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TWL Chapter 285: Lann and the Succubus
🕑 Added 2025-01-07 00:22:39 +0000 UTCBlack Wind's joy as he galloped through the primeval forest was contagious and Lann couldn't help but feel more relaxed.
Until a loud 'crack!' interrupted the tranquility. A forest wolf, who had the misfortune of crossing Black Wind's path, received a powerful kick to the back that launched it into the air. The dry sound of breaking bones echoed in the air, followed by a moan as the wolf's body collided with a tree, breaking it.
The rest of the pack that was nearby, realizing that this enormous black beast was not an opponent they could face, fled in terror into the depths of the forest.
A pack of hungry wolves had tried to hunt Black Wind.
However, before Lann could even react, Black Wind had already driven the wolves away on his own.
The horse seemed even more determined to chase the wolves, but Lann pulled firmly on the reins while stroking its mane and neck to calm it.
"Black Wind, enough, enough… Calm down, friend."
Black Wind's combative and somewhat capricious attitude caused Lann more than one headache.
Finally, he managed to calm the horse. Turning around, he found Iris frowning.
Iris seemed clearly annoyed by the interruption of the pleasant atmosphere they had had until then. Time alone with Lann was a rare thing for her, and now her body was beginning to burn with flames of an intense emerald green, reflecting her displeasure.
"Iris, Iris, calm down… Calm down, please." Lann said, extending a hand to hold her.
While trying to calm her down, Lann looked around and noticed that she had finally arrived at the place marked on the map by Gerd.
In front of them was a mountain path overgrown with weeds. However, activating his witcher senses, he could clearly discern traces of human activity and other humanoid creatures.
Following the path uphill, they soon reached the entrance to a deep cave.
Although someone had attempted to conceal the entrance, the work had been sloppy. Lann leaned down to examine the ground, and with his witcher senses, he detected footprints. Among the footprints, he could make out both human footprints and… hoof prints.
The tunnel was covered in moss and seemed endless, but there was a faint glow illuminating the end of the path. Lann recognized at once that the light was not coming from the sun, but from candles.
He stared into the cave for a moment, then turned back. Iris, well aware of what was coming, transformed into an emerald green flame and retreated back into the scimitar. Black Wind, meanwhile, wagged his tail in disinterest and returned to the forest.
If Lann needed him, he knew a whistle would be all it would take to get him back.
...
What appeared before Lann's eyes was... a cozy cave.
These two words seemed difficult to relate, but there was the evidence.
The moss and dust in the cave had been meticulously cleaned by its occupant. Even the stalactites looked like they had been washed with fresh water, and the tree roots hanging from the walls had been carefully trimmed to become decorative ornaments, adding a homely touch.
Candles placed around the walls illuminated the cave, allowing every detail to be appreciated effortlessly. The light was soft, enough not to hurt the eyes, but at the same time it added a peculiar and somewhat disturbing air to the atmosphere.
In the center of the cave, a figure with elegant and graceful curves was kneeling, busy with something.
And not far from her, a young man was lying.
From his attire, it was obvious that he was a druid apprentice. His calm breathing and the slight movement of his chest confirmed that he was safe. His relaxed expression and the slight smile on his face indicated that, beyond being safe, he seemed to be enjoying himself.
Lann frowned and sniffed the air.
"Since you've come in, why don't we have a quiet chat?" the figure said, still with her back turned. "I must 'thank' you for chasing away the wolf pack. If I had to take care of it myself, it would have been a problem."
The figure finally turned around, revealing her chest completely devoid of clothing.
Every curve and nuance of her skin was on full display under the candlelight.
Although Lann had already been baptized by the natural way of dress of the Brokilon dryads, he was still tempted.
However, when the succubus looked at Lann more closely, her face showed a mixture of surprise and alarm. Although his lion eyes and the medallion on his chest were unusual, the two swords on his back gave away his identity.
"A witcher?" She took two steps back and asked in a trembling voice. "Did you come here for a contract to hunt me down?"
Her tone, full of fragility, and the slight vibration in her voice were enough to move any unsuspecting warrior.
Lann sighed and shook his head. "No. I'm just looking for someone. Besides, it was Gerd who told me about you. I'm his friend. He didn't attack you, and I won't either."
Hearing Gerd's name, the succubus didn't seem to relax. On the contrary, her expression changed to displeasure.
