I'm not a Witcher anymore.

When the two returned to Kaer Mohen, it was already evening.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the mottled stone walls of the ancient castle, giving this ancient sea fortress, which has witnessed many vicissitudes, a warm golden hue.

Vesemir was already waiting at the door, and a relieved smile appeared on his face when he saw the two return safely.

"It seems you've succeeded," the old witcher said, looking at Sieg.

"That's not all," Geralt recounted briefly about the mountain trial, "he even subdued three trolls."

Vesemir raised an eyebrow, clearly somewhat surprised by the result.

"Not bad. It seems Sieg is much less of a worry than you were back then."

He glanced at Geralt as he said this, and the latter shrugged helplessly.

That evening, Vesemir personally cooked an exceptionally lavish dinner.

"This is to celebrate Sieg passing the mountain trial," Vesemir said as he carried a large platter of roast meat into the hall. "Even with Geralt's help, being able to come back alive is something to celebrate."

The table was laden with food—pan-fried trout, stewed beef, roasted potatoes, mushroom soup, and freshly baked white bread.

Vesemir was unusually talkative tonight, recounting his adventures from his youth while he ate.

He spoke of the glory days when Kaer Morhen had hundreds of Witchers, of his old comrades who were no longer alive, and of the golden age of Witchers and their eventual decline.

After several rounds of drinks, the old witcher, who had experienced many hardships, became unusually drunk.

His eyes were a little red, and his voice had become hoarse.

"In my life, I've seen too many people leave. Some died at the hands of monsters, some at the hands of humans, and some... just like that, gone."

"I thought I had gotten used to it, but every time I think about it, it still..."

He didn't finish speaking; instead, he poured himself another glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp.

Geralt and Sieg exchanged a glance, both understanding that the old man was using the alcohol to vent the emotions that had been building up over the years.

As a living fossil of Kaer Morhen and the oldest Witcher of the Wolf School, Vesemir endured a loneliness and pressure far greater than they imagined.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore," Vesemir waved his hand. "Come on, let's drink to Sieg."

"Zig, you must remember, staying alive is more important than anything else."

Finally, Vesemir collapsed completely drunk in his chair, muttering something incoherently.

Sieg and Geralt, one on each side, carefully helped the old man back to his room.

After putting Vesemir on the bed and covering him with a blanket, the two quietly left the room.

The corridor was quiet, save for the distant whistling of the wind through the broken windows. Geralt stared at the closed door and suddenly spoke.

Sometimes I'm actually a little envious of you.

Zieg paused for a moment: "What do you envy about me?"

Geralt stared at the closed door.

"Compared to me, Escal, and Lambert, Vesemir always pays more attention to you."

Zieg understood, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"The teacher probably won't agree with what you're saying."

The atmosphere became more relaxed.

"Get some rest," Geralt said, patting Sieg on the shoulder.

Sieg nodded. "You too, Geralt. Goodnight."

"Good night."

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Zig packed his bags.

Vesemir prepared few but practical items for him, including dry rations, a money bag, a change of clothes, and a small packet of basic alchemy supplies, containing saltpeter, mercury solution, and materials for several types of bombs.

Vesemir and Geralt accompanied him until they were almost out of the Blue Mountains.

The morning mist had not completely dissipated, the mountain path was damp, and the air was filled with the scent of earth and grass.

Vesemir stood at the crossroads, looking at Sieg, as if trying to etch his image deep into his mind.

The old man was unusually talkative this time, with endless words of advice:

"Be careful on the road, don't overexert yourself..."

"When in the wild, never camp in a place with an unobstructed view, like near a river..."

"Hide your money well, don't keep it all in one place..."

"If someone causes you trouble, avoid them if you can. If you really can't avoid it..." He paused, "then let them know that you're not someone they should mess with."

He talked on and on, just like an ordinary elder seeing off a younger person on a long journey.

In the end, Vesemir even wanted to give his horse to Sieg.

That horse had been with him for many years; it was gentle and had great stamina.

But Zieg refused.

Because he knew that Geralt had returned to Kaer Morhen hoping that Vesemir would go with him to find Yennefer.

It would be very inconvenient for two people to share a horse on the journey.

But he was different; he wasn't in a hurry to find anyone.

Not having a horse just means spending a little more time on the road.

It's okay if we get to Novigrad a little slower.

Vesemir thought about it and felt that Sieg's words made sense, so he stopped insisting.

But he still took out a money pouch and forced it into Zig's hand: "You must accept this. You'll need it for expenses on the road."

Zig weighed the money bag in his hand; it was quite heavy.

He felt a warmth in his heart and did not refuse again.

Only after Vesemir had finished giving all the instructions he could did Geralt find a chance to interject.

"I have a friend named Dudu who works as a professional manager in Novigrad. When you get there, you can go find him and mention my name, and he'll arrange suitable work for you. Dudu is a good person; he won't harm you."

"Dudu?" Sieg recognized the name. "Where is he in Novigrad?"

"Go to a tavern called 'Spear Cave,' find the owner, and tell him a friend recommended you to see Dudu Bibbwitt from 'Spiritgrass Ranch.' He'll help you."

After a pause, Geralt added, "However, although Novigrad doesn't belong to any country, the Church of Eternal Flame there is very powerful, so you should be careful."

Sieg nodded. "I understand. Well then, teacher, Geralt, I'm off."

"Be careful on the road." Vesemir reached out and patted Sieg's shoulder heavily, his eyes full of reluctance.

"Remember to come back next winter," Geralt added. "Our Wolf School is different from other schools. In winter, we always have to come back and get together."

"understood."

Zig gave the two of them a deep look, then turned and walked down the mountain path.

After walking a few steps, he turned back and waved.

Vesemir and Geralt stood there, watching his figure disappear into the morning mist.

After a long silence, Vesemir sighed, "It used to be so simple. Monsters were bad, and humans were good. The Witcher's duty was to kill monsters and protect humans."

"Now, everything has become complicated. There are good monsters and bad humans, and sometimes you can't even tell who the real monster is."

Geralt sensed the sentimentality in the old man's words and couldn't help but tease him, "It was just as complicated before, it's just that you're old and your memory isn't good, so you only remember the good things."

"You brat," Vesemir glared at him, "you say I'm old? Aren't you almost a hundred yourself? In a few years, you'll be an old man like me, and then you'll start lamenting how things have changed."

"That's still a long way off," Geralt shrugged. "Let's go, we should get going. We can't delay any longer with Yennefer."

The two walked side by side back to Kaer Mohen to prepare for their own journey.