"Of course, the decision to respond to his request rests entirely with you, based on your principles and judgment."
Hearing this, Karl's slightly furrowed brows quickly relaxed, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes, and he looked again at the smiling Yennefer before him.
It must be said that although Yennefer sometimes appears arrogant, she is not stupid and is very good at dealing with superiors.
After the previous "lesson," she almost immediately adjusted her attitude and behavior.
She didn't know the specific role the temple played for him, but with keen observation, she guessed its importance.
She even took the initiative to capitalize on Nidalmer's admiration and desire to obtain tangible benefits for him.
What's more rare is that she fully considered that he didn't want to get too entangled in worldly affairs, and she took the initiative to act as an intermediary.
This not only satisfies Nidalmer's need to seek refuge but also avoids the possibility of him being directly bothered by trivial matters.
This kind of intelligence and skill is far smarter than many sorceresses who know how to cast spells but don't know how to please those above the ruler.
Besides Triss, Yennefer is the second intelligent person who can make him feel comfortable and at ease.
As for whether Yennefer craves power? Karl understands very well that her position is almost neutral.
She even refused the position of court advisor, preferring to be a free sorceress.
Everything she does is more about networking, and... perhaps a hint of care for a friend of Geralt?
Since she is intelligent and the love of Geralt's life, she can be considered, to some extent, her own person.
For his people, Karl doesn't mind revealing some insignificant secrets to strengthen relationships.
He cleared his throat slightly, a look of approval appearing on his face, and said: "Miss Yennefer, I must commend you for your keen observation and wisdom in handling matters."
Then he changed the subject with a slight smile: "However, perhaps you didn't need to go through such trouble on my behalf."
Under Yennefer's slightly puzzled gaze, Karl smiled easily and said: "As long as Nidalmer or the believers in his realm pray to me sincerely, then... I will hear it."
"..."
The smile on Yennefer's face instantly froze, and a flicker of suspicion appeared in her eyes, as if she had heard something strange.
You can... hear the prayers of believers?! That's no longer in the category of spells!
That is a power she could only read about in mythological stories. Is he joking or...
But Karl only gave her a meaningful smile without further explanation.
He turned, took a step, and passed through the portal, appearing on the land of Terra.
Yennefer stood alone, looking at Karl's distant back, her heart filled with doubts, surprise, and an indescribable desire to explore.
She stood like that for a while, until Geralt's call came from the other side of the portal, and then she suddenly came to.
She gave the dragon's cave one last deep look and stepped through the portal. The moment she set foot on Terra's soil,
the energy sparks jumping at the edge of the portal behind her lost their support, suddenly dimmed and fell, turning into tiny golden lights and dissipating into the air.
The entire portal also instantly closed, as if it had never been there.
Only the faint energy afterglow remaining in the air proved that the unimaginable scene just now was not an illusion.
...
Back in Terra, everyone dispersed.
It seemed that Geralt and Yennefer still had some "unfinished business" to attend to personally.
The subtle atmosphere between them was even sensed by the Tia sisters, who were observing, and they wisely did not interfere.
Dandelion rushed headlong into the Terra tavern, eager to experience this thrilling and unexpected "dragon hunt."
Soon, the pseudonym "Arn Vati" and the heroic figure of the fierce battle with the golden dragon would be heard in the bard's songs throughout the North.
Karl personally led the Borch and Myrgtabrakke families to find a suitable habitat on Terra.
They finally chose a peak far from the main city, with a wide view, steep mountains, and natural caves.
The surroundings are quiet and inaccessible, enough for the two dragons to move and hide, and it is still within Karl's sphere of influence.
After Karl settled them, he stopped interfering too much and didn't forget to worry about food.
Earlier, he had clearly forbidden them to kill civilian livestock, relying on the wisdom and abilities of the dragons.
Whether it's the wildlife in the vast forests of Terra or the game in the further mountains, it's enough to satisfy their needs.
Borch often acts in human form and is very familiar with human society.
With his guidance and explanations, Myrgtabrakke should quickly adapt to living near humans and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
After taking care of these trivial matters, Karl was finally able to focus all his energy on the most important thing: improving his own strength.
Outer gods can only be slightly intimidated by their names.
They are not only strange and complicated to communicate with, but their very existence carries mad and perverted traits that make people feel a desire to see them.
Recalling that when he was at the lake earlier, just the image of Dagon emerging from behind the water curtain caused him intense discomfort and mental sting.
This was by no means something mortals could contend with, even if it was just a drop of power or a clone separated from the main body.
It is foreseeable that after the real encounter in the future, it will be very difficult.
Dispelling these heavy and mixed thoughts in his head, Karl's eyes became determined.
He closed his eyes, abandoned all distractions, fully immersed himself in his body, and began to direct and gather his divine power.
...
Time flies, half a month quietly passed in concentrated improvement.
At a high altitude, in the place where Karl had long been suspended, a strange phenomenon occurred.
The surrounding sunlight seemed to be attracted by an invisible force, more concentrated and brighter than in other areas.
It was as if it was being collected through an invisible prism to form a field of light.
In this particularly dazzling zone, extremely thin, almost imperceptible golden specks of light occasionally flickered.
They emerged from the void, like attracted fireflies, and quietly drifted around him.
Karl, who had been sitting motionless, opened his eyes, and at that same moment, a golden light flickered deep within his eyes.
At the same time, the countless golden specks of light slowly hovering and drifting around him seemed to receive a supreme command and instantly stopped their chaotic movement.
They simultaneously turned, turning into tiny golden ribbons, trying to sink into his body.
Karl slowly raised his right hand and spread his palm.
A drop of pure gold, the size of a child's small fingernail, perfectly round, quietly suspended.