Queen Mi Wei had already taken off her armor at this time.
But she didn't wear a skirt. Instead, she put on a blue robe with gold embroidery and a huge ruby necklace.
Such a large ruby is rare even in the royal family, but when it appears on the queen who is famous in the North for her wisdom and beauty, people will only feel that it is natural, and even feel that it is an honor for the gem.
Lann noticed that Queen Miwei also had long, sunny golden hair, which was much brighter than his own light golden hair that had been bleached a shade by the witcher mutation.
But at the same time, he also noticed that the golden hair was mixed with a lot of silver-gray color, and it was obvious that the queen was also working hard for state affairs. Thinking of her admirable experience, this inevitably caused a sigh.
"I always thought the rumors about you in the North were exaggerated, but now that I've met you in person, I realize they were being subtle."
"Sit down, Lan—can I call you that?"
After seeing Lann enter the room, Queen Miwei smiled faintly: "I don't know if Calanthe has ever told you that we are actually distant cousins."
Lann bowed modestly: "I have studied aristocratic genealogy, so I will not forget this honor."
Lan's choice of words made Mi Wei smile: "You are too polite. But our relationship is also very distant. I am also related to Foltestai, Demawi and others, but I don't know how to address them according to seniority - the blood relationship between nobles is always complicated, especially the royal family."
This was the truth, but Lann didn't know how to respond to it.
Fortunately, Mi Wei seemed to just sigh, or simply wanted to express her goodwill to the young talent in front of her who helped her a lot, and did not continue the conversation along this topic.
Then she saw the picture frame that Lann had brought.
"Gift?"
Lan nodded and picked up Alice's painting.
Queen Mi Wei suddenly showed a look of surprise, and then became amazed.
“This color palette and composition, as well as this strong personal style, I have never felt this in any other artist today… This is a new master.”
It is said that Queen Mi Wei hated tutoring when she was young, but she was definitely not lacking in basic artistic qualities due to the influence of her surroundings. After becoming the queen, she saw countless collections and could easily judge the level of Lan's paintings.
She stepped forward in amazement and immediately discovered the problem: "But the content and perspective of this painting... Could this master be hiding in your Knights? And the timing is not right. How could this painting be completed so quickly, and the paint has already dried?"
Lan En smiled mysteriously, and did not comment on Queen Mi Wei's question. He just said, "My painter knew that I was coming to visit Your Majesty, so he specially painted this picture and used some special techniques. I hope you like it."
Queen Mi Wei was not keen on paintings, at most she just looked at them for novelty. But gifts are mainly about the thought behind them, and the information revealed in Lan En's words still interested her.
She did not ask the butler or wine waiter on standby in the house to take action, but stepped forward and took the painting herself.
"I want to thank you, Lan En." Queen Mi Wei suddenly sighed, "Not because of this painting, but because of your timely support."
"Because of the long journey and the harassment from Nilfgaard, I was unable to bring many knights with me. I thought the heart of the North would be smooth sailing, but I didn't expect these monsters to suddenly appear."
"These warriors should gain their own glory and destiny on the battlefield. It is really not worth it for them to die because of these monsters."
She stroked the wine glass in her hand. The martial-loving queen felt particularly sorry for the death of the warrior.
"No one would have thought that something like this would happen." This topic aroused Lan's interest. "I started from Cintra, passed through Temeria and Redania, and didn't encounter any monsters along the way. It was only after I left Novigrad in Redania that I discovered that there were more and more monsters."
"Perhaps we should ask the warlocks about this matter, or..."
Queen Miwei suddenly became quite interested and looked at Lan's unique lion eyes without any hesitation.
Any other young knight might have felt embarrassed by such a look.
"I heard rumors that you were blonde and had blue eyes, but now looking at your pupils... So you really became a demon hunter?"
Lan nodded. This kind of thing couldn't be concealed at all, and he didn't even want to hide it, so much so that it seemed like he was deliberately spreading it.
The identity of a demon hunter that others avoid can play an unexpected role in Lan's opinion at certain times.
"Can I know why you did this? Is it really like the rumors?"
Why? To save his life. If Jielong didn't give himself a mutation, he would have died on the spot.
Lan thought for a moment, and answered with a resolute expression and firm tone: "For my deceased aunt, for my still-living princess, and for my country at war."
The light golden semi-long hair seemed to come alive at this moment. It was a pity that it was dinner time and there was no sunlight coming in from the window, otherwise the atmosphere would be even better.
Mi Wei looked at Lan En with admiration, revealing a smile that only an elder would have: "If Calanthe knew what you have achieved now, she would definitely feel gratified."
