Chapter 16: I Have Seen the Noblest Orcs and the Most Base Humans

Chapter 16: I Have Seen the Noblest Orcs and the Most Base Humans

Thus, with the help of Lynn and Lambert, the harpies that were attacking the Trolls were killed or fled within no time.

After the last of the harpies had fled, the rock Trolls became aware that there were two unwanted visitors on their property.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit off, Lynn advanced and spoke, "Hey, I just helped you, have you forgotten already?"

"Help?" The grown-up rock Trolls scratched their heads in confusion.

But they made no other hostile advances.

It was a good start.

"Yes."

Lynn gestured his eyes to the harpy corpses scattered about.

The three rock Trolls, two adults and one juvenile, looked at each other.

Then, their eyes shifted rapidly between Lynn and the harpy corpses.

Later, one of the rock Trolls slowly spoke, "Witcher, help Trolls? Witcher, good man?"

Lynn stroked his chest.

"That's right, we're good people."

Another adult rock Troll replied.

"You're so stupid, Witchers kill monsters, Trolls are monsters."

Lynn nodded his head. "No, Witchers only eliminate monsters that injure people. Harpies injure people, so we helped you get rid of the harpies. You don't injure people, so you don't have anything to fear from us."

The three stone Trolls, two adults and one child gazed at each other once more, and it was obvious on their faces that their minds were scrambled.

Finally, the first adult stone Troll spoke in astonishment.

"Witchers don't kill Trolls?"

"Yes, we don't kill you, if you don't hurt people."

"Witchers are nice people, Trolls don't hurt people, Witchers don't kill Trolls, Trolls don't devour Witchers."

The rock Trolls, having agreed, were very happy.

They even invited Lynn and Lambert to have dinner with them before they departed.

But they were politely declined.

Although the rock Trolls' food contained no technology, it was packed with hardcore content.

They could digest such swill and livestock fodder, but not Lambert and Lynn.

It was safer to pass by.

And before he left, Lynn directed the rock Trolls that if there were any Witcher apprentices with two swords and a medallion like him who chanced by in the future, he would be grateful if the rock Trolls did not pelt stones at them.

...

The Circle of Elements altar sat atop the mountain north of the Trolls' territory.

On the level, sand-smoothed and wind-polished stone platform were candles.

Four braziers, each in one of the four directions of the altar, were also present.

Walking into these ruins, Lynn could hardly imagine the majestic view of the past.

But when Kaer Morhen and the Wolf School were defeated, ruins was all that was left.

Lambert could not help but inquire, "I still don't understand why you helped the Trolls before?"

Lynn answered gravely, "Humans are not so noble, and Trolls are not so base. If we can converse, why fight to the death? And besides, no bounty can be claimed."

Lambert arched an eyebrow. "If an assistant professor from Oxenfurt University said that, it would make sense, but you're a Witcher."

Lynn snapped back. "Witchers kill only monsters who harm humans—have you forgotten Master Vesemir's teachings?"

"Okay, I won't protest. Let's charge the medallion and go back. I can't wait to wash away this harpy stink."

Lynn scrunched up his nose. "You city man, can't even stand this little bit of grime and stench?"

Lambert was doubtful. "Gee? Then you are bold enough not to wash it off and sleep with this stench."

"Never mind."

"I guessed so. Okay, let's be serious. I guess the castle books also told you about the Circle of Elements?"

Lynn nodded.

He looked at the four braziers.

"The Circle of Elements, as is the Place of Power, is a place where uncontrolled energy (magic) accumulates."

"The positions of these four braziers are not random. Burn the braziers in the proper sequence only then can the Circle of Elements be charged."

"Sorcerers say that sorcery comes from nature, comes from the four elements of nature: earth, water, air, and fire."

"Then we just burn the braziers in sequence accordingly."

As he said that, Lynn had already done so.

He clicked his fingers four times, lighting up the braziers in each of the four directions in succession.

Then he took off the wolf head medallion that had been draped about his neck and placed it on the stone platform.

Looking at systematic Lynn, Lambert curled his lip.

"Easy to work with clever folks. I don't even have to open my mouth."

"The Witcher medallion will absorb magic automatically. We simply have to wait."

Lambert made a motion to Lynn to have a seat somewhere.

"Though it's slightly premature to have this conversation today, I'd thought you were going down from the mountain next year, so it's not premature. So I think a little worldly wisdom should be imparted to you before that."

Lynn sat next to Lambert. "I'm paying attention."

"In our line of work, ideals are nice, but reality sucks. We're monster slayers who slay monsters, but the commoners treat us like monsters."

Lynn let out a sigh upon listening to Lambert's words.

This was also why Berengar hated his Witcher persona.

Lambert continued, "Most of the Witchers began going down the mountain on principles. If they weren't paid, they considered it a good thing and took no money."

"But soon enough, they will turn their heads, because they know that in the North, commoners will take an inch and expect a mile."

"Because the reason why commoners are commoners is that although they are actually very pitiful and are oppressed and exploited by the king and nobles, they never know how to resist and unite, or even think about it."

"They take out their wrath on other diligent and honest individuals."

"Of course, not all Northerners are commoners."

"But at least most of the Kaedwen people are commoners, but this is not a matter of human nature, but a matter created by their 'great' King Henselt."

"As a professional I have met burglars who look like councilors, councilors who look like beggars, prostitutes who look like princesses, princesses who look like pregnant cows, and kings who look like burglars."

"King Henselt doesn't look much like a thief, but this 'well respected by all' majesty is little more than a thief."

"King Henselt intends to kill every non-human race in his nation, including non-human soldiers who fought and bled for him on his behalf, and non-human good citizens who are upright, industrious, and pay their taxes."

"You can also picture what kind of attitude a king who's so harsh towards his own people would have for Witchers."

Lynn knew what Lambert meant.

Henselt was the worst of the Northern kings' monarchs.

He did worse than the next Redanian King Radovid V.

Radovid was cruel, but at least he was able.

In the future timeline, if Radovid would not have been murdered by the conspirators, he would have conquered the Nilfgaardian Empire and brought all of the North under his rule, making him the overlord of the North.

[author]

I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to those who support me on this journey. Your contribution make a real difference!

As a patron, you unlock:

Exclusive Access: Get advanced chapters ahead of everyone else.

👉 Join now: patreon.com/Chaos_God

[/author]