Chapter 183: Rescue and Retribution
"Dudu, go save Kaelan!"
Irina screamed, and everyone in the place woke up from their reverie.
But Lann didn't stand still. While everyone was still focused on him, he had already raised his hand and let a hazy white light cover the head of one of the gang members.
[Axii Sign]!
The gang member closest to the boy turned into a zombie on the spot and Lann burst out with a speed far beyond that of ordinary people. Everyone only saw a gust of silver and black wind pass in front of them before a sword cut off the hands of the remaining gang members before they could touch the boy.
Lann grabbed the blond boy by the collar and threw him towards 'Geralt' without looking back. Lann then released the believer of the Eternal Fire, pushing him with a kick towards a safe zone.
With no more hostages in sight, and the gang members gathering, Lann smiled. This was his favorite way to confront the enemy.
He extended his left hand and his magic power diminished.
[Igni Sign]
An intense heat wave broke out, enveloping the gang members in an instant.
The hot air poured back and made the shivering people behind them cover their eyes. Only the Eternal Fire believer who had just been thrown back stared at him, lying on the ground and even forgot to get up.
The enemies were defeated by Lann in a few moves, and the cavalry that came with him scattered to search for other gang members in this courtyard.
The children hiding in the corners showed no fear at the scene, the blood could no longer frighten them. They looked at the shining knight with eyes full of admiration.
Lann chuckled as he watched 'Geralt' hand the child to the brown-haired woman beside him and look at him warily.
"I am Lann Lannister. Geralt told me about an interesting doppler he met in Novigrad, who even became his double. If I'm not mistaken, your name is Dudu, right?"
Of course, this story was not told by Geralt, but Lann remembered it from his previous life.
Hearing Geralt's name, Dudu relaxed. "Do you know Geralt?"
Lann nodded and tilted his head to point to the door. "There's still a riot outside. I'm going to help calm it down, do you want to come lend a hand?"
Geralt's mindset surfaced in Dudu, who was tempted, but then looked at the people in the courtyard and shook his head. "I must stay here to protect the theatre."
Lann nodded and, without saying anything else, called out to the knights who had already finished searching and quickly left.
The members of the Foxen mummers' troupe awoke from their trance and some went to check on the wounded. Irina organized those who still had strength to look for objects with which to block the theatre door.
Dudu's body twisted and soon changed from Geralt's form to that of a bearded doctor, helping the blond boy check his wounds.
"Dudu?" The boy asked uncertainly as he looked at the strange doppler. Not long ago, this same bearded doctor was his playmate of the same height, but he had just transformed into a white-haired swordsman who had killed many gang members.
Dudu nodded silently.
The boy's eyes lit up. "Dudu, you are so awesome!"
Dudu paused for a moment, and his serious expression finally softened. "Really?"
"Yeah!" The boy's eyes were twinkling with stars. "Can I learn how to do that?"
Dudu shook his head. "You can't learn it, and you don't want to learn it."
"Okay." The boy pouted, and he suddenly thought of something, and shouted excitedly: "That gentleman... he said he was the Lion? Right?!"
"Yes, that's what he said, he is the lion, Lann Lannister."
"He grabbed me by the neck and threw me." Although he had lost a lot of blood, the boy's face was flushed with excitement. "I think I am also awesome!"
Dudu looked at the boy and chuckled. "Yeah, you're amazing too."
...
Lann and his cavalry left the theater and continued to clear out gangsters along the way and rescue the citizens of Novigrad.
When the people whose lives were hanging by a thread were rescued, the first thing they saw when they looked up was the roaring lion emblem with its head held high and the pair of shining lion eyes.
No one knew whether these would have any other impact in the future.
Soon, Chappelle, who had solved the problem of Caleb Menge's coup, arrived with the temple guards. On the way, they met Letho and, after learning the situation, began rescue efforts.
It took them a full day to calm the chaos. With the intervention of the official authorities of Novigrad, along with the help of the King of Beggars and Cleaver, the Cutups gang no longer had the strength to resist.
However, although the main culprit had been killed, many gang members were hiding in many alleys, so the Eternal Fire issued a search warrant and mobilized all the forces in the city to arrest all suspicious people.
Even the bonfires in Hierarch Square were reactivated.
Three days later, the Eternal Fire issued an official statement through a bishop in Novigrad:
"Our city was invaded by evil heretics, who possessed Caleb Menge with evil spirits, awakening darkness and vileness in his heart. But under the light of the Eternal Fire, our Chancellor of Security, Chappelle, dismantled the conspiracy and protected us from the invasion."
"Riots in casinos, brothels and wrestling arenas were also provoked by heretics. Due to their constant exposure to filth, evil spirits easily occupied the dark minds of these people, causing them to act insanely and disorderly. Please note: There are no criminal gangs in Novigrad! Rumors of gang revolts are absurd."
"Lord Chappelle protected us. We thank the Flaming Lion, Earl Lannister of Cintra, and his companions, the witchers. Under the protection of the Eternal Fire, they detected the evil in time, leaving the evil spirits nowhere to hide."
Although citizens had their doubts, they accepted the statement.
Eventually, Chappelle donated a batch of gold and silver reserves from the Eternal Fire to aid the citizens affected by the revolt and restore order to the city.
Chappelle stated: "Everything is guided by the Eternal Fire."
Lann also sent some Cintra soldiers along with Milva and Levin to help and gain prestige.
These are scenes that cannot be seen in other places in the North. Many merchants and politicians from other countries are amazed and admire the Free City's actions.
...
Did the revolt really cause so much damage to Novigrad? No.
The chaos is just scary, after all, it was the gangs that were rioting, not the soldiers who broke into the city.
The main victims were honest citizens, unsuspecting travelers and homeless vagrants.
Foreign merchants, large organizations and wealthy nobles were hardly affected; some even took advantage of the situation to profit from the 'reconstruction of the city'.
On the other hand, the Eternal Fire has increased its reputation among the citizens after this battle, and the believers' faith has become firmer.
...
Temple Isle. In a residence reserved for the king.
Chappelle watched the chaotic energy constantly emanating from Lann's body, as he chatted quietly about the recent situation in Novigrad.
"I regret that I could not blame this calamity on Nilfgaard. I originally thought of the 'Black Sun pagans', but now the Nilfgaard merchants have taken up a large part of the market and I cannot expel them. But I will adjust their rates and try to transfer their interests to Cintra."
Lann nodded to show his understanding. "Expelling enemy merchants is a crude and unskillful solution. Besides, Nilfgaard's merchants bring information from the empire, and we can also transmit false information through their caravans. Their presence is necessary."
Chappelle nodded and continued: "The Eternal Fire will purchase a batch of silverware later, and if possible, I would like to order a batch of [Moon Dust] from you. Some alchemists want to fight for this order, but I plan to make this a trade order for Cintra, what do you think? "
Lann thought for a while. "It may take some time before I can supply you."
Chappelle didn't care. "I also need some time to prepare."
Touching the silver chain around his neck, Chappelle looked restless.
"Can this thing really make me immune to the damage of other silver objects?"
"No, what are you thinking?" Lann glanced at him. "It can only temporarily replace your transformation ability with chaotic energy, maintaining the appearance of 'Chappelle', so that you don't lose control on the spot, and it also has a bit of illusion magic. But if you are injured by silver items, you still have to go to a deserted place as soon as possible to recover."
This silver chain is a magical item that Triss made a few days ago. For this reason, she also took a lot of blood and body tissue from 'Chappelle' for research, which scared the doppler a lot.
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