The Witcher: The Alchemist Who Walked the Witcher’s Road

Going west from Trottheim would take one back to Harviken, while continuing east led to a small hill by the sea. It was said that the pirate chief, Hammond, always went there to pray to the sea god, asking for a rich haul.

At dusk, in the forest not far from that hill, the Phantom Troupe made camp once more. After a simple meal and final preparations for battle, they used a spyglass to observe the enemy's positions. This time, though, it was nothing like that night a few days earlier. No matter how they counted, Hammond had brought fewer than ten men with him. A surprise attack alone would be enough to erase the numerical gap.

Victory was practically certain.

The troublesome question was...

"Vic, what are you going to do about Liss?"

Perched on a tree stump, Victor frowned and thought for a long while. "I want to hear your opinions."

Angoulême turned to Vigi and gestured for him to go first.

On the road from Trottheim, the girl had already found time to talk it over with the rogue. He thought there was nothing worth hesitating over, so he spoke bluntly.

"It's simple, kill them all. I believe that if that guy Luf knew his childhood sweetheart had married his enemy and was pregnant now, he'd kill them all too."

Where Victor could not see, the girl gave the rogue a thumbs-up.

"She was Luf's beloved, and the one we originally came to save. Now she's pregnant too... I think we should let her go alone and leave her to her own fate. After all, we came here in Luf's place, and Luf might not want Liss to die here."

After saying that, Victor kept looking into the distance. "Angoulême, what do you think?"

The girl yawned. "No matter what, Hammond definitely has to die. As for Liss... since she married a pirate and enjoyed good food and better treatment, then she should bear the consequences that follow. She benefited from the slave trade too.

"But if you really don't want to kill her yourself, then how about taking her to Harviken and handing her over to Blackhand for judgment? Let the jarl decide what should be done with a pirate's wife."

Victor covered his mouth with one hand and watched the snowflakes drift down. When an avalanche happens, not a single snowflake is innocent.

As far as Vigi was concerned, he was absolutely on the boss's side. In proper Skellige fashion, there was no other way to think about it, just give her a clean stroke and be done with it.

But in the captain's values, if someone had not directly harmed others, then there was still room for mercy, especially if it was a woman, and most especially if she was pregnant.

"Let's go. Don't hurt Liss for now. Kill the other pirates, subdue Hammond, and then we'll decide what to do about her."

Even at the very end, Victor still had not decided what he should do. Since his thoughts lacked resolve, he could only make up for it with decisive action.

...

At the same time, in Harviken...

After ending the day's cheerful outdoor celebration, Holger Blackhand returned to the jarl's longhouse, with his nephew Halbjorn following behind him.

"My lord, the Dovahkiin has been gone for four days and no word has returned. Should we send someone to investigate? If he's still alive, we can ransom him back. He's the Dragonborn proclaimed by King Bran, and Lugos father and son clearly think highly of him. Wouldn't it look bad if he died here with us?"

Sitting on the heated platform like a warlord claiming his throne, Blackhand poured himself a cup of cold water and drank it dry, then wiped his mouth. "Don't overthink it. He probably boasted too much and now he's too embarrassed to come back. Even a rogue knows that three men fighting a hundred is suicide. Is the Dovahkiin supposed to be stupider than Vigi?"

Halbjorn said nothing, but he did not look away either.

After staring at his heir for a few seconds, Holger waved a hand. "Fine... then send men to take a look."

Halbjorn bowed and left the house.

Blackhand came over to the fire and sat down, tossing on a few more logs. He had not really cared much about the Dragonborn's business at all. The firelight flickered over his face as he considered where he ought to raid next spring.

Faintly... he thought he heard singing in the distance, a great many voices singing together... men and women alike, all chanting in unison...

Dovahkiin! Dovahkiin!

He once slew a bear barehanded, and cut down a hundred pirates alone!

When his victorious roar is heard, even the fiercest enemy flees in terror...

...

East of Trottheim...

The altar on the hill was piled high from broken weapons, swords and shields heaped together, with several bonfires burning around it, lighting the platform bright as day.

With gold bands around his wrists and arms, Hammond sat bare-chested in the snow, his thick body covered in tattoos and slabs of muscle, praying cross-legged before the altar.

"God of the sea, I have never been stingy with the offerings I've given you. Please protect my pregnant wife, Liss. In another two months my child will be born. Grant them safety, and in the future I will offer you even more plunder."

But his solemn ritual was cut off by a cool, mocking voice.

