Like the Yaruga to the south, they all rise in the Blue Mountains and flow from east to west throughout the North Kingdoms, emptying into the sea near Oxenfurt and Novigrad.

The Pontar River flows through four countries, serving as the northern border of the southern two countries, Temeria and Aedirn, and the southern border of the two countries, Redania and Kaedwen. The area where these four countries meet is called the Pontar Valley, or simply "Pontar".

At the same time, this river is also the most prosperous canal for transportation and trade in the northern kingdom.

Many scholars believe that if a country could completely occupy this river, it would become the richest country in the entire north relying solely on the trade taxes of the Pondar River.

Therefore, the struggle for control of this river was almost a daily task among successive northern kings.

Every few years, disputes and even bloody conflicts would arise over the ownership of the Pontar River.

After leaving the inhuman stronghold in Toruveir, Wayne and Geralt headed south, accepting commissions as they traveled. They had money and no worries about food and drink, so they lived a pretty carefree life.

In order to ensure a smooth trip, the two deliberately avoided large human towns that were prone to trouble, and only accepted demon hunting commissions and purchased supplies in the small villages around the towns, trying their best to avoid disputes with the Kaedwen people.

However, despite being so careful, the two still suffered several sneak attacks and tricks from the barbaric Kaedweni people.

Although these thugs armed with dung forks and wooden sticks could not cause any harm to the two sword masters who could use magic.

But after each battle, they had to leave the scene as quickly as possible to avoid being entangled by the incoming soldiers and causing greater disputes.

Such an experience is undoubtedly very annoying.

Therefore, neither Wayne nor Geralt wanted to stay in the Kingdom of Kaedwen any longer.

They rode to a port town near the banks of the Pontar River, found a merchant ship bound for Novigrad, and prepared to take the ship directly to the floating port town in Temeria.

Fortunately, after being rejected by some obviously prejudiced merchants, they met a captain who was willing to take them.

This is a huge merchant ship. The captain is a Skellige man named Wesker. He has a strong body like a bear, a bald head, and a rough appearance, but his eyes are smart and bright. He is not the kind of stupid warrior.

What impressed people most was the thick, weed-like black beard on his chin, which was as distinctive as his nickname, Blackbeard.

He only thought about it for a dozen seconds before agreeing to Geralt and Wayne's request to take the merchant ship.

However, he also required Geralt and Wayne to pay 150 ducats each for the ship's fare in addition to helping the crew protect the ship in the event of a battle.

After all, two people and two horses not only need a lot of food and fodder, but also a large room. This price is already very generous.

While chatting, the two of them finally figured out why the captain of Skellige treated them so well.

Blackbeard Wesker generously drank a large glass of dwarven beer, wiped the beer off his beard nonchalantly, and said in a gruff voice: "I know that there are many fools and farmers on the continent who hate witchers very much. They think they are thieves and freaks, and even shamelessly put the blame for many children's disappearance on them."

"But in our Skellige Islands, witchers are very respected figures."

"They were all brave warriors and fearless warriors who had killed many powerful monsters and saved many islanders. Their stories were passed down in many poems."

Wesker's eyes were blurred. He stroked his beard and said with a sigh:

"When I was a teenager, I once met a demon hunter master. At that time, my family and I went fishing at sea. We were attacked by a group of human-faced monster birds on the beach. My brother and father were killed by the monsters. In order to protect my mother, I could only flee for my life."

"That's a demon hunter with a griffin-shaped emblem on his chest."

"I don't know his name. After killing the monster, he left quietly. He didn't talk to us and didn't ask for any reward."

"But I know that he is a good man. Compared with those hypocritical and despicable noble knights, he is a man with true chivalry."

After listening to what the bearded Wesker said, although there was no expression on Geralt's face, Wayne could see his complicated emotions from his eyes.

Yes, perhaps there are many people in the world who have misunderstandings and malicious intentions towards witchers, but at least, those who have been helped by witchers will remember their kindness.

Just like Misha, who was helped by them not long ago, the old woman will definitely remember who helped her find her two sons and continue the fate of their family for a small fee.

The journey on the Pontar River was relatively smooth. Apart from some ignorant water ghosts who always liked to follow the boats and try to attack the bottom decks, there were no other threats encountered along the way.

They sailed westward along the river, passing through the two large towns of Vergen and Haji Fortress, and finally arrived at the port of Floating Harbor, which belonged to Temeria, on the afternoon of the eighth day.

And during these days on the ship, an interesting thing happened.

Wayne and Geralt, who are serious Gwent fans, accidentally discovered while resting on the ship that many sailors, including Captain Blackbeard, were Gwent fans on the ship.

According to Wesker, this interesting way of gambling has become well-known in the free city of Novigrad.

The dwarf bankers there were trying their best to promote Gwent, hoping to use this new gambling method to replace the dice gambling of the past, and even spent money to host several small Gwent gambling games.

These sailors who travel all over the world are naturally more receptive to new things than ordinary people who stay in one place without moving, let alone such interesting games to kill time.

Bearded Wesker patted his chest and said shamelessly that even in Novigrad, he was a well-known Gwent master and was not afraid of any challenge.

Unfortunately, the demon hunter they met this time was a man with great luck and was very proficient in the Gwent card game.

In just one night, Wayne easily won back the money for his and Geralt's boat tickets with the Gwent cards in his hand, and even had three hundred gold coins and several rare cards in his pocket.

If it weren’t for the fact that Wayne didn’t want the good man, the bearded Captain, to lose his pants, he would have shown mercy.

Maybe if he gambles for a few more days, this merchant ship will become his property.

Geralt, who also lost more than 200 ducats to Wayne, even swore publicly.

I will never play cards with this lucky junior again until I have collected a strong enough deck of cards.

In response, Wayne just shrugged his shoulders. After winning so many people in a row, his Gwent level has been raised to level two, and he has gained two points of luck.

And in the long life ahead, his Gwent skills will only get better, his luck will get better, and the decks he collects will become more powerful.

It was estimated that unless he was willing to let him win, Geralt would never be able to beat him at the gambling table.

(End of this chapter)