As the conflict between humans and tree spirits becomes more and more intense, the tree spirits living in Brokilon Forest are becoming more and more hostile to humans.
If someone disappeared in that forest, there would be no need to investigate.
The dryad's arrows are more accurate and sharper than those of the elves.
Hearing the witcher's rejection, Triss was not angry.
She still said with a smile as bright as a flower.
"Yes and no, Witcher, you know a lot about Brokilon, but it's not deep enough."
"Of course, I can't blame you. After all, you demon hunters first experienced a split and then suffered a massacre. It is normal for the inheritance to have gaps."
"To be precise, the area where the tree spirits live is mainly the southern forest, that is, the area near Cintra, Brugge, Sodden and Verden."
"As for the northern forest, even tree spirits will not easily set foot there."
"Don't look at me with that look, young demon hunter. The history of this forest is very long, even before the birth of the real ancient race on this continent."
"You don't need to worry about the dryads, they won't be angry if you step into territory that doesn't belong to them."
"What you really need to worry about is what I'm going to say next."
Triss picked up the wine glass and took another sip to moisten his throat before continuing.
"As we just said, Brokilon is divided into southern forest and northern forest."
"The east side of the northern forest is Temeria, the north side is Kingdom of Cidaris, and the west side is Duchy of Bremervoord and Kingdom of Kerack."
"If the merchant ships of the Kingdom of Kairak want to go to Temeria, they have to start from their own port, sail north along the coast, pass through Brimwood, and then sail east before they can reach Gos Velen, the capital of the Velen province of Temeria."
"Not to mention the long journey, Bremervoord is a vassal state of Cidaris, and there has always been some unpleasantness between Kerack and Cidaris."
"Therefore, Cidaris prohibits Kerack's merchant ships from docking at its own and vassal countries' ports all year round."
"As a result, Kerack merchants have to prepare a large amount of supplies, and are forced to carry fewer goods, resulting in lower profits."
"Therefore, some more courageous businessmen will take risks and take risks Adalatte River."
"This river originates from the northern forest of Brokilon, flows through Kingdom of Cidaris and Kingdom of Kerack on both sides of the Dor·Adalatte River Valley, and finally joins the ocean in Kingdom of Kerack's capital City of Kerack."
"The merchants of Kerack traveled upstream and got off the boat at the birthplace of the Adalatte River. It only takes a few days or so to get out of the forest and enter the province of Velen."
(PS: The blue line is the fixed maritime trade route of Kerack merchants, and the green line is the shortcut that Kerack merchants are trying to open up)
Lynn said thoughtfully.
"But if nothing happens, something will happen, right? OK, please continue."
Triss nodded and continued.
"As I just said, after reaching the end of the Adalatte River, it will probably take a few days to get out of the forest."
"But even in these few days, they will never be able to get out."
"Of all the caravans that disembarked at the end of the Adalatte River, no one could make it through the northern forest of Brokilon alive."
"Kingdom of Kerack also sent troops to search near the forest at the end of the Adalatte River, but no one returned either."
Lynn raised his hand like a good student asking a question to the teacher.
"I have a question. Since the cruel reality has been revealed to them that that road will not work, why don't they just go by sea?"
"Because of profit, little demon hunter." Triss smiled, "If the route through the northern forest of Brokilon can be opened, Kerack's merchants will gain huge benefits, and they will no longer have to look at Cidaris and its vassal countries."
"The royal family of Kerack also supports the businessmen in doing this. They do not want to make concessions and compromises to Cidaris for any reason."
Lynn sighed.
"Okay, it seems like this is another stupid royal family that puts its own face above the people's vital interests."
Triss blinked. "Be careful with your words, Demon Hunter, the royal family in this world only like to listen to sweet words, not true words."
Lynn bowed slightly.
"The next time a true royal stands in front of me, I will definitely remember your advice, madam."
"Then, my dear lady, since you agree to take action in person, it means that the royal family and businessmen of Kerack have made you an offer that you cannot refuse, right?"
"Has anyone ever told you that you are very smart, young demon hunter?" Triss coughed lightly and did not explain what kind of reward the other party gave her, but changed the subject.
"You guessed it right, that's why I need a witcher."
Lynn Got it.
Kingdom of Kerack Even the troops sent out can't come back.
Their higher-ups must have realized that the darkness hidden in the forest cannot be solved by mere mortal strength.
That's why they thought of turning to warlocks for help.
Although Kerack is a kingdom in name, its economy, military, and land area cannot be compared with great powers like Temeria.
Therefore, a small kingdom like that cannot be favored by the vast majority of warlocks.
The only exception is the sorceress from Skellige Isles.
Although sometimes she would stay in City of Kerack, the capital of Kingdom of Kerack, for a long time.
But that's not out of fascination with the power of the Kerack royal adviser, but purely because of his love for the coastal city of City of Kerack.
Because of her Skellige bloodline, she also loves the sea and likes to sail out to distant places.
Lynn estimated that the sorceress was definitely not in City of Kerack during this period, so the Kerack royal family and merchants wanted to clear the trade route in the northern forest of Brokilon, so they had no choice but to ask Triss, Temeria's royal adviser, for help.
And Triss serves King Foltest.
However, the power of a royal advisor is not as comprehensive as the general public thinks.
The agreement reached with Kerack is a private matter.
Foltest It is impossible for the king to send troops to assist Triss.
That's why she had no choice but to find the witcher.
As for why Kingdom of Kerack merchants would rather take huge risks through the forest than take less goods and more supplies by sea...
In this regard, Marx hundreds of years ago already commented:
When profits reach a certain level, they can even sell the rope to hang themselves.
Lynn rubbed his chin and said, "Generally, I understand."
Triss blinked and looked at the witcher expectantly. "So what's your answer?"
"I accepted this commission," Lynn raised four fingers and said solemnly, "Even the military can't find any trace, which shows that this disappearance case is not as simple as it seems."
"I need to make a lot of preparations to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Therefore, the reward I require is at least four hundred crowns."
Triss frowned slightly.
The request made by the witcher was somewhat higher than what she thought.
She originally only planned to pay Lynn three hundred crowns and that was about it.
But the witcher actually demanded four hundred crowns from her.
However, Triss then thought again that this disappearance case was indeed unusual.
And they also need to go deep into the forest.
In that kind of place, who knows what kind of dangers you will encounter.
If at that time, I could have a good swordsman by my side to protect me at all times, it would be money well spent.