The Smoke of Ban Ard

The more Ailin thought about it in this direction, the more excited he became.

The strange phenomenon that occurred a few evenings ago was not seen here in Arland. It will be at least half a month before we receive information about the attack on Ban Ad. By then, the information will definitely be greatly distorted.

Even just riding Greater Griffin and taking a peek from afar, he could glean a great deal of information about the Wild Hunt.

For example, Ban Ad is on one level of strength if he is unharmed, while complete destruction is on a completely different level. The extent and traces of destruction to the city can clearly demonstrate the strength of the male wizards, especially the demonic source Hen Gedimidis and the Wild Hunt.

Even if we can learn about the details of the battle from the onlookers, even just fragments, it would still be of great significance.

"Let's do it!"

Having made up his mind, Ailin quickened his pace and headed toward the longhouse where the Witcher lived.

Leaving without saying goodbye might cause some unexpected disturbance, but persuading the stubborn Vesemir would be a huge undertaking, and he needed to save time.

About ten minutes later.

"What? You agreed?" Ailin stared wide-eyed at Vesemir.

Unexpectedly, when he arrived at the longhouse and found Vesemir, Vesemir immediately agreed as soon as he told him about his idea to go to Ban Ade to investigate.

Well... not immediately. The serious Vesemir touched his Black Wide-brimmed Hat and silently pondered for a while.

That short period of time was clearly inconsistent with Vesemir's past cautiousness, which bordered on stubbornness.

In Ailin's mind, he should at least ask his companions to do the same; Ailin had already prepared his explanation in advance.

"What?" Vesemir rolled his eyes. "Do you want me to refuse you, or do you want me to come with you?"

"Of course not!" Ailin denied loudly.

At this moment, while he was secretly cursing the Witcher Master, he felt so guilty that he had the illusion that Vesemir could read minds.

"Ailin," Vesemir looked at Ailin with shining eyes and a hint of relief in them, "I've said it before, you have passed the trial of the traveler. You are no longer a traveler's apprentice who needs a witcher mentor to regulate his behavior and guide his path, but a qualified... no... I should say a very outstanding witcher."

"I have no reason to interfere with or hinder your actions."

"Besides," Vesemir put on his Black Wide-brimmed Hat and sighed softly, "Besides, when we were tracking the wizard the night before last..."

He closed his eyes and paused for a few seconds, as if recalling:

"You have far surpassed me in your Tracking, reaching a level that I cannot even comprehend."

"The School of the Cat's stealthy footsteps for assassination, magical artifacts, potions, even head-on swordsmanship and signs—you've surpassed me in all of these..."

"Ailin," Vesemir sighed with relief, then concluded in a dejected tone, "If I go with you, I'll only hold you back."

"Vesemir ..." Ailin couldn't help but speak up.

Vesemir waved his hand, interrupting him. "Don't try to comfort me. The proudest thing for every Witcher mentor is to train an apprentice who surpasses him."

"Besides, I am also Witcher Master, but I can't help with things like hiding my whereabouts and gathering intelligence."

"If you're going to hunt some monster, I won't let you go so easily..."

"If it really is about hunting monsters, I'll definitely drag you along no matter what," Ailin chuckled. "After all, the travel trial isn't over yet, and I'll definitely use up all your skills before letting you go!"

"Hmph~"

Vesemir pulled down his hat brim, showing off by revealing a dark golden Cat Eyes, and hummed.

"Of course, I am the youngest Witcher Master before you, and I have plenty of skills for you to learn."

"You'd better flatter me, or I won't hold back anything, understand?"

"Alright, alright~" Ailin smiled. "I'll do my best to curry favor with you, the youngest Witcher Master of the School of the Wolf."

"You better do that!" Vesemir said, feigning indifference.

Then I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Ailin also burst into laughter.

The hearty laughter between the master and apprentice startled the young demon hunter who had just finished lunch and had to continue practicing swordsmanship and hand seals. He looked over with envy.

"What are you looking at? Focus on your training!"

Vesemir felt the gaze, turned around with a stern face and scolded, then looked at Ailin gently and instructed, "Come back soon. Since you have promised Duke Mason, try not to break your promise."

"I know, it will just take a look around in the sky and come back, and it might even make it in time for dinner."

