Ultimately, even with the discount for the thousand publicly available books, the total cost amounted to a hefty fifteen thousand orens, averaging fifteen orens per book. While this seemed steep, Wayne understood it was considerably less than market value. Margarita had clearly sacrificed a substantial profit to offer him such a deal.
The dozen or so books containing hidden knowledge were significantly more expensive, totaling forty-five hundred orens, with an average price of three hundred orens each. However, Wayne didn't balk at the high cost; in fact, he felt he had struck a bargain. These fifteen books contained invaluable records pertaining to the Trial of the Grasses, research and development ideas, and experimental data lost during the Cataclysm. They also detailed the theories and knowledge of the legendary mages Alzur and Cosimo Malaspina, the creators of witchers and pioneers in genetic modification.
Wayne believed that with these books, combined with the various witcher school mutagen formulas and experimental records, he could assemble a team of skilled mages to recreate or even improve the Trial of the Grasses, potentially reducing its fatality rate and transforming the witcher mutation from a tragedy into a more controlled and predictable process.
Hidden among the thousand books of various subjects was Wayne's true purpose for visiting Aretuza. He sought the coordinates of magical places and sealed spatial rifts discovered by the Brotherhood of Sorcerers—at least, those the Brotherhood was willing to share. While these locations held little interest for most mages, as they were often remote and seemingly useless, they were invaluable to Wayne. For a witcher with access to ancient bloodlines and systems, each coordinate represented a new world and potential ability points to enhance his powers.
The vast quantity of books he purchased served as a convenient cover for acquiring this information. Should any issues arise with these locations or rifts in the future, Wayne would not be considered a suspect; in fact, no one would even question his involvement.
As for payment, Wayne was not foolish enough to offer the astronomical sum upfront. As a witcher known for his lack of wealth, such a display would raise suspicions and potentially attract unwanted attention. After discussing the matter with Margarita, they agreed on a payment plan spanning two years, with twenty-four installments of roughly eight hundred orens each. Triss generously offered to act as his guarantor, assuming any remaining debt should he fail to fulfill the agreement. This played a crucial role in securing the deal.
As Wayne contemplated when he could explore these newly acquired coordinates, the time for farewell arrived. Leaving Aretuza behind, the trio returned to Vizima.
After exchanging a meaningful glance with Triss, Keira returned to her quarters without acknowledging Wayne, leaving him feeling quite regretful. It seemed their days of carefree camaraderie, reminiscent of their time at Aretuza, were behind them.
Later that night, as they lay together, Triss voiced a request that Wayne had been anticipating for two years, one he had pondered countless times—lifting the curse afflicting King Foltest's daughter, Adda the Striga.
"Wayne," Triss began, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest, "you've lived in Vizima for nearly two years now. Surely you've heard the tales of the Striga." Her freckled face, normally so mischievous, held a somber expression. "But the Striga has another name," she continued, her voice barely a whisper, "Princess Adda. King Foltest's daughter. She died at birth and was laid to rest in the royal cemetery."
"Seven years later, she rose from her coffin, transformed into a cursed Striga. Foltest has no other heirs. He loved Adda dearly. If someone could lift the curse, restore her to her human form... the king's gratitude, and the reward, would be immense."
"Keira and I, during our time at Aretuza, uncovered a potential solution in the writings of former headmistress, Tissaia de Vries."
Wayne understood Triss's unspoken plea. He was more than willing to help her, and the prospect of aiding a grieving king was not without its appeal.
Truth be told, when he first arrived in Vizima, Wayne had considered using the Striga situation to earn the king's favor and improve the standing of witchers. But since awakening his Elder Blood and gaining the ability to traverse worlds, his ambitions had shifted. The world, now so vast and full of untapped potential, offered far more than the meager gains to be found in a single kingdom.
Gently cupping Triss's face, he smiled. "No need for explanations, Triss. Just tell me how I can help."
"I'm confident I can deal with the Striga," he continued. "I won't harm her, of course. Though physically formidable, she lacks magic, making her no more difficult than a leshen."
Triss was deeply touched by Wayne's unwavering support. To be so trusted, offered help without hesitation, was a rare and precious gift. She leaned in, rewarding him with a tender kiss.
After a few minutes of quiet intimacy, Triss spoke again, her cheeks flushed. "Keira and I haven't finalized our approach yet. We need to consult with the king."
"But knowing Foltest," she added, "if we can assure him of success, we should be able to resolve this within the month. Just stay in Vizima. We'll let you know what's needed."
"And when it's done," she promised, her eyes sparkling, "the king's reward will be substantial."
Ding!
[Lifting the Striga's Curse] Master-level quest .
Accept/Decline
Triss's words and gentle touch triggered the system's user-friendly interface, presenting him with a master-level quest. Without hesitation, Wayne accepted.
"Of course, Triss," he replied, smiling. "I'll return to my house tomorrow and await your news. I've been away for over four months and have matters to attend to."
But Triss, having grown accustomed to Wayne's presence, had other ideas. She leaned in, tracing his chest with her tongue. "Why go back?" she purred. "Stay with me. We can even invite Keira over for some... fun."
"Even if you stop taking witcher contracts, I can provide for you. Don't worry about money for books, I'll cover it."
Faced with Triss's seductive offer and the alluring prospect of a ménage à trois, Wayne nearly succumbed. The temptation of a comfortable life was strong. But he knew that without distance, passion could fade, and their idyllic situation might lose its luster.
Moreover, he had ambitions. Reborn with unique talents and opportunities, how could he settle for a life of ease? He playfully slipped his fingers into Triss's mouth, a teasing grin on his face.
"Don't worry, Triss. I'll visit you often."
"But I have my own path to follow," he added, his voice firm. "You wouldn't want to be with a man who lacked ambition, would you?"
.....
Early the next morning, Wayne returned to his mansion. It was almost embarrassing to admit that he'd been back in Vizima for five days, yet only now stepped foot in his own home. Fortunately, his absence hadn't caused any problems. Berengar had kept the place in impeccable order, training Alex daily, and even managed to cultivate a functional herb garden in the backyard. The stables and smithy had been renovated, looking more professional than ever.
Alex, no longer the scrawny street urchin, had transformed into a sturdy young man. He could now wield a wooden sword with decent proficiency, thanks to regular exercise and a nutritious diet.
Both Berengar and Alex were overjoyed to see Wayne. The comfortable life they enjoyed in the mansion was a dream come true, and they were deeply grateful to Wayne for making it possible.
Life settled back into a routine, and on the third day after his return, while rolling his daily dice, Wayne noticed that August's lucky day had finally arrived. It was time to open the treasure chests.
With so many ordinary chests and expert chests stored in the system, this was the first time Wayne had accumulated so many since arriving in this world.