Guilliman's heart jolted.
Looking at the exquisite face so close to him, smelling the faint, refreshing fragrance, he felt a strong urge to simply kiss her.
He didn't understand why Francesca could detect the Elder Blood within him, and merely by sniffing.
Was it because she was a high-level sorceress? Did she possess some special technique?
Or was it because she was the Elven Queen, a pure-blooded member of the elven royal family herself?
Regardless, Guilliman pretended not to understand anything and asked:
"Elder Blood?"
"What is that, Your Majesty?"
"I seem to have seen that word somewhere?"
Francesca's gaze sharpened as she looked at the witcher feigning ignorance in front of her, taking a soft breath.
However, the Elven Queen's expression remained graceful and beautiful; she frowned slightly, not delving further into the matter of the Elder Blood.
It seemed she only needed to confirm it for herself and wasn't concerned with Guilliman's answer.
Francesca stepped back, turning her head slightly as if sighing, and looked at the beautiful scenery around the lake, speaking in a light tone:
"Since you are unwilling to admit it, I won't say more."
"When you are ready to speak to me about it, we can discuss this matter then."
"However, my main purpose in seeking you out this time is still about the Scoia'tael and the elves and dwarves trapped in Old Vizima."
"I hope you haven't forgotten the commission you once accepted from me."
Since she didn't press the issue, Guilliman was happy to play dumb, while also pondering what exactly had happened between the Scoia'tael and the non-human races trapped in Vizima.
He actually knew before that the elves had always held two attitudes towards the Elder Blood.
The first was the Aen Seidhe elves, represented by Francesca and the elven sage Ida Emean.
These were the peace-loving elves who escaped to the Witcher world on the White Ship.
Because they knew that the Conjunction of Spheres, the White Frost, was still nearly two thousand years away from descending upon this world, they were not in a hurry to save the world or lift the White Frost. Their attitude towards Ciri, the Child of Destiny, was one of indifference, not pursuing her excessively.
Most of their energy was focused on improving the status and plight of the elves.
Even if the White Frost truly arrived in two thousand years, they could always escape to other worlds on the White Ship, which could traverse worlds.
As long as Francesca and Ida Emean, these two top powerhouses, existed, the Aen Seidhe elves could not be exterminated; it would merely be a matter of how much their population decreased.
The Aen Elle elves, represented by the Wild Hunt, were different. They represented the martial and conservative factions of the former elven race, and also the majority of elves, numbering over tens of millions.
After fleeing their homeworld destroyed by the White Frost, they also traveled on a black-tech space shuttle called the Black Ship to another planet inhabited by unicorns and the Alder folk.
However, the Aen Elle elves were much more ruthless; they directly massacred the Alder folk, who numbered hundreds of millions, and occupied the entire planet.
The populations captured by the Wild Hunt in the Witcher world were human slaves they used to serve themselves.
However, unfortunately, after thousands of years of fleeing their homeworld, the planet where the Alder folk resided was again threatened by the approaching White Frost, and doomsday was upon them.
It was predicted that in the not-too-distant future, the terrifying White Frost catastrophe would freeze their planet into a giant ice cube.
However, the Black Ship was damaged and could not carry all their kin to escape that planet.
This is why, in the original story, the Wild Hunt constantly pursued Ciri, the possessor of the Elder Blood, attempting to use the power of the Elder Blood to open a large portal and lead their people to other planets.
Among the Aen Elle elves, several elven sages had different philosophies from the Wild Hunt and sought to use other methods to save the Aen Elle elves.
Avallac'h, who appeared in the third game, was an elven sage of the Aen Elle.
He sought to teach Ciri, the possessor of the purest Elder Blood lineage, how to correctly use the power of the Elder Blood.
Rather than treating her as a breeding tool, having her bear children with Elder Blood, or using her as a backup battery.
Ciri's ability to end the White Frost and save the entire world was greatly aided by this elven sage, whose role was indispensable.
This was also the most correct path, arranged by the Witcher's God of Destiny thousands of years ago.
Unfortunately, this world now had Guilliman, a transmigrator, who also acquired the Elder Blood lineage through the power of the system, making the future ambiguous once again.
Of course, these strange thoughts only flashed through the witcher's mind.
