Chapter 186: The Ancient Law of Surprise (Thanks to the big boss Qiankun Riye Weiwo Wanjie Tony for the tip)

The people of Skellige believe in promises, courage, and honor. To these rugged men living on the archipelago, honor is more important than life itself.

Facing the questioning of King Eist, his closest ally, Queen Calanthe showed a woman's weakness for the first time; her face flushed, her lips trembled, and her eyes welled with tears.

This emotional display by Queen Calanthe immediately caused a commotion among the guests. They scrambled for weapons; some grabbed chairs, some picked up metal platters, and others seized candle bases. They clamored to wash away the humiliation with blood, all glaring angrily at Urcheon in the center of the banquet hall.

As for the vassal nobles belonging to Cintra and its dependencies, they certainly did not want to see the Princess of Cintra marry a freak of unknown origin, allowing some inexplicable person to seize the throne they had long coveted.

King Eist, however, took the lead in stopping the chaos among the guests, insisting on waiting for Queen Calanthe and Urcheon to clarify the matter.

Just then, Baron Eurlin, nicknamed "Gogota," suddenly stood up and said loudly:

"I know many people have their own opinions on this matter, but respected sirs, we are in the throne room of Cintra and should maintain basic etiquette."

"So, Queen Calanthe, please allow me to express my point of view."

Upon hearing this, Queen Calanthe turned her gaze to Baron Eurlin and said slowly:

"You all have your own opinions, but as the person with the most right to speak on this matter, no one has asked for mine."

"To ask me to give my daughter to this freak? Absolutely impossible."

Urcheon grew anxious as well and shouted loudly:

"But King Roegner's oath..."

Before he could finish, Queen Calanthe slammed her golden goblet onto the table, cutting him off.

The Queen exhaled lightly, turned her gaze back to Baron Eurlin, this friend of the royal family, and said:

"Speak, Baron, but you had better be brief."

Baron Eurlin bowed to the Queen, nodded slightly to the guests, and then said loudly:

"Indeed, a freak has made a strange request, but in the face of the ancient Law of Surprise, we cannot pretend we have not heard it."

"According to the Law of Surprise, a person who saves another truly has the right to make various strange requests."

"Sometimes it might be, 'Give me the first thing that greets you,' and sometimes it might be, 'Give me that which you did not expect to find in your home.'"

"And such a thing might often be a child, a child chosen by destiny."

Queen Calanthe frowned, tapped the table, and said:

"Be brief, Baron."

Baron Eurlin bowed slightly again and said to the guests:

"Respected sirs, the ancient Law of Surprise is not false. Many legendary heroes of old were children of destiny chosen in this way. Conversely, many people violated their oaths and ultimately suffered the punishment of fate, meeting a tragic end."

"The famous Queen Zevellina became the Queen of Metinna with the help of a dwarf, but she was unwilling to give her child to the dwarf, so she used magic to drive him away."

"Thus, not long after, both the Queen and her child died in a plague."

"See? Under the witness of the gods, no matter how noble one's status, no one can remain unscathed after trifling with fate."

Faced with this viewpoint, Queen Calanthe's expression became even uglier. In fact, such examples in history were numerous. Many people did not believe in fate, but fate did indeed exist, and it was precisely because of this that everyone feared it so much.

"Sit down, Baron. Let's have no more of these legendary tales."

However, Baron Eurlin did not sit down, but instead bowed slightly to the Queen.

"Respected Queen, please allow me to continue."

"In ancient legends, human monarchs kept their promises, which is why we vassals swore allegiance to them; all our privileges also stem from promises made to the people."

"But now, are we to question these promises?"

Queen Calanthe was rendered speechless by Baron Eurlin's words. She remained silent for a few seconds, as if having made a great resolution, before slowly saying:

"My lords, you deserve a reasonable explanation."

"This Urcheon speaks the truth; my foolish husband made such a foolish promise."

"But the Baron's words have reminded me that I am not only a mother but also a monarch. I will discuss the feasibility of this matter at tomorrow's noble council."

"And to the noble knights present, I can only express my deepest apologies for the mockery you have received."

The guests were immediately in an uproar, while King Eist sighed deeply and said:

"Calanthe, you are publicly encouraging a bloody conflict."

The Queen's statement immediately gave the knights present a reason. They began to search for various weapons, clamoring that because they had been humiliated, they wanted to have a knightly duel with Urcheon.

As for whether Urcheon would still be alive after the duel, that would depend on his own ability.

Seeing the situation becoming increasingly chaotic and Urcheon standing in the arena about to be besieged by a group of people, Geralt finally reacted. He stood up first, slammed his chair heavily, and shouted to the crowd:

"Perhaps there is no need to hold a noble council at all."

