I'm not a Witcher anymore.

After leaving Joel's weapon shop, the two walked along the street toward the Adventurers' Guild.

The twilight light was sliding down the eaves, and there were many pedestrians on the street. The soles of their boots made a dry, soft sound as they stepped on the mud and gravel.

Once inside the guild, Ravenna placed the bag containing the left ear on the counter.

Lia, behind the counter, was stunned for a moment before she could see the two of them clearly—they were covered in dust, their clothes and armor were stained with blood, and the soles of their boots were still covered with wet mud brought back from the wilderness.

The usual smile on her face quickly faded, and when she spoke, her voice was softer than usual.

"You just got back?"

Ravenna shrugged and pushed the bag forward: "We just entered town and haven't even had a hot bowl of soup yet. Let's exchange this stuff for money first; at least it won't smell so bad."

Leah's lips twitched slightly, but her hands didn't stop moving.

She untied the bag and counted the left ears one by one.

"Thirty-four goblin minions." She looked up at Sieg and Ravenna, her tone becoming more serious. "Two silver coins each, for a total of six gold and eight silver coins."

After saying that, she took out gold and silver coins from the drawer and neatly placed them on the table.

"This is your bounty."

She paused, then added:

"Judging from your appearance, this trip is probably not going to be easy. I hope you can come back safely."

After Leah pushed the bounty in front of the two of them, Ravenna reached out first and put away her share.

She weighed the money pouch in her hand, and her expression finally relaxed a little.

"At least the trip wasn't in vain."

After saying that, she turned her head and glanced at Zieg.

"Ingram and Finn will probably need to find a place to rest for half a day after they leave the Church of the Earth Mother. What about you? What are your plans?"

Zig put the money bag away, his expression calm.

"Let's go buy some things first."

"Alchemy materials?" Ravenna reacted quickly.

Zig nodded, without denying it.

The Nightshade Crystal of the Owl Bear has been obtained, and the Dwarven Spirits and Dres Fruit are also ready.

Now only the last ingredient remains to be prepared, and it hasn't been fully mixed yet.

Ravenna looked at him, as if she had suddenly remembered something, and her eyes showed a hint of curiosity.

"Is it the medicine you drank before?"

"I suppose so," Zieg replied briefly.

Ravenna glanced at him but didn't press the matter further.

Outside the guild, the sky was gradually sinking into dusk.

The hustle and bustle of the border town seeped in through the open door.

Smoke rose from the chimneys in the streets and alleys, and loud laughter and cursing came from the tavern next door, with wooden cups clinking together in a muffled sound.

The long-lost warmth of everyday life settled in this small town bordering the wilderness, bringing a rare sense of tranquility.

Zig knew, however, that such tranquility never lasted long in a border town.

Before venturing into the darkness again, he had to first bring out the bottle of "Order Cat".

……

By the time I left the guild, the lights in the streets and alleys had already dimmed.

Ravenna parted ways with him at the door, saying she would go to the blacksmith's shop first to see if she could make a few more arrows before closing time.

Zig did not accompany him and returned to the inn alone.

The proprietress noticed that his clothes and boots were still stained with mud and dark blood, but she didn't ask any questions. She just told the waiter to quickly prepare hot water and dinner.

Zieg nodded and went straight upstairs.

After finishing his hot meal, Zig first wiped away the most troublesome bloodstains and grime from his weapons and leather armor. He then checked the chainmail buckles, belts, and fasteners to make sure there was no damage that would hinder their use before stopping.

After washing away the blood, he lay down.

I slept very soundly.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already the next morning.

Zig got up and stretched his shoulders and neck. After getting dressed and having breakfast downstairs, he did not leave the town directly.

Instead, they went to the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess first.

The church's stone chapel is located on the east side of the town, and the steps in front of it are darkened by the morning dew.

Zig found Ingram and Finn in the hospital room.

Ingram leaned against the hospital bed, his chest wrapped in thick bandages. His complexion was better than yesterday; at least it wasn't as pale as it had been the night before.

When Zig entered, he was taken aback at first, then tried to sit up straight.

"Don't move." Zieg raised his hand.

He counted out two portions of the reward money from his purse and placed them on the wooden stool beside the bed.

"The guild has settled the accounts. Thirty-four goblin minions, two silver each. This is your share."

Ingram glanced at the coins on the stool, then looked up at Zieg, and his lips moved.

"...Thank you for making this trip."

