From Witcher to Lord of the Empire

At high tide, the delta's tides flow through the Novigrad Canal, and there won't be a single drop of normal water left. Just a foul-smelling liquid of excrement, soap scum, oil and dead rats.

All the respectable people on board began to cover their noses in disgust. Lane glanced at Shani and found that she seemed to have a high tolerance for pungent smells.

"I've also heard rumors about 'big bugs'." Lane said, "You know that we demon hunters are always interested in the study of abnormal creatures. According to the rumors, the appearance of these animals is more in line with a kind called 'Dragonfly' creatures."

"Dragonfly monster? You have researched it, so this is a monster?" Xia Ni's knowledge and knowledge reserve are obviously very unusual, and she immediately began to infer other things from one instance, "Listen to the name, is it a monster of the category of 'insectoid creature'? It is Is it from the celestial sphere, or is it the product of the warlock's magical experiments?"

The medical student showed great enthusiasm for biological knowledge, and Lane was not shy about answering his questions.

Geron prepared a lot of books for Lann before he left, among which were popular science books on magic such as "Natural Magic" written by Keir Dahmer, as well as books like "Brother Adalbert's Bestiary" Monster hunting science and other monster illustrations.

These days, Lane has seized the trivial breaks to read and never put down the book.

"The dragonfly monster was not produced by the celestial sphere, nor was it created by warlocks. Its first sighting time is not far from now." Lann explained, "We believe that it is a product of some kind of environmental pollution, such as water in the water. Chemical waste, or the leftovers of an alchemist's random experimentation."

This kind of explanation is obviously not as mysterious and romantic as the celestial sphere convergence and the warlock experiment, which made Xia Ni feel a little disappointed, but then she became interested in academic discussions again.

At this time, she completely forgot about the legend of the lion knight, about the nobles and commoners, and became pure, rigorous, and very scientific.

"Your description of it reminds me of giant water bugs." Xia Ni deduced, "But monsters of this size should live in swamps or lakes. How do they survive in the delta?"

Lane recalled the content of the book and explained: "Humans have rebuilt their food chain and replaced the prey in the swamp with other warm-blooded animals. Sheep, cows, pigs and even humans themselves. I guess the dragonfly monster thinks that every person in the delta waters A barge, raft or three-masted sailing ship can serve as a good meal.

It is not difficult for Dragonfly to drag large animals off the deck, especially for a large transport ship with a deep draft like our feet. "

Lan stepped on the deck under her feet, and Xia Ni cooperated with showing a frightened expression, and stepped back half a step.

Compared with science, it is clear that Xia Ni thinks life is more important in a practical way.

The girl said nervously: "I seem to hear the sound of water, something big is swimming in the water, and it's getting closer..."

Lan En's eyes narrowed, and he heard it too.

The demon hunter's lion eyes contracted, as if he could pass through the fog.

With his ears pricked up, besides the sound of water, he could hear the creaking of the oars on the oarlocks. That was the boat the customs officers were on, and there was more than one. That's not the dragonfly monster they just said.

"Xia Ni, go back to the room. If you are really scared, go to the Sintra soldiers, they can protect you."

Lane then pulled House and Levine up from the poker table. The sudden loss of entertainment time didn't make them feel any regrets, but they were eager to try.

"I'm going to gather the soldiers now." House began to polish his sword.

Levin hesitated and remonstrated: "We should have entered the territory of Redania. Maybe this is a normal customs inspection? Wouldn't it be good for us to put on such a tense posture with the other party on the boat?"

House shook his head and pointed out Levin's mistake: "The ship hasn't docked yet. It is illegal to go on board at this time to check no matter which country you are in. Either it is a robber disguised as a soldier, or the soldiers took on private work— —Private work that requires the use of a sword."

Milva looked left and right, and felt that both of them were right.

Lane said: "Let the soldiers stand by, and don't let them come out together. If it is a normal customs inspection, then it has nothing to do with us; We are here, so let’s show the enemy and use our weakness to get a little information.”

The Earl made a decision, and there was no need for the attendants to discuss any more. They obediently let all the soldiers of Sintra stay in the cabin, leaving the three attendants to accompany Lane.

In a short while, a large ship and the carrier were connected, and seven or eight angry, noisy and energetic guys jumped onto the deck. They surrounded the captain, yelling fiercely, trying to make the captain pay attention to their identities. They then eagerly pounced on the belongings and luggage of the travelers.