Hearing Geralt's loud statement, everyone present looked at him in astonishment, not knowing what he meant.

Seeing Geralt take a stand, Wayne was no longer in a state of just watching the show. He had noticed that as the situation on the field grew tense, Princess Pavetta behind him had become completely rigid, seemingly on the verge of an outburst.

As a natural Source, the magic hidden within this princess was far stronger than that of a half-baked witcher like him. And this young girl was in the midst of a passionate romance, carrying Urcheon's child; I fear that whoever wanted to harm the hedgehog-man would face a terrifying assault from a Source with full magical power.

Geralt's voice paused for a few seconds, then he looked at Urcheon and said:

"I said there is no need to convene a noble council. You know what I'm talking about, right, Urcheon?"

Seeing everyone's eyes fixed on him, Urcheon took a step forward and said loudly to Geralt:

"I just heard the Queen's words; she has found an excellent way to get rid of me."

"Fine, I accept your challenge, unknown knight."

Seeing that Urcheon had misunderstood his meaning, Geralt shook his head and said calmly:

"I am not here to challenge you, but to have you prove one thing."

Queen Calanthe instantly grasped Geralt's intention. She didn't even care about calling him "Ravix" anymore and shouted loudly at the witcher:

"Geralt, sit down! Do not challenge my patience."

However, Geralt ignored Queen Calanthe and looked at Urcheon, saying:

"You must prove that a bond of destiny truly exists between you and Princess Pavetta."

"The ancient Law of Surprise stipulates that only the child's permission can verify whether the oath is effective."

"And it can also prove that you are indeed bound together by fate."

The nobles among the guests, seeing that Geralt was actually trying to help Urcheon, immediately shouted loudly:

"Who are you?"

"What are you? How dare you talk nonsense in the face of the ancient Law of Surprise?"

Faced with such questioning, the Archdruid Mousesack, who had remained silent, finally stopped being silent. He walked out of the crowd and said loudly:

"He is Geralt of Rivia, and he is also a Child of Surprise. It is precisely under the drive of fate that he has become who he is today."

Mousesack enjoyed a lofty status in the Skellige Isles and was also a friend of the royal family recognized by Cintra. Faced with the Archdruid's words, many people did not dare to be too presumptuous, but some still asked suspiciously:

"Child of Surprise? What does he do?"

Upon hearing this, the Archdruid was silent for a second, then said loudly:

"He is a witcher."

In an instant, the scene became quiet. Indeed, a witcher born as a Child of Surprise was more qualified than anyone to talk about the Law of Surprise, because this ancient law was sacred in the heart of every witcher. It was the most common means for the older generation of witchers to select new ones, and facts had proven that the survival rate of Children of Surprise in witcher experiments was indeed the highest.

And just as everyone was silent, the bell announcing midnight suddenly rang.

Wayne sensed that the strange magic surrounding Princess Pavetta, Urcheon, and the people present had become even thicker.

After hearing the midnight bell, Queen Calanthe, as if having received some signal, suddenly said to Urcheon:

"Alright, it is time to fulfill the promise. But before that, you should also keep your promise and take off your mask, shouldn't you?"

However, Urcheon made no move, just standing there blankly, as if in a daze.

Wayne knew that the bell just now was merely a trick played by Queen Calanthe, intended to force Urcheon to reveal his true form before midnight, making him show his hedgehog body.

Thinking of this, Wayne looked at Geralt and saw that Geralt was already tense, seemingly ready to strike at any moment. When Wayne looked at him, he nodded at Wayne with an expressionless face.

The content of this Master-level task was to assist Geralt in letting the banquet develop according to his expectations. Regarding this, Wayne did not hesitate; anyway, after this banquet ended, he would take the initiative to find Princess Pavetta or add Queen Calanthe to tell them the hedgehog-man's lies.

By then, the fate of Geralt and Ciri would have already been connected. As for how to deal with the hedgehog-man, whether to kill or spare him, that would depend on what Queen Calanthe and Princess Pavetta thought themselves.

The situation remained deadlocked for a while, but Urcheon still took off his mask. His comical, hedgehog-like appearance immediately drew laughter from the guests, and Queen Calanthe also revealed a victor's smile, triumphant and cruel.

However, Urcheon appeared very calm. He said to the Queen:

"When King Roegner told you he had made a promise, he should have described my appearance as well."

"It seems you really went to great lengths to deal with me."

"Not only did you incite the knights present to attack me, but you even invited a witcher."

"In the end, you even resorted to such childish schemes to humiliate me. But you should know, you are humiliating yourself by doing this."

Queen Calanthe was enraged by Urcheon's mockery and shouted loudly:

"Enough! Let's end this."

