Perhaps having already understood Kiriman's personality from Valessa.
Francesca didn't waste words and didn't bother with unnecessary formalities.
Maintaining the elegant and beautiful deanor of an elf queen, she had Valessa guide the witcher to sit not far from her before speaking:
"Finally we et, Mr. Kiriman."
"Actually, I saw you from a distance on your very first day here."
"Unlike other witchers, you possess a special quality about you that leaves a deep impression."
Hearing these sowhat flattering words, Kiriman smiled, sensing the queen's goodwill.
Drawing from mories of noble etiquette, he returned a gentleman's salute to the elf queen before saying:
"I've heard of your renowned reputation, Your Majesty."
"So say you are the most beautiful woman in this world."
"Others say you are the most powerful sorceress in this world."
"And there are those who say you are the only queen on this continent."
"However, I'm sowhat curious, Your Majesty."
"Since you've been here long before, why didn't you help your people by eliminating those two wyverns?"
"I imagine for soone of your power, those two wyverns pose no more danger than two ordinary lizards."
Actually, Kiriman knew the reason, but as soone eting her for the first ti, he felt he should ask to appear more natural.
Upon hearing this, Francesca's beautiful face showed a lancholy expression. She parted her crimson lips, sighed softly, and then said:
"The reason for this is quite simple, Mr. Kiriman."
"Because I am an elf, and moreover, the queen of the elf race."
"Precisely because I possess powerful magic, countless eyes are always watching —filled with malice, filled with covetousness, every mont of every day."
"The more things you care about, the more weaknesses you have."
"To ensure my people don't face more malice, more harassnt and danger."
"I must exercise restraint, making those who watch believe I pose no threat, that everything remains within their control."
"Otherwise, so of my actions might even reignite war between humans and elves."
At this point, Francesca showed a heartbreakingly vulnerable smile, looking at the witcher with her sky-blue eyes clear as lake water, saying:
"There are many things I wish to do, but cannot."
"I can only watch helplessly as many tragedies unfold, powerless to intervene."
"It is precisely because of this that we have today's transaction, Mr. Kiriman."
"Today, let us speak openly and honestly about this deal. Don't regard as a queen, just treat as a sorceress in need of assistance."
"You can state what you want, and I will present my request."
"For those items you previously presented, I'm willing to purchase them for ten thousand orens—this exceeds black market prices and sufficiently demonstrates my sincerity."
"You can also use this as bargaining chips to exchange for what you desire. Once the transaction concludes, you'll receive the remaining paynt."
Francesca's attitude was genuinely sincere, without the condescending superiority of a powerful sorceress or elf queen, nor the deceptive falsehoods of nobles or rchants. Instead, she spoke with him like an equal friend.
After Kiriman agreed to the transaction, she waved her hand, and three exquisite wooden boxes flew from a nearby cabinet, landing neatly arranged in a row on the table between them.
A black mask that could only cover the lower half of the face, a gem emitting soft blue light, and a dal carved from so unknown animal's scales lay quietly in the boxes, presented before Kiriman.
Francesca's voice was exceptionally pleasant, like orchids in a secluded valley, giving people a sense of tranquility and peace.
She softly introduced these three items.
"These three magical artifacts are from my collection, relics of powerful mages from various historical periods. I believe they might be particularly useful for a witcher, hence why I've brought them out for trade."
"This mask is called the Night Hawk Mask. Simply wearing it over your face will conceal your features, alter your voice, and form a thin black mist around your body like night clothing—hiding your appearance during dayti and allowing you to blend into darkness at night, making you less easily detected."
"The blue gem is the Water Spirit Gem. Holding it in your mouth provides approximately thirty minutes of oxygen while enhancing your swimming speed, allowing you to move through water like a fish without risk of drowning."
"As for the final dal, I call it the Soaring dal, the most valuable of the three items."
"Simply channel magic into this dal, and it will grant you about three minutes of flight capability. Whether crossing terrain, overcoming obstacles, or escaping pursuing enemies, it proves extrely useful."
"However, this dal has usage limitations—approximately one activation every two hours. Even so, flight capability remains an exceptionally rare ability, as I'm sure you recognize its value."
After introducing these three powerful treasures, Francesca showed a faint smile and said softly:
"The Night Hawk Mask costs two thousand orens, the Water Spirit Gem fifteen hundred orens, and as for the Soaring dal—five thousand orens."
"Believe , Mr. Kiriman."
"If I were willing to sell these to wealthy rchants or great nobles, these three magical items would be treated as family heirlooms, passed down through generations."
"Even at double the price, they would sell easily." ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ N0veI.Fiɾe
After hearing Francesca's introduction, Kiriman also felt the prices weren't expensive—in fact, they offered exceptional value. Simultaneously, he felt sowhat astonished by this sorceress's formidable power.
These three magical items were clearly tailor-made for him as a witcher.
That she could select such perfectly suited items from her collection indicated both the astonishing quantity and quality of her treasures, far beyond what ordinary sorceresses could compare to.
Truly worthy of being elf royalty who once ruled the entire continent, truly worthy of being hailed as the most powerful sorceress.
While the three treasures wouldn't significantly enhance his combat capabilities.
They would provide powerful support across land, sea, and air, enabling him to handle many previously difficult challenges and battles.
Like adding wings to a tiger—extrely rare and fortuitous finds.
This made them impossible to refuse, and he could think of no reason to decline.
Kiriman pondered for a few seconds, showing no emotional reaction to the high prices of these three items.
He said calmly:
"Truly remarkable treasures, Lady Francesca. Eight thousand five hundred orens total—I'll take them all."
"Additionally, I hope you can obtain an entry permit for Vizima city for . I'm willing to pay sufficient gold coins to purchase this permit."
"Please also state your commission. If it doesn't violate my principles, I won't refuse."
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