He temporarily had no intention of discussing the Elder Blood with Francesca, because despite how pure, beautiful, and ethereal the Elven Queen appeared, she was actually a cunning sorceress, and calling her a "goddess bitch" wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Discussing such confidential matters before a certain level of trust was established between them would be oversharing with a shallow acquaintance.
Facing the Queen's question, Guilliman showed no embarrassment. Instead, he flashed a teasing smile, looked at Francesca, and said:
"How could I? How could I forget Your Majesty's commission?"
"After all, you still owe me ten thousand orens."
"That's a lot of money!"
"It's just that I've been quite busy lately. Once I'm done with these matters, I will certainly help you find the Scoia'tael members and convey Your Majesty's message to them."
Although he had indeed forgotten the commission, he certainly couldn't admit it out loud.
Moreover, compared to the impoverished witcher he was at the very beginning, it was indeed much easier for him to contact the Scoia'tael now.
Furthermore, with his current status, contacting those Scoia'tael hiding in the wilderness would give him more confidence, and he could handle the situation much more flexibly.
Guilliman's words, somewhat like those of a debt collector, also caused Francesca's elegant expression to falter slightly, her eyes glancing away with a hint of guilt.
She hummed softly, then said:
"Please handle the matter of the Scoia'tael as quickly as possible, Mr. Guilliman."
"The reason I sought you out so urgently is because I received news after Foltest's army departed for Maribor."
"Yaevinn, the leader of the Scoia'tael in Vizima, is attempting to launch a surprise attack to rescue the non-human races trapped in Old Vizima."
"He cannot bear to see his kin trapped in the old city waiting to die, so he might act in the near future."
"I hope you can stop him quickly, or work with him to find other solutions."
"After all, if they clash with the humans of Vizima, with their small numbers, they are very likely to be completely wiped out."
So that's how it was.
Because of the Catriona plague.
To prevent the spread of the plague, Vizima indeed adopted a blanket policy, where most people suspected of having the plague would be sent to Old Vizima for isolation.
And as the prejudice against non-human races in the North grew more severe, even in Vizima, many non-human races suffered persecution.
Even many healthy dwarves and elves, based on just a slight suspicion, were sent to Old Vizima and confined with those infected with the plague, practically left to die.
So, the Scoia'tael forces only had the idea of a sneak attack after learning that Foltest's army had left?
Thinking about it carefully, this was indeed a good opportunity.
Even outsiders didn't know that even a portion of the Order of the Flaming Rose, loyal to Princess Adda, had been redeployed. Now was indeed a time when Vizima's defenses were weak.
Guilliman nodded thoughtfully. Although he wasn't a fellow with an overflowing heart of compassion, he was still willing to lend a hand to those in need, within his capabilities.
However, a witcher couldn't be exploited for free.
He looked at the Elven Queen in front of him, a smile playing on his lips, and said in a somewhat teasing tone:
"Your Majesty, my involvement is not a problem."
"However, this is different from the original agreed-upon commission; the difficulty has clearly increased a lot."
"You'll have to pay more!"
"What price are you willing to pay for my help!"
When the topic of compensation came up, Francesca's expression became even more guilty.
She avoided looking into the witcher's eyes, a beautiful, conflicted expression on her face, and said softly:
"The reconstruction of the Valley of Flowers requires more and more money lately, Mr. Guilliman."
"I temporarily cannot afford more money to hire you."
"The ten thousand orens I owe you also cannot be paid back at the moment."
"However, if you encounter any difficulties recently, you can tell me."
"I can find a way to help you solve them."
Upon hearing Francesca's reply, Guilliman's eyes lit up.
What? The dignified Elven Queen is actually short on money? Hahaha, she's indeed a woman who spends money lavishly.
He recalled their first meeting, when she offered a high price of two thousand orens for the commission of two wyverns.
Guilliman had already guessed it then.
This Elven Queen had lived a life of luxury since childhood, never having to worry about money, and had no concept of spending, not at all frugal.
Now, she was indeed short on money.
He eyed Francesca's slender and exquisite figure, smiling to himself.
My lady, since you're short on money, why not borrow some high-interest loans from me?
Your big brother here has money now.
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