"Uh... um... Master Margarita, I almost couldn't see you... uh uh uh..."
Ten minutes later, Keli was awakened, biting his lips and crying in Margarita's majestic chest, while Margarita could only silently pat her back to comfort her.
On the other side, Chapela, who was still in shock, was still trembling, hugging herself and talking softly to Geralt.
Xie Yuan, on the other hand, sorted out some interesting ancient literature materials on the bookcase and pocketed them.
Looking at Keli and Chapella who lost their composure, everyone patiently healed their pain - this was a state of mind that had gradually eased after surviving the catastrophe.
You know, when they woke up, they all screamed. Fortunately, the experienced Geralt and Xie Yuan immediately covered their mouths, and through Geralt and Margaret, they
Their respective acquaintances came to comfort them.
Only now did they know that they had finally saved a small life.
But even so, no one dares to express their emotions loudly - just because they are still in danger.
However, just when Xie Yuan was about to take out his water bag and take a sip, Chapera came over lamely.
"Thank you, respectable warrior." He thanked him sincerely. "If it weren't for you, I would have been burned to death today."
"Although you are not a human being... you are always kind to others after all. I heard that before Manji went up, the temple guards had a good reputation... This should be your credit."
As he spoke, Xie Yuan gently stroked Chapera's shoulder, looked at his gloomy expression and comforted him: "But now the world has changed, and a good reputation cannot be exchanged for actual benefits, so your downfall is inevitable - you were found to be
The shapeshifters were just an unexpected bonus for Manji.”
Shapeshifters are a particularly strange species in this world. They are rare in number but very distinctive.
The shapeshifter can also copy the person's voice, way of thinking, acting style, professional knowledge and skills, etc. This is because - in Geralt's words - it can copy the victim's brain characteristics and mind, or, in other words,
soul.
As for the principle of this transformation, neither the warlock nor the demon hunter can give a satisfactory explanation. In principle, they are a harmless species and generally only use their transformation ability for self-defense and will not further harm the lives of others.
But even so, humans and even other humanoid creatures hate shape-shifters deeply——
According to Geralt, although most shapeshifters are very kind and will not maliciously harm others, this ability has attracted the hatred of most people. Therefore, humans have launched a large-scale hunt for shapeshifters, resulting in a sharp decline in their numbers.
Minus, by his time, many people even thought that shapeshifters were just a legend.
As the chief guard of the temple, the original body of Chapela was actually a similar person to Manji. However, after his death in an accident, by chance, Chapela replaced the original body of Chapela. Under the governance of the fake Chapela
Next, Novigrad became more and more open to tolerance of magic and non-human races, which also made Novigrad more prosperous.
It's a pity that the coming of war really destroyed everything.
"In the future, you may have to change places and live a low-key life for a while." Xie Yuan comforted, "Although it is difficult to change from luxury to frugality, it is really not always possible for well-meaning and capable people to take advantage of you.
A handful."
"I know..." Chapera nodded helplessly.
After being isolated for a while, Chapera looked at Xie Yuan and Geralt: "I will transform into an animal later and leave immediately. There is one less person and one less risk. Is there anything else you want to know from me?
?”
The two looked at each other and immediately became excited - as the chief guard of the temple, Chapela happened to be the walking dictionary of the entire Novigrad. It could be said that he knew many secrets.
For example, the approximate ranking of forces in Novigrad: Sigiluven, "The Beggar King", the dwarf "Cliff" and Hawthorne II are the four giants in the underground world of Novigrad.
Together with the temple guards, he controls all the rules and regulations of Novigrad.
But according to Chapera, the so-called Sigiluven is actually Redania's former intelligence chief Dijkstra - this person happens to be one of Geralt's acquaintances, and the witcher can meet him when he is free.
one sight.
After all, from Hawthorne II's memory, he and Manji coerced Dandelion into doing something related to Dijkstra - robbing him of his treasure.
In a sense, the Rotten Forest, the lair of the "Beggar King", is a safe haven for many mages and even those implicated in mages' affairs, and the leader of these loose organizations is Triss.
Speaking of Triss, Geralt naturally wanted to know where she had gone - Geralt even found a bouquet of what was said to be a "memory rose" here.
