"In combat, he single-handedly defeated the remaining three teams, a total of fifteen knights."
"In the mounted lance competition, he made all his opponents timid before the fight even began. His strength... is far greater than any ordinary warrior you have ever seen."
Geralt listened to Foltest's description, his face still expressionless, but the doubt and surprise in his heart were real.
This performance... it was very similar to his own state after facing a strong enemy and needing to drink a decoction or potion that greatly increased his strength.
But the young man before him had clear eyes and a normal complexion, and there were no signs of toxin buildup from long-term consumption of strong alchemical potions.
"An ordinary human with strength comparable to mutations and potion blessings? That defies common sense." Geralt pondered inwardly.
But he was accustomed not to jumping to conclusions, merely nodding slightly.
In his usual low, even tone, he said: "Sounds impressive."
Seeing this, Foltest nodded with satisfaction: "I hope you two can cooperate."
"Witcher, your professional knowledge and experience, combined with Mr. El's strength, might work wonders."
"You can communicate with each other and discuss the specific details of this creature."
The meeting was short and direct, and Karl could feel Geralt's intense gaze.
He was also curious about this Witcher he had known of for a long time but never met.
After all, the other party was a living person, not a virtual character controlled in a game.
They exited the hall one after another, the cooperation seeming predestined.
But there was clearly a lot of mist between them that needed to be verified and understood.
...
Leaving the royal chambers, Karl and Geralt walked back and forth along the corridor leading to the laboratory in the Temple District.
The atmosphere was slightly quiet, only the echo of boots on the flagstones audible.
Geralt's cat-like eyes observed Karl ahead without a trace.
He was used to evaluating partners before cooperating, especially this unconventional combat force the king held in high regard.
"Mr. El, the king calls you champion."
"Such martial arts tournaments are usually a place for aristocratic children to gain fame." Geralt's voice was low and even, as if he were just making casual conversation.
There was a slight probe in his words.
He didn't have much liking for the aristocracy, which often meant trouble and political connections.
Karl didn't look back, his voice calm: "Just call me Karl, Lambert."
"As for nobility... for me, it's new."
"Until recently, I was just an ordinary villager working in the fields, sometimes hunting with a crossbow or clearing out Drowners."
This answer made Geralt's amber pupils narrow slightly.
A villager? What villager is capable of wiping out an entire team of knights? This was far more... unusual than he had expected.
His inner curiosity was even more piqued—a person who had just escaped commoner status and gained power and status,
why would he take the initiative to get involved in such an obviously dangerous mission? For honor? Money? Or something else?
Geralt didn't ask; he just buried this question in his heart, intending to continue observing.
Karl's candor significantly improved his first impression of the young man.
At least he wasn't like those aristocrats used to playing with rhetoric and hypocrisy.
"I've seen many young people die in the name of honor."
Geralt finally replied directly, whether it was a warning or a statement of fact, it was hard to tell.
"I've also seen people dragged into swamps by Drowners. Some risks are worth taking." Karl pressed his lips together and replied just as calmly.
During the conversation, they arrived at Triss's laboratory, and Karl pushed the door open and courteously invited Geralt in.
The laboratory still bore traces of his previous conflict with Keira.
But more prominent were all kinds of magical texts, alchemical instruments, and papers full of notes.
Karl immediately walked to the table with the dossier he had received from Foltest,
as well as the information about the Striga that Triss had been gathering.
"This is all the information we have so far on the palace and the lady inside."
Karl handed all the information to Geralt without the slightest hesitation or doubt.
"Including the last information brought back by the previous knight team, though it's very fragmented."
"And Triss... my partner, a sorceress, has consulted ancient books to find the common weaknesses of Strigas."
Karl deliberately pointed out Triss's identity to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.
Geralt was slightly surprised and glanced at Karl.
Such straightforward sharing of key information was rare in these deceptive commissions.
Karl's trust quietly raised his evaluation of this co-operator by several points.
He silently took the dossier and quickly and carefully scanned it, his sharp eyes fixing on every detail that might be useful.
"Well, agile, sharp claws, and paralytic toxins, which matches what I know." Geralt thought to himself.
"Scream... I never knew it could stun and kill ordinary people."
"Tableware deals effective damage, correct."
"Moon Dust? It can be made visible even when invisible. As expected from a sorceress; even such information has channels for collection."
...
At that moment, the laboratory door opened again, and Triss entered.
She was flushed with excitement from the success of her experiment, as if she wanted to immediately share something with Karl.
But she immediately saw the stranger in the room, especially the iconic cat-like eyes.
"Karl, I did it... Oh? Who is this?"
Triss instantly restrained her open emotions and became more reserved and polite.
Her gaze lingered on Geralt with a scrutinizing look.
Immediately, she walked over to Karl, clearly and intimately showing their relationship.
"This is Lambert, an experienced Witcher. The king wants us to cooperate on the Princess Adda matter." Karl introduced, then turned to Geralt.
"Lambert, this is Triss, my partner and a powerful sorceress."
"Most of the information about the Striga comes from her research."
Triss nodded slightly to Geralt, smiling calmly but keeping a distance: "Mr. Lambert, I hope this information is useful to you."
Her attitude was friendly but purely polite towards Karl's partner.
Geralt acutely felt the powerful magical fluctuations from Triss; the medallion on his chest was trembling at that moment.
He was indeed struck by Triss's beauty, but it was more about vigilance and respect for a powerful sorceress.
He understood perfectly the boundaries to maintain when dealing with sorceresses,
especially when another's partner was standing right beside him, about to become his temporary comrade-in-arms.