Chapter 82: Group.
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[5 Hours Later. Kaer Morhen.]
Seeing that Yoriichi has already finished talking to Vesemir about various topics—ranging from the Order of Witchers and the Demon Slayer Corps to managing a Witcher school and favorite foods—with admiration and excitement that makes even Ciri uncomfortable, let alone the old wolf, she suddenly hears a disapproving exclamation from Geralt.
"I still don't like the guy."
Writing an organizational schematic on the spell holographic papers at the long table in the dining hall, Ciri rolled her eyes at Geralt and said, "Do you think you were any better when you first met Yen?"
"She's right, wolf. Your story of dumping Yennefer after using her for half a year is still one of the Dandelion poets' favorites," Eskel chimed in after receiving his designated mission from the Ien System.
"Although it was a bit of a letdown at the time on the Novigrad ships, I still got the Breathing Technique. So, sorry, pal, but I think I'll defend him this time," Lambert added.
"You too, Bert? I thought you'd be the last person to say that. What happened to the jerk and the—"
"Whoops, time to go… Eskel! Do you want to do the mission with me?!"
"Hmm? Sure. But I already picked one. It's in Cintra. Queen Calanthe currently has her hands full dealing with the resurrected king there, so she doesn't have time to send her soldiers to deal with the loud monster with the megaphone head."
Seeing Eskel and Lambert already walking toward the permanent portal outside the castle and near the training ground, Ciri turned toward Yoriichi, who had arrived in front of her with something to say.
"I want to help Rita manage the island first. Just let me know when you're ready to go back into the field."
Tiptoeing from the table to kiss him, she then replied to him, "Don't worry. After I finish creating procedures for the Corps and Witcher, I will find you to continue our journey."
As Yoriichi left toward the portal as well, Ciri heard Yennefer's question after her lover had already teleported to the island.
"Interesting. This is the first time you haven't become madly in love with him. Did something happen?"
Sitting down at the long table and receiving another holographic paper from Yen, Ciri replied while continuing to write the guidelines, "I don't know. It's just that after dealing with Toussaint, I feel like I can trust him not to leave me forever."
"Are you sure it's not because of the Breathing Technique?"
Shaking her head and passing the written guidelines to Yen, Ciri answered, "No, it has nothing to do with the Breathing Technique. But whatever it is, it just feels deeper this time."
"Any idea why this is happening? I'm just worried about you, Ciri. This fate becoming more and more entangled could mess with your mood and your life more intensely. It might even be more severe than the bond between Geralt and me."
Pausing while tapping the holographic pen on her chin, Ciri slowly remembered one of Yoriichi's mutterings, saying, "Now that I think about it, when you mentioned entanglement, it reminded me of one of his surprised exclamations."
"What is it? I want to know—Hmm, Geralt, what do you think is the best breathing for you? I know, I'll pick lightning."
"Earth."
"Ah, my dearest… Do you want to replace the Djinn binding?"
"Yes."
"Hehehehe. I know where this is going. Don't worry, my wolf. I will modify it to the point that it will give us the greatest pleasure."
Seeing Yennefer suddenly drop the subject mid-sentence, Ciri wanted to frown and investigate what was happening but paused after hearing Yoriichi's voice directly enter her mind.
"This is a recorded message for my pack, I mean, for those closest to me. If you see someone wanting to discuss our quantum entanglement, connection, or binding, and that person suddenly becomes distracted and forgets what they were going to say, don't worry. It is my doing to protect you from an enemy who might use you to get to me. So if you see that person displaying such behavior, run from them or apprehend them immediately."
Chuckling, realizing that whatever abilities Yoriichi created this time are not yet perfected, Ciri just shakes her head and feels the warmth of his presence inside her chest. Wanting to continue asking Yennefer about what remains to be done for the military organization, she instead pauses and turns to Vesemir, who is already sitting at the table, and asks, "So, what are you guys talking about?"
"Nothing much. Just various topics, ranging from the School of Witchers to personal tastes. But I do know that he discussed these serious topics just to inquire about quality of life."
Nodding, remembering the visible admiration and excitement on her lover's face whenever he sees everyone, especially Vesemir, Ciri then asked the old wolf with an uncomfortable mood, "He didn't ask you any untoward questions, did he?"
"Hahahaha. Ciri, your imagination is surely running wild. No, child, he did not. To me, he is more like a common folk meeting the king or queen of their kingdom for the first time. Still, it's a novel experience for an old Witcher like me. Back in the day…"
Shaking her head, knowing that he would go on and on without ever stopping, Ciri let the old wolf return to the world of the living once again. Now that she thinks about it, none of what is happening would have come to pass without her lover's intervention. Maybe, just maybe, if there were no Yoriichi, she might have been nothing more than a frozen corpse in the middle of nowhere.
"Anyway… Ciri, do you think we should go with a two bodies organization? The elite would be the Corps, while the common would be the Witchers."
Seeing Yennefer instantly cut off Vesemir's rambling by changing the topic entirely, Ciri shook her head, disapproving of her mother's method, and answered, "Yes, I think it's best not to forsake the Witchers entirely, as Moiraine suggested. The resurrected Witchers would be even more confused if things suddenly changed. But I agree with you, Yen. It would be better to create a two bodies organization with the Haris— I mean Tsugikuni— family at the top of the hierarchy."
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