Edessberg

The towering city walls, over thirty feet high, formed the Kingdom of Aedirn's final southern defensive line: Edessberg.

Guarded by Laelia and Livia to the east, and the natural barrier of the Mahakam Mountains to the west, Edessberg's easily defensible terrain posed a significant obstacle to the Nilfgaardian army's northern campaign.

In front of this fortress flowed an artificially dug moat, spanned by a heavily guarded bridge leading into the city.

People came and went across the bridge: farmers heading to market, merchant caravans laden with goods, travelers from afar, all queuing for inspection. Behind them, in the vast plains, lay dozens of small villages providing supplies to Edessberg, scattered like stars.

"Witcher of the School of the Viper, Letho?"

"That's right."

"Behave yourself once you're in the city. The recent rebel troubles are annoying enough, don't add to them, understand?" The soldier, holding a halberd, eyed the burly man suspiciously. His gleaming armor bore a crest on the chest: two right angles stacked directly on top of each other, one red and one yellow.

It looked like a burning arrow, the emblem of the Kingdom of Aedirn.

After checking the pass in the burly man's hand, the soldier's gaze shifted to the slender figure behind him. "Is this child with you?"

"Yes."

"Who is he to you?"

"His name is Roy. He's my employer, from Xiabosada's Kaye Village. He's come to Edessberg to find relatives."

"Hmm..." Perhaps it was Roy's delicate features and slender build that posed no significant threat, but the soldier didn't press further and let them pass.

Roy, a country boy, entered the grand city of Edessberg, a different world, for the first time. The revolution was in full swing, but it hadn't significantly impacted the city's original prosperity and bustle.

Beyond the tall city gates lay a lively commercial street. Their ears were filled with various shouts, their eyes met a dazzling array of shops, and they were brushed past by a ceaseless stream of people.

Even the shortest houses here were taller and more luxurious than the Kaye Village chief's home, commonly featuring pointed arches, ornate windows, and tall, grand circular domes.

The walls were often adorned with complex and varied curved patterns, as exquisite as works of art.

Roy, who had grown accustomed to the quiet atmosphere of the wilderness, was instantly lost in thought. He felt as if he had stepped into post-Renaissance Europe.

It was a pity that Edessberg would be invaded by the Nilfgaardian army during the First Northern War. How much of this splendor would remain?

Letho, however, shook his head, mistaking his daze for shock at the city's grandeur.

As they walked down the street beyond the city gates, their view suddenly opened up. Their eyes lit up.

In the center of the bluestone-paved road, a small fountain square appeared.

On a stone platform in the center of the fountain stood a seven-foot-tall statue—an old man with a simple cloth robe, wise eyes, and a thick beard.

Surrounding the fountain were people engaged in animated discussions, most holding books and seemingly discussing academic matters. They were dressed more luxuriously than ordinary citizens, wore hats, and had many exquisite small ornaments. Even the shoes on their feet were meticulously maintained and spotless.

Nearby, fully armed soldiers patrolled in squads.

"Who is this statue?"

"That's Prophet Lebioda, representing vast wisdom. He has many followers in Edessberg," Letho stated emotionlessly. "Most of the people gathered here are merchants and the children of minor nobles. The common folk are still toiling hard for a living."

Roy quickly flipped through his memories. He had learned about Prophet Lebioda before. He had started as a wandering orator, spreading his philosophical ideas and wisdom everywhere. Relying on his extraordinary charisma and eloquence, he attracted countless followers who admired his words and thoughts. His fame was widespread throughout the Northern Kingdoms, not just among humans, but even dwarves looked up to him.

He gradually came to be revered as a saint, a prophet, a seer. Now, many years after his death, he was worshipped as a deity in temples of prophecy.

Speaking of religion, Roy couldn't help but think of a notorious church in later years. "Isn't the Church of the Eternal Fire the most famous religion in the North now?"

Letho patiently explained, "The Eternal Fire is mainly popular in Vizima, the capital of Temeria, and Novigrad, the free city. In recent years, the Eternal Fire's doctrines have become increasingly discriminatory towards non-human races, becoming more extreme. While they have many supporters, they are also despised by many humans, as well as non-human races like dwarves and elves."

Roy knew that after the iron-fisted Radovid was crowned, all of Redania would be shrouded in the light of the Eternal Fire. At that time, not only dwarves and elves would be discriminated against, but even Witchers and sorcerers would be hunted.

But that was still years away.

"Edessberg is adjacent to the Mahakam Mountains, and Mahakam is the homeland of the dwarves. The dwarves bring ore and produce from the mountains to the city for large-scale trade, forming a powerful force," Letho said. "The dwarven influence will not allow the Eternal Fire to take root around them."

"That's good," Roy muttered. "Where do we go next?"

"We've been traveling for a week. Let's rest in the city for a few days and see how things are."

In the central district of Edessberg, at Wols Tavern.

Letho boldly ordered a row of fine wines of various colors—Dwarven spirit, Cherry wine, Mandragora wine...

About a dozen cups were laid out on the table. He slowly drank them one by one, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath with each sip, as if savoring the utmost delicacy.

Only occasionally would he open his amber eyes and scan the noisy crowd in the tavern.

Laborers, farmers, small merchants, thugs—all seeking pleasure here, regardless of status.

And where was Roy?

Upon entering the tavern, Roy found his desires stirring.

His addiction to Gwent cards had flared up!

He took out the Skellig card deck given to him by Old Jack and approached a table where people were loudly playing cards.

With the Witcher as his super bodyguard, he dared to show his skills.

"Hey! Lost this round, want me to take over?"

"Get lost, kid! Where do you think you're going?" A middle-aged man with a bandana glared at Roy dismissively, until Roy revealed a neatly arranged Gwent deck.

The rare cards, like magnets, immediately drew the attention of all the players at the table.

The way everyone looked at him instantly became scorching hot, as if they were looking at a lamb delivered to their doorstep.

Roy sat down in the chair, a faint smile on his face, and said alluringly, "Do you want my rare cards? If you do, I'll give them all to you! Come play cards, I've put all my cards here, waiting for you to win!"

This time, he planned to win more money. The cost of living in a big city wasn't cheap.

"With this good hand, plus my rich experience... and some hidden cheating methods."

On the other side, Letho's face had a faint flush after drinking nearly twenty cups of wine, each a liter.

Even a Witcher with superhuman stamina found his eyes growing hazy under the assault of various alcoholic beverages.

But no one knew if he was truly drunk, not even himself.

The Witcher, carrying a long sword and with eyes like a cat, kept most ordinary people at a distance. Some looked disdainful but dared not approach to harass him.

Letho's physique and appearance were too intimidating; his whole being screamed "don't mess with me."

Not everyone was like the attackers from outside the city, daring to provoke a Witcher with their lives.

Except for one.

A woman, striking a seductive pose, walked towards him. With surprising familiarity, she hooked her arm through the bald man's, whispering something into his ear with her breath like orchids.

"Kid," Letho suddenly called out to the crowd. As the boy turned his head with a bewildered look, he grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, "How about you stay downstairs for a while?"

What could Roy say? He nodded helplessly and watched the two lean on each other as they went upstairs.

This woman has unique taste, interested in a bald, muscular man. No, she probably smelled the Crown on Letho.

"He could at least be more discreet in front of an apprentice." But Roy thought about it again and could understand. This past week, he'd been hunting Water Ghosts and slaughtering over a dozen people outside the city.

It was inevitable to have stress and need an outlet to relax and vent.

Roy chose Gwent, and Letho chose alcohol and women.

That was all.