"Um."

"Then I'll be going?"

"Go."

Ailin then turned and left, but after only a few steps, he heard Vesemir's voice again.

"No matter what intelligence you have, it can't compare to your safety. If anything happens, don't rush back. I'll explain to Duke Mason and the High Priest. They're just some ghouls; eight witchers are enough..."

"Anyway, be careful, Ailin!"

Ailin didn't turn around, but waved his hand behind him, and then walked out of the temple without looking back.

The young witcher, who had been deliberately avoided by the two witchers, finally realized what was going on.

Be careful... Explain to Duke Mason and the High Priest...

Ernie, pushed forward by the witchers, cautiously approached. "Master Vesemir, where is the captain...?"

Vesemir remained silent for a long time.

"He went to fight for a future for the School of the Wolf... no... for humanity."

The young witchers exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing this. "Huh?"

After leaving the temple, Ailin walked to the mountain clearing where they had landed the night before, and then walked for about ten minutes deeper into the Mahakam Mountains.

It's still noon now, unlike yesterday evening when the sky was dark.

"Even though he's only gone for half a day, Vesemir can make it sound like a life-or-death separation."

Ailin shook his head with amusement, shaking off the inexplicable sense of loss in his heart, and looked around.

Huge boulders lay between him and the temple and Arland, and the hard granite ground created a large clearing in the sparse woodland.

This is a characteristic of the Mahakam Mountains.

Unlike the Blue Mountains, Mahakam is rich in minerals and various rock formations, and the density of surface vegetation decreases significantly as you venture deeper into the area.

Even so, there are still plenty of wild animals in the mountains, enough to feed the Greater Griffin and also make it easier for them to find a place to Greater Griffin.

"This is fine!" He nodded in satisfaction, activating the emerald green mental link in his mind that represented the Greater Griffin.

This link is exactly the same as the one used to resist manipulation when taming the Greater Griffin.

It's just that compared to back then.

The Greater Griffin's Divine Power could no longer attack him through this mental channel, but he could instead control the Greater Griffin through this link, and even make it commit suicide.

A familiar cry echoed in my mind.

He could vaguely sense that the Greater Griffin was getting closer and closer to him.

"What an amazing gadget!" I couldn't help but exclaim for the nth time.

It should be noted that the Wolf Emblem, which is also linked to Ailin in the mind, becomes almost transparent when separated by more than ten meters.

Even if the mirage is further away, it's only about thirty meters away.

As for the mental link between the giant Greater Griffin and the behemoth's snare, although Ailin hasn't yet conducted large-scale trials, it can sense it...

Even if the Greater Griffin is in Kaer Morhen right now, he can still summon it through a mental link, and that might not even be the limit.

That makes sense, though. In the cutscene, the One-Eyed Clan also tamed mounts. If the link would break down over a short distance, there would be no point in using the Giant Beast Catching Rope.

Accompanied by a fawning neigh, the sizable forest clearing was instantly enveloped in a huge shadow.

The birds hiding in the treetops were startled by the uninvited guests and scattered, leaving behind only a hoarse, mournful cry.

The Greater Griffin came from her nest.

Ailin looked up at the sky and made a mental estimate.

I flew in from Vengerberg yesterday, and it took about an hour and a half.

Today, there was no need to follow the Pontar River and the terrain to find the way; the Greater Griffin flew straight over in less than half an hour.

There's more than enough time.

Ailin thought to himself.

"Long~"

The Greater Griffin landed, and the ground trembled.

Ailin gently stroked the Greater Griffin's drooping beak and praised the emerald link in her mind, "Good Girl, you've come just in time!"

"Bah!"

At the same time, a deafeningly affectionate shout came from the mental link and from the person next to them.

The mental connection is alright, it's just a bit noisy.

But the sound coming from the Greater Griffin's mouth was so powerful that if Ailin hadn't reacted quickly and grabbed its mane in time, he would have been blown away.

Ailin casually tidied her hair, no longer daring to praise her. She let the Greater Griffin lower its wings and was about to walk towards her broad back.

However, he stopped after taking only a few steps, and then a thought struck him.