"Beverage server, serve Lord Lannister!"
The Queen clinked her glasses with the Lion Count and drank them all.
"We seem to have talked a lot, but so far you haven't told me what you want to say, Lan."
After drinking a glass of wine, Queen Mi Wei remained calm and even sobered up: "Unless you just want to give me a painting as a gift and visit this relative of mine who I don't know how far back he goes?"
Having chatted so much, it’s time to get down to business.
Lan En put down his wine glass and sat up straight: "Excuse me for visiting, I want to ask you some questions."
"The situation in the United Kingdom of Lyria and Rivia is too similar to our Cintra. Others in the North may still look down on Nilfgaard, but we who have directly fought against him should not do so."
"I have not yet visited most of the kings present at the meeting, and I am not a man of many words. I would like to ask you to speak up for me and help rebuild the northern gateway."
Just like Lann said, the situation in Miwei's United Kingdom is too similar to that in Cintra.
Especially in terms of geographical location, the United Kingdom of Leiria and Rivia is also located in the southernmost part of the North. It can even be said that the border of this United Kingdom is the border of the North.
The only difference from Sintra is that the United Kingdom is separated from the south by the Yaruga River. This large river that runs across the north almost never freezes, and during the rainy season, the river water can even surge to a mile wide, and is known as the "insurmountable north-south barrier."
That is why Cintra became the first stop of Nilfgaard's invasion of the North.
After the fall of the capital of Cintra and the withdrawal of the remaining forces to Brokilon, Nilfgaard was able to capture Lower Soden and then march into the United Kingdom of Lyria and Rivia.
While the two are talking, the front line may be patrolling day and night to guard against enemy attacks, and small conflicts may break out from time to time.
If the combined army and warlocks of the North had not defeated the main force of Nilfgaard at Mount Sodden, Mivi might have followed in Calanthe's footsteps and become the second regrettable queen of the North.
Therefore, Lann never considered winning over Queen Mevy, because Queen Mevy was Cintra's most natural ally. In the entire North, except for Lann, perhaps only the people of the United Kingdom hoped that Cintra would be liberated as soon as possible.
This time, he came here more to express his attitude of asking for help and to give him the painting.
After hearing what Lann said, Queen Miwei narrowed her eyes slightly and asked the wine waiter to pour her another glass of wine.
Then she asked, "I heard that you left Cintra two months earlier, and even took a detour. You wanted to visit the kings before the meeting, right?"
This was not something that could be hidden or worth hiding, Lann nodded straightforwardly.
Mi Wei suddenly sighed: "If only my two sons had half of your abilities."
Lan En's face twitched, and he suddenly didn't know how to answer this question. He was also not sure whether Mi Wei was praising him.
"Then I suppose you must have met Foltestai and Vizimir."
"Yes."
"What did you tell them?"
Lann organized his words and said, "I have reached an agreement with His Majesty Vizimir II to jointly resist Nilfgaard. He promised to send troops to resist Nilfgaard and help us convince other participants at the meeting."
Mi Wei nodded in understanding: "Vizmir is known as the 'Fair One', and his vision is definitely not shallow. What about Foltestai?"
Lann thought: I have formed a very firm alliance with his daughter.
But it’s better not to talk about this kind of thing openly. I guess even Foltestai himself doesn’t know about it yet.
