Chapter 229: Potions, Enchantments, and a Hero’s Return
Enchanting and infusion are extremely delicate works, not to mention that Lann's two swords are high-quality magic artifacts. And the [Legendary Griffin gear] he uses, is also a treasure near the top of witcher equipment. Therefore, Jerome worked extremely cautiously, so as not to damage the original magic essence of the weapons and armor.
In addition, this was also a teaching process for Lann. Jerome deliberately slowed down his work so that Lann could better understand each step. The entire process took three days.
Once the enchantments and infusion of the equipment were finished, they moved on to preparing the decoction. Lann learned and obtained a new magic potion.
[Ancient Leshen decoction]: Increases magic power regeneration in combat each time magic power is used. The bonus lasts until combat ends and can be accumulated without limit.
In a sense, it is a mode of unlimited firepower. After drinking this potion, it is possible that Lann could even restore more magic than he consumed when casting his signs.
During that time, members of the Viper School also used another small alchemy laboratory at Kaer Seren to prepare the mutagenic substances they had collected after the battle at Hagge Castle.
The monsters drawn to the Scoia'tael were indeed quite diverse. Previously, Kaer Seren had not equipped Lann with a full set of decoctions because they did not have the necessary mutagenic materials. But thanks to the Scoia'tael, Lann had acquired almost half of the potions he was missing.
Thanks for the gifts, Scoia'tael!
With so many special potions, and thanks to the immunity to poisons that Lann had maximized during his mutation, he now had at his disposal a new strategy based on the massive consumption of potions.
On the other hand, while Jerome was enchanting the Iris scimitar, Iris hid in Lann's room. It seemed that she was afraid of the two elders of the Griffin School, but Jerome and Keldar still quickly discovered her.
The result was that Lann formally introduced her to the two great witcher masters. After hearing her story, both of them, veterans of many wars, could not help but feel sympathy and compassion for Iris and gave her a warm welcome.
Iris was happy about this.
Meanwhile, the Cintra soldiers worked hard to clear all the snow from the castle, although some roofs and walls were still not fully repaired. Jerome and Keldar thanked them for their help but decided to take care of the remaining repairs themselves.
As a portal opened, Lann narrowed his eyes slightly. After passing through this portal, they would return to Cintra.
Besides Jerome, Keldar and young Leo also came out to see them off.
Looking at the boy who had obviously become resolute and strong, Lann, who recalled his immature and childish appearance in the White Orchard not long ago, was in a good mood.
"Leo, train hard. You are also my squire, and I hope that someday soon you will be ready to fight by my side."
The little guy nodded vigorously. "Yes! Lord Earl!"
Hearing Lann's words to Leo, Jerome was silent for a moment before saying, with his arms crossed: "You must also strengthen your academic studies when you go back, and don't waste your magic talent. You must also keep up with the accumulation of knowledge. I am very dissatisfied with you for not being able to recognize the royal griffin in the first time this time."
Lann's face was immediately embarrassed when he heard this.
"But with Mousesack in Cintra, I'm not worried about you getting careless." Jerome's melancholy face smiled. "Be careful and come to me if you have any difficulties."
Lann nodded seriously. "Yes, teacher."
Then he turned around and rushed into the portal with the reluctant Black Wind.
Cintra, I'm back!
...
If in Kaer Seren Lann was a traveler returning home, in Cintra his return had the aura of a true return of the king.
Compared to Kaer Seren, where only Jerome came out to greet him, the pomp in Cintra was much more ceremonial. Before setting off, Lann specifically asked the cavalrymen of Cintra to polish their armor and tidy up their clothes, showing the spirit of the Lion Guard.
The portal was opened by Mousesack, who had already coordinated everything with Jerome, and placed it right at the main entrance to the town of Brokilon.
As soon as Lann stepped through the portal, before he could regain his composure from his dizziness, cheers filled his ears.
"The Lion of Cintra! The Lion of Cintra has returned!"
"Lord Lannister! Long live Lannister!! Long live Cintra!!!"
