This was a very tall woman. Iorveth was also considered tall among elves, but at this moment he could only barely reach her eye level; she was wearing a traveler's jacket and leather suit, the slightly tight design wrapped her agile muscle lines, showing her extraordinary skills.
She had golden brown semi-long hair, a headband on her forehead, and a simple braid on the end of her hair. She had a high nose bridge, slightly thick lips, and her skin was not delicate but had a smooth and shiny look. She didn't look like a southerner or a northerner, but rather like someone from the country of Zerekan on the other side of the Blue Mountains.
It was a country that took the dragon as its totem and belief.
The most important thing was that when she walked out of the forest, she was wrapped in an indescribable aura. For a moment, Iorveth almost thought that he was facing some ferocious beast or monster.
It is hard to imagine that this kind of aura would appear on a woman who is alone.
Overall, this was an extremely eye-catching woman, but she had just hidden quietly in the jungle, and neither Lann nor the Scoia'tael had discovered her trace.
Perhaps it was because Lann's performance just now was too shocking. Even though the other party was just a woman, the Scoia'tael also treated it as a formidable enemy: "Human..."
Iorveth, who was in a state of confusion, raised his hand to signal his companions not to act rashly. This woman was definitely not simple.
"Human, who are you? Why are you here?"
Hearing the Scoia'tael's address to her, the strange woman chuckled noncommittally: "I came from Zerekan. I heard about the recent chaos in the North and the grand event that will be held here, so I wanted to come and see it. On the way, I also heard about the Scoia'tael's pursuit of freedom and equality. I admire them very much, so I want to come and learn."
"But now it seems... I'm a little disappointed. You seem to be just a part of the power struggle, using bright slogans to cover bloody knives and scepters. You are no different from those greedy people my father once told me about. Maybe I should go to Cintra next."
"Do you know how to get to Cintra? And who is that handsome knight? He seems to be quite famous?"
Facing the villains of various races holding various weapons, the strange woman was still very relaxed, in a way that was hard to understand. She even had the energy to chat like a small talk.
After hearing the strange woman's ridicule and other meaningless words about the Scoia'tael, Iorveth remained calm and just asked, "Then how did you find our camp?"
The strange woman paused for a moment after hearing this, revealing an unnatural expression: "You were luring monsters and beasts everywhere before... you made too much noise, so I found you easily."
Iorveth took a deep breath, and felt that things were getting more and more ridiculous. Not to mention that he and his men had already planned the route in advance and were prepared, and the people who implemented the plan were all experts who had survived in the forest for a long time, even the most experienced forest ranger would not be able to find their traces;
What's more, these people seduced... no, "seduced" the monster. How could you, a single woman, be attracted here?
"You've opened my eyes to a human who agrees with the ideals of the Scoia'tael." Iorveth said, "I don't want to kill anyone today, but I can't let you leave. You've heard too many things you shouldn't have heard today."
The strange woman frowned. After hearing these threatening words, she even had the leisure to comment: "You are very arrogant, but your behavior is very reasonable... I have learned that this kind of behavior is the most reasonable in this situation."
"But I can't stay here. I need to go to Cintra. Since you don't want to tell me, I'll go find it myself. Of course, if you meet that handsome knight again, you can introduce me to him."
"My name is Saskia."
Following Iorveth's orders, the Scoia'tael sent several people to surround Saskia, hoping to keep her and prevent the information from being leaked before the Scoia'tael retreated.
But they didn't know what they were facing at the moment.
…
[Mission - Hear Me Roar - Part 1 - Completed]
[Character level increase +1]
[Discovery Mission - Hear Me Roar Part 2:
The forces of the North have heard your appeal. This is the first time you have spoken out on a stage of this level. It is not loud, because you still need to accumulate. The countries may be kind to you, but some are covetous. You need to distinguish enemies from allies. But remember, the lion of Cintra - if you want to rebuild your territory, you need true friends, lions, and strength. 】
After Lann had fooled the Scoia'tael and returned to Haji Fortress, he heard a chanting sound like a holy sigh. The system showed that the task had been completed and the character level had been upgraded.
Lann had put the main quest [Hear My Roar] on hold for a long time. It originally appeared together with Mirror Master's [Heart of Stone] series of quests, and Mirror Master had already leveled up four times, while he had just completed the first stage. The main storyline of this series of quests was very clear, which was to follow the path of restoring the country, but no one knew where it would end up.