[Ding! Your skill has been consumed: Portal LV1 has been upgraded to Portal LV2 (0/500)]

[Name: Portal]

[Type: Spatial Skill]

[Level: LV2]

Active Effect:

1. Portal: Consumes mana to release a portal linking to a stored coordinate point. This coordinate point must be less than 120 kilometers (+20) away from the caster. The portal can hold a maximum of 4 people (+2).

2. Record coordinate points: You can store 4 (+2) coordinate points.

What does 120 kilometers mean?

It's about 200 kilometers from Arland to Temeria, the capital of Vizima, about 400 kilometers to Vengerberg of Ard, and about 1,000 kilometers to Ban Ad. It's even further back to Kaer Morhen.

Of course, all of the above are straight-line distances.

Therefore, if Ailin wants to travel to Ban Ade through the portal, he needs to memorize at least nine coordinates.

Obviously.

Even after the upgrade, he still does not meet the requirements, and is still far from meeting them.

Currently, the portal is not practical, which is another reason why Ailin has not used the portal, besides hiding his spatial talent to avoid being discovered by the Warlock and Wild Hunt.

Of course, the latter is the most important factor.

Although it's not possible to use the portal directly to return from Ban Ade, it provides another option should any unforeseen circumstances arise. At least the portal distance of over 600 kilometers can save a considerable amount of time.

As for the cost of having another option...

[Experience Orbs: Lesser Experience Orbs *1 (-10)]

"I'm completely broke now." Ailin looked helplessly at the empty wealth in his Personal Panel.

Since he transmigrated to the world of Witcher, this is the poorest time he has ever been.

"When we get back from Ban Ade, I'm going to make those ghouls give me tons of Experience Orbs!" Ailin leaped onto the broad back of the Greater Griffin. "Let's go, Good Girl, it's time to set off!"

The Greater Griffin flapped its wings and leaped, tearing through the low-lying clouds and flying towards the blazing sun.

Ailin of following its usual route, flying low along the Pontar River to find city landmarks and head towards Ban Ade.

That's too flashy and dangerous.

After taking off from Mahakam, the Greater Griffin flew straight from high altitude to her nest in the Adria Mountains, and then flew north along the Blue Mountains.

Traveling high in the air, it is not afraid of being discovered by humans on the ground, nor does it need to identify the terrain too frequently, which shortens the time to reach its destination.

However, this is also why.

Ailin failed to see the army and logistics convoys that, because of his influence, marched out of Vengerberg like a long dragon heading to the front lines.

And because of an order from Demavend II, they were about to be mobilized to launch a fierce attack on the many fortresses along the Pontar River in Kedwen.

Perhaps these things are not important to him.

He could already see the clouds above the city of towers, shrouded in thick black smoke.

Meanwhile, beneath the darkest cloud.

A guest arrived at the tower in Vilgefortz.

A male wizard with an elegant posture, but whose starry robes were smoky and unkempt, and whose face, though tidied, still couldn't hide his exhaustion.

certainly.

Vilgefortz and Lydia are similar, but it's hard to say how much of it is true and how much is false.

"Thank you, Ms. Lydia, but no need. I'll just ask a few questions and then leave." The weary wizard smiled and gracefully declined the white porcelain cup Lydia offered.

Vilgefortz and Lydia exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

then.

Lydia bowed slightly to the wizard, performed a wizard's salute, and then left, closing the door behind her.

"Bang!"

The elegant white wooden door closed.

"Lord Senne, it's so good to see you safe and sound."

"I never thought I would survive." Senne said with deep emotion, but that was all he said. He then broke with the usual practice for wizards as guests and cut straight to the point, "It may be a bit rude, but the situation was urgent, so I asked directly."

"Please speak."

"I heard you came back from Ard."

Vilgefortz nodded calmly. "That's right, I received the alert from the academy in Vengerberg, the capital of Ard..."

"That's great." Senne raised an eyebrow, interrupting Vilgefortz, and sat up straight, quickening his pace. "We recently received some rather absurd news from the front lines, and we'd like to verify it with you. There are rumors that the capital of Ard, Vengerberg, is attacked daily by a Greater Griffin. Is that true?"

"The Greater Griffin?" Vilgefortz frowned, surprisingly not asking about the Witcher.