Wizard: This witcher is not doing his job

Chapter 35 The Pontal River
The Pontar River, also known as the Pontar River, is called by the elves Avion y Ponte al Gwennalen, which means the river of alabaster bridges, and it is one of the largest rivers in the North.

Like the Yaruga to the south, they both rise from the Blue Mountains and flow from east to west throughout the Northern Kingdoms, emptying into the sea near Oxenfort and Novigrad.

The Ponta River flows through the four countries and serves as the northern border of the southern states Temeria and Aedirn, and the southern border of Redania and Kaedwen.The region where these four countries meet is called the Pontar Valley, or simply "Pontal".

At the same time, this river is also the most prosperous canal in the northern kingdom.

Many scholars believe that if a country can completely occupy this river, it can become the richest country in the entire north just by relying on the trade tax of the Pondar River.

Therefore, the struggle for the control of this river is almost a daily task among the northern kings of all dynasties.

Every few years, there will be some disputes and even bloody conflicts because of the ownership of the Pontar River.

After leaving the non-human race stronghold in Toruville, Wayne and Geralt headed south all the way, accepting commissions and traveling at the same time. They had money on them, they didn't have to worry about food and drink, and they lived in style.

In order to travel smoothly, the two deliberately avoided large-scale human towns that were prone to trouble, and only received demon hunting commissions and purchased supplies in the small villages around the town, trying not to cause disputes with the Kaedwenians.

However, even though they were so careful, the two of them were attacked and cheated several times by the savage Kaedwenian thugs.

Although it is impossible for these hooligans with dung forks and wooden sticks to cause any harm to the two master swordsmen who can use magic.

But after each battle, they must leave the scene of the incident as soon as possible to prevent being entangled by the soldiers who came and causing a bigger dispute.

This kind of encounter is undoubtedly very annoying.

Therefore, neither Wayne nor Geralt wanted to stay in Kaedwen Kingdom any longer.

They rode to a port town near the bank of the Pontar River, found a merchant ship bound for Novigrad, and planned to take the ship directly to the floating port town of Temeria.

Fortunately, after being turned down by some apparently biased merchants, they found a captain willing to take them on board.

This is a huge merchant ship. The captain is a Skellige named Wesker. He has a strong figure like a bear, a bald head, and a rough appearance, but his eyes are bright and energetic. He is not the kind of simple-minded warrior.

What impressed people the most was the thick weed-like black beard on his chin, just like his nickname Blackbeard, with distinctive features.

For Geralt and Wayne's request to take a merchant ship, he only thought about it for a dozen seconds before agreeing.

However, he also asked Geralt and Wayne to pay 150 ducats each for the boat ticket in addition to helping the crew protect the ship in the event of a battle.

After all, two people and two horses needed a lot of food and fodder, and they had to be given a room that was not too small, which was already a very generous price.

While chatting, the two finally figured out why the captain of Skellige treated them so favorably.

Wesker the black beard drank a large glass of dwarf beer boldly, wiped off the wine stained on his beard nonchalantly, and said in a rough voice:
"I know that there are many idiots and farmers on the continent. They hate demon hunters very much. They think they are thieves and freaks. They even shamelessly blame them for the disappearance of many children."

"But in our Skellige Islands, witchers are very respected figures."

"They were all valiant warriors, fearless warriors who had slain many mighty monsters and rescued many islanders, and their stories have been passed down in many poems."

Wesker's eyes were blurred, he touched his beard, and said with a sigh:

"When I was a teenager, I once met a master demon hunter. At that time, my family and I were fishing in the sea, and we were attacked by a group of harpy birds. My brother and father were killed by monsters. In order to protect my mother, I had no choice but to run for my life."

"When we were most desperate, it was that master who helped me and my mother survive."

"That's a demon hunter with a griffin-like badge on his chest."

"I don't know his name. After killing the monster, he left silently without talking to us or asking for payment."

"But I know that he is a good man. Compared with those hypocritical and despicable noble knights, he is the real chivalrous man."

After listening to the bearded Wesker, Geralt had no expression on his face, but Wayne could see his complicated mood from his eyes.

Yes, there may be many people in the world who have misunderstood the demon hunter's impression and have malicious intentions, but at least those who have been helped by the demon hunter will remember the kindness of the demon hunter.

Just like Martha, whom they helped not long ago, this old woman will surely remember who, for a meager fee, helped her find her two sons and continue the fate of their family.

The journey on the Pontal River was quite smooth. Except for some unsightly water ghosts who always liked to follow the ship and wanted to attack the bottom deck of the ship, they did not encounter any other threats.

They sailed westward along the river, passing through the two large towns of Vergen and Haji Fortress, and finally arrived at the port of Floating Harbor Town belonging to Temeria on the afternoon of the eighth day.

During these days on board, an interesting thing happened.

Wayne and Geralt, who were severe patients of the Gwent brand, accidentally discovered that Captain Blackbeard, along with many sailors on this ship, were Gwent brand fans while resting on the ship.

According to Wesker, this interesting gambling method is already well-known in the free city of Novigrad.

The dwarf bankers there are trying their best to promote the Gwent card, wanting to use this new type of gambling to replace the dice gambling in the past, and even spent money to hold a few small Gwent card games.

And these crew members who travel far and wide are naturally more receptive to new things than ordinary people who stay in one place and do not move, let alone such interesting games to pass the time.

The bearded Wesker patted his chest, and said boldly that even in Novigrad, he was a well-known Gwent master, and he was not afraid of any challenge.

It's a pity that what they met this time was a demon hunter who had the blessing of luck and was very proficient in the game of Gwent.

In just one night, Wayne easily used the Gwent card in his hand to win back the boat ticket money for himself and Geralt, and even got [-] gold coins and a few rare cards in his pocket.

If it weren't for the fact that Wayne didn't want the good man with the beard to lose his pants, he would be merciful.

Maybe just a few more days of gambling, this merchant ship will become his property.

And Geralt, who also lost more than 200 ducats to Wayne, even made an oath publicly.

Never play against this lucky junior again without collecting a strong enough deck.

In this regard, Wayne just shrugged his shoulders. After winning so many people in a row, his Gwent card level has been raised to two levels, and he has received two lucky blessings.

And in the long life to come, his Gwent card skills will only get better and better, his luck will get stronger and stronger, and the cards he collects will become more and more powerful.

It is estimated that unless he is willing to let go, Geralt will never be able to beat him at the gambling table.

(End of this chapter)