"What's in the box?" The leader of the Redania team, with a pair of disgusting triangular eyes, yelled, "Hey, unpack the package! Whose carriage is this? Is there any currency in circulation? I said, yes Currency? Temerian currency or Nilfgaardian currency?"

Zoltan led the dwarves and ran to Lane and the others. Seeing this situation, he took the initiative to explain the behavior of the customs officials to Lane and the others.

"It's because of the tariff war," commented the dwarf who has been doing business all year round. "King Vizmir forced Novigrad to use the right of first sale. And Goth Velen fully opened the right of first sale. This was a heavy blow to Redanian traders, so King Vizmir began to impose tariffs on Temerian goods. Temeria is full of Nilfgaardian workers The cheap goods produced in the workshops, that's why these customs officials are so excited. If too much Nilfgaardian goods come in, Redania's economy will collapse. There are hardly any workshops in Redania, and their craftsmen are also There is no way to compete with foreign counterparts.”

"Businessmen only care about profits, they don't care about politics." Lane commented.

"Niflgaard is slowly taking over lands he failed to take by force with wares and gold. The kings of Temeria and Redania have no resistance to this. If they seal the borders, the merchants will protest , and even the interests of the domestic nobles will be damaged.”

The dwarf exclaimed, "I thought nobles wouldn't pay attention to these things. I'm surprised by your insight, Lann."

"No." Lan shook his head. "The most surprising one should be the emperor of Nilfgaard. His style of war surpassed the tradition of the entire continent. And I am destined to share life and death with such a person."

The captain of the transport ship is dealing with several disputes. Some merchants are arguing to the customs that the silver fox fur they brought is a surprisingly large cat fur, so that they can pay less customs duties; some noble families have bad attitudes. Attempts to exercise their privileges against inspection.

Along the wide strait, the big boat slowly passed among the small islands covered by bushes. The bumblebees among the reeds made a terrifying buzzing sound, and the tortoise whistled sharply from time to time; the crane standing on one leg calmly stared at the water. , knowing that you don't have to exert much effort—the fish will come by itself sooner or later.

Finally, these soldiers gathered in front of Lan En. They looked at Lan En's exquisite armor and noble coat of arms, and looked at Lan En's lion pupils.

Lan En keenly sensed the hesitation of the soldiers on the opposite side. Their people gradually surrounded them and seemed to have found their target, but their leader was still hesitating.

House, who was also a soldier, turned cold. He was familiar with this feeling. Sure enough, this group of people came for them.

As for why he hesitated, it is estimated that there is a problem with intelligence or something. These soldiers were all serious soldiers from Redania, and they should have taken over private jobs, but it was obvious that the person who paid them had concealed something, which made him afraid to act decisively against Lane and his party.

"Is there any currency in circulation?" Maybe it was the number of them that gave him courage. The triangular-eyed squad leader looked at them with bloodshot eyes, "Is there anything to declare?"

"No." House said coldly, "You should be able to tell that we are not merchants, we have no goods, so we don't need to pay taxes."

Although the soldier was talking to House, Lan could feel his gaze drifting towards him from time to time.

"I don't know what the adults in your family call you, but you look like a knight?"

"It's the Earl." House corrected, "The Earl of Cintra, Lann Lannister Ray Allen. The lion of Cintra, the lord of Brokilon, and the Griffin Knight of the Fairy in the Lake. "

This long series of titles seemed to have stunned the leading soldier. He muttered a few words, and Lan could faintly hear a commotion from the soldiers behind him.

"You are all wearing armor, full armor." The triangular-eyed Captain Redania put on a straight face, pretending to be serious, "If you only carry a few axes or something, I can still treat you as mercenaries." Close your eyes, but you are wearing full armor. You are all dangerous elements. We are sorry to offend the Earl, but this is our duty, and we may have to trouble you to take a trip to the Bull Castle with us. gone."

"One, two, three, four, are there just four of you? Don't worry, this is a routine inspection and it will be fine soon."

The captain of the triangular-eyed team spoke skillfully, obviously he is very familiar with this process.

"Niubao and Novigrad are both free cities, and you don't know the laws of your own country." Lann, who had been behind, finally spoke, "And I'm here to visit you My king, are you going to stop the king's guest?"

Lane slowly stood up from the chair, and House and Levin, who were standing in front of the earl to help the earl cut the enemy, stepped aside to make way for him, so that Lane could face the Redanian soldiers directly.

The triangular-eyed team leader only looked at Lan En for two seconds before he couldn't hold on. He took two steps back, and then felt offended, and immediately blushed.