Saying this, the Queen looked at her daughter in the seat next to her and asked loudly:

"Pavetta, you should know by now what kind of monster this guy who wants to have you is."

"According to the tradition of the ancient Law of Surprise, the choice is now yours."

"Answer 'yes,' and you will become this monster's trophy; answer 'no,' and you will never have to see this ugly monster again."

Hearing Queen Calanthe's question, everyone present turned their eyes to Princess Pavetta. At this moment, the princess's face was somewhat pale, and her emotional fluctuations were very intense.

Perhaps these ordinary people couldn't feel anything, but Wayne, Geralt, and the Archdruid Mousesack present could clearly feel that the magic in the entire hall had become exceptionally heavy, as if it were a shackle, pressing the three of them until they couldn't breathe.

Wayne sighed in his heart. If this Princess Pavetta were being forced, it would be one thing, but this princess was now wholeheartedly leaning toward her sweetheart, and she was even carrying the hedgehog-man's child in her belly.

And just then, the voice of the Archdruid Mousesack reached the ears of Wayne and Geralt. The old druid said in an aged voice:

"Be careful, do not let Queen Calanthe destroy the Law of Surprise. This is for her and Pavetta's sake."

Upon hearing this, Wayne turned to look at Geralt. Geralt was also pressed by the magic until his face was somewhat pale, but he still nodded firmly at Wayne, acknowledging the old druid's method of handling it.

And right under everyone's gaze, Princess Pavetta, whose face was somewhat pale, suddenly raised her head, looked affectionately at Urcheon in his hedgehog form, and said:

"I do."

In an instant, the entire banquet hall went quiet. Massive magic began to gather around the princess. The pressure on Wayne, Geralt, and Mousesack was lifted, but their expressions became even more solemn, and they looked at Princess Pavetta with great surprise.

Regarding this situation, Wayne couldn't help but click his tongue. This was the first time he had experienced the power of a native Source. Princess Pavetta was just an ordinary person who had never learned any magic knowledge, yet just by relying on instinctive manipulation, she was able to gather such powerful magic. One could only say she was worthy of being the possessor of the Elder Blood.

Hearing the princess's answer, Queen Calanthe slowly slumped onto the throne, her face devoid of any expression.

And having received the princess's answer, Urcheon, like a prisoner whose grievances had been redressed, mocked the crowd:

"Everyone heard it. My rights have been confirmed. Now, what other means do you have to stop me?"

"Hidden blades, or more witchers?"

"I wish to take Pavetta away now. Of course, I don't mind a little entertainment."

"For example, having the noble Queen Calanthe lead her daughter by the hand to me and place her fair hand into mine."

Hearing the hedgehog-man's provocative remarks, Wayne instantly felt what it meant to court death.

Sure enough, following the hedgehog-man's remarks, the previously calm guests immediately fell into chaos.

Crach an Craite, the "Sea Boar," was naturally hot-tempered and roared:

"What kind of bullshit is this?"

Then, unable to hold back, he picked up a small knife from the table used for cutting meat, preparing to teach Urcheon a lesson.

And a knight named Linfaen also picked up his weapon and rushed toward Urcheon.

Queen Calanthe couldn't stand it either. She shouted, "Guards!" and the entire banquet hall fell into chaos.

Seeing this, Wayne didn't want to wait any longer. He rushed to Urcheon at an extremely fast speed, and before the Sea Boar and Linfaen could act, he punched him in his hedgehog face.

Anyway, the task this time was just to preserve the hedgehog-man's life so that Princess Pavetta and Queen Calanthe wouldn't suffer the backlash of fate. As for whether the hedgehog-man was injured, that was just a trivial matter.

Moreover, there weren't many opportunities to beat up the future Southern Emperor like this.

Wayne's punch was neither light nor heavy. Under the hedgehog-man's stunned gaze, it landed on his cheek, directly interrupting his arrogant speech, sending him staggering and spitting out a few teeth.

King Eist also understood the importance of the Law of Surprise. This strong man showed no mercy, punching his nephew Crach in the face, sending him staggering and falling onto the banquet table, while a bagpiper took the opportunity to smash his bagpipes onto Crach's back, shattering the instrument.

And when the knight Linfaen, holding his weapon, rushed toward Urcheon with a ferocious expression, he was directly hit in the chest of his armor by Wayne's Aard Sign, sending the knight rolling like a gourd for four or five meters on the ground, crashing into the wall of the throne room.

Just then, having received the Queen's order, a large squad of guards also rushed into the banquet hall.

Queen Calanthe no longer had her usual beautiful and confident demeanor. She pointed at Urcheon and shouted hysterically:

"Guards, kill that monster!"

Having received the Queen's order, those fully armed guards immediately swarmed toward Urcheon, who had been beaten silly by Wayne.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 187 =====