But now it seems that the rose has become a dried specimen.
It's just a pity that when Triss began to disappear from the villa, Chapera basically became a prisoner. Not only was the information blocked, but she also lost her power.
Geralt, who could no longer ask for any information, finally shook hands with Chapera and said goodbye. In front of Xie Yuan's wide eyes, the shapeshifter slowly twisted his body into a black cat that was no different from a stray cat.
.
Black Cat's body was covered in scars, but he still raised his forelimbs and waved to Xie Yuan, Geralt and Margarita. After saying goodbye, he jumped out of the door, followed by several leaps
After that, the figure completely disappeared.
"Okay," Xie Yuan then turned to look at Margarita and Ke Li, "Can you still walk?"
But what is strange is that this intern tried it but failed... Although her clothes were still intact, the countless bloodstains and burns showed that Felicia had obviously suffered a lot.
.
"That's it," Xie Yuan casually took out a polished metal bottle with a very unconventional style from his backpack, opened the rotating lid, poured out a soft capsule from his hand, and handed it to Felicia Keli.
"Take this oral sleeping pill and get some sleep first, and we'll find you a temporary place to stay."
"This..." Keli hesitated for a moment. Emotionally, she had just survived the inevitable death at the stake, and she really didn't want to lose control of herself so quickly.
But on the other hand, she also knew that she was a burden now that she had lost the ability to move. Instead of picking and choosing for the sake of a sense of security, it was better to hold Margarita's thigh tightly and listen to her orders - utilitarian speaking,
As the only recent graduate of the Sorceress Academy, I might get Margarita's wholehearted guidance.
Having said this, she immediately looked at Margarita for consultation, but the latter's performance surprised and shocked her even more.
"Follow his command." Margarita ordered seriously, "I believe he will not harm you."
Felicia Keli's eyes widened when he heard this, and he looked at Margarita and Xie Yuan curiously. Then he swallowed the medicine without hesitation, and then the effect of the medicine took effect quickly... Keli soon became groggy.
I fell asleep like this.
Then Xie Yuan immediately went downstairs, and when he came up again, he had climbed up the stairs with his hands wrapped around a white cabinet that was as tall as one person.
The other two people already know that this is the so-called stasis chamber, which can freeze people who are dying to delay the passage of life.
However, Geralt was still shocked that Xie Yuan carried so many stasis capsules with him: "How many of these things do you carry with you?"
"At least there are more than ten..." Xie Yuan opened the hatch cover with ease, picked up Felicia Keli from the waist, and then gently laid her down inside the stasis cabin and placed her hands.
Then the hatch cover was closed and the internal energy supply reaction was activated. The two of them once again saw a sudden hoarfrost in the cabin. They could only see Philipia Curley's peaceful face through the transparent hatch cover window.
This is Xie Yuan's fifth stasis capsule that has been requisitioned. Fortunately, the current three are only for short-term use - they will be awakened or disposed of soon.
Then Margarita and Geralt also got up and walked downstairs in a tacit understanding... This was also one of Xie Yuan's habits that they learned after getting along for many days: he never used space equipment or means in front of others.
Of course, this didn't take much time from Xie Yuan. Soon he followed him downstairs and waited for Margarita to finish wearing her outer camouflage cloak. As soon as Geralt came out of the outer door, Xie Yuan and Margarita
Take advantage of this juncture and follow closely.
They are going to visit the "Beggar King".
…
Based on Chapela's introduction, Hawthorne II's memory, Geralt's additions, and Margarita's checking and filling in the gaps, Xie Yuan also roughly understood the underground government of Novigrad - the Syndicate.
The Syndicate is the ruler of the underground world of Novigrad and even the entire city. It is an alliance formed by gangs, religious groups, and espionage agencies in the city for the common purpose of money. It controls every lifeline of the city and exerts its influence.
expanded to the entire north.
The Syndicate is composed of six parties, including the Dark Alley Gang led by the Beggar King, the Ghostface Gang led by Hawthorne II, the Black Gold Society led by Cleaver, the Treader Gang led by Gudrun Josdottir, and the Eternal Ones.
