Skellige.

—

"Hold up there a second! You lot of witches and warlocks might have your reasons for finding this Ciri, but us common folk just want to live in peace. Plough it! We don't even know who this Ciri is. And even if we did, how can any of us be of any help? Those monsters out there aren't gonna be stopped with pitchforks and hoes!"

"Is that so? Here I thought the Cleaver of Novigrad could manage just fine on his own, without the help of us mages. Even to the point of refusing to lend a hand when we are being hunted. Isn't that right, Triss?"

"Bugger off! Back then, it was just a bloody transaction. Witch Hunters gave us goods, and we just had to auction them off. It just so happened that Poppy was among them."

"One more word, and I'll toss your shrimpy little numbskull into the sea."

"Try it then, you wench! Let's see if your sorcery's faster than my axe buried between your gouged eyes."

"Enough! This isn't the time for settling scores. Out there's a bloody mess, and it doesn't matter who you are or what you're capable of. Sooner or later, we'll all drown in this new tide of unnatural creatures. By the Altar of Melitele, even Margarita believes portals that size could appear across the Continent. I'd love to save just Temeria, but what's the point if there's nothing left to protect? If it means the Blue Stripes have to work with the Black Sun, so be it. We need every ounce of strength we can muster. So, get your shit together because time's running out."

Knowing that some people don't want to go to Skellige, especially those who hold authority with their power centered in Redenia, Richard proposes a suggestion. 

"Oxenfurt has good walls and terrain. Anyone who wants to stay can take refuge there. I will clear anything that can threaten the safety of humans for kilometers away. But I will do that after I finish the business in Skellige. And—"

Wanting to continue his sentence, Richard suddenly felt an aura suggesting someone wanted to manipulate him into staying and babysitting them all the way until the fleet reached Oxenfurt. Looking up to see a bald man wearing a cape, Richard then asked Margarita, "Who is he?"

Turning to see Francis Bedlam, the King of Beggars, suddenly looking flustered and confused as to why he was suddenly targeted, and feeling the atmosphere grow uncomfortably hot, Margarita answered, "Francis Bedlam, the King of Beggars. He's one of the Big Four of the Big Syndicate that rules the underworld of Novigrad."

Frowning and nodding silently, Richard then regulated his breathing to avoid inadvertently harming others once again. He decided to stay silent, as it seemed the more he talked, the greater the chance he would be manipulated. Raised in a modern society free from the threat of daily survival, Richard's approach wasn't cunning. Especially having lived in an era of internet where people express opinions without consequences. Hmm, internet…

"Hahahaha. Francis, my friend. You can't reason with a beast, especially not one with keen intuition. They'll do as they please, when they please. Let's just be thankful our beast here's noble enough to keep us poor peasants safe."

Looking at the fat man named Dijkstra, who genuinely praised him with admiration, Richard couldn't help but feel stumped by the content of his words, as they seemed to subtly criticize his character. However, upon observing that Dijkstra's demeanor remained respectful and his aura didn't show any hostility towards him, Richard understood that Dijkstra truly respected his decision. It was merely a difference in wording and how the sentiment was conveyed.

"Slayer, it's true Oxenfurt's got solid defenses. The problem is it's crawling with Radovid's men. And if you haven't noticed, this king detests sharing his space with anyone who isn't his 'subject'—especially sorceresses."

Nodding his head, Richard answered Dijkstra, "I know what he looks like. I've met him once, and I have not yet finished the job."

"Hahahah, marvelous, absolutely marvelous! It feels like a dream. My testicle's fit to burst with joy. In time, my friend, I'll introduce you to Emhyr. Oh, the possibilities! No more war, and gold flowing like rivers through every land."

—

[Thirty minutes later]

Looking at Keira, Lambert, Roche, and Ves, who had been teleported to Kaer Morhen, Richard then turned his attention to his own team. Well, not so much a team, but more like hitchhikers, as they were coming along out of concern for their friends' whereabouts. These included Zoltan and Dandelion, who was geared up for combat.

Seeing everything set and ready, and having changed into new attire with four swords strapped to his waist, Richard nodded to Margarita and Philippa, signaling them to teleport the group to Skellige, more precisely to the capital, Kaer Trolde. With his senses turned off to minimize possible disorientation, he was once again assaulted by a splitting headache that pounded his temples.

Falling onto the sandy shore, Richard clutched his head, trying to alleviate the pain, completely ignoring the gasps and curses from the people around him. The intense shouts back and forth were soon quieted by the commanding voice of a regal woman. After five minutes, he finally got his bearings and started listening to the conversation.

"Is that true?"

"Triss, is it? Aye, we're mustering our forces to strike at Undvik, specifically Tor Gvalch'ca. The Wraiths of Mörhogg are already there, thousands strong."

"What about Ciri? And what about Geralt and Yen?"

"Ciri? I'm not sure, but Yennefer mentioned she's been captured by the wraiths. Yennefer and Geralt are already ahead with a scouting party."

"Thank you, Cerys. Could you please look after Zoltan and Dandelion for me? I need to follow them."

"Bah, woman. I don't need your sympathy. Just let my axe split those elven wraith skulls."

"Hey, that hurts, you know! I may be an entertainer, but I can still wield a sword."

"What about this handsome lad?"

Standing up after the pain had completely subsided and seeing the Skellige woman with a crown on her head, whom he presumed to be a ruler of the land, Richard decided to bow slightly after scrutinizing her with his Transparent World ability. Not because she was a ruler who needed to be honored, but out of genuine respect, since she was the first person in this world whom he had seen never spilling innocent blood, despite clearly having a history of taking lives.

Turning his head to the southeast direction where he sensed Ciri calling out to him, Richard immediately shifted his breathing to the Second Form. Flames danced around him in sync with his heartbeat as he adjusted his elemental affinity to lightning. Considering the large bodies of water he needed to cross, he infused this newly created technique with Water Breathing. With a loud Zaaap, Richard disappeared from sight, accompanied by a sonic boom that knocked everyone backward.

"Well, ain't that something."

—