Lann made an effort to suppress the discomfort that the portal caused him, and with great skill in controlling his emotions, he managed to show an appropriate smile: friendly, warm, but without losing the touch of authority and serenity.
At the same time, he noticed that Black Wind no longer showed the discomfort he had shown earlier when they had gone to Kaer Seren through the portal. In fact, the animal now raised its head proudly, letting its thick mane flutter in the wind, accompanying the cheers of the crowd.
The sight of the Earl smiling further encouraged the crowd, and cheers rose. Mousesack had not officially called the people together, he had only informed them to clear an area and told them the news of Lann's arrival. The citizens had spontaneously gathered there. The excitement on their faces made it clear that they had been waiting for some time.
Because of the sheer number of people, the crowd moved awkwardly, tripping over one another. In other times in Cintra, they would have raised flowers and vines, clinking their glasses in a joyous toast. However, in this time of scarce resources, they could only raise their voices to the heavens, sending forth their praises and blessings, celebrating the safe arrival of Lann and his entourage.
With a resounding 'thump!', like the thud of a heavy pillar falling to the ground, magical vines suddenly sprouted out, forming a barrier to prevent stampedes, and the city guards quickly set about maintaining order. Lann noticed that the most enthusiastic among the crowd were a group of people dressed in simple linen robes, but who had three lion claws tattooed on their bodies. The fervent look in their eyes seemed capable of setting fire to the magical plants that had sprouted in front of them.
If he remembered correctly, these people were the Lion Cult that formed spontaneously at the beginning?
"Be careful, maintain order!" Lann shouted loudly. Because of his superhuman physical strength, this voice was heard by everyone present, overshadowing the cheers of the people.
The ordinary people of Cintra were fine, but the members of the Lion Cult were suddenly shocked after hearing Lann's words. They no longer had the crazy energy to squeeze forward to see Lann's true face but turned around and started to maintain order at the scene with the city guards.
That can't be said. Judging from their expressions and eyes, the crazy energy has actually increased. But their behavior actually reveals a sense of rationality, full of a contradictory contrast.
The Cintra soldiers who cooperated with them all turned a blind eye to this group of cultists, obviously they were no longer surprised.
Mousesack appeared from the end of the crowd and slowly approached and saluted to Earl Lannister as a royal advisor.
Lann accepted Mousesack's greeting with a stern face, and then turned over and hugged the druid as quickly as possible.
This scene made the cheers around him rise again. It seems that Mousesack's prestige in the camp has also increased by more than one level during this period.
"Uncle Mousesack, why did you make such a big scene? Is the front line okay?"
"After three months without seeing you, people need a little encouragement. Basic order is still under control, and the soldiers at the front have not retreated. Afterwards you must go to the front line, to motivate and encourage the soldiers."
Lann nodded after hearing Mousesack's arrangement. "Of course."
He turned to the crowd, seeing the anticipation in the Cintrians' eyes, and felt a sudden urge to say something inspiring.
"Dear citizens!"
The lion roared and within seconds the crowd fell into a deep silence. Everyone was watching him intently, though their faces revealed the excitement and unease they felt inside.
"You all know that in the past three months I went to Temeria, Redania, and finally to Hagge Castle to hold talks with other kings in the North."
Although Cintra retreated to Brokilon, it was definitely not trapped. News and caravans from the outside world would continue to come here. Every time Mousesack received a letter from Lann, he would selectively modify it and then announce it to the people of Brokilon and the soldiers on the front line to enhance the cohesion and combat effectiveness of the camp.
"The brave Lannister! The just Lannister!" Some people shouted very cooperatively. These two titles were the reputation that Lann earned for not hurting civilians after being offended in Temeria, and the praise he received for protecting White Orchard from the Chort.
"Knight of the Lady of the Lake! Monster Hunter!" Others cried out, remembering how Lann had rescued a ship in Redania.
"The savior of Novigrad! The lion who walks among flames!" A group was heard shouting, probably thanks to the influence of the Foxen troupe led by Irina.
---
I will post some extra Chapters in Patreon, you can check it out. >> patreon.com/TitoVillar
---