When We Are Together in Vizima

By the time they reached the city the previous day, it was already late at night. Without any Cat Potion at hand, it was difficult to spot the marks Angoulême had left behind. Left with no choice, Victor found lodging at a place that stayed open late and had large bathing tubs.

As expected of Vizima, both the service and prices were worthy of a capital.

The next day, following the occasional abstract drawings on walls and street corners, Victor knocked on the door of a three-story building in the Temple District. When it opened, Angoulême greeted him with a sincere, tearful embrace.

Then the boy entered the house and let Angoulême pull him along, starting from the basement, to inspect the progress of her work.

"When I heard the city gates were restricting entry and exit, I was worried you wouldn't be able to get in."

"Have faith in your captain. He always has a plan."

"Really? Too bad plans never keep up with changes."

"Oho! Haven't seen you in a while, and your sarcasm has gotten better?"

"After reading for so long, I had to make some progress."

The basement of this three-story building was intended to serve as an alchemy lab. The first floor contained the living room, kitchen, and Victor's bedroom. The second floor was handed over to Angoulême and Catherine to manage as they pleased, while the third floor was temporarily left empty.

"Since you've made progress, tell me why you chose this place. What are its advantages and disadvantages?" After a cursory inspection, the boy was actually quite satisfied with the place.

"I chose the Temple District because we didn't have enough money." Angoulême spread her hands and pulled a face. "Then, considering convenience and safety, it's close to a public water basin, most of the neighbors are ordinary residents, and there's a patrol post not far away."

Victor clapped his hands. "Very good. You thought it through thoroughly. And Catherine hasn't caused any problems?"

"No problem. Too many people in Vizima keep ferocious animals. Catherine isn't anything unusual."

"Then let's go. Take me to Kalkstein's alchemy workshop now. Tell me what you know about his personality on the way."

"Brave knights, you have gathered before me... burdened with sorrow.

You hold loyalty to the king in your hearts, yet do not know which path is the right one.

Yes! We stand at a critical moment!

The last time Emperor Emhyr's legions invaded the North, they swallowed Cintra and pillaged Aedirn. Their attacks were cruel and greedy, and they will never be satisfied with that alone.

Think about it! Nilfgaard, once confined south of the Ilenna River, has, before we knew it, reached the far bank of the Yaruga River and begun coveting our lands.

Have you ever considered what has allowed their invasions to succeed again and again?

Let me tell you the answer—

—It is all because of those filthy, shameful Squirrel Party scum!

Those traitors! In the past, they survived by deceitfully relying on our mercy and enjoying our generosity. Now, they continuously fire cowardly arrows at us from behind..."

Listening from afar, Victor had to admit that the speaker was an infectious storyteller. As he moved closer to look, he saw dozens of knights standing in formation, listening to the man on the platform preach.

The speaker was tall and powerfully built, clad in full plate armor emblazoned with the emblem of the Eternal Fire on its chest. He had short brown hair with an M-shaped hairline comparable to Lambert's, a firm, square face, and an imposing full beard.

His bearing and appearance were so exceptional that he looked like a captain at first glance. Victor cast Angoulême an inquisitive look, and she nodded knowingly. "Jacques of Aldersberg—the captain of the Order of the Flaming Rose."

Having received his answer, the boy stared deeply at Jacques for a moment, committing his appearance firmly to memory. Then he turned and hurried away. The girl jogged after him and continued leading the way, saying softly, "Captain, you don't seem to like that captain very much?"

The boy yawned, still short on sleep from the night before. "Has your ability to read people improved greatly, or am I making it too obvious?"

The girl smugly curled her lips. "Over the past month, from Ellander to Vizima, I've been acting alone most of the time. I really do feel like I've become more perceptive.

"But you were also making it very obvious. Most people who hear Jacques's speeches look invigorated and full of hope, not expressionless like you.

"What don't you like about him? Is it because you're both captains?"

"...I don't like using hatred to rally people."

"Is that so? But I think he seems pretty nice."

"You've only known him for a few days and you've already made a judgment? Why?"

"Anyway, the Order headquarters is right here. Since we'll be coming and going almost every day, you'll find out soon enough, Captain."

From the Vizima branch of the Phantom Troupe, it took about fifteen minutes on foot northward to reach the headquarters of the Order of the Flaming Rose. Farther west, near the center of the Temple District, stood Saint Lebioda's Hospital, the only place of solace for the poor and the afflicted.

As they passed the hospital, Victor naturally looked through its entrance. Because of the epidemic, the tall, wide, ornately carved gates were shut tight, with public security guards standing watch outside.

Noticing Victor's gaze, Angoulême asked, "What is it, Captain?"

"I have an older sister who works at the hospital. I'll introduce you sometime." Thinking of Shani improved the boy's mood again after Jacques's influence.

"Oh, let me tell you in advance: I'm not going inside a hospital. It's full of plague patients, and the way they look after getting sick is just too horrible.

"When I first arrived, I saw a patient with my own eyes. A huge lump had swollen up on his neck, then it burst open with a pop, and it was full of yellow-colored pus..." Remembering the sight, Angoulême made no attempt to hide the disgust and fear on her face.

At the mention of the plague, Victor took an amulet from his herb pouch and stuffed it into Angoulême's hands. "I almost forgot. Wear this on you. It can reduce the chance of catching the plague, probably."

Angoulême was immediately both startled and delighted. "Wow! As expected of the Captain. What kind of amulet is this? It's so amazing?"

"I'll tell you another time. What's going on here now?"

Before them, a group of armored knights, clearly dressed differently from the Rose knights, rode through the streets surrounding a noblewoman in hunting attire.

"That's Princess Adda, along with noblemen hoping to crawl under her skirt. Captain, don't those knights look like flies buzzing around a pile of cow dung?"

Mentioning flies, Angoulême spat in disgust. "But everyone knows they can't possibly marry the princess. With King Foltest's affection for her, he'll definitely marry her off to a truly important figure."

"Do they really have a chance? I mean, of getting under her skirt?"

"Who knew? In any case, this princess didn't have a very good reputation. Even the fishwives in the market talked about it as if they'd been there themselves.

There was also a butcher in the trade district who named his dog 'Adda,' because she was 'a spoiled bitch.' Of course, he only dared call her that in private.

There were plenty of other amusing little stories. Want to hear them?"

Victor shook his head. "No, thank you."

He remembered this Adda. Lifting her curse had been one of Geralt's career highlights—important enough to make it into the opening cinematic—but he truly hadn't known the princess later became such a uninhibited character.