As for the first phase of the mission, Lann originally thought that he would be able to complete it after talking with other northern kings, but he didn't expect that he would have to wait until he finished talking to the squirrels to show that the mission was successful. This was very embarrassing. If it weren't for the sudden incident and a flash of inspiration, Lann's original plan would not have included any plan to contact the Squirrel Party.
Could it be that in the system's understanding, the effect achieved by the meeting with the King of the North alone is not enough to make the North "listen to my roar", and the Squirrel Party must be added?
However, this system prompt also indirectly told Lann a good news - the Squirrel Party was persuaded by Lann.
Of course, at this time, Lann didn't know that there were other surprises waiting for him besides the Scoia'tael.
With the completion of this task, Lann now has three skill points in reserve. As for them, Lann thought about it and decided to keep them for the time being.
As for the future skill selection path, Lann has made a choice: he plans to put aside the further study of the [Sign] skill for the time being and start to truly devote himself to the [Secondary Mutation] skill.
From [Bone-piercing] that grants the frost power to the seal, to [Magic Guidance] that passively enhances the power of all seals. When you have enough energy, you can pursue potions and combat skills such as [Addiction].
After gaining the power of the Ancient Blood, the skills on the normal system panel could no longer bring much power to Lann, and his combat system no longer needed to be enriched or expanded, but he should continue to familiarize himself with and deepen his existing skills. The skills of [Secondary Mutation] could well meet Lann's current needs.
Among them, Lann's first target [Bone-piercing] requires three skill points, but according to Lann's usual habit of "reserving a skill point for a follower that may appear", Lann still plans to wait until he has four skill points. It doesn't take long, but one more level or finding a source of magic that meets the system requirements will meet the conditions.
This gap also gave Lan some time to familiarize himself with the Ancient Blood and his new skills. After all, Lan was a little too full of the skills that Mirror Master had given him, and he needed to digest them first.
…
While Lann was out meeting with the Scoia'tael, the Cintrians in Haji Fortress were cleaning up the battlefield in an orderly manner.
This wave of Squirrel Party really caused quite a stir.
Not counting the small monsters like ghouls and evil spirits, they attracted more than thirty flying monsters like griffins, fork-tailed dragons, and pterodactyls. The Squirrel Party relied on the terrain of Pontar Valley and lured almost all the monsters in the forests of the four surrounding countries.
The nearby villagers should be able to rest easy for a while.
These monsters have now been skinned or beheaded by the kings present. They will become decorations in the kings' living rooms or bedrooms, or become part of their new dresses.
Yes, the kings valued the preciousness of these monsters more. They also asked for several monsters with relatively intact bodies to be made into specimens, which was the best way to show off when meeting guests.
Of course, the monsters taken away by other kings had already been dug up by the Cintra side for mutation-inducing substances and related alchemical materials. The demon hunters also took away some monster materials that might be used for equipment creation and upgrades, just in case.
Such a grand "monster party" is not available at any time. The monster hunters who are harvesting materials are as happy as fruit farmers who have a good harvest.
Kolgrim couldn't help but sigh: "So much harvest in one go, using the army to kill monsters is so efficient!"
Leisuo shook his head: "There are unnecessary casualties, and many soldiers were killed or injured. That's why the continent needs demon hunters."
While marveling at the harvest, the density of these monsters also made Lei Suo frown. He didn't understand how the Scoia'tael could find the habitats of so many monsters in such a short time and lure them out. You know, according to the normal habits of monsters, these monsters are at the top of the ecological chain, most of them live alone, and their hunting territories are also very large.
Unfortunately, no one can answer Lei Suo’s confusion for the time being.