"Tsk tsk, that's surprisingly devout of you, Hammond, but I don't think the god of the sea likes stolen goods."

"Who the hell are you?" his prayer interrupted, Hammond spun around furiously and grabbed the weapon lying beside him.

His face was vicious-looking, clean-shaven, with a broad, fleshy jaw. Like the slave overseer, he was another man who used a two-handed hammer, and he looked very capable in a fight.

Victor bit the cap off a Blizzard potion and swallowed it down. "Don't mind me, I'm just passing through..."

Sensing ill intent, the pirate chief roared, "Shit! What are you boys waiting for? Get in here and kill him together!"

His voice carried far, but the wind and snow answered with silence.

The boy murmured softly, "The pirates in Trottheim are dead. The men you brought here are dead too. They're all waiting for you to join them in the next world. I don't know where that is, but I'm certain it isn't heaven."

When his shout brought no response at all, Hammond's heart sank straight down. Could what this bastard was saying actually be true? Had every one of his men really been wiped out?

No... impossible... There had been over a hundred men in Trottheim, holding a fortified position. Even Blackhand would have to think about casualties if he wanted to wipe them out. This bastard had to be bluffing.

What mattered most was Liss... would she be in danger!?

The thought of his wife's safety made Hammond raise his great hammer and charge toward Victor with a roar. But just then, the firelight cast the shadows of three approaching figures, and the instant he made them out clearly, the huge hammer fell from his hands with a clang.

The pirate chief dropped to his knees and raised both hands high. "Don't... don't hurt her, please... I'll give you all my wealth, and the treasure maps buried on a deserted island too, just spare us."

Victor, already poised to sharpen his swordsmanship, was left speechless when the pirate lost all will to fight. He glanced slightly to the side, and sure enough, it was Angoulême and Vigi.

Once the battle's outcome had been decided, Victor had left the cleanup to them and come ahead to find Hammond. After finishing off the remaining men, they had easily caught the accompanying Liss and simply brought her over under guard.

Everything about it was normal enough, but looking at the terrified pirate chief kneeling there and begging for mercy, Victor suddenly felt like he had somehow become the villain in the scene, holding a hostage at one side and stopping the righteous party from making a move.

Shaking his head, he lifted the Sword of Prometheus with the tip angling upward. "Pick up your weapon. Beat me, and I'll let you both leave."

Hope lit up in the pirate's eyes. The thickset Hammond asked in a trembling voice, "Y, you mean that...?"

"I don't look like I'm joking." Victor flicked his steel sword, and his thumb nearly tapped the crossguard, though he stopped himself in time.

Setting the Sword of Prometheus ablaze right now would have ruined the mood completely. Once this business was over, he really needed to upgrade the enchantment quickly. If it had been Blazing Strike with flames running along the blade just now, the effect would have been all menace and grandeur.

Having received confirmation, and seeing that the other two silently accepted the boy's promise, the pirate chief snatched up his two-handed hammer, let out a harsh roar, and charged.

At the start of the clash, Hammond's war hammer had wide reach, tremendous power, and moved fast, but Victor always stayed exactly one step outside his striking range. And that single step forced the pirate chief to spend more and more stamina, because the slightest relaxation on his part would let the boy surge forward and drive the sword tip straight into him.

What made it worse was that he wore no armor. If he had been in the full plate he normally fought in, he could have pressed in much more boldly. But he was not. So every time he swung his hammer, he had to hold something back in case of a thrust.

Victor, however, was not as relaxed as he seemed. His opponent was a powerful man, skilled in combat too, the sort who could create enormous value in a group battle and was no weakling in a duel either. He truly was a decent sparring partner.

They fought for a long time. Countless times the sword edge struck the hammer shaft, and the ringing clash of metal echoing across the altar made even the bonfires seem to tremble.

"Not bad." They each took a step back. Hammond was breathing heavily, while Victor still had strength to spare. "Very good, Hammond. You're a worthy opponent, but that's all. Prepare to fall."

Knowing he was outmatched, the pirate chief rasped, "Wait! Can I at least know why you came after me... A warrior like you shouldn't be unknown. Who are you?"

The falling snow seemed to pause for a second as the boy answered in a ringing voice, "I am the Dragonborn, Victor Corion, from east of Zerrikania. Luf of Seagull Village, a young man you sold to Novigrad, the childhood sweetheart of Liss, commissioned us to wipe out the pirates and save his beloved."

"D, Dragonborn... so you really are Dovahkiin. No wonder... To face such a warrior as you, that is my honor." Pulling himself together, Hammond used the last of his strength to grip his weapon and throw himself at Victor.