"That tall witcher? If you came for his stories, you'd better spare yourself the illusions. I repeat I will not spend the night with a witcher, not even out of gratitude!" She said, furious. "You are covered in the blood of succubi and others of my kind. It disgusts me!"
The succubus put her hands on her waist and approached Lann with firm steps. "You..." She started to say but stopped when she saw Lann up close.
...
At the same time, the druid apprentice who was lying on the ground suddenly woke up with a start.
Disoriented, he looked around as if searching for something, until his eyes fell on Lann, who had his back to him. Remembering the words he thought he heard in his dreams—'witcher', 'hunt'—the apprentice druid immediately jumped.
"Who… who wants to hurt my Nanomi?" he shouted, pointing at Lann. "Is it you, you mutant monster…?!"
The apprentice's words stopped abruptly as Lann turned, revealing his lion-like eyes, devoid of emotion. That look, like that of an executioner looking down on a dead man, paralyzed the young druid apprentice. Not even the fiercest warriors of Skellige projected such a cold and deadly gaze.
The apprentice began to tremble, and his tone changed radically: "Lor... Lord?"
The apprentice looked at the emblem on Lann's chest and assumed that he must be a knight of some noble house. "Harming a defenseless woman… is undignified. Besides, Nanomi has never hurt anyone."
Lann ignored him, glancing at the succubus named Nanomi before continuing: "Master Fritjof of the Druid Circle tasked me with finding his missing apprentice. I heard from Gerd that there's a succubus here, and a druid apprentice accompanying her, so I came to understand the situation."
Hearing this, the young apprentice exclaimed, "What? My master sent someone to look for me? How long have I been here?"
The succubus, who had remained silent until then, replied in an amused tone: "One month and twelve days."
The druid apprentice felt like he was struck by lightning when he heard this. "What? I thought it had only been a few days! I just wanted to stay one more day, just one more…!"
Nanomi shook her head and explained to Lann, "The elders of the Circle always think I cast curses to attract the young ones, but the truth is that they come on their own. I even have to use magic to drive them away and send them back home obediently."
Then she pointed at the apprentice and said, "He has a higher resistance to mental magic, and I didn't want to waste too much energy, so I let him stay a little longer. I knew that sooner or later a senior druid would come looking for him, and I have no interest in causing trouble. I was already planning on moving."
The succubus's words pierced the druid apprentice's heart like a sharp arrow, nearly causing him to fall to his knees from the impact.
Lann, meanwhile, was examining the tidy interior of the cave. Upon entering, he had seen the succubus kneeling with her back turned, apparently busy with something. Now he noticed that she was packing. Clearly, she intended to move.
Among the items she was packing were some flowers.
"Are you growing herbs?" Lann asked, with a curious look.
Nanomi, noticing his interest, replied naturally, "I am a succubus of the forest. I gather flowers to consume their nectar."
Lann raised an eyebrow. According to bestiaries, there were no specific classifications for succubus, and this forest succubus was something he had never heard of.
"Besides…" Nanomi smiled. "They're beautiful, don't you think? Even monsters can desire beautiful things. Are you looking for herbs? I… would be happy to share them."
As she said this, Nanomi didn't make any special movements; she just smiled. But that was enough to make the apprentice, who had been indignant moments before, once again become enthralled, completely forgetting his intention to leave.
Nanomi's attitude was warm, but Lann frowned.
"When you saw my medallion and my swords, you seemed to detest me. Why do you want to share with me now?" he asked, wiggling his fingers slightly. "I want to know the reason."
"Because I know who you are," Nanomi replied, laughing softly as she covered her mouth. "You're Lann Lannister, aren't you?"
Seeing the surprised expression on Lann's face, Nanomi seemed to enjoy it as if she had won a mischievous game. "I have a sister in Toussaint. She once told me about a knight who is a descendant of Lara Dorren who appeared in that seemingly peaceful kingdom. His family emblem was a lion."
Lann was perplexed. Toussaint and Skellige were a considerable distance away. How could they possibly communicate?
"Don't look at me with such surprise," Nanomi said mischievously. "Just because I like living in the forest doesn't mean I'm an ignorant country girl. Remember that we succubi came to this world during the Conjunction of the Spheres. We have abilities beyond your understanding."
She leaned in slightly, as if revealing a secret. "And we also know things that others don't know..."
Lann felt her gaze as if she could see right through him. "Not only can we know that you possess the blood of Lara Dorren. We also know that in your blood there is a power few could imagine."
