System of the Beast Slayer [litrpg Adventure]
Copyright© 1999 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 148
The two Witchers walked side by side along the lakeshore, heading back.
“So you struck a deal with a nymph?”
“Letho, that was the Lady of the Lake. She granted me the honor of Knighthood because of a...” Roy recalled the scene, his expression still strange, “Trial of the Five Chivalric Virtues.”
“Whether she’s a nymph or the Lady of the Lake, she’s a familiar figure in folk tales, and she’s usually friendly enough toward Witchers, but I still don’t get it,” Letho looked down at him, puzzled. “Why would she take a liking to you, of all people, this kid, and even grant you Knighthood? So what do I call you now, Roy of Lake Vizima?”
“Like Geralt of Rivia, Gulete of Letho?” The young Witcher gave it some serious thought. “Forget it. Just call me Roy.”
He had no real attachment to the title of Knight.
The bald Witcher nodded, then fixed him with a steady look. “I’ve noticed you’ve got a knack with women. You’re still young, and already tangled up with more than a few.”
“What do you mean, tangled up?” Roy shook his head. “Just employers and hired muscle.”
“Is that so? Good. You need to understand something. Women are an extremely troublesome species. Once they latch on to you, you’ll never have a peaceful day again in your life.”
Letho said it with deep feeling. Before the boy could ask anything, he reached back and pulled the dark red longsword from Roy’s back, holding it casually in his hand. His index finger brushed along the blade as he gave it a lazy swing. “The Lady of the Lake’s silver sword? I honestly don’t see how it compares to Gwyhyr, the one forged by goblins. Looks like a perfectly ordinary piece to me.”
“Only those acknowledged by the Lady of the Lake can awaken its true power. Unfortunately, you’re not one of them.”
With a hint of regret, Letho returned the sword to its sheath.
Gwyhyr, Aerondight, both belonged to this kid. When would he ever have a weapon of his own?
“One day I’ll collect the Viper School Gear Diagrams. Mastercrafted weapons and armor, enough to equip every member of the Viper School.” Roy made the promise silently to himself. Then he glanced at the Ring of Holding on Letho’s left little finger and hesitated. “Letho, have you really thought this through, joining this fight? You don’t actually need to go to Black Gull Island. I can handle it on my own...”
“Kid, I’m not doing this for your safety,” the Witcher said, rubbing the ring, satisfaction glinting in his amber eyes. “I’ve always dreamed of owning spatial equipment. This time, I’m finally getting my wish, thanks to your luck...”
Roy turned his head and sighed, then curiosity got the better of him. “So just how much ... how much ‘junk’ is inside that ring?”
“After we defeat Dagon’s projection, I’ll tell you.”
“Forget it. I don’t want to know.”
...
They had just returned to Korna Village when Princess Adda hurried up with a group of soldiers, only to look crestfallen a moment later.
“Even the two Masters failed? Is that traitor really so formidable?”
“He wasn’t a traitor,” the Witcher said. After reporting in to Adda, he led her away from the crowd to a secluded spot and, without much concealment, told her everything about the Lady of the Lake.
This was done with the goddess’s permission.
He simply omitted the matter of Knighthood and the Lady of the Lake’s Sword.
“The Lady of the Lake?”
Adda could not hide her shock after hearing it. In her long, alluring eyes flickered envy and doubt.
Stories of the Lady of the Lake had circulated around Vizima for many years. Anyone who had settled here had heard, to one degree or another, the legends of the goddess.
“When I had just regained my human form, the cultural tutors in the palace mentioned the Lady of the Lake to me. She is a symbol of beauty and freedom, the true ruler of Lake Vizima. Decades ago, people even claimed to have seen her, but in recent years she vanished completely.”
“I always thought those were just legends made up by street poets.”
Adda’s red lips parted as she murmured softly, “I never imagined it was all true.”
“Roy, they say the Lady of the Lake only summons Knights of noble virtue. Why did she specifically draw you in?”
“Your Highness, I have no reason to deceive you. In truth, the goddess’s goal aligns with ours. She also wants to eliminate the evil entrenched on Black Gull Island, and Witchers are experts at killing monsters.”
It took Adda some time to digest this and accept it. Her narrow eyes filled with longing.
“Roy, you wretch, you’re lucky enough to make people jealous. Tell me more about the Lady of the Lake. Just how beautiful is she?”
Mortals, when faced with gods who stand above them, are always filled with reverence, curiosity, and yearning. Even Adda, so steeped in the thirst for power, was no exception.
“The Lady of the Lake’s bearing is unmatched in the world. It cannot be described in words.” Roy gazed at the sky, recalling that figure, at once innocent and seductive, unlike any woman he had ever seen.
“Is it true, then, as the stories say, that the Lady of the Lake is immortal, never falling ill, never dying?”
“That’s even less something we mortals can presume to judge.”
“You ... Roy,” Adda was still unwilling to let it go. She bit her red lip and suddenly asked, “Could you ... take me to see her, just once?”
“I’m sorry. The Lady of the Lake does not reveal herself lightly before outsiders.” He lied. “I have no way to contact her either. I can only wait for her to summon me.”
“I am the Princess of Temeria. With my status, am I still unworthy of meeting her even once?”
“It has nothing to do with rank or birth. If the Lady of the Lake wishes to see you, you will see her...”
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