等兰恩见到他们的时候，正看到他们正在如火如荼地熬制魔药和煎药，而自己的侍从们则认认真真地在一旁学习，希望能够以后给伯爵大人帮上忙。
“一些简单的魔药我们现场就熬了，比如叉尾龙、翼手龙、狮鹫之类的。”雷索解释道，“但是那个古代鹿首精的突变诱发物太过珍贵，它的辅药暂时也在附近找不到。”
兰恩摆摆手：“没关系，我之前跟我的导师联络过了，一会我们通过他的传送门借道凯尔塞壬然后再回辛特拉。中间可能会在凯尔塞壬待几天，到时候我让我的老师想想办法。”
雷索闻言露出了感兴趣的神色：“凯尔塞壬？狮鹫学派被摧毁的大本营吗？”
兰恩点头。
在之前和杰隆联络的时候兰恩就已经跟杰隆说过了这个问题。来参加会议的时候一步一个脚印是为了沿途拜访国王并且完成镜子大师的任务，回去的时候要是再老老实实地用腿走就太傻了，也太浪费时间。
借道凯尔塞壬可以省下不少时间。在国王们回到各自的王国、做出符合这次会议的安排之前，兰恩也能够借着节省下来的时间联络一下孤军在外的维赛基德元帅，拜访一趟史凯利格。等到北境国王们行动起来的时候，兰恩也能够顺势用这些整合起来的力量在最短的时间内对尼弗迦德发动反击。
《论时间管理大师的基本素养》
理论上凯尔塞壬是不对外人开放的，兰恩原本最多带上蛇派的众人算是猎魔人之间的交流，辛特拉骑兵和侍从们是怎么也不能带去狮鹫学派大本营的。
兰恩也就是仗着杰隆的宠爱在肆无忌惮，同时也用另一个理由来说服了杰隆：他们可以帮助一起清理凯尔塞壬的积雪，重建城堡。
杰隆是不贪这一点劳动力的，他把重建城堡看做是属于自己的修行和对学派的赎罪。但是当兰恩给了这么一个理由之后，他还是顺势答应了下来。这对兰恩来说是一个不错的信号：杰隆对于外界的接受度开始逐渐增高，不再封闭自己；同时他也开始在政治层面给兰恩给予帮助了。
虽然仅仅只是用传送门来加快行军速度这种小事，但也是从零到一的历史性突破了。
在和杰隆约定的前一天晚上，兰恩挨个拜访的与会的国王们，将之前和爱丽丝一起挑出来的画作送给了他们各自的主人。最后再和与自己关系较好的米薇问好道别，约定之后的联合事项。
第二天一早，被兰恩放在怀里的【狮鹫学派联络笔记】发出熟悉的震动感，一扇传送门在哈吉要塞的不远处被打开。
尚在要塞内没有离开的众国王们看着兰恩一行人纵马穿过传送门，各自反应不一。
弗尔泰斯特皱起眉头：“兰尼斯特居然还有雇佣术士吗？是梅利葛德？和笃信刀剑的卡兰瑟比起来……年轻人确实更难对付。”
维兹米尔二世食指轻叩下巴：“是那个情报里面说的红发女术士吗？还是其他术士？回去要让迪科斯彻好好探查一下兰尼斯特的底细才行，辛特拉的雄狮……”
亨赛特伯摸了摸自己的胡须，喝骂一声：“怪胎！”
德马维看了一眼就不再做言语，只是看着亨赛特房间的方向，不知道在想什么。
米薇女王的视线目送着一行人离开后，立刻转身命令下属：“我们也要尽快回国了，前线的战士还在等着我们！”
他们都以为打开传送门的是一个术士。
……
熟悉的天旋地转之感。
兰恩只觉得**的黑风好似暴风中的帆船开始摇晃起来，险些直接让他摔下马来。他差点忘了这是黑风第一次通过传送门来凯尔塞壬，之前的几次这匹颇具灵性的战马都闹情绪不愿意过传送门，直到这次避无可避。
几个蛇派猎魔人也都死死地抱住马脖子，紧闭双眼咬紧牙关，好一会才张开眼睛。
入目，是一座古朴、残破、但是依稀可见往日威严的巨大城堡要塞。古老的建筑遗迹遍布在城堡中，砖石混杂着雪花，仿佛见证了无数风雨的历史。从它的背后能够看到陡峭的山峰、白雪皑皑的山顶和浩瀚的蓝天，山脉中的棱角道道清晰可辨，展现了其粗旷、雄浑的特色，令人感受到一种远离尘嚣、安静而神秘的氛围。
蛇派的众人将自己学派曾经的格斯维德要塞和眼前的凯尔塞壬进行了一番对比——稍微输了一点点。
视线下移，一个身穿棉布长袍的中年男人引入眼帘。他有着黑发、黑须、以及琥珀色的猫眼，身形健壮，气质沉稳而忧郁。
在看到兰恩点头肯定所有人都已经穿过传送门之后，这个男人双手一挥，就将传送门消弭于无形。
蛇派众人见状更加好奇了。显然这就是兰恩多次跟他们提到过的狮鹫学派的大宗师杰隆，一名因为二次突变而觉醒魔源的术士之子，一名能够使用魔法的猎魔人。他们非常好奇：有着兰恩这样的徒弟，作为老师的杰隆又有多强？
“老师。”兰恩率先上前一步，向杰隆问好。
杰隆拍拍兰恩的肩膀，上下打量了一番远归的弟子，随后转头向着蛇派的众猎魔人看去。他非常有骑士风度地和远道而来的猎魔人兄弟们问好，随后又跟辛特拉的众人寒暄了一番。
这让豪斯、米尔瓦、莱文等一干侍从和士兵诚惶诚恐。他们早就被告知了眼前男人的身份，这可是伯爵大人的老师，此刻却这么平易近人且礼贤下士。
