I'm not a Witcher anymore.

Chapter 127 Dudu just wants a peaceful life

"Of course, this wage is calculated assuming no incident occurs."

Dudu seemed to sense their concerns and quickly explained.

"In case of emergencies such as monster attacks, there will be additional bonuses depending on the severity. Last month, a pack of wolves came to the lumberyard, and the guards chased them away, and everyone received extra pay."

He shrugged, a hint of helplessness on his face.

"The main issue is the current situation in Novigrad, as you all know."

"The Nilfgaardians have invaded, and the southern countries are falling one after another. There are refugees everywhere, all fleeing north."

He sighed.

"With these refugees flooding into Novigrad, the local labor force suddenly became saturated. There were job seekers everywhere, and employers had no trouble finding workers."

"Those refugees who want to have food will voluntarily lower their wages, for fear of losing their jobs to others."

He gave a wry smile.

"My price is actually quite reasonable. Some unscrupulous bosses outside can keep lowering their wages, but people still scramble to do their jobs."

Zieg nodded slightly, his tone flat: "I see."

Seeing his reaction, Dudu assumed he was complaining about the low wages and added that...

"This wage is a bit low for someone as skilled with a sword as you. How about I help you look at other ones?"

I have some other connections in the city, maybe I can find a better-paying job —

He scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

"Actually, Geralt entrusted you to me, but I couldn't arrange a better job for you, which is really shameful."

""

"A few years ago, the situation would have been different. But now—"

"The whole north is in complete chaos right now, there's fighting everywhere, and it's full of refugees."

"Novigrad is relatively peaceful at the moment, but we don't know how long it can last. This is all I can do."

Dandelion, standing to the side, looked somewhat embarrassed.

He had confidently assured Qige, "I know Dudu well, you can handle anything with me"—and what happened? This is the job Dudu gave him?

Go to the lumberyard outside the city to check on things?

Is this a joke?

Dandelion witnessed Sieg killing the Fenton monster.

Why would you send someone like that to work at a logging camp?

Dandelion felt he was losing face and wanted to say something to salvage the situation, but after all, Dudu was an old friend of his and Geralt's, and for a moment, this talented poet didn't know how to start.

Zoltan didn't have as many concerns as Dandelion.

This dwarf veteran has always been outspoken, saying whatever comes to mind and never keeping things bottled up inside.

"Dudu, that's so unfair of you!"

A rough voice echoed in the room.

"Geralt entrusted Sieg to you, and you give him this kind of job? What do you take him for? A beggar on the street?"

Dudu was embarrassed by his words and couldn't help but show a bit of awkwardness on her face.

"Zoltan, I know this job wasn't perfect, but I really tried my best—"

"Try your best?"

Zoltan snorted.

"You've been in Novigrad for so long, with so many businesses under your control, can't you find a single decent job?"

"Things are really different now —"

Dudu tried to explain, but Zoltan didn't give him a chance at all.

"I know there are a lot of refugees, but Zieg isn't some random laborer you can just pull off on the street. You've been in Novigrad for so long, can't you find a more suitable job?"

Dudu blushed deeply, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Satya, who stood by the sidelines from beginning to end, did not participate in the argument.

Her gaze fell on Zieg, wanting to see how he would handle the situation.

Based on her understanding of Qige, he was definitely not the kind of person who would willingly lower himself for such a small daily wage.

Zig certainly wouldn't do a job as a lumberyard guard.

In fact, he asked that question not on his own behalf.

He was asking on behalf of Clegane and the refugees who had fled Vizima.

A few days earlier, on the banks of the Pontal River, the refugees parted ways with them, crossed the shallows, and headed to Novigrad to make a living.

Upon parting, Clegane and the others expressed their deepest gratitude to Zig.

At that time, although Zieg did not make any promises to them, he still cared about them to some extent.

After all, their carriage carried a blue flag with three lions.

That's the flag of Sintra.

In other words, those refugees, or rather the men among them, were very likely soldiers of the Sintra Restoration Army.

Sieg had promised Saqia that he would give her a place away from the eyes of the Nilfgaardian Empire and the northern kingdoms.

This place is Novigrad.

This is a free city that does not belong to any power.

However, to bring this city of freedom under his control, Sieg, Saqia, and Zoltan alone would not be enough; he would need an army.

The soldiers of the original Restoration Army were the prototype of this army.

The argument in the private room gradually subsided, and everyone looked at Zig.

Siegfried stroked the hilt of Langrisser's sword and asked slowly.

"I've heard that the Novigrad city council is merely a figurehead of rulers and administrators."

"The Syndicate actually controls Novigrad, right?"

Dudu was taken aback, clearly not expecting Qige to suddenly bring up this topic.

"You're absolutely right. The city council is just a puppet of the syndicate. Those councilors may look well-dressed and sit upright, but they're nothing more than marionettes. The syndicate is the one that truly controls this city."

17

Zig asked, "Could you tell me more specifically?"

Dudu paused for a moment, seemingly organizing her thoughts.

"The Syndicate consists of six factions: the Beggar King, Hawthorne II, Clifford, Gudrun Yosdottir, and Archbishop Cyrus Hemfat and Sigir Luwen of the Eternal Flame."

Zig glanced at the closed door and lowered his voice.

"Dudu, actually I know a secret about you. You're a shapeshifter, right?"

Dudu's body suddenly stiffened.

A look of panic flashed across his face, and his breathing became rapid.

But he quickly calmed down.

He took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice steady.

"Did Geralt tell you?"

Zieg neither admitted nor denied it.

I guess so.

He gave a vague answer.

Dudu fell silent.

Shapeshifters are a very rare type of creature.

They can perfectly mimic the appearance of any human being, and even replicate their voice, smell, and habitual movements exactly.

In most people's eyes, shapeshifters are dangerous monsters that should be hunted.

In reality, most shapeshifters just want to live a quiet life and don't want to cause trouble.

They lurk within human society, playing various roles: merchants, artisans, farmers, and even nobles.

As long as they are not discovered, they can live a normal life.

Dudu is such a shapeshifter.

He lived in Novigrad for many years, playing the role of a successful halfling businessman, making countless friends and clients.

Geralt, Dandelion, and Zoltan are among the few who know his true identity.