novelraw Chapter 391 391: Food Is Better Than Medicine
Chapter 391 391: Food Is Better Than Medicine
"My Lady, everyone is assembled."
"Then inform them."
The knight nodded, presented the royal writ once more, and loudly proclaimed to the villagers that they had a new lord. In truth, aside from the village elder, there was probably not another soul in Midcopse who could read. But this was a necessary formality and could not be omitted.
The knight delivered a grand and passionate speech that left his throat dry. When he finally looked down, he nearly choked with frustration. In his eyes, these 'fools' were either half-asleep, staring blankly without a thought in their heads, or looking up at him as if expecting him to continue, utterly failing to realize what they were supposed to do next.
If these were his own subjects, he'd have them lashed severely. But for now, he suppressed his anger and simply bellowed, "Now, you may bow to your new Lady!"
Only then did the elder and the villagers turn to salute Triss, but their expressions were vacant and their demeanor showed they had long lost hope in life.
The knight stepped next to Triss and suggested angrily, "My Lady, for the sake of your authority, I suggest a mild punishment is in order. Hang a few of them, and the rest will understand how to show respect."
Triss did not reply. Instead, she turned an imploring gaze toward Lynn.
Lynn gave Triss a look that said, "Don't worry, leave it to me," and began to observe the common folk below. He saw that besides their dull eyes, lack of focus, and general listlessness, they were all desperately emaciated.
Ignoring the curious glances of the soldiers, he walked into the village elder's house, took fresh water from his magic-woven satchel, and cleaned the great cauldron.
Snap!
Lynn snapped his fingers, lighting the firewood beneath the stove with the Igni Sign. He put raw meat and seasonings into the cauldron. In a short while, the aroma of cooking meat drifted out of the elder's house.
Lynn instructed the elder to organize the villagers into a line, with the knights maintaining order. Once the meat was cooked, every villager received a bowl brimming with meaty stew.
The villagers had never witnessed such a sight. Had it not been for the fully armored knights keeping watch, they likely would have rioted for the food. Even without a riot, after receiving their portions, and fearing others might snatch it away, they began to eat in a desperate hurry, scalding themselves and crying out in pain. Triss had to use healing magic to soothe their burns.
The knights were also given their portions.
When everyone had finished their meat and was slowly enjoying the rich broth, Lynn called the elder aside to inquire about the village's situation. They say that food is better than medicine, and with a full bowl of meat and broth inside him, the elder's expression was no longer vacant but held a trace of genuine sincerity.
"There is an ethereal evil spirit that always appears at noon. The folk here have tried to chase it away, but no one is a match for it. If you can banish it so it never returns, we will be eternally grateful."
"And, and..." The elder's throat was dry. He cautiously studied Lynn's face, and seeing no adverse reaction, he bravely continued. "There seems to be something else hiding in the nearby forest. Old John took two men into the woods to hunt game the other day, but... a few days later, we found their bodies at the forest's edge."
The elder swallowed, hesitating. "If... if it is possible, please help us with that too."
"I understand. But my assistance is not free."
"But we have nothing left to offer," the elder pleaded.
"I don't want your belongings. You provide taxes to the Lady, and the Lady is obligated to provide you with protection. Your former lord neglected his duty, which led to your suffering, and I will correct that wrong." Lynn paused, continuing, "However, once the Lady has fulfilled her duty, it will be your turn to meet your obligations."
"I will, of course, my Lord, I promise you," the elder agreed profusely. "As long as you can help us deal with those two monsters, we will not withhold a single coin of the tax due."
Lynn nodded. "Remember your words."
After leaving the elder, Lynn found Triss. When Triss heard the reports, she wanted to accompany Lynn, but the witcher refused. He didn't need her help; he was enough on his own. He instructed Triss and the knights to remain in the village for a time, and if possible, to treat the minor ailments and illnesses of the villagers. Unless it was a severe malady, common sicknesses were no issue for a sorceress. Granting necessary favors would also improve the loyalty of her new subjects.
Lynn remained in the village until noon, then left alone, heading toward the fields where the elder had reported seeing the spirit.
He quickly found his target. It was a phantom, clad in a ragged wedding dress, wandering the fields. It only appeared at noon; clearly, it was a Noonwraith.
The Noonwraith was far stronger in every respect than a common Lamp-wraith. While a Lamp-wraith could be weakened and destroyed through persistent physical attacks, a Noonwraith could only be truly released by finding and burning the object that tethered it to this world (perhaps a treasured personal item or its own corpse).
That was the method for most ordinary witchers.
But Lynn didn't need to do that.
Because he had Aerondight.
The divine power contained within Aerondight allowed him to send all specters (and other entities) straight into the afterlife.
Just like the one before him—
Lynn stomped heavily, launching himself forward at a terrifying speed. One second he was still; the next, he stood directly before the Noonwraith. Without any unnecessary flair, Lynn swung the dragon-slaying Aerondight down heavily, splitting the specter's head and then its chest.
The divine power of Aerondight caused the Noonwraith's entire body to erupt in golden light, as if consumed by fire. The Noonwraith let out a desperate, agonizing shriek.
Lynn followed with a horizontal slash, cleaving the specter in two. The light consumed its form, causing it to gradually dissipate beneath the midday sun. His Wolf Medallion stopped vibrating, confirming that the Noonwraith had truly vanished from this world.
Without pausing, Lynn immediately headed for the nearby forest.
The forests of Velen were night and day compared to those of Toussaint. The forests of Toussaint invited one to embrace nature, but the forests of Velen were an unsettling spectacle, forever haunted by shadows and ghosts.
.............
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