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TWL Chapter 169: Allies in Disguise
🕑 Added 2024-07-12 05:50:46 +0000 UTCDopplers are classified as Relicts. Although their combat ability is not as strong as other Relicts, their unique ability to transform is unmatched, and can be creepy.
Strictly speaking, dopplers are not monsters, but a non-human race, but their abilities are too terrifying for humans, so they have been hunted on a large scale, and humans hate dopplers far more than other monsters.
The Doppler's ability not only changes their appearance, they can also copy memories and personalities. Thus, after transforming, they become advanced schizophrenia patients, with their original personality constantly fighting against the copied target's personality.
Folklorists, religious scholars, and occultists agree that dopplers steal the souls of the targets they copy. However, dopplers are inherently good and kind, and their transformation ability is primarily defensive, not offensive.
As 'Chappelle', he has used his kind nature to counteract the cruelty and coldness of the original Chappelle, creating a security officer who is stern but fair, making Novigrad increasingly open to magic and non-human races, while also making it prosperous.
In a sense, he has been very successful. He is the most successful Doppler known. Many Dopplers, even if they imitate high-ranking people, cannot maintain that identity for long.
Very few people show good will towards dopplers. Geralt is one, and Lann is the second for Chappelle.
It is unknown whether it is because of Lann's declaration of equality for all races, or because he has just interceded for him in front of the four witchers, but although Chappelle has returned to being the security officer of the Eternal Fire, his attitude towards Lann remains close.
"Now that we know their plan, why don't we take the initiative? This can eliminate both your and my enemies at the same time." Chappelle suggested. "I will go back and gather my men, and attack Caleb Menge first. Lann, you can lead your men to kill Olgierd and the sorcerer, ending the crisis before it begins. If you don't have enough men, I can lend you some guards."
The Witchers had revealed all the information about their enemies and Chappelle wanted to take advantage of this to strike a decisive blow. But Lann had another idea.
Lann said: "Don't you think this is a good opportunity?"
Chappelle was stunned.
Years of political experience quickly made him realize, he looked at Lann and his tone became unsure: "You mean...?"
Lann nodded. "Can you guarantee that Caleb Menge is the only one who has a problem with you in the Eternal Fire? If you take down Caleb Menge, there may be a second or third one. It is better to take this opportunity to catch them all together and completely eliminate the trouble."
"I even think that Caleb Menge came here to help you. He can help you completely master the Eternal Fire and even the entire Novigrad. Just get rid of him so hastily? No, you should let him play a bigger role!"
The current situation can make any politician ecstatic, but Chappelle hesitated.
At this moment, the doppler under the human skin spoke: “This will cause many casualties among the followers of the Eternal Fire.”
Lann was puzzled for a moment, but soon came to his senses and tried to persuade him from another perspective. "Do you think people like Caleb Menge can still call themselves believers of the Eternal Fire? His existence is a taint of the Eternal Fire!"
"It is better to suffer a short pain than a long one. This is not only for your own survival, but also for the future stability and harmony of the Eternal Fire and Novigrad. If these cruel people with ulterior motives continue to rely on the Eternal Fire, who knows what they will do in the future, and how many innocent citizens and believers will be killed and injured at that time."
This argument convinced Chappelle, but he quickly raised another question.
"According to Caleb Menge, he may have already guessed that I am a doppler and is just waiting for an opportunity to expose me. If this is true, he will be in an invulnerable position.”
Lann, however, smiled confidently. “For that, I have a good plan.”
Lann and Chappelle chatted amongst themselves and pointed at Triss, inviting the curious sorceress to join their conversation.
They soon finished arguing.
Chappelle showed an emotional expression. “I’m not surprised, Lann, now I understand how you were able to prevent Cintra from being completely destroyed by the boots of Nilfgaard.”
Lann smiled.
