I'm not a Witcher anymore.

Chapter 140 The Ophir

Zig did not offer them any further comfort.

Because some things are beyond the power of comfort.

As a time traveler, he knew all too well Anna's fate in the original story.

If things had followed their original course, Anna would either have become a hideous swamp monster, or, after the curse was lifted, have died in the Baron's arms, exhausted and worn out.

Even if she doesn't die, she'll go insane and won't even recognize her own daughter.

To make a deal with that kind of thing, with the only consequence being the inability to return home, is already considered very lucky.

In the following days, Zig arranged for the homeless mother and daughter to stay in Lord Willie's (Dudu's) territory.

There was no special treatment, nor any respectable work.

The pampered ladies and young ladies, who had once lived in luxury, were assigned to do the most menial jobs, cleaning and washing dirty clothes stained with the smell of alcohol and sweat.

Despite the stark class disparity, neither the mother nor the daughter uttered a single complaint.

Perhaps they were truly awakened by that scumbag Evan, or perhaps they finally realized that just surviving in this cannibalistic world had exhausted all their luck.

Even when she heard that she had to do the laundry and clean, Anna simply lowered her head and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency."

Tamara nodded in agreement.

This time, they didn't show any disgust or complain.

This did change Zieg's opinion of them somewhat.

That's pretty much the end of the matter.

Zig then went to the Ghost Face Gang's vault and put back the money he had taken from there to save face.

According to his previous agreement with Dudu, 70% of the future profits from Hawthorne II's original assets would belong to him.

But Zig knew very well that money in his own hands was nothing more than bags of heavy metal. But in Dudu's hands, it could become shops, workshops, manpower, and distribution channels—one line after another that could continue to generate money.

Industry specializing in surgery.

If you really want to sort out the tangled mess of the gangster industry into a business that can operate in the long term, it's better to leave that to Dudu.

He originally planned to take a few days off.

So much has happened lately.

In just a few days, he hardly stopped.

Moreover, he still had the wooden carving he had obtained from Tamara.

Fire-transmitting wood carving.

That mysterious artifact still lies quietly in the Book of Adventures, like a spark yet to be ignited.

Sieg originally planned to use it to unlock a new dungeon world once things had completely settled down in Novigrad.

It turned out that fate was deliberately trying to prevent him from having any peace and quiet.

That morning, Gore brought an Ophir to the "Spear Cave" tavern.

Ophir.

It was a mysterious country far away on the other side of the sea.

Most people on the mainland know very little about that place, only that the people there wear gorgeous clothes, speak strange languages, and ride a very peculiar white horse with black stripes on its body, which looks as if someone drew them on stroke by stroke with charcoal.

However, the people of Novigrad were not unfamiliar with the Ophir merchants who had traveled across the ocean.

These people are rich and trustworthy.

In the culture of the Ophir people, keeping promises and fulfilling commitments is considered the most important honor a person can have.

In order to complete a transaction or fulfill a promise, they are often willing to take risks that others may not consider worthwhile.

For this reason, Ophir merchants have a very good reputation on the continent.

The goods they brought were also very popular.

Ornately decorated scimitars, light and soft silk garments, brightly colored carpets, exquisitely crafted vases, spices, gemstones, and all sorts of exotic trinkets.

These items, once displayed at noble banquets and wealthy merchants' mansions in Novigrad, can quickly fetch a good price.

The Ophir caravan that came to Novigrad this time was quite different from ordinary caravans.

They weren't just there to do business.

This caravan, carrying orders from King Nibrath of Orphiel, was to travel to Tritorg, the capital of Redania, to deliver a gift to King Radovid V as a symbol of friendly relations between the two countries.

This job sounds respectable, but it's actually quite troublesome.

Unfortunately, the accident happened not long after they left Novigrad.

A gang of bandits attacked the caravan and stole a lot of their goods.

This included the gift intended for Radovid V.

When the news reached Novigrad, the first to catch a whiff of it was not the City Council, nor the Eternal Flame, but Dudu.

Or rather, Cyprus Willy in his current form.

With the almost instinctive keenness of a businessman, he immediately realized the enormous profits hidden behind it.

For a foreign merchant caravan that is desperate and in dire need of help, this transnational favor is priceless if it can help them through their difficulties.

So Dudu immediately sent people to bring the Ophir caravan back to Novigrad, arranged for them to stay in the best hotel in the city with all their food and lodging included, and even sent members of the Ghost Face Gang to keep an eye on them in case anything else happened.

He then had Gore bring the caravan leader to see Zieg.

After listening to Gore's brief explanation, Zig put down his cup and looked at the Ophir standing at the door.

He was a tall, thin man with a deep tan from years of exposure to the desert sun, slightly curly black hair, and a high, chiseled nose.

He wore a thick, exotic turban and a long silk robe with intricate gold geometric patterns embroidered on a dark blue background. A wide sash was tied around his waist, from which hung a short-handled scimitar inlaid with emeralds.

Even though he looked exhausted and his eyes were bloodshot, he still exuded the dignity of a desert nobleman.

When he saw Zieg, he first bowed respectfully according to his own etiquette.

"Your Excellency."

His Mandarin had a heavy accent, but he spoke each word very seriously.

"Lord Willie told me that you might be able to help us retrieve the stolen goods."

Zieg looked at him.

"Sit down first."

The Ophir hesitated for a moment, then sat down at the table.

Gore, standing to the side, added in a low voice, "Your Excellency, Lord Willie means that it's best for you to make the decision yourself."

Zieg nodded, his gaze returning to the leader of the Ophir caravan.

"Let's start from the beginning. Where were you robbed? How many people were there? What did they take? And which direction did you escape in?"

The Ophir took a deep breath, as if they had finally grasped at the last straw.

"Yes, Your Excellency," he said. "I will tell you everything I know."

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