兰恩想了想，说道：“弗尔特斯泰陛下对于尼弗迦德也没有好感，但是他也不愿意花费多余的力气帮助辛特拉。他对泰莫利亚很有信心，认为自己的国家足够独自抗击黑日。”
米薇这回坐直了身体：“为什么？弗尔特斯泰也是一位明君，不应该这么看不清楚形势才对。帮助辛特拉远比他自己对抗尼弗迦德来得轻松。”
兰恩低下头，长叹一口气：“他提出了一个我无法接受的条件。”
“是什么？”
“他要希瑞拉公主嫁给他的私生子。”
在说这句话的时候，兰恩的眼中很适时的流露出了一缕愤怒。
米薇女王敏锐地捕捉到了这一点，心中感叹：不管在政治上面多么敏锐，武力上面多么勇猛，但是终究还只是一个年轻人。
不过联想到那些在北境流传甚广的“骑士与公主”“狮子与公主”“雄狮与幼狮”之类题材的诗歌和传闻，她又觉得能够理解了。
毕竟米薇女王自己也是相信着爱情的人啊。
不管是出于之前兰恩对于米薇队伍的救援还是为了让联合王国多一个抵挡尼弗迦德的门户，米薇女王都要为兰恩分析局势，做出承诺。
“帮助辛特拉就是帮助我自己，所以我会在会议上面尽量说服其他国王帮助辛特拉的。”
“感谢您，陛下。”
米薇女王轻轻摇了摇头，问道：“你还没有见过德马维和亨赛特？”
“是的。”
女王摸了摸自己胸前的宝石，给兰恩分析：“德马维的亚甸王国就在我的联合王国身后。虽然他是个残忍的暴君，但是在军事上面不乏真知灼见，想必是能够洞察尼弗迦德的本质的。我和他的关系也还不错，为你争取到他不是什么难事。”
“感谢您。”
女王继续说：“弗尔泰斯特也不是一个多固执的家伙。虽然他的爱好非常地……特殊，但是对于时势的掌握是非常清醒的。如果会议的多数人赞同对抗尼弗迦德，他也不会独自拒绝一个对他百利而无一害的提案的。”
“这就足够了。”兰恩说道，“辛特拉拥有泰莫利亚作为后背，再有前线的您与我们并肩作战，加上维兹米尔陛下支持，我有信心把尼弗迦德人赶出北境。”
米薇女王却叹了一口气：“不，事情没有这么简单的，兰恩。”
“我刚刚说了这么多人，却唯独没有跟你说过亨赛特。而亨赛特恰恰是最混蛋的一个人，他或许没有办法给你提供帮助，但是偏偏有能力让其他人不给你提供帮助。”
兰恩一愣：“我听过关于他的一些传闻……”
“那我可以很负责地告诉你，无论你听到了什么关于他的传闻，多半都是真的。”
“他继位以来一直锲而不舍地骚扰着德马维的亚甸王国。你信不信，如果德马维派出军队南下抗击黑日，亨赛特转头就能派出部队突袭上亚甸。”
“啊这……”
米薇女王摇了摇头，亨赛特的肆意妄为一直是北境其他强国最头疼的地方。能够成为四大国君主的其他人虽然有着或多或少的怪癖，但是骨子里还是一个合格的政治家。
唯有亨赛特，她有时真的会怀疑这个人为什么到现在还能够维持自己的国家。
“而且。”米薇女王又严肃地补充道，“兰恩，你要做好心理准备。”
“这些国王能够看清形势没错，但是如果真的要他们对辛特拉伸出援手的话，你是要付出一定的代价的。”
“希瑞菈的婚事，或许真的需要开始考虑了……”
米薇说出了一句沉重的话。
没等兰恩对这句话做出反应，窗外突然有一阵嘹亮而悠长的号角声传来。
“呜——”
号角声由远至近，而哈吉要塞的方向也很快给予回应。
“呜——”
辛特拉的兰恩、莱里亚与利维亚联合王国的米薇、亚甸的德马维、科德温的亨赛特、泰莫利亚的弗尔泰斯特。这些北境与会的代表、君主都已经到来，那么现在号角声的呼应就只有一个信号。
“维兹米尔终于来了，人齐了。”米薇女王感叹道，“会议就要开始了。”
……
世界很大。
就在北境主要势力齐聚哈吉要塞之时，世界的另一边，一个身穿黑日铠甲的男人正低着头。
他的铠甲比起兰恩战场上所见的那些尼弗迦德军官铠甲还要更加高级，虽然上面大多的纹路都被剑痕和灰尘遮盖，但是隐隐还是能够看出当初锻造它的铁匠曾经多么用心地让这副铠甲卓尔不群。
除了黑日铠甲外，这个男人里面还穿着一层细密的锁子甲，可以说是将防御性能加到了极致。
盔甲里面的人本应该是个桀骜不驯的武官，但是此刻他却比任何的王室管家都要谦逊、温和，平稳地向眼前的人做着报告：
“维兹米尔、弗尔泰斯特、德马维、亨赛特、米薇还有辛特拉的兰恩。此刻他们已经尽数抵达庞塔尔的哈吉要塞。他们在私下会谈。”
站在他面前的是一个苗条的黑发男人，身姿挺拔，麋皮外衣上留有铠甲的压痕和锈迹。
“他们不是在私下会谈，整个北境乃至于南方都早知道了他们的会议。他们想让北方的人都知道，也想让我们知道。”
“四个国王，一个女王，还有一个年轻的伯爵。”苗条的黑发男人轻笑一声，“你能猜到他们在谈什么吗？库霍恩，我的元帅？”
“能猜到。”元帅简短地回答，没再多说一个字。他知道，背对自己的那人痛恨任何人在他面前作多余的评价。
“仅仅只有四大国，加上两扇门户，没有请维登、索登、甚至没有柯维尔。”黑发男人摇摇头，“这说明他们对要么极度自信，要么缺乏自信。他们也没邀请巫师会的任何人，这不但有趣，而且意义重大。”
“是的。”元帅依旧言简意赅。
黑发男人没有回头看他：“还没有里恩斯和猎魔人们的消息吗？”
“没有术士的消息，但是猎魔人们……”元帅抬头看了一眼男人，“他们似乎和辛特拉的兰恩走到了一起。”
“你是说，我们的情报系统办事不利？”
“恐怕如此。”
“那我想我是再等不到里恩斯的报告了？”
“恐怕如此。”
黑发男人走了几步在窗边停下脚步，伫立良久，看着沐浴在雨中的山丘。
库霍恩元帅在等待，手不安地攥紧剑柄圆头又放开，他担心自己又要被迫聆听一段漫长的独白。元帅知道站在窗边的人把独白视为对话，又将对话看成特权和信任的证明。
