Chapter 208: Vivienne’s Request
The moon floated far, far up in the sky, yet it generously illuminated the night. It draped a silvery dress over Lake Vizima, adorning it with the twinkle of the stars. The night breeze blew across the lake and filled the throne room with a refreshing kiss of the night. Roy curled up a little, however. The cold was getting to him.
“Lady Vivienne, I have returned from Brokilon. Lady Henn-na sends her regards. It has been a while since our last meeting, but your beauty has only grown since then.” Roy bowed to her. He looked at Vivienne and wondered how he should feel about her. What do I think of her anyway? My liege? I don’t feel fear or anything like that. Friends? But she’s too passionate and alluring. I can’t get too close to her. Lover? No way. No matter how big my head gets, I won’t ever believe a passionate lady like her would fall for me.
There was a connection between them, however, and he could not deny that. His virtue was the thing that connected them, and they both stood to gain something from this relationship. Vivienne blessed him with a weapon and granted him a lot of convenience in life, while he would keep her safe in return.
Just like what I’m about to do.
“It has been two hundred years since I saw Henn-na.” Vivenne reminisced in silence for a moment. “I’ve received her regards. Might this warrior beside you be Letho of the Viper School?”
“Yes. He is my mentor.”
“No need to be so tense.” Vivenne smiled at Letho, and the night sky lit up a little, as if the stars were twinkling brighter. “I still haven’t thanked you for your help during the battle with Dagon. How is the ring working for you?”
“It works well. Thank you for your generous gift, Lady of the Lake.” Letho held his hand before his chest and bowed, but he still seemed calm.
“What brings you here today, Roy? I don’t think you’re here just to send Henn-na’s regards to me.”
“I have disappointed you, milady. Even though I have accepted your blade, I failed to spread your gospel to the people. Princess Adda has done a much better job than I could ever do.”
Vivenne chuckled. “You’re selling yourself short. Adda is a great priestess, but she only bowed to me because you gave her that suggestion.”
“I thought you wouldn’t agree to it.” Roy asked the question that had been haunting him a little all this time. “If you really wanted to form a religion around you, you could have gotten the fishermen and vodyanoi to build the church.”
“Simple.” Vivienne had a look of resignation on her face. “We might live at the bottom of the lake, but it’s not like we’re secluded from the rest of the world. We can gain knowledge about the outside world through the vodyanoi and fishermen. The religions you mentioned are at least a few centuries old, and Melitele’s temples have been around for millennia. It has existed since the darkest times of this land. Melitele has believers and temples spread all over the land. Her faith is deeply rooted in this land. It won’t be easy for any king or kingdom to attack her. They might cause a rebellion if they do. On the other hand, my church was only created two months ago. Yes, we’re expanding fast, but we aren’t as influential as the other religions are. It won’t be hard for Foltest to crack down on us.”
Roy shook his head. “You spread virtue. You’re different from evil gods like the lionheaded spider. You won’t affect his rule. Why didn’t he try to talk with you? His own daughter is the church’s great priestess.”
“Hey, kid,” Letho said. “You don’t have to ask her that. I can tell you why.” He looked at Vivienne, and she looked back at him. Apparently, she wanted to hear his answer as well. “There are barely any gods left in this land. If someone tells you that a drop-dead gorgeous goddess exists and is alive, what would you do?”
“I…would probably pay her a visit. I’d want to witness some miracles,” Roy answered without hesitation.
“And that’s why you’re the regular guy.” Letho scoffed. “Rulers possess far greater greed and desire than their subjects. They would want more than just a visit. Get what I mean?”
Roy was figuring out what Letho was saying, and Vivienne nodded at him.
“What your mentor says is the truth. We are the daughters of the lake. We control the lakes of the world. Vodyanoi and intelligent creatures that live in these waters are easily attracted to us. They would become our believers, but that’s not the case with humans. Most humans cannot stay true to their principles. They’re complex creatures, and most of them are ruled by greed. That is one thing they can never change. They only believe in me because I gave them something in return. If my gift fails to meet their desires, they will not hesitate to rain down disaster on me. A disaster is fast approaching now, and I need your help.”
Roy held up Aerondight and knelt on one knee. Vivienne swayed her gigantic tail and came to the young witcher. He could taste the scent of seaweed coming off her.
“Here, take this bloodstone. Travel to the temple area and embed it into my statue. You know what I’m going to do, don’t you?”
She’s going to absorb the faith energy stored in the statue, huh? Roy looked up at her beautiful hair that tumbled down her chest, her angular jawline, her rosy lips, and finally, her clear eyes. He saw desire burning in them.
“Seek out Adda once you fill this bloodstone up.” Scales gleamed on her arm. “Give the bloodstone to her, and she’ll handle the rest.” She then pressed down on Roy’s shoulder. “Once I get through this crisis, I shall reward you, my knight.”
***
***
<br data-mce-bogus=”1″>