Temeria Army Camp.
Crack, accompanied by a flash of lightning.
Guilliman instantly appeared in the blanket-strewn tent, holding Triss's grand-nephew, Tiffali, in his left hand, and the enemy's fat count, bound into a ball, in his right.
His expression was exhilarated, his armor covered in fresh blood—all the enemy's blood.
However, because he hadn't informed Triss of his return location, no one was waiting for him in the tent at that moment.
He casually tossed the fat count to the ground; the cowardly fellow had already fainted from fright, and the bumpy, jarring journey had left him bruised and battered. It was hard to say if anyone would even recognize him later.
"Please summon Lady Triss."
Guilliman reached out to push aside the tent flap and spoke to the guard stationed outside.
The guard had seen him an hour ago, but was still terrified by his bloodthirsty, fearsome appearance.
Back inside the tent, Guilliman also felt that he looked rather disheveled.
He saw a large bathtub in Triss's tent, so he simply stripped off all his armor, sat into the tub, and began to wash himself.
Since coming to this world and possessing a perfect male body, he had become increasingly unconcerned about exposing himself in front of others.
He wasn't sure if this was a sign of confidence or a lack of shame.
After only two minutes of washing, just enough time to clean the blood from his face and chest,
Triss rushed into the tent. She first saw the little boy, Tiffali, leaning in a chair, and hurried over to check on him. When she found he was only unconscious, the stone in her heart finally dropped.
Only then did she notice the fat count, bound into a ball, and the Witcher sitting in the bathtub, bathing, a look of surprise on her face.
"Guilliman, why are you bathing?"
"And you actually captured Count Frute too!"
"He's the leader of these rebels; His Majesty Foltest will surely be pleased."
Guilliman turned his head, a slight smile on his face, and said to Triss:
"When I went to rescue Tiffali, I caught him on the way."
"Now the entire Count's castle has been routed by me. Take him to Foltest; it should make the upcoming battles much smoother."
Triss pursed her lips at his words, then moved closer to Guilliman, who was bathing. Seeing no scars on his body, she let out a soft sigh of relief and then said:
"Let me wash your back for you."
"Since you've captured Count Frute, His Majesty Foltest will surely summon you."
"You should come with me to see His Majesty later."
Without waiting for his reply, Triss, carrying a scent of roses, walked behind Guilliman and extended her slender, soft fingers to scrub his back and wash his hair, acting very gentle and considerate.
Clearly, the Witcher's swift rescue of her family's heir and capture of the enemy leader had significantly increased Triss's favorable impression of him.
Guilliman, of course, did not refuse the beautiful sorceress's service. Instead, he unreservedly spread out his perfect, strong male physique, inhaling the rose fragrance from Triss, and enjoying her service.
About ten minutes later,
Triss entrusted her grand-nephew to the protection of a trusted guard, then, together with Guilliman and the bound enemy fat count, they proceeded to the largest tent in the camp to meet Foltest.
This was the Witcher's first meeting with the King of Temeria in over two months.
Foltest appeared more energetic than when they last met in the audience hall.
He was dressed in magnificent chainmail, wearing a crown, his expression solemn.
After listening to Triss's report, he immediately looked at the Witcher with a serious gaze. After a few seconds of contemplation, he asked in a low voice:
"Why didn't you come to see me before acting, Guilliman?"
"Don't you know that your reckless actions could disrupt our military operations?"
Foltest's voice carried the authority of a king, seemingly intending to overwhelm him with his presence.
However, Guilliman's power now far surpassed that of mortals, so he naturally held less awe for human kings and the like.
The main reason his attitude towards Foltest was somewhat better was that he was Adda's father, essentially his father-in-law by convenience.
Many of his businesses in Temeria still required this convenient father-in-law's approval.
So he bowed his head with little sincerity and said in an apologetic tone:
"My apologies, Your Majesty."
"I went to the enemy's castle solely for a private commission; capturing this count was merely an incidental matter. I ask for your understanding."
Guilliman could feel Foltest's gaze fixed on him. Although his face showed no expression, his inner thoughts must have been quite complex.
After more than ten seconds, the king, without revealing what he was thinking, mused and said:
"Never mind. Considering your actions also saved the lives of several hundred soldiers,"
"I will not pursue your conduct."
With that, Foltest commanded a minister who appeared to be a quartermaster by his side:
"Go and fetch twelve thousand Oren gold coins and give them to the Witcher Guilliman."
Then, he said to Guilliman:
"This is your reward for this time and for the previous war in Maribor."
