quite rare.

The only thing that left a deep impression was that after Nilfgaard invaded, in order to allow the Elven race to maintain an independent status, she reached an agreement with Nilfgaard, let Dol Blathanna become an independent Elven Kingdom, also became a vassal state of Nilfgaard, and clarified her relationship with the Scoia'tael on the surface, helping Nilfgaard's sorcerers capture Yennefer and severely damaging the power of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers.

In short, she was indeed an Elven sorceress who had made many efforts for the continuation of the Elven race.

To be honest, for this kind of person, Wayne still respected her quite a bit. Being able to work hard for a great cause, persisting for hundreds of years, rather than for personal desire, for power, for money, this was already something many mortals couldn't do.

But respect was respect. If you became an enemy or friend with this kind of person, you would feel quite a headache, because in their hearts, personal desire was always put aside. For the continuation of the race, they would always sacrifice something.

However, now Witchers were also treated as non-human races by all humans, and even treated as monsters, not even as good as non-human races.

And he, as a half-elf, could know such a powerful sorceress of the same race, which was not a bad thing.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 120 =====