Chapter 318: Sir, This Way
Meanwhile, Lynn was deep in thought. From what Count Torgier had just said, he finally understood the situation completely. Their combined forces totaled only 500 men. According to Charimier's confession, the enemy numbered over a thousand. This meant they could be facing a force three times their size.
In a war, numbers were crucial. The side with fewer people was almost always at a disadvantage. Otherwise, historical examples of victory against overwhelming odds wouldn't be celebrated so often.
Just then, he heard Count Torgier speak again. "But you all shouldn't be too pessimistic. I have already sent messengers to Hindarsfjall, Spikeroog, Faroe, and Undvik to ask for help."
"As long as we hold out until reinforcements from the other clans arrive, everything will be fine."
The Count then turned to Lynn. "Witcher Lynn, I heard from Witcher Gerd that you witchers are bound by a code of neutrality. I won't make it difficult for you. If you don't wish to be involved, I can send you back to the Continent immediately."
Lynn smiled. "Count, since I've already come all this way, I won't be leaving. I'll stay and fight alongside you."
Count Torgier was deeply moved. "Witcher Lynn, the Tuirseach branch family will never forget your kindness today."
At the same time, in the Duchy of the Arcane Coast, in the port town of Ashton.
Ashton was one of the Duchy's more prosperous ports. While it couldn't compare to Novigrad to the south, it still paid a considerable amount of commercial tax to the Duchy each year.
Some time ago, a group of Nilfgaardian merchants arrived in Ashton. Oddly, after they arrived, they took up residence in a villa arranged by the mayor and rarely left. Their food was even delivered by special couriers. Outside the villa, town guards blocked the road, and any common person who dared to approach was warned to leave at once.
One day, a knight arrived in Ashton by boat and went straight to the villa where the Nilfgaardian merchants were staying. When the town guards stopped him, the knight showed them a token, and the guards let him enter.
Inside a room in the villa, the knight met with the leader of the Nilfgaardian merchants—in reality, the commander of the Nilfgaardian sub-fleet, Count Tullius. Dressed as a merchant, Count Tullius frowned at Charimier, who stood before him.
"You look a mess. What happened?"
Charimier recounted his recent experience to Count Tullius, omitting the part about his "memory loss." To be honest, the missing memories had made Charimier question himself, but people often had a way of ignoring bad signs. They were great at pointing out other people's faults but would always cling to a sliver of hope when it came to themselves. Charimier didn't believe he had been possessed or that some conspiracy was at play; he simply attributed it to good luck.
Still, he knew that telling the whole truth would definitely arouse suspicion, especially from a count who had risen to command a sub-fleet—a position not held by naive people. So, on his journey back, Charimier had racked his brain to come up with a plausible story.
"You mean to tell me that the dozens of soldiers your liege, Duchess Helena, entrusted to you were lured into a monster nest by a mutant's trick, and you alone escaped?"
Charimier's face was grim. From every angle, the story he had concocted had nothing to do with honor, but if he didn't debase himself, he couldn't explain how he had escaped so easily. So, with a heavy heart, he nodded.
"Sir Charimier, it seems what you should be doing right now is finding a way to convince your liege not to fly into a rage over your incompetence. So why have you come to me? You're not hoping to borrow Nilfgaardian soldiers for revenge, are you?"
"Of course not, Count. The Duchy of the Arcane Coast and Nilfgaard have an agreement. We are to scout the undefended clans of the Isles for you."
"And you've found a target?"
"Yes, but I have a condition."
"Speak."
"I want you to take me back to the Empire and recommend me for a position in the Nilfgaardian army, with a rank no lower than captain."
On his way back, Charimier had already figured everything out. If he went back to face Duchess Helena in such a sorry state, he might be stripped of his knighthood and land, reduced to a commoner overnight. After all, his liege was not known for her mercy.
So, after thinking it over and over, the only way out he could see was to help the Nilfgaardians capture the Tuirseach castle. It would be his token of allegiance to join Nilfgaard. The rank of captain was a bit low, not comparable to his current status as a knight, but Charimier had a realistic understanding of his own limitations.
He wasn't Nilfgaardian, and he hadn't come from a Nilfgaardian military academy. Rising to a high position was clearly impossible. Captain wasn't great, but at least he wouldn't be a common foot soldier. He'd have some power, and if he performed well, he might have a chance to advance.
Even though the highest positions would forever belong to the true Nilfgaardians from the Golden Tower City, and it was impossible for Northern traitors or even people from the internal provinces to climb the ranks, at least this was better than staying in the Duchy of the Arcane Coast and having no future at all, wasn't it?
Count Tullius's eyes narrowed slightly. "You want to join the Nilfgaardian army?"
"Yes!"
Count Tullius looked deeply at Charimier. "Then what is your opinion of the Northern kings and their rule?"
Charimier answered without hesitation. "I believe the Northern kings are all inept and foolish. Their rule has led to years of war, and the people are miserable. The North is a stagnant pool of water, and only an external force can change the situation and save the common folk from their plight."
Count Tullius seemed moved by Charimier's impassioned speech and couldn't help but applaud. "Excellent! With that kind of insight, your future is limitless. When we return to Nilfgaard, I will personally recommend you to the Empire. Rest assured, the Empire will not mistreat a man of your talent."
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