Victor stepped in to bait him, withdrew in an instant to evade the blow, then stepped in again and drove the blade beneath Hammond's armpit before sliding around behind him. With the pirate chief's scream ringing out, just like with his men, the boy twisted and cut his arm clean away.

"No...!" Seeing that, Liss tore free of Angoulême's hand. The girl had not been gripping her tightly in the first place because she was pregnant, so she broke free at once.

She stumbled over to Hammond, took off her coat, and pressed it against his wound. Then she looked at Victor. "W, wait, sir, did you just say Luf? I remember who he is now. I had nothing to do with him. He was only in love with me on his own!"

Long hair, eyes that could speak, no wonder Luf had never forgotten her.

"So? I came here to wipe out pirates. As for you, if your life is miserable, I'll send you somewhere safe. If your life is good, then I won't interfere."

Pearl-like tears spilled from her beautiful eyes. "But sir, I'm about to become unfortunate. You're going to kill the father of my child..."

"Sir... please, I'm already a cripple. All I want for the rest of my life is to stay by Liss's side. I'll give up all my wealth and every hidden treasure, just let us go." Even while gritting his teeth against the pain, Hammond still used his remaining arm to shield Liss as he pleaded.

Victor kicked the weapon on the ground farther away and lowered his sword tip toward the snow. Angoulême and Vigi both drew their weapons and came closer.

There was not really much to think about. The boy only needed them to think he was thinking. After holding the pose for a while, he spoke in a low voice.

"Angoulême, take Liss away first."

Then he turned to Liss. "You'll be sent back to live in Harviken. Don't worry about your husband, I promise I won't kill Hammond, but if you don't leave now, I may change my mind."

The boy's expression was firm and cold, making it clear this was the final judgment.

The pirate chief stretched out a hand and pushed his wife away. "Go. Trust the Dragonborn's promise. I'll come find you afterward."

Tears burst from Liss's eyes. Full of reluctance, she finally let go.

The snow did not stop. Victor watched as the girl led the pregnant woman away, their feet sinking into the snow one step at a time, until their figures vanished from sight. Then he stepped back two paces from Hammond, whose face had gone white as paper from blood loss.

"Don't scream. If Liss gets so upset she miscarries, that would be unfortunate." He said it very calmly. "Vigi, if you would."

"Me?" The rogue still looked a little confused.

Victor raised his arm to the side, extended his thumb, and then turned it downward.

...

Over the next several days, the fine snow never stopped, day or night. All the bloodshed of the past was buried beneath a world dressed in silver and white.

Standing at the harbor admiring the streetscape, one could see lively Skellige children everywhere, throwing snowballs and building snowmen.

Today was the day the Phantom Troupe, and the Dragonborn, were to leave Harviken, yet the only people who came to see them off were the jarl's heir and his attendants.

Halbjorn placed a hand over his chest and bowed. "My respects, Dovahkiin. I apologize that my uncle put to sea and hasn't returned yet, so he cannot come to see you off in person."

Victor returned the gesture with an unconcerned nod. "It's fine. I understand. Seeing all those empty berths tells the story well enough. To profit from bringing the captives home, nearly all of Clan Dimun's ships must have gone out."

"Yes. Thanks to you, the clan will have an extra source of income this winter."

"It's nothing. It was only incidental. At heart, it was private revenge."

"Perhaps it means little to you, but for those who were rescued, they should remember it forever. And as for reclaiming Trottheim, on behalf of Clan Dimun, I thank you."

Victor waved it off and turned to board the ship, but the other man politely signaled for him to wait, then presented him with a bulging pouch of jewels in both hands.

"A hero may not care, but those who have received kindness cannot afford not to. Please accept this small token of our respect. Also, regarding the lady Liss whom you brought back at the end, do you have any special instructions?"

Without refusing, Victor took the jewels and casually stuffed them into his herbal satchel. Then he patted Halbjorn on the arm. "If possible, let her give birth safely. As for the rest, handle it according to your customs. I don't want to know the details."

The young man nodded. "I understand what you mean. I'll take care of it." After a brief pause, he continued, "And regarding Hammond, I apologize that Clan Dimun was unable to help. My uncle left a message, Holger Blackhand personally owes you a favor, and so do I, Halbjorn."

A favor, one of those things that is worth more than gold at times, and utterly meaningless at others.

Victor shook his head with a smile. Fine, let it stay on the ledger. Then the boy boarded the ship and set sail.

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