"Also, your most important task is to protect Princess Adda, to protect my daughter."
"Do not leave Vizima at will in the future."
"Only by protecting the princess can you ensure your current rights and status, do you understand?"
Foltest probably rarely spoke so long-windedly.
However, as an old man nearing fifty, Guilliman simply regarded it as his old father-in-law's rambling. He neither argued nor nodded, just listened in silence.
Seeing his attitude, Foltest frowned, wanting to get angry.
But then he quickly recalled the letters Adda had written to him, and his daughter's praise for this man.
The King of Temeria suppressed his anger, waved his hand impatiently, and said in a low voice:
"You may withdraw, Guilliman. There is nothing more for you here."
"Remember, you must protect Adda well."
Hearing Foltest's repeated admonitions, Guilliman nodded seriously.
"I will diligently protect the princess, Your Majesty."
He decided that upon returning, he would first arrange for the vampire Anne to act as the princess's personal maid, placing her by Adda's side to secretly protect his princess lover.
Afterward, he would find other ways, such as placing several bottles of large healing potions or similar items near the princess.
There are many conspirators in the North now, and Nilfgaardian spies are spread throughout the Northern Kingdoms, so precautions are indeed necessary.
If Adda were unfortunately assassinated, not only would many future plans fall through, but he himself would also feel extremely sad.
After all, this princess truly loved him, and their feelings for each other could be considered deep.
And after he and Triss left the king's tent, a minister, who looked like a strategist, quietly asked the king:
"Your Majesty, since Master Guilliman is so powerful, capable of breaking through a town from within a castle in such a short time,"
"Why don't you keep him and have him help us attack the cities of other nobles?"
"This way, we could both accelerate the time it takes to clear out the other nobles and reduce casualties among our soldiers."
"The Godslayer Master Guilliman now holds great prestige."
"Everyone knows him as a powerful warrior, a powerful Witcher, a top assassin."
"In fact, simply announcing his addition to our military force would cause many minor nobles, fearing for their lives, to surrender directly."
The strategist's suggestion was quite effective; if Guilliman could indeed join Foltest's army, it's estimated that no city would be able to hold out against him for even a day before its defenses were breached from within.
However, Foltest knew very well that it would be difficult to command this powerful Witcher; the man did not seem to be the type to respect royal authority or rulers.
And privately, as a strong man himself, he did not like equally strong individuals like Guilliman.
Having him protect his daughter Adda was not only his wish as a father but also an important guarantee that he could safely campaign against the rebels outside.
Of course, Foltest would not say these words, which would diminish his prestige, to his subordinates.
He waved his hand somewhat impatiently, then said:
"Since Count Frute has been captured, quickly devise a plan to take this town."
"Remember to restrain the soldiers from indiscriminate killing and looting property. Also, try to avoid excessive slaughter of surrendered rebel soldiers; they will be our soldiers of Temeria in the future."
"The citizens in the city are the same; they are also our residents of Temeria."
Seeing the king's stubbornness, the strategist sighed, but still whispered:
"Your Majesty, even if you are unwilling to enlist Master Guilliman to fight for us,"
"Perhaps you could entrust the missing Lord Boles's commission to Master Guilliman."
"Perhaps with the Master's abilities, he could find the missing Lord Boles."
Boles was Foltest's illegitimate son, born to Lady Maria Louisa La Valette, the wife of a baron under his command, whom the philandering king had seduced. He also had an illegitimate daughter named Anais.
However, about a month ago, when this affair came to light, Boles was kidnapped by unknown assailants and mysteriously disappeared.
No one could find him.
As the king's illegitimate son, this matter could be significant, even affecting the succession of the kingdom.
Foltest was also very annoyed by this matter.
He waved his hand somewhat angrily, then said to his strategist subordinate:
"I have my own plans for this matter; you only need to focus on the current war."
The old king knew clearly that extraordinary powers or sorceresses must be involved behind this incident.
Entrusting it to a Witcher, who also possessed extraordinary powers, was indeed a good idea.
However, Guilliman was Princess Adda's lover, and his interests were certainly aligned with Adda's. This was already widely known in the North, no secret at all.
Entrusting the safety of his illegitimate son to this Witcher was not a reasonable choice.
Nevertheless, privately, Foltest had already sent Roche of the Blue Stripes to find other Witchers.
His primary focus now remained on the domestic rebellion.
Although there was a temporary truce with Nilfgaard, everyone knew that a third war would surely erupt in the near future.
Before that, it was imperative to continue accumulating strength.
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