Finn, on the next bed, was much more efficient. He reached out, picked up his share, weighed it in his hand, and tucked it under his pillow.

"How is the injury?" Zieg asked.

"The priest said he has two fractured ribs, but his internal organs are unharmed," Ingram's voice was still a little hoarse. "He should be able to get out of bed in a few more days."

Finn added from the side, "I can leave tomorrow."

Zieg glanced at his face.

"No rush. Let him recover first."

After asking a couple more questions about the priest's instructions and confirming that there were no other omissions on their end, Sieg got up to take his leave.

As he left the ward, Zieg paused for a moment in the corridor.

A few steps away, the door to another ward was half-open.

A young girl dressed in the white robes of the Church of the Earth Mother stood by the hospital bed, one hand gently resting on the injured person's shoulder, the other holding a silver-white tin staff, and softly reciting prayers.

A soft, shimmering light emanated from her fingertips and the tip of her cane, falling upon the wounded man's pale face and bandaged wounds, before fading away little by little after a moment.

Zieg recognized her.

Petra.

After the miracle ended, the girl let out a soft breath and turned around to see Zieg at the other end of the corridor.

She was slightly taken aback.

"Mr. Zieg?"

"Long time no see, Petra." Zieg stopped, his tone as steady as ever.

The girl seemed somewhat surprised, and took half a step closer, holding her staff.

"Mr. Zieg, when did you return to town—"

Before she could finish her question, an older woman's voice came from deep within the ward:

"Petra, bed number two needs its dressing changed, come and lend a hand."

"I'm coming right now."

She immediately responded, then turned back and whispered to Qige:

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zieg, I can't leave right now."

Zig glanced at the staff in her hand, then at the still-open hospital room, and understood what she was doing at the church.

"Go ahead and get busy," he said.

Petra gripped her staff and gave him a faint smile.

May Mother Earth protect you.

"I wish you a good day as well," Zieg said.

Petra responded and turned back to the bedside, her white robe quickly disappearing behind the half-closed door.

Zig looked away.

The corridor was filled with the bitter smell of myrrh and hemostatic herbs boiled together. From the depths of the stone corridor came the sounds of hushed footsteps, prayers, and the panting of the wounded as their wounds were disturbed.

He continued walking down the corridor. But as he neared the end, his pace slowed.

At the end of the corridor, the door to another ward was half-open.

Zieg glanced at it out of the corner of his eye as he passed by.

A set of equipment was leaning against the bed.

The outer layer was a short iron plate armor, made of iron plates and leather spliced ​​together with rough seams. The iron surface was covered with a layer of dark stains that could not be washed off, making it impossible to tell whether it was old blood or rust.

The edge of half of the chainmail was visible inside, the buckles were worn dark, but there was no breakage.

Next to it stood a small round shield, smaller than the usual type. The paint on the shield surface was almost completely peeled off, and the edges were worn down to reveal the metal's original color.

An iron helmet lay on the ground.

It's a style with a face shield.

The design is simple and undecorated. The entire iron surface is covered with scratches and small pits left by bumps and knocks, but it has been wiped very clean, and there is no rust even in the hinge seams.

A medium-length iron sword sat on the headboard, its blade also bearing the marks of use.

There wasn't a single thing of value.

But each one was used to its limit, then repaired and continued to be used.

Zig slowed his pace.

A young man was sitting on the hospital bed.

He wasn't wearing armor, only an old linen lining, with bandages wrapped around his shoulders and forearms, the blood seeping out not yet completely dry.

He was looking down, wiping the handle of his round shield with a scrap of cloth. His movements were slow and careful, as if this was more important than recovering from his injury.

A nameplate hangs on a wooden nail at the head of the bed.

Silver.

Zieg paused for a moment when he saw the plaque.

Silver grade.

This outfit.

And that helmet with a face shield that he almost never takes off.

He recognized the person.

It wasn't because of the silver medal, nor because of the profile that was mostly covered by rags.

It's not because the whole scene is so familiar.

The man in town who only accepts goblin commissions.

He sat there silently, like an old knife that had been repeatedly sharpened, dulled, and re-sharpened.

The young man seemed to notice the gaze at the doorway and looked up.

A pair of calm eyes looked over. There was no wariness, no curiosity. He simply confirmed who was standing in the doorway, then lowered his head again to continue wiping his shield.

Zieg did not go in.

He walked out along the dimly lit corridor until the morning light outside the chapel fell on his shoulders again before leaving the Church of the Earth Mother.