“库霍恩，原本这个时候我应该要称呼你为总督大人了，你知道吗？而眼前的这片大地就是你的行省，辛特拉行省。可惜这一切都被破坏了，被一个十七……还是十八岁的家伙？”
他轻笑一声：“辛特拉的雄狮……我曾经见过他的父亲，辛特拉人似乎都成名很早。”
“过去的辛特拉可不是我们眼前的这个样子。”
他伸手，辛特拉的南边地区一角在雨幕下悄无声息、荒无人烟。
元帅的头更低了：“抱歉，我们被牵扯住了。”
“是的，你确实需要道歉，所以我希望你能够将功补过。”
“我要你去多尔·安格拉。等叛乱平息，你就会离开。我在多尔·安格拉的部队需要一位可靠的指挥官，不接受挑衅的指挥官。莱里亚的风流寡妇，还有亚甸的德马维……随时会挑衅我们。你得管住那些年轻军官，让他们冲动的脑袋冷静下来。只有我给你命令时，你才能接下战书。在那之前，要按兵不动。”
“遵命。”
多尔·安格拉是个非常宽广的峡谷，它连接着莱里亚、利维亚、亚甸、百花谷、科德温和南方地区的重要贸易线路。这条线路穿过雅鲁加河中游水位最浅的地方后，继续向北穿过庞塔尔山谷一直到达庞塔河和泰莫利亚王国。
简单地说，这是一条交通要道，兵家之地。
“另外，找一些赏金猎人和雇佣兵去史凯利格，以‘为金塔城复仇’的名义。骚扰他们、拖住他们，不要让他们再来打劫南方沿岸了，现在还不是对付他们的时候。”
“遵命。”
前厅突然传来武器和马刺的声音，还有响亮的说话声。
有人敲了敲门。
身穿麋皮衣的男人转过身，点头以示同意。元帅略鞠一躬，离开了房间。
黑发男人回到桌边坐下，低头看着地图。他仔细看了很久，最后将额头靠在交扣的双手上。
他的戒指上有颗硕大的钻石，在烛光中闪耀，仿佛一千团火焰。
“陛下？”房门嘎吱一响，库霍恩又回来了。
“有消息吗，库霍恩？里恩斯的消息？”
“是的，陛下。从您给我们的那个术士联络装置传来的消息——里恩斯已经死了。”
元帅注意到黑发男人的双手在抽搐。他是凭钻石的反光发现的。
"Lane of Cintra, Lann Lannister Rhaanron." The black-haired man tapped the diamond with his fingertips, an action that would make all the nobles, collectors, and jewelers scream, but he didn't care.
After thinking for a while, the man looked up suddenly. "Tell the wizards to start working and prepare to use magic to contact our contacts in the elves. Pass on my verbal orders. The orders are as follows: No need to be cautious, let the Scoia'tael make trouble, and let the Northern Kingdom pay attention to them. Find a few more demon hunters to join their team. I heard that those guys with cat head necklaces are keen to help the elves."
"I remember that, Your Majesty."
"Then let the guys in the forest look for the white-haired witcher and the sorceress. After finding their traces, they should stand by and wait for my orders."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
"This order must be encrypted to prevent any magical deciphering. Remind those wizards that if they mess up, if outsiders learn of my order, they will be held accountable."
"As you command, Your Majesty." The marshal cleared his throat and straightened his back.
Marshal Menno Cuhoon - the future commander-in-chief of the Dor Angra forces - raised his head, stood at attention, and grasped the pommel of his sword.
Before him was the Emperor of Nilfgaard, Emhyr var Emreis, Deithwen Addan yn Carn aep Morvudd - "White Flame Dancing on the Graves of My Enemies".