pjbooks Chapter 402 402: Has Redania Moved Too?
Chapter 402 402: Has Redania Moved Too?
In the royal palace of Ponte Vanis, the summer capital of Kovir.
Kovir technically had two capitals: the summer capital, Ponte Vanis, and the winter capital, Lan Exeter. However, since the Tisson family was driven out of Kovir, Lan Exeter became the residence of King Ead of Kovir, while Ponte Vanis became the residence of King Rhaed of Poviss. This explains the persistent rumors that King Ead of Kovir was merely a puppet of King Rhaed of Poviss.
An exhilarated King Ead sought out King Rhaed in the palace.
King Rhaed glanced at King Ead. "Why so cheerful? Did your wife finally bear you an heir?"
"Of course not! King Nedamir of the Hengfors League has marched his army into the Marquisate of Targo. Istrad wanted to invade Kovir, didn't he? Let's see how he manages that now!"
King Ead finished speaking but noticed that King Rhaed wasn't smiling. In fact, Rhaed's face was entirely devoid of expression.
That's not right, thought a suddenly uneasy King Ead, whose own smile slowly faded.
King Rhaed gave a cold snort. "Who do you think convinced King Nedamir to attack?"
King Ead was stunned. "Was it you?"
King Rhaed couldn't be bothered to look at King Ead again.
"What do you think? It wasn't going to be you, you pathetic poet who spends all day writing sonnets with your male companions."
"I guaranteed King Nedamir that if he conquers the Marquisate of Targo, he can keep two-thirds of the territory."
"I suppose you're about to ask why I only offered him two-thirds, even though he will have conquered all of Targo?"
"That is because the remaining one-third goes to King Vizimir of Redania."
King Ead was utterly shaken. He had been angry when Rhaed insulted him moments before, but now, hearing that King Rhaed could even command Redania, his rage instantly evaporated.
"Vizimir? How could he possibly be commanded by you?"
King Rhaed sneered. "Why not? You clearly don't know the extent of the ambition the rulers of Redania hold for reclaiming the far North… but never mind, telling you is a waste of breath."
His eyes grew cold. This time, he would ensure the Tisson family had no possibility of ever rising again.
In the capital of Redania, the city of Tretogor.
Inside the royal study.
King Vizimir took out a parchment scroll sealed with wax.
"Have your people deliver this to the Count of Troy—the sooner, the better."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Dijkstra left the study without asking any questions, clutching the parchment.
In the corridor outside, a woman's voice suddenly called out to him.
"Wait, Sigismund."
Dijkstra turned and saw a sorceress.
It was Philippa Eilhart, the King's advisor.
"Look at you, scurrying about like a frantic groom running to his bride."
"This is not funny, Philippa. Now is not the time for jokes. I have an order that must be executed immediately."
"No, trust me, Sigismund, a slight delay won't hurt anything. Besides, the matter I need to discuss with you is equally urgent."
With that, the sorceress walked past Dijkstra. After taking a few steps, she looked back and made a gesture to hurry him up when he failed to follow.
Dijkstra sighed. He knew that Philippa seeking him out at this moment was absolutely not a good sign, but what could he do? He was in love with a sorceress.
The two found a discreet corner. Philippa cast a protective barrier so no one outside the sphere could see or hear them.
"What did His Majesty discuss with you in the study? Tell me."
"Philippa, are you familiar with the phrase, 'Curiosity killed the cat'?"
"I am. So, what did His Majesty discuss with you?"
Dijkstra sighed again. However, considering that he knew she would never do anything to harm the interests of Redania, Dijkstra briefly hesitated before telling Philippa what had happened in the study.
Then, as if he had just remembered something, Dijkstra added, "Don't delude yourself into thinking I'd hand over that parchment to you. Not even you will get it."
"Sigismund, what kind of person do you take me for? However, you will instruct your subordinates to deliver that letter to its recipient a few days later than planned."
Dijkstra was shocked. "Are you mad? That's treason!"
"Wrong. Everything I do is for Redania," Philippa's tone softened slightly. "Besides, the Northern Kings don't trust a sorceress's magic, yet they still use traditional messengers to send letters, even though they know there will be delays on the road."
"If there were a massive rainstorm along the entire route from Tretogor to the Count of Troy, wouldn't it be perfectly normal for the letter to arrive a little late?"
Dijkstra shook his head. "I don't understand, Philippa. Why are you doing this?"
Philippa said lightly, "I told you, it's for Redania. You will understand my good intentions in time."
On the very day Istrad decided to aid Lady Bénédicte, his troops began moving, dismantling the camp and marching east. Lynn and the witchers moved alongside the army.
The actions of the Restoration Army did not escape the eyes of the Hengfors League scouts. When King Nedamir's outriders returned to report that an army was approaching them, King Nedamir left three thousand men to continue the siege of Ironwood City. He personally led twelve thousand men, bypassing Ironwood City, to set up camp on the plain behind it, awaiting the arrival of the Restoration Army.
Even with the League Army divided, the Restoration Army numbered only eight thousand. They were still at a disadvantage in terms of numbers. A head-on clash, even if victorious, would likely be a pyrrhic one, leaving them unable to proceed with the planned invasion of Kovir and Poviss.
Therefore, when the Restoration Army arrived and saw the League Army camp, they dared not launch an immediate attack. Instead, they took up defensive positions directly opposite the enemy camp.
The nobles gathered in Istrad's tent, immediately falling into a heated argument over how to fight the coming battle. Seeing that the argument was going nowhere, a frustrated Istrad instructed the nobles to return to their positions to prevent a surprise attack from the League Army.
After everyone had left the tent, Istrad suddenly noticed that one person remained.
"Master Lynn, do you perhaps have a plan?"
The witcher nodded and said to him, "My Lord, I have been thinking about a plan to defeat the enemy ever since we started marching here."
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