Witcher: Master Kiliman’s Grand Ambitions-Chapter 40: The Scoia'tael and Vizima

When Kiriman said he wanted to buy all three treasures, even Francesca showed a slightly surprised expression.
She had originally thought the man before her would only choose one or two items to purchase, not buy everything.
After all, eight thousand five hundred Orens was a huge sum of money - most witchers wouldn't earn that much even if they took commissions their entire lives.
This amount could even buy one or two manors in any kingdom, hire a large group of servants, and live a wealthy life forever.
However, it was precisely this generous and decisive attitude that made Francesca appreciate Kiriman even more.
She reached into her waist pouch and took out two envelopes carrying a faint scent of her perfume, then pushed them toward Kiriman, saying softly:
"This first letter is my personal correspondence. I want to commission you to deliver it to Iorveth, the Scoia'tael leader hiding in the Vizima swamp area."
"And the other one is an entry permit for Vizima, issued by Mr. Brien, the famous brewer of Vizima city."
"Whether you're willing to accept my commission or not, this permit is my gift to you."
"However, Mr. Brien will probably leave Vizima city in about half a month, as he's your guarantor. So before that, I hope you don't cause any major trouble that might bring problems for this kind gentleman."
Kiriman raised his eyebrows in surprise, not expecting that she had already anticipated his needs and thoughtfully prepared everything in advance.
This made him feel both goodwill toward the stunning elf queen before him and a trace of wariness.
After all, when a woman treats you very well, unless she's fallen in love with you, she either wants something from you or desires your body.
But he didn't stand on ceremony either, reaching out to take the perfumed permit, nodding slightly to Francesca to express his thanks.
Then, he looked at the letter meant for the Scoia'tael leader Iorveth and fell into thought.
Truth be told, the Scoia'tael were actually a tragedy - a group of people being used.
Before the Second Nilfgaard War broke out, the Nilfgaard Empire recruited the elves, promising them territory and equal status with humans, supporting their establishment of a nation in the Valley of Flowers, in exchange for their help against the Northern Kingdoms.
However, the Nilfgaard Empire never intended to keep their word, only wanting to trick the elves into becoming cannon fodder to weaken the Northern forces.
When the Second Nilfgaard War failed and the elves suffered heavy losses, elf military officers were even used as scapegoats and tools for vengeance, betrayed by their own people and sent north to stand trial, ultimately being publicly executed.
These treacherous individuals spread massive rumors after the war, pinning all the war's atrocities on the elves, using racial conflicts to stir hatred between humans and non-human races like elves and dwarves, triggering widespread mutual slaughter among the common people.
Many elves and dwarves who had originally lived in human towns were persecuted for no reason - though they had done nothing wrong, they suffered the pain of broken families and destroyed homes.
And once seeds of hatred are planted, they bear bitter fruit that spreads to more people.
When those elves and dwarves who had lost everything gathered together, hiding in wild mountains and remote areas, hating humans and seeking revenge against them, they became the Scoia'tael.
What's even more tragic is that, influenced by hatred, Scoia'tael members with no outlet for their frustration would inflict upon ordinary human civilians the same pain that humans had inflicted on them, attacking human civilians indiscriminately.
And human civilians would then direct this hatred toward other, more easily bullied innocent non-human races, creating more Scoia'tael.
This was a vicious cycle.
The flames of hatred burned ever brighter, more people fell into suffering, conflicts between different races intensified, the entire North fell into chaos, filled everywhere with bandits, Scoia'tael, mobs, and numerous monsters bred from bloodshed and corpses.
The treacherous Nilfgaardians achieved their goal, laughing at the Northerners killing each other.
Thinking of this, Kiriman's gaze toward Francesca held another trace of emotion.
Truth be told, the betrayal of elf officers, sending them back north as sacrifices to be publicly executed, probably also had some responsibility from this elf queen before him.
Though it was said to protect more elf civilians, sacrificing heroes who fought for their race was truly helpless and deserving of criticism.
So now, was this letter to the Scoia'tael leader a measure to win back those non-human races still engaged in mutual slaughter with humans?
As Kiriman pondered these things, Francesca across from him stated her commission.
"Mr. Kiriman."
"My commission might be somewhat difficult, but the reward is very generous."
"If you can deliver this letter to Iorveth, you'll receive three hundred Orens as payment."
"If you can help the Scoia'tael there solve their difficulties, help them save more non-human races, and reduce conflicts with Vizima, you can receive a bounty of one thousand to two thousand Orens."
"If you can go further and help me persuade Iorveth to have him and his Scoia'tael members return to the elf race, I'll give you a reward of over three thousand Orens."
At this point, a compassionate expression appeared on Francesca's beautiful face as she said softly:
"Life for the Scoia'tael is extremely painful - they endure hunger and cold, face great dangers, and suffer the torment of vengeance."
"If possible, I hope they can return."
"Though the Valley of Flowers is still in ruins now, it remains home to us elves."
………………
In the afternoon, Kiriman finally set out for Vizima city.
Leading the tall horse that Valessa had given him as a gift, after sharing a deep farewell kiss with the beautiful elf, he left Ammonite Village.
After brief consideration, Kiriman had ultimately accepted Francesca's final commission.
Aside from the extremely high reward, another reason was that Francesca was the most powerful sorceress he knew.
Even if just to befriend this sorceress, to potentially seek help from this powerful magic user when in trouble later, he should accept.
Unlike other witchers, Kiriman didn't care about any neutrality principles, nor whether he might get involved in politics or conflicts between nations and races.
As a transmigrator, if he acted timidly and hesitantly, what future would he have?
Moreover, dual cultivation with powerful women was both his path to rapid strength improvement and one of his great passions in life.
Someone like Francesca, renowned as the most beautiful woman in the world and the most powerful sorceress - if he could win her favor, he'd be willing to accept minor losses.
If possible, becoming Regent ~ Kiriman - wouldn't that title be quite interesting!