A Witcher's expertise lies in dealing with manifested monsters and the immediate effects of lifting curses.
The root of a curse, deeply embedded in bloodlines, often lies beyond their purview.
He sighed heavily, his eyes darkening.
At that moment, Karl spoke, his voice low and meaningful: "Your Majesty, the key to whether the curse recurs lies in its root."
As he spoke, his eyes involuntarily swept around. The guards, on alert nearby, appeared respectful but were, in fact, curious.
Foltest was a perceptive man, naturally adept at reading expressions and tones.
He immediately caught the crucial message in Karl's eyes and tone—the following words were serious and not meant for outsiders' ears.
Foltest instantly suppressed all his open emotions, regaining the king's cold demeanor.
He stood up and ordered the guards: "Men, all of you, step back!"
"Withdraw to twenty paces and stand guard. No one is to approach without my order!"
"Yes! Your Majesty!" The captain of the guard immediately obeyed the order, quickly retreating to the designated distance, his men forming a protective circle, their backs to Foltest.
When the idle personnel and others had moved far enough away, Karl lowered his voice and said to Foltest: "Your Majesty, according to what I have learned, there exist ancient bodies of knowledge regarding curses."
"...Like Her Highness's situation, the root cause of a curse laid before birth often does not arise from nothing."
"It is often closely tied to intense jealousy, power struggles, or past sins."
Karl paused and looked at Foltest with a sharp gaze: "Before the Princess was born, did you... or the late Queen, ever incur unyielding hatred from others?"
"Or... did it involve matters vital to someone's interests?"
When Foltest heard this, his body trembled violently.
He was first stunned, then his pupils contracted, a flicker of horror crossing his eyes, followed by an extremely grim and sharp expression.
Certain fragments of memory from the past, some he had suspected but lacked proof,
or palace secrets that had been temporarily set aside until the time was ripe, surged into his heart like a tidal wave.
His brows were tightly furrowed, his face became extremely ugly, and he involuntarily tightened his grip on Adda.
He remained silent for a full minute, an oppressive feeling hanging in the air.
Finally, when Foltest raised his head and looked at Karl and Geralt again, the grimness on his face had softened significantly.
But deep in his eyes, a cold determination flickered.
He said solemnly: "Karl, Lambert, the two of you have not only saved Adda but also awakened me."
"I will never forget this kindness. Temeria and I, Foltest, will always remember it."
"The reward I promised you will be fulfilled as soon as possible. And now..."
"I have some... small matters to deal with."
He glanced at his sleeping daughter in his arms, a note of weariness in his voice, but with an undeniable authority.
Karl and Geralt exchanged a glance, understanding in their hearts that the earlier hint had already pointed the way.
With Foltest's wrist and control, if there was a clear target of suspicion, it wouldn't be difficult to trace the clues and find the true culprit of that year.
And this involved the internal reckoning of palace secrets and power struggles; as outsiders, they were not suited to, nor did they have the right, to interfere.
"We understand, Your Majesty. Please be careful."
Before leaving, Karl reminded again: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing."
"Although Her Highness has returned to human form, her long-term non-human existence may have had a profound impact on her mind and habits."
"She may now be... more like a frightened animal, unable to communicate, requiring extreme patience and professional care."
"It would be best to find someone absolutely trustworthy and skilled in handling such situations."
Foltest nodded deeply, taking Karl's reminder to heart: "Thank you for the reminder, Karl. I will arrange it."
He held his daughter in his arms and headed towards the palace, surrounded by guards.
His back appeared firm, but it carried a weight that was about to unleash a bloody storm.
Karl and Geralt stood watching them leave.
Both knew that beneath Vizima's seemingly calm surface, the source of Adda's curse would lead to a group of people being beheaded or hanged.
...
Foltest's fury was like a volcano that had been building for a long time.
Having ensured his daughter's safe return, he acted swiftly and ruthlessly.
He didn't even spend much time resting, relying on the direction of the clues Karl had given, combined with information he had already gathered but not yet acted upon.
The king's spies and loyal knights were unleashed like hunting hounds, beginning a swift and merciless purge in Vizima.
In just two days, the streets of Vizima were filled with a strong scent of blood, and the gallows, guillotines, and burning stakes worked more efficiently than ever.
The number of nobles, officials, wealthy merchants, and their henchmen executed for grave crimes such as treason and the murder of a royal family member reached a staggering figure—over a hundred people.
Former grand residences were confiscated, magnificent carriages seized, and their cries and pleas for mercy were drowned out by the bustle of the crowd watching the executions and the cold rebukes of the soldiers.
At the center of this purge was the guilty minister, Ostrit, and his extensive family network.
The investigation showed it was related to greed and hatred over succession to the crown.
Before Adda's birth, Ostrit had meticulously planned to cast this malicious curse through secret channels.
At least, that was the result of the external investigation.
In reality, Ostrit had fallen in love with the king's sister, Adda.
And Foltest's relationship with his sister had led to his curse born of jealousy.
Ostrit himself, after his arrest, endured unimaginable torture.
By the time he was finally dragged to the execution block, he was barely recognizable as a man.
He was barely breathing, and even some of the seasoned executioners, accustomed to such sights, looked away.
Ostrit's family was eradicated, and all their assets, including those that generated profit, were confiscated by the royal family.
During these two days, the execution ground was packed, the crowd so dense it was nearly crushed.
In fear and a certain distorted excitement, the people witnessed the shift in power and the ruthlessness of the monarchy.
They didn't care which powerful figure died, as long as they were nobles.
However, one name was conspicuously absent from this long list of executions—Alexandra De Viers.
This sorceress was suspected of being directly involved in the casting of the curse, possibly even the one who performed it.
Due to her special status, she was temporarily spared.
Although Foltest was furious, he also understood that directly dealing with a sorceress could cause problems and provoke backlash from the Brotherhood of Sorcerers.