“You have helped me greatly, Lann. After this battle, I will be able to sit more firmly in my place among the followers of the Eternal Fire.” Chappelle said sincerely: "I will repay you. Cintra will become Novigrad's best friend, a better friend than Redania."
Lann smiled. “I thought we were already friends.”
Chappelle's cold face showed a simple smile. After thinking about it, he raised one last question.
“I don’t mind using the enemy’s plan to eliminate dissidents. But I don’t want to involve innocent citizens. Lann, I’m not a politician, I’m a security officer of Novigrad and a follower of the Eternal Fire.”
Lann thought for a moment and asked: "What do you want to do?"
Chappelle responded: "I want to take some preventive measures in advance. Minimize the impact of the gang riots without alerting the enemy."
The witchers who had been listening to the conversation without much interest suddenly realized that they could be useful.
Kolgrim took a step forward and looked at Letho with an inquiring look and saw that the other party nodded slightly in agreement.
“We can kill the three gang leaders. If we kill them, the revolt won't start, right?”
"The connection between Rience and his 'partners' is very weak. As long as we kill these gang leaders one or two days before the plan is launched, the underground forces will be leaderless. Then, the followers of the Eternal Fire will be able to restore order easily."
Kolgrim's eyes sparkled with excitement. "It's rare to eliminate villains to protect citizens. We can even charge less."
The plan was decided.
Lann devised a plan for Chappelle, helping him hide his identity as a Doppler from the followers of the Eternal Fire and eliminate his enemies.
Auckes, Serrit and Kolgrim would leave a day early to assassinate the King of Beggars, Whoreson and Cleaver respectively, and then monitor the gangs' movements. Their fees would be paid by the Eternal Fire.
Lann, for his part, would take Letho to confront Olgierd and Rience.
Everyone had no objection to such a plan.
Chappelle, suspicious of the four witchers, quickly left after the plan was set.
Lann, however, needed another favor from the four witchers.
...
“Are you telling me this is a witcher from Cat School?”
Letho held a small jade statue in his hand.
This is a naked, threatening humanoid creature. He looks like he has been skinned, and every muscle texture is clearly visible.
Kolgrim and the other two approached in disbelief.
Letho said: “I think I have some misunderstanding about the Artefact Compression spell. Does the sealed statue not represent the true appearance of the sealed individual?”
“No, this is his true appearance.”
Lann sighed, pulling out a lab notebook and handing it to the witchers.
As they read the sorcerer's notes, they felt deeply identified.
“I don’t like the Cat School, but if we can save him, I’m willing to help.” Letho told Lann seriously. “What do you need us to do?”
Lann explained: “When I unlock the Artefact Compression spell, he will definitely fight back. I need you to help me control him and not let him resist, so that I can use my methods later.”
“That’s easy.” Letho nodded.
At this time, everyone had come to a remote open space to avoid the possible battle that might break out and cause chaos in the city.
Lann placed the jade statue on the ground and drew the Yrden sign with his left hand, creating a purple magic circle.
He watched as the purple hourglass symbol began to flicker steadily. He hadn't placed the symbol on the statue, he just needed the circle to slow down the movements, he wasn't trying to kill.
Then Lann stepped back a few steps and walked out of the magic circle.
The four witchers had already stood at the four corners. Seeing Lann's actions, they also activated their Yrden Signs, expanding the area of effect of the circle without affecting their companions.
Everything was ready.
Lann nodded to Triss, who began to recite a spell.
The chaotic energy began to dissipate in the jade statue, under the moonlight, a black shadow began to grow, breaking free from the small statue and taking human form.
The moment he regained his freedom, the flayed man jumped, trying to escape.
But at the same instant, the purple light covered him, causing him to move at a very slow speed.
"How is it possible?!" Triss exclaimed. "The Artefact Compression spell has just been lifted, why is he not affected by any negative effects and can move immediately?"
“Perhaps the pain of the spell is insignificant compared to the pain he has suffered before.” Letho commented.
Comments
Axell
Thanks for the chapter 😁
