System of the Beast Slayer [litrpg Adventure]
Copyright© 1999 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 297: The Missing Path to Winter
“Several masters are clever men...” Bogart shoved back his chair, stood, and took the Witcher’s hand. “You should know how to choose. I hope you make the right decision.”
“For now, why not enjoy the splendid poetry performances together?”
Before long, the Witchers took their leave.
Before going to the Willie Estate, they first had to get an answer from Dandelion.
Back in Cintra, Geralt had promised that he would tell Dandelion the result of the Wolf School’s discussion, and have him pass it on to the Viper School.
Roy was rather tense now.
Vesemir, would he be willing to invite the Viper School as guests?
...
“Hi, friends. Priscilla said you were looking for me?” Dandelion came before the three with a cup of fresh red wine, following the bardess.
Roy swept a glance over him. Dandelion, born in 1229, was in his early thirties now, more handsome than Roy remembered, mature and elegant, almost catching up to him.
With fashionable dress, the decadent air of an artist all around him, a trace of a worldly smile at the corner of his mouth, and blue eyes flickering with cunning, no wonder women liked him so much.
“Let me guess, the one before us is the famous Master Dandelion, the bard?” Orin was first to return a toast, then excitedly seized the poet’s right hand.
Dandelion’s smile froze. Facing the Witcher’s burning, aggressive gaze, and the heat and strength in his palm, his heart could not help pounding like a drum, his scalp tingling. “Who is this fellow? He cannot have taken a fancy to me, can he? But he is not my type, and I cannot betray Ariel.”
He quietly drew his hand back. “Indeed I am. How should I address you, sir? Have we met before?”
“Dandelion, these three are Orin, a Viper School Witcher...” Priscilla stepped out from behind him, her delicate hand passing over the three one by one. “Kael, and Roy.”
Three Witchers?
Dandelion froze. He knew Witchers, and was on good terms with one of them, but he remembered that friend had always been like a lone wolf, with no companions from other schools at his side. Since when had Witchers become like cabbages in the street, a whole handful at once?
“Master Dandelion, I have long heard of your great name. I am Orin. I once had the fortune to audit for a time at Oxenfurt’s Faculty of Narrative Poetry and Poetics, and read your great works The Age of the Moon and The Price of Love.”
“The diction and imagery are both outstanding. Truly two epoch-making poetic masterpieces.” Orin’s eyes shone, making no attempt to hide his admiration. “I have always wondered how many years I must spend before I can reach your achievement in poetry. I never imagined I would meet you in person today and ask for guidance face to face.”
“So the master is a lover of poetry. Which of my works do you like?” Dandelion nodded. A Witcher interested in poetry, this was the first time he had seen such a thing.
“My favorite is your Affection. Line after line of vivid, exquisite description made me feel as though I stood within it myself. To be honest, I am at best a half-baked poetry lover. My purpose in studying poetry is somewhat different from yours.” Orin cleared his throat, his tone sinking. “Master Dandelion, could you perhaps reveal a little trick to me? How does one write poetry so that noble ladies and beauties favor him as they favor you?”
“Pfft ... cough, cough...” Dandelion’s eyes suddenly widened, and the wine in his mouth sprayed across Orin’s face. “Sorry, sorry...”
“No harm done.” The latter merely wiped away the wine casually. “After tasting kikimore piss, every liquid except wine and blood tastes the same.”
“All right, business matters. Stop joking...” Roy forcibly pressed Orin back into his seat, while Kael covered his mouth from the side. “Master Dandelion, though this is our first meeting today, I have long heard of your glorious deeds from another friend.”
Roy spoke with sincerity. “And today, the reason we asked Lady Priscilla to contact you is also related to that friend...”
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