Fire Archbishop Cyrus Helmfat and his fanatical followers, and finally the former head of the Redanian intelligence agency, Sigismund Dijkstra under the pseudonym Sigi Luwin.
Among them, the Church of Eternal Fire has turned into an apparent ruler and often has to contact the official power; while Gudrun Josdottir only took over the transportation work of the entire dock. She only wants to make profits, regardless of the general affairs and the city.
Interest disputes.
As a result, there were only four people in Noviglia who could really speak - the Beggar King, Hawthorne II, Cliff and Sigiluven.
Therefore, the Beggar King is one of the four great princes resident in the Novigrad underground order.
His real name was Francis Beland, and he managed a group of thieves, beggars, homeless people and street orphans all over the city. They named this group the "Dark Alley Gang".
This group of spies allowed him to always hear the latest rumors and the most valuable news, and the tax he collected on the income of his "subjects" also gave him a huge income, allowing him to maintain his "palace" in the corrupt forest.
The Beggar King's men are distinguished by their yellow-red plaid and yellow-green matching clothing.
As for why you define yourself as the "Beggar King"?
This is because the free city of Novigrad has been without a king for nearly two hundred years. Francis Beland should have considered this before proclaiming himself the Beggar King. While mocking the red tape of the palace, he also stole a little bit of himself.
use.
His hometown is Fu Lin, which is located in the fish market, similar to a Kowloon Walled City, but strictly controls import and export.
The Beggar King hates fanaticism and discrimination equally, so warlocks who want to escape from witch hunters often seek his protection. Naturally, this pragmatic king will charge a certain fee for the benefit.
When King Radovid V of Redania launched Operation Prey, the Dark Alley Gang became the protector of the troubled mage. If Felicia Curley wanted to find a place to settle, she couldn't avoid this man; and if Triss
If you are still in a free state, you must contact this person if you want to do anything.
Therefore, Fu Lin is the place where the next three people must visit and contact.
Because of Chapera's help, Fu Lin was located very quickly. Just as it was described, it was a fortress in the city, but the exits were sealed tightly - the freight gate and the personnel entry and exit gate were both on the other side.
Sealed.
If you want to communicate, you have to knock on the small window on the personnel entrance and exit door.
"Dong dong dong!" Xie Yuan came to the door and knocked regularly.
"Brush!" Soon, the transom inside the door was opened, revealing the impatient face of a somewhat plump middle-aged man. He looked at Xie Yuan warily.
Obviously, he didn't know Xie Yuan, so he asked impatiently: "What do you want to do?"
"I want to go in and find a special artist to help me with something."
"Ha!" the middle-aged man sneered, "Do you think this is a hospital? This is not the place you are looking for."
As he was about to close the transom, Xie Yuan immediately replied: "I just came to Fu Lin to find a person who has been accepted as an asylum. She should be inside at this time."
"Where's the password?" The middle-aged man stopped joking. Everything was just business. "With the password, you can come in."
Xie Yuan's solution was very simple. He widened his eyes, directed his will into the middle-aged man's eyes and said some words with the power of bewitching: "I just told you the secret code."
The words were faint and the voice was inaudible, but after a while, the middle-aged man agreed with Xie Yuan's words: "Exactly right, welcome to Fu Lin!"
Seeing that a small door was opened that allowed only one person to enter and exit, the three of them each looked at each other, and then led by Xie Yuan, they walked into the interior of Fu Lin one by one.
However, Xie Yuan is a little disappointed... Fu Lin's style does not seem to have any distinctive features - the whole environment is neither dirty nor grand, it is just a village in the city.
However, in this alley at this moment, there are very rarely many guys who are expensively dressed and elegant... but they are selling products to gangsters and gangsters!
Sven is sweeping the floor... Of course, Sven cannot be eaten as a meal. However, it seems that these mages look at ease, and I don't know whether they are really living in poverty or just pretending.
But the three of them had no time to care, because as they approached the Beggar King's office, they heard the soft conversation between a middle-aged man and a young woman.
It was obvious that they were arguing. One was very easy to deal with, while the other was a tough talker... pretending to be strong.
But I felt Geralt and Margarita trembling slightly after hearing the woman's voice... I guessed that this must be their mutual acquaintance, Triss Meredry.