Chapter 378: The Kinsman's Corruption
Lynn bowed. "I will do everything in my power, Your Majesty."
Foltest's personal character was hard to judge, but his leadership and military command were top-tier among the Northern Kings. More importantly, he was far more reasonable than Radovid, who also understood how to wage war.
In the world of The Witcher 3, had Geralt not assassinated Radovid, the Mad King, though capable of defeating the Nilfgaardians, would have been consumed by his fanaticism. He would have built pyres in the liberated lands of Temeria and Aedirn to burn every "heretic" in his eyes. This included, but was not limited to, herbalists, witch doctors, alchemists, and non-humans.
In terms of the sheer scope of his persecution, Emhyr var Emreis would have to tip his hat to him. Although the Nilfgaardian Empire would enslave the people of conquered territories and plunder them as colonies, at the very least, useful people could keep their lives; the Empire wouldn't simply burn those with skills like kindling.
Therefore, if possible, Lynn believed it would be far better for Foltest to survive.
Lynn asked Foltest to lift his shirt so he could examine his condition. As Triss had said, Foltest's situation was not good. The deep-purple patterns on his body were growing more numerous and distinct. Even a person with no knowledge of magic or curses would not be happy seeing this.
Next, on a whim, Lynn took out some Higher White Honey. This was a witcher's antidote, used as a general-purpose remedy. Even if there was no poison to neutralize, consuming Higher White Honey had no side effects. Though he knew Foltest's affliction was a curse, some curses manifested through a poison-like reaction. It might have an unexpected effect.
Upon receiving the vial, Foltest didn't drink it immediately but instinctively looked to Triss. Only when she nodded, signaling it was safe, did Foltest drink the Higher White Honey in a single gulp.
Unfortunately, after a long moment, there was no sign of improvement on Foltest's face or body. But that was fine; it had only been a test.
"Your Maj... the..." Lynn started to speak, but Triss's abrupt cough from behind him made him pause, and he immediately recalled her warning from earlier. He changed his words. "That being, whose name cannot be spoken, left a mark on you. It should have faded in the inland, but instead, it's getting worse. This means there is someone in this city who has become a corrupt minion, helping his master exert influence over you."
Foltest was startled. "Are you saying it's like what happened with my wife?" Foltest's daughter and wife had died because a courtier named Ostrith had placed a curse on his daughter, leading to the tragedy.
"Yes, exactly like that. But this is far more severe."
The world of The Witcher was one that could not be explained by science and was often hard to explain even with magic. In this world, a village girl who drowned in a well could become a Noonwraith, and a single careless word could form a harmful curse.
Lynn could see that despite Foltest's attempt to remain calm, his face betrayed his inner panic. "Witcher, since your words make perfect sense, I'm sure you have a plan?"
"Of course. If an evil follower has been assisting that unspeakable being, then all we have to do is find the corruption in this city and purge it. Everything will be fine after that."
Hearing that the witcher had a solution, Foltest breathed a sigh of relief. But then he heard Lynn say, "I have one condition."
Before Lynn could specify, the King immediately replied, "Ten thousand orens." An oren wasn't worth much. Ten thousand orens was less than two thousand crowns. But considering Geralt's reward for lifting the striga's curse was only three thousand orens, ten thousand was more than three times that. It was a generous offer.
Lynn cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, I wasn't going to ask for payment, but I have noted your generosity."
"What I want is the authority to search this city, every place and every corner."
"That is a reasonable request, and I agree," Foltest said with virtually no hesitation. "You can go with Triss now. Take some of my personal guard with you. No one, no matter who they are, has the right to stop you. I command it."
With that, Lynn's group began their mission with a formidable procession. First, Lynn divided the King's guards into two teams and sent them to the inner and outer city gates. His instructions were to let anyone entering pass but to stop anyone trying to leave. Foltest had only assigned Lynn fifty men, which was not enough to control all the gates in Maribor. But they represented the King's will and could command the city guards to cooperate with their actions.
Then, Lynn and Triss, with the remaining guards, began a systematic search of the inner city. The inner city was the residential area for Maribor's nobles and wealthy merchants. These privileged elites, who were used to their high-handed ways, were initially reluctant to be investigated. But when Triss invoked the King's direct command, they were all silenced.
With no obstruction from the privileged class, the search officially began. The few royal guards with Lynn served mainly as a deterrent; the real searching was done by Lynn's own witcher senses. Foltest's condition was far more severe than the curse on his wife.
Lynn didn't think it was just a spiteful remark from a disgruntled noble. It had to be a continuous effort—a follower of the Elder God, hidden in Maribor, constantly chanting prayers to produce such a potent effect.
Fortunately, Lynn had received Detect Evil from the Lady of the Lake, a spell specifically for finding Elder Gods and their corrupted minions. If a minion of the Elder God stood before him, its true nature would be revealed.
Lynn, Triss, and the guards moved from room to room. As they finished their search of the castle's ground floor and were about to ascend to the second, a voice suddenly echoed from the corridor behind them.
......................
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