Princess Pavetta is missing

Upon hearing Julia's question, Wayne merely yawned, his expression betraying boredom, and refrained from giving an immediate answer.

A few days earlier, in the sanctified temple outside Kaer Morhen, Wayne had been subjected to the daily purification rituals performed by the goddesses to suppress the lingering hellish power within him. During these sessions, he had overexerted himself in an attempt to push the level of his Divine Blessing skill even higher, resulting in three consecutive days of confinement in the temple. While his skills improved slightly, the intense effort left him physically drained.

The primary reason for his recent restlessness stemmed from Triss Merigold, the chief sorceress of the Witcher Order. Triss had been absent from Kaer Morhen for the past two weeks, as she traveled to Aretuza, the prestigious academy of sorcery, to procure advanced experimental equipment and consult with magic experts. This was a vital step in her groundbreaking research on the witcher mutation formula, which appeared to be nearing completion after years of diligent effort.

Her absence, however, had left Wayne in a state of unease. Without Triss, his days of convalescence became unbearably dull. With his chaos magic sealed and inaccessible, Wayne had spent the past days immersed in mundane administrative tasks for the Order, interspersed with intensive training in physical combat and theoretical studies in magic. These efforts were largely guided by Raani, whose insight into the power of hell helped him gradually acclimate to its influence.

Over time, the dark magic in Wayne's body, initially volatile and uncontrollable, had begun to stabilize. Long-term suppression and exposure to his chaotic magic seemed to have fostered a strange synergy. Raani suggested that with patience, Wayne could eventually master the hell's power and wield it without the frequent need for purification rituals. This prospect pleased him greatly, as it signified that he was nearing the end of his extended period of recuperation.

Physically, Wayne's transformation over the past three years was nothing short of remarkable. The demonic influence coursing through him had reshaped his body, elevating his physical prowess far beyond the limits of a typical witcher. His enhanced physique seemed to transcend human boundaries, edging closer to the attributes of a magical creature.

To adapt to his evolving body, Wayne dedicated himself to martial training. His swordsmanship and archery skills had advanced significantly, though the lack of ability points meant he was yet to unlock new skills or specializations. While his magical abilities remained stagnant due to the seal, his proficiency in close combat had improved to such an extent that he felt confident in his capabilities against any foe.

Having endured a monotonous routine for so long, Wayne found himself craving excitement. The brewing conflict between the Kingdom of Kaedwen and Aedirn was no surprise to him. Signs of Demavend's military ambitions had been evident for years, and Wayne had anticipated this eventual clash. To him, the war was merely a power struggle between two kingdoms notorious for their disdain for non-human races.

Wayne's position was clear: let the two kingdoms weaken each other. He had no vested interest in the outcome, as neither side's victory would significantly impact the burgeoning strength of the Witcher Order. Nestled within the fortified Blue Mountains, protected by magical barriers and self-sufficient infrastructure, the Order was largely insulated from external conflicts.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Wayne waved his hand dismissively and addressed Julia.

"Don't concern yourself with their squabbles," he said lazily. "Our Chamber of Commerce controls the supply chains for several key cities. Let the nobles sort out their war; it's their business, not ours. What we can do is raise prices strategically and limit the availability of certain goods to secure greater profits for the Chamber."

He smirked slightly and added, "Of course, those logistics are better left to Syanna."

"You only need to protect our Chamber of Commerce stronghold and perform your duties as a guard. If any nobles dare to have any ill intentions, don't bother with diplomacy—just teach them a lesson," Wayne instructed firmly.

"This war is a prime opportunity to allow our influence to penetrate deeper into Kaedwen," he continued, his tone confident.

Noticing the hint of disappointment on Julia's face, Wayne smiled slightly and reassured her.

"I know what you're thinking, Julia, but these things can't be rushed," he said. "The first to jump into the fray is often the first to fall. The one who laughs last always wins."

"Remember when I told you to take in orphans years ago?" Wayne asked. "When the war intensifies, there will be even more orphans. That will be our chance. I'll allocate more funds for you to establish a mercenary academy right here in Kaedwen. It will specifically train our own fighters, making them loyal to us."

He chuckled lightly and added, "As for the war itself—haven't I already instructed you to deploy additional intelligence operatives in the south? The skirmish between Kaedwen and Aedirn is just a prelude. The real conflict—the one that will engulf the entire North—won't begin until the lion of the South, Nilfgaard, decides to roar."

Julia listened carefully, though she couldn't entirely hide her disappointment. Leading the mercenary group, she had command of more than 20,000 warriors—far exceeding the largest mercenary group in the North, and even rivaling the armies of smaller Northern kingdoms.

This impressive force was made possible by Wayne's vast financial resources and unwavering support, and Julia had dedicated herself tirelessly to growing this military power. But instead of engaging in grand battles or large-scale campaigns, her troops were mostly relegated to guard duty, dealing with bandits, rogue monsters, and highway thieves. While essential, such tasks left her feeling unfulfilled, her ambitions as a military tactician constrained.

"Understood, Wayne. I'll keep a close watch on the war orphans," Julia replied, finally conceding. "With the wilds of Kaedwen now so dangerous, and with our Chamber of Commerce controlling nearly all trade routes, even if Demavend defeats the Count, he won't have the resources to secure the wilderness from monsters or the corrupted."

"In the end, we'll still hold the upper hand over the country. Their victories won't change the reality on the ground."

Wayne chuckled at her analysis, waving a hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, Julia. You've done an excellent job over the past few years and achieved remarkable results. But we must remain patient and avoid unnecessary risks."

Satisfied with his decision, Julia reluctantly returned to her seat, though her eyes drifted to Syanna, her long-time partner. Once an eager young girl, Syanna had matured into a dignified and savvy negotiator, earning her the reputation of being the face of the Wayne Chamber of Commerce in the North.

Before Syanna could speak, however, the room's doors swung open suddenly. Geralt, dressed in casual clothing, strode in, his expression tense.

His gaze briefly scanned the assembled council members before he hesitated, then quickly approached Wayne's side. He leaned in and spoke in a low voice.

"Wayne, Yennefer just received word from Cintra," he said urgently. "Princess Pavetta has disappeared, and Queen Calanthe is requesting our help."