Chapter 39: Pain, So Much Pain
When the elder said "sword," a thought flashed into Lynn's mind like lightning.
He couldn't help but gasp: "Could it be..."
Brouver was very satisfied with the expression on Lynn's face at this moment.
As a dwarf, also an ancient race, he didn't have the same prejudice against Witchers as humans did.
On the contrary, Witchers, as monster killers, were generally respected by dwarves.
Being able to make a Witcher react like this naturally greatly satisfied Brouver's vanity.
"That's right. As everyone knows, whether in the south or the north, the most exquisite metallurgy and forging techniques come from the hands of dwarves and gnomes."
"Not to mention, the only place in the known world that produces orichalcum is Mahakam."
"The two masters probably don't know that orichalcum is a metal that is much harder than ordinary steel. Any weapon that contains a little orichalcum is stronger and more durable than ordinary weapons."
"And the sword made of pure orichalcum as a material and made by the gnome with the best forging skills is called Gwyhyr."
"What I intend to give to the two of you is a Gwyhyr sword."
Gwyhyr?
Even Lynn couldn't help but feel his heart tremble when he heard the name Gwyhyr.
Only the sharpest gnome swords can be called Gwyhyr swords.
Any standard sword called Gwyhyr can split a linen scarf thrown into the air, or easily split an old crab's shell in half, without even sweating a drop.
The "Zireael" used by Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter, the Lion Cub of Cintra, and the Daughter of the Elder Blood, in the future, was a Gwyhyr sword.
Brouver was even more satisfied with Lynn's reaction.
He stroked his big beard and said somewhat proudly.
"That's right, Master Witcher. It seems you've also heard of the prestige of the Gwyhyr sword, which is very good. In the outside world, you'll hear many blacksmiths or merchants mysteriously tell you that they have Gwyhyr swords in their hands."
"But I can tell you very definitely that they are all liars, because very few Gwyhyr swords have ever left Mahakam."
Anyone who makes a living by fighting can't help but regard swords and armor as their second life.
The value of a Gwyhyr sword cannot be measured by money. Even if you are rich, buying a Gwyhyr sword is more difficult than climbing to the sky.
...
After saying goodbye to the elder and leaving the magnificent throne hall, Lynn went directly to find Geralt without any delay.
And told Geralt the elder's offer.
Geralt's eyelids twitched.
"Four thousand orens, a Gwyhyr sword. It seems that our elder has really paid a lot this time."
"But, then again, no matter how precious the Gwyhyr sword is in the outside world, this is Mahakam after all."
"Comparing the income of restoring a mine with giving away a Gwyhyr sword, anyone would choose the former without hesitation."
"So, did you agree?"
To Geralt's surprise, Lynn shook his head.
"No, what I told Brouver was that I had to go see the sick miners first, and then make a decision after discussing it with my companion... Geralt, what's with that expression on your face?"
Lynn was able to resist the temptation of huge profits and not be blinded by them.
This really surprised Geralt and made him proud of Lynn.
In fact, during this journey, Geralt tried to let Lynn negotiate by himself as much as possible.
It was also to make it easier to observe Lynn.
A Witcher, walking in this world, not only needs to be good at fighting.
Learning how to deal with people is also very important.
Fortunately, so far, Lynn's performance has far exceeded Geralt's expectations.
This also made Geralt decide that after this escort mission was over, he could let Lynn go alone with confidence.
Since Lynn had already discussed it with Elder Brouver, Geralt couldn't sit still.
"Then we'll split up. After breakfast, you go see the patients Brouver mentioned."
"What about you?" Lynn asked.
Geralt wiped his mouth with a napkin: "I'll go to the abandoned mine to see if I can find anything."
The two split up.
Lynn found Thor and told him his intention.
Thor readily assigned a dwarf to Lynn.
Let him take Lynn to the quarantine area.
After a while...
"Master Witcher, this is where the sick miners are housed. I... I won't go in. I'll wait for you here."
The dwarf who led Lynn said with a flattering smile.
Lynn nodded understandingly.
Judging from Brouver's description, contact with the sick miners was likely to be contagious.
It was understandable that others were afraid.
As for Lynn himself.
He was a Witcher, and like the sorceresses, he wouldn't get sick.
At this time, Lynn was standing in front of a temporary fence made of wood.
This wooden fence, several meters high, separated the place where the sick miners lived from other areas.
A circle of iron chains was wrapped around the door to the entrance and exit.
After the dwarf who led the way unlocked the iron chains, Lynn walked through the door.
The area behind the door was not large, with only a few stone buildings.
He walked towards one of the stone houses.
He hadn't even gotten close yet, but he could already smell a strong, indescribable stench coming from the house.
He frowned slightly, but still stepped forward, pushed open the door of the house, and walked in.
The house was very dark.
The windows were nailed with layers of thick wooden boards.
There were no lights such as candles or torches.
The sick miners lay on the ground like corpses.
Their whole bodies were wrapped in bandages.
When they saw someone pushing the door open and coming in, instead of pushing food in through the crack under the door, they all struggled excitedly.
"Save us!"
"I don't want to die!"
"Don't leave us alone!"
"Pain! So much pain!"
"I'm not sick, hahaha, let me out, I'm not sick!"
Many sick miners were too weak to even stand up.
They could only crawl towards Lynn like maggots.
To be honest, this scene was actually quite terrifying.
Even though he knew that these dwarven miners wouldn't actually hurt him, they just wanted to leave this hellish place.
Seeing that the situation was gradually getting out of control, Lynn had no choice but to use the Axii sign to calm them down.
Under the effect of the Axii sign, the miners finally calmed down and lay back down obediently.
"Now, I have a few questions to ask you."
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