Decisions and Revelations

The manual is remarkably detailed, providing clear information on the area, location, and price of each house. It even includes simple line drawings of the house structures, displaying thoughtfulness in its design. Wayne perused the manual and noticed a particular house with an unusually low price, roughly a third of similar houses.

Despite its large area, the location was quite remote, aligning with Wayne's preferences. Intrigued, he inquired, "Peter, could you tell me about this house? Why is its price significantly lower than others?"

Curious, Peter glanced at the location Wayne indicated and hesitated, his expression changing. Realizing Wayne's genuine interest, he decided not to offend the client.

Aware that the information was public knowledge, he reluctantly explained, "Wayne, to be honest, there are some issues with this house. It has had two previous buyers, and various accidents occurred during their stay. They experienced nightmares, inexplicable tripping, and incidents like objects falling and causing harm. Eventually, both buyers complained at the city hall, bringing attention to the problems with this house. In an effort to mitigate the negative impact, the council has repossessed the house and is now offering it at a reduced price."

Then, Peter looked at Wayne and added, "Of course, as a condition for the reduced price, the buyer must sign a contract with the city hall. After the purchase, there is no way to go back on it."

As administrative officer Peter described the potential issues with the house, Wayne's initial thought was that ghosts, earth spirits, or curses might be causing trouble. While there are numerous monsters, ghosts, and demons in the world, and a witcher cannot know them all, Wayne believed that, if it was a minor issue, he could use his abilities to resolve it. This would not only save money but also secure an ideal house, creating a win-win situation.

Wayne decided to conduct a discreet investigation first. He aimed to determine if he could resolve any issues before deciding whether to proceed with the transaction.

Subsequently, Wayne and officer Peter discussed information on other houses, but most of them were expensive and not very cost-effective. These newly built houses were intended for wealthy merchants, nobles, or powerful individuals, featuring large sizes and luxurious decorations that exceeded the means of ordinary civilians.

Peter, eager for positive results, noticed Wayne's demeanor did not resemble that of an average person and inferred he was not short of money. Consequently, Peter patiently explained various details.

"That's all for today. Thank you, Peter, for providing such detailed explanations," Wayne stated. "I will carefully consider my options in the next two days. Once I decide, I'll return to the city hall to find you. At that time, I'll ask for your assistance in the necessary procedures."

Satisfied with Wayne's upbeat attitude, Peter nodded and escorted him to the city hall gate in a friendly manner.

Observing Wayne engaged in a cheerful conversation with the political officer in the city hall, the two guards at the entrance decided not to persist in their efforts to inconvenience him. They promptly returned his weapon without further ado.

With his steel sword back in his possession, Wayne checked the time and realized it was nearly the agreed-upon meeting time with Geralt. Rather than aimlessly wandering, he strolled around the streets near the city hall entrance.

After a half-hour wait, Wayne spotted Geralt and Jaskier approaching. The duo seemed to be in high spirits, walking shoulder to shoulder with a somewhat drunken gait. Following them were the horse Carrot and the little donkey.

Judging by their appearance, it was unclear whether they had visited a tavern for drinks or had an encounter with a woman. Upon meeting, Jaskier grinned, draped an arm over Wayne's shoulder, and whispered mysteriously, "Hey, Wayne, you really missed out not joining us."

"We started with a visit to a tavern for drinks, and then we ran into a noble baron during a game of Gwent," Jaskier continued. "He lost over a hundred orens to Geralt in cards, and in turn, invited us to a private club for a wager. It's called the Queen of the Night, and let me tell you, the girls there are exceptional! Whether in figure or beauty, they're unparalleled."

Jaskier went on, revealing, "However, the expenses in there are exorbitant. Just this afternoon, we spent at least two hundred orens."

Wayne, upon hearing this, was left a bit speechless. Jaskier seemed to be quite the reckless friend, spending almost all of Geralt's hard-earned wages in a single afternoon. Glancing at Geralt's discontented expression, Wayne refrained from commenting. After all, if they The two of them think it's worth it, and enjoying themselves in time is also an attitude towards life.

As for the Queen of the Night, Wayne, familiar with the lore from the game, was well aware that the future owner of this brothel was Regis' old lover—a high-level vampire. Many of the girls at Queen of the Night were vampires possessing the ability to enchant humans. This revelation explained why Jaskier couldn't forget the experience.

After a brief chat, Wayne brought Geralt and Jaskier to the Fox Tavern, where they enjoyed dinner. The meal featured a feast centered around the big wild boar from the abandoned farm. Wayne, showcasing his culinary skills, prepared a hot pot and barbecue with generous portions of the wild boar. All those gathered, including acquaintances and even the thin young orphan Alex, indulged in the delicious spread. Wayne, intrigued by Alex's character, planned to observe and potentially cultivate him, hoping the orphan understood gratitude and loyalty.

During the post-dinner conversation, Wayne revealed his decision to Geralt. He explained, "Geralt, I plan to stay in Vizima this year to accept commissions and will return to Kaer Morhen in winter."

Geralt, initially inebriated, was taken aback by the announcement. He wore a puzzled expression and asked, "Why did you make this decision, Wayne?"

Wayne calmly responded, "I have much to learn, Geralt. I want to start my practice in Vizima—a relatively safe place with numerous commissions and diverse people. Here, I can hone my witcher abilities, learn to survive in this world, and navigate interactions with individuals from various races."

Geralt, understanding Wayne's thoughtful nature, nodded in acceptance. He silently took another sip of spirits, contemplating the decision. Although he would prefer Wayne to accompany him on commissions in the countryside and wilderness, he recognized Wayne's maturity and intelligence. As a companion, Geralt refrained from interfering too much in Wayne's life.

After a brief moment of silence, Geralt exhaled softly and said, "Okay, now that you've made up your mind, Wayne, just do what you want. I'll also stay here for a month or two. Once I'm sure you've adapted to life here, I'll leave to find commissions elsewhere."