Bab 173: Ostrit
The obese nobleman was sluggish, his excess weight quivering as he desperately tried to flee. But his efforts were futile against Wayne, whose speed was unmatched even among witchers. Within moments, Wayne closed the distance, blocking the nobleman's path and fixing him with a cold stare.
With his sinister expression, opulent attire, and cruel eyebrows, he didn't look like a good guy. He was, in fact, a minister who was with the king when he met with him in the morning. It also matches the identity in the original work. Seeing no escape, the nobleman's face paled. He stared at the witcher who had just slain his men, his mind racing for a way out.
"Witcher, you are a mutant, a freak!" he shouted, stalling for time. "I am the Lord Chamberlain, Baron Ostrit. Why are you trying to stop me? If you dare to offend the nobles, I will let the soldiers hang you !"
Hearing the name confirmed Wayne's suspicions. He had no patience for this pompous fool. Without a word, he struck the nobleman several times, silencing his threats with a broken nose and a mouthful of blood. The baron's eyes rolled back in his head as he collapsed unconscious.
Wayne wiped the blood from his hands, a grim reminder of the force he'd used. Had he not been conserving his strength, the baron would be dead. Grabbing Ostrit like a sack, Wayne headed towards Vizima, but reconsidered. Dragging the minister's body through the city would undoubtedly attract unwanted attention from the guards.
With a grimace, he retrieved his invisibility cloak from his pack, covering Ostrit's bloodied face. The nobleman vanished from sight, and Wayne dragged the invisible form towards the royal palace.
Ten minutes later, after navigating several streets, he reached the palace gates. Recognized by the guards from his earlier visit, he was met by Triss, who had been summoned. The sorceress, though surprised by Wayne's swift return, approached him discreetly.
"Wayne," she whispered, "why have you returned to the palace? What has happened?"
Wayne leaned in, his voice barely audible. "I have the curse's perpetrator. Take me to the chamber where we spoke this morning, and inform King Foltest of this development."
Triss was taken aback. She had not been privy to Wayne's agreement with Foltest, nor was she aware of other suspects in the curse. Yet, trusting her lover implicitly, she asked no further questions. After a brief exchange with the guards, she led Wayne into the palace, exercising her privilege as a royal advisor.
As they walked through the palace corridors, Wayne whispered a few words to Triss. Reaching the door to the audience chamber, the sorceress sighed, glancing at the invisible figure Wayne dragged behind him. Though baffled by the invisibility, she couldn't help but inquire, "So, who is this murderer? To kill both the queen and the princess... His Majesty will surely not show mercy. His fate will be grim."
Wayne paused, struggling to recall the nobleman's name. "It's the minister we saw this morning, the one beside the king. I believe his name was O... Ostrit."
Triss gasped in surprise, but remained silent. She opened the chamber doors and instructed Wayne, "Wait here. I will inform His Majesty. He should be here shortly."
Wayne nodded, entering the chamber and taking a seat, patiently waiting. Within five minutes, King Foltest stormed into the room, his royal robes billowing. Spotting Wayne, he waved off any formalities, his eyes scanning the room before demanding in a thunderous voice, "Witcher, where is the murderer?"
Wayne rose, bowing slightly before pulling back the invisibility cloak at his feet, revealing Ostrit's unconscious form. Foltest, unfazed by the cloak, stepped forward to glare at the nobleman. His voice, though filled with rage, held a hint of confusion as he spoke.
"Is it truly him? Ostrit, this man has served me since he was a boy, my chamberlain for over a decade." Wayne's expression remained stoic, his voice unwavering. "Your Majesty, before arriving at the palace, he led a dozen mercenaries in an attack against me outside the city. The evidence is undeniable."
"Furthermore," Wayne continued, "I interrogated him. Due to his long-standing service to you, he developed an unhealthy infatuation with Queen Adda from a young age, resenting you for marrying her. This love turned to hate, leading him to inflict this heinous curse."
"He sought to kill the queen and the princess on the same day," Wayne explained, "and his plot went deeper. The striga's resurrection was also his doing. He hoped to escalate the striga's attacks, inciting discontent among the people and nobility, thus undermining your rule and seizing the throne for himself as revenge."
Of course, Ostrit had never confessed to any of this. Wayne was relying on his knowledge of the original story, but in a world of magic, truth could be revealed even from the dead. Ostrit was not a cunning man, and his past actions would likely incriminate him once suspicion fell upon him.
King Foltest stood in silence for several long moments, his breathing growing heavier with each passing second. Finally, his eyes blazing with fury, he roared, "Yes, it's him! There have been many questionable actions on his part, but I considered him a friend, a companion from childhood. I never doubted him."
"But this traitor dares to betray me so deeply, to harm my family! I'll have him flayed and his corpse hung from the city gates for all to see!"
Wayne offered no comment on the king's outburst. Instead, he suggested, "Your Majesty, now that the culprit is apprehended, I recommend Triss interrogate him further, to dispel any doubts you may have. Perhaps you'll even uncover a list of co-conspirators among the nobility."
"Regarding tomorrow night," Wayne continued, "I will commence the ritual to lift the curse. I ask that there be no interference. If you insist on observing, please make the necessary arrangements."
"With your permission, I will take my leave, Your Majesty. There are preparations I must attend to."
King Foltest sat in silence for a moment, then leaned back in his chair, addressing Wayne. "Go, witcher. I trust your judgment. This man is the traitor."
"And see to the curse tomorrow," he added. "If you can save my daughter, I will not forget my promise."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone