The young man hadn't even said a word.
Just by showing his face, the commission for the Witcher was almost concluded without any twists.
This invisible influence was more effective than any words or force.
After Shakona and the others left, the Night Queen kept her promise and handed Geralt a heavy money pouch.
"This is the agreed reward, three hundred and fifty Orens. Do you need to count it, Witcher?"
Geralt took the pouch, simply weighed it, tucked it into his pocket, and shook his head.
The Night Queen's red lips curled slightly, and she glanced meaningfully downstairs: "As for that special reward... you'll need to take the initiative to claim and experience it yourself."
With those words, her gaze turned to Karl, her eyes gleaming with interest.
She was about to open her mouth to have a deeper conversation with this energetic young man.
However, Karl seemed to have read her intentions before she could say anything.
He took the initiative to speak in a purely businesslike tone: "Night Queen, I am deeply interested in the House of the Night's... business model."
"Perhaps we could discuss an investment partnership? As for other topics, I'm sorry, but I'm not currently interested."
When the Night Queen heard this, the smile on her face stiffened slightly, and a feeling of helplessness arose in her heart.
She had opened the House of the Night and pursued a path of mystery and exclusivity.
She deliberately limited the number of bruxae and supplemented with human women to maintain its unique appeal.
Accepting external investment? That was completely outside her plan and could even ruin the atmosphere she had painstakingly created.
She couldn't help but elegantly roll her eyes, her former interest fading, and her voice became slightly impatient: "I prefer quiet; I don't like the noise of business. Please, do as you like."
Geralt and Karl were perceptive and immediately understood what she meant.
They barely exchanged a word and, after a simple farewell, left the candlelit upper floor together.
Walking through the bustling streets of the commercial district, Karl explained the real purpose of his visit to Geralt.
"Geralt, I need to ask you for something. My assistant Dalton and I need to escort a batch of important items back to Baron's Meadow."
"The road is long, and I'm hoping for a reliable and strong person to accompany them."
Geralt almost didn't hesitate and immediately nodded: "Yes."
He thought of the commission he had just completed and added: "The House of the Night matter, if it weren't for borrowing your name, I'm afraid it wouldn't have been resolved so easily."
"A task like this escort is trivial. I wouldn't even need to take the money."
Karl shook his head, his stance very firm: "No, Geralt, I still need to settle my debt with my brother. If you don't take the money, I'll have to find someone else."
Geralt looked at Karl's serious expression, understood he wasn't joking, and sighed softly.
They quickly and efficiently settled the deal on the street.
In the end, the escort commission for Dalton's team back to Baron's Meadow was finally agreed upon at twenty Orens.
This price was quite fair; you know, a typical Witcher contract, like killing a Drowner, paid about two Orens.
After the matter was settled, Geralt and Karl parted ways for the time being. Geralt turned and headed back towards the distant House of the Night.
He was going to collect that special reward, which had already been agreed upon and required him to take the initiative to claim.
Karl, meanwhile, turned and headed towards the palace—he needed to see Foltest.
......
In the palace garden, Karl made a request to Foltest: "Your Majesty, I would like to purchase some magic-blocking gold from the royal family to protect against potential magical threats."
When Foltest heard this request, he was stunned for a moment, then laughed and patted Karl on the shoulder.
"Karl, your vigilance is now more acute than mine, the king!"
Although he thought Karl was being overly cautious, he still generously waved his hand in appreciation and gratitude.
"Buy? What's there to buy! There's a batch in the warehouse. I'll have someone bring it for you!"
Soon, a servant brought up a box containing over a hundred pounds of dimetrium ore with a dark green luster, and pre-refined dimetrium ingots.
And Foltest didn't take a single copper coin, giving it all to Karl.
When he left the palace with this heavy "gift," Karl felt much more at ease.
And Foltest in the garden, watching Karl's departing figure, fell into deep thought.
Karl's initiative to seek dimetrium quietly reminded him.
The tragedy of his daughter Adda stemmed from a malicious curse, and behind curses often lurked the shadow of a sorcerer...
"It seems... it's time to strengthen my own protection." Foltest muttered to himself, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
From that moment on, he decided to incorporate dimetrium into his daily sword and armor,
and even some intimate accessories were selectively mixed with magic-blocking gold.
As a king, he must guard against any magical threat.
And Karl's purpose in obtaining dimetrium was indeed related to what had happened with Keira before.
He had previously had a strong physique, but he had almost been entangled by the other party's mental spells due to a lack of effective countermeasures.
And the same mistake—he would never allow himself to repeat it. Obtaining dimetrium became the first magical line of defense he built for himself.
......
The next morning, at the gates of Vizima, Geralt briefly bid farewell to Karl.
"Be careful on the road, Geralt."
"Hmm. I will." Geralt nodded.
Dalton and Phillip had already packed all the luggage, including the exquisite armor,
the Lily Halberd, a portion of the Orens, and most importantly, the legitimization document, all carefully loaded into the carriage. The driver was already in place.
Geralt mounted his horse, Roach, glanced at the ready carriage, and gestured to Dalton.
"Let's go!"
At Dalton's command, the carriage slowly started, its wheels turning and setting off on the long journey back to Baron's Meadow.
Geralt rode alongside as an escort, his white hair slightly fluttering in the morning breeze.
Karl stood at the gate, watching them leave until the column became a blurry black spot in the distance, then turned towards the Temple District.
And when he reached the temple, as he approached the building where Triss's laboratory was located, a short, panicked female cry came from the direction of the lab.
"That's Triss?!" Karl's heart clenched, thinking something had happened to Triss.
Without a moment's hesitation, he immediately rushed towards the lab's entrance.
However, when he was still a few steps away from the gate.