黑风上前蹭了蹭了杰隆的面颊，让忧郁的猎魔人露出一丝微笑。虽然这匹猎魔马是第一次来到凯尔塞壬，但是在陶森特一年的时间里它也是见证了杰隆拯救兰恩和自己的全过程的。
“我听说还有一位猫派的弟兄，你跟我说过把他留在了诺维格瑞，对吧？”
兰恩点头肯定老师的问题：“诺维格瑞现在有起码三分之一在我的暗中掌控之中，我需要留下一个代言人。我也给他立下了嘱托，希望他能够做一些事情挽回猎魔人的口碑。”
“猫派……”杰隆迟疑了一下，还是说道，“如果有猫派身体力行的话，说不定还真的能够扭转一部分的平民对我们的刻板印象。”
师徒二人边走边聊，很快就回到了城堡。在给众人安排好了客房之后，凯尔达带着雷欧出来迎接了蛇派众人，带着他们到处参观，同时进行一些猎魔人之间的交流；剩余的士兵和兰恩的侍从们则按照先前吩咐的那样开始了城堡的清洁和重建工作。
空间被留给了师徒二人，他们显然有很多事情需要交流。
“莫斯萨克给你留了不少礼物在我这里，你或许会有兴趣看一看。”
听到杰隆的第一句话，兰恩顿时起了兴趣：“莫斯萨克叔叔把东西留在这里？”
杰隆点点头：“莫斯萨克把他的实验室从史凯利格搬迁到了布洛奇隆，但是由于那边的政务太多，他反而没有什么时间做魔法实验，本来说好的几个项目也都是凯尔达和我这边在推进。于是他最后就索性把实验室又搬迁到了凯尔塞壬来，把实验室跟我们的合并了。他有空的时候会过来帮助我们一起实验，但是时间很少。偶尔特莉丝也会过来帮忙。”
兰恩听此只觉得心中涌起一阵暖流：“真的辛苦莫斯萨克叔叔了，我记得他并不喜欢这些政事，现在却为了我反而把最喜欢的魔法研究放在一旁，甚至一度放弃自己的实验室来和狮鹫学派合并……”
杰隆及时打断了兰恩的自我感动：“那倒没有，我们把以前给驻派法师们留的的地方都给莫斯萨克了，他挺高兴的。而且凯尔塞壬以前就是精灵的魔法城堡旧址，这里的魔力波动异常活跃，莫斯萨克说过在这里做实验感觉比史凯利格的德鲁伊之环还要好。”
兰恩噎了一下。
杰隆微不可查地轻笑一声，继续说道：“你从欧菲尔那里讨要过来的‘注魔’工艺我们已经研究出眉目了，这回就能给你的装备进行一次革新；包括你送过来的那柄有【吸血】附魔效果的奇怪铲子我们也破解出了初步的成果。”
兰恩顿时兴奋起来。注魔唉，吸血唉！
“当然，这两种手段所消耗的材料都是巨大的，目前仅仅够给你一个人用的。”
这种有啥好东西都先可着孩子用的态度让兰恩的脚步也轻快了。
这还没完。
“至于猎魔人突变……”说道这里的时候，杰隆犹豫了一下，“我们也有了不少突破性的进展。”
这回兰恩再不克制自己的反应，惊喜地叫了出来：“我们可以进行猎魔人突变了？”
Jielong shook his head: "Now maybe we can increase the success rate from 30% to 40% or 50%, but it's still not safe enough, and it's not controllable enough."
"Our ideal situation is to increase the success rate to more than 90%, and be able to artificially control the direction of mutation. In this way, we may be able to solve the demon hunters' fertility problem."
As mentioned before, because mutations at the genetic level are uncontrollable, each demon hunter can be considered a subspecies of human beings, leading to reproductive isolation. If mutations can be controlled, then although demon hunters and other races will still not be able to produce offspring, demon hunters can breed with each other.
This is definitely a great breakthrough.
Lann hurriedly asked, "Are there any interim results?"