novelraw Chapter 6: News of the Viper School Witcher
Chapter 6: News of the Viper School Witcher
White Orchard was located in the central region of the Kingdom of Temeria, about two days' journey east of the capital Vizima. It was merely a baronetcy, not particularly famous. The area was named White Orchard because at its center stood White Orchard village with a population of three to four hundred people.
With beautiful scenery, abundant fruits, and high-quality timber, coupled with its proximity to the royal capital Vizima, the village enjoyed thriving commerce. It was considered relatively peaceful and prosperous among the northern kingdoms. Even years later when Nilfgaard invaded Temeria, this place remained remarkably tranquil.
The reason Kiriman was familiar with this place was simple - it served as the starting village in the famous game "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" from his previous life. For millions of Witcher 3 players, White Orchard was one of the most familiar locations in the witcher world - where they first died in-game, first killed troublesome villagers, first completed witcher contracts, and earned their first pot of gold. The witcher quests here were replayed countless times by players.
However, the current timeline was early 1269, about three years before the events of Witcher 3. Even compared to Witcher 1 when the amnesiac witcher Geralt descended from Kaer Morhen, it had been roughly a year. Considering the plot, Geralt should currently be held captive by the Wild Hunt as bait to capture Ciri, forced to travel between worlds pursuing the legendary Child of Destiny. Meanwhile, the sorceress Yennefer, suffering from the Wild Hunt's torture, was likely recovering from amnesia somewhere unknown.
While pondering these matters, Kiriman had already traversed the narrow village paths, avoiding the crowds, and arrived at White Orchard village. Maintaining his composure despite the villagers' mixed reactions - fear, curiosity, and disdain - he headed straight for the largest building in the village. This was, as Judith had told him, White Orchard's only inn - the nameless establishment familiar to countless players. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novᴇlfire.net
Pushing open the inn's door, the chatter inside momentarily ceased as several probing glances fell upon him before quickly withdrawing. Kiriman calmly surveyed the sparsely populated inn - fewer than ten patrons including the female proprietor behind the counter. Half were local farmers in patched clothing reeking of alcohol, while the other half presented a motley crew: a scholar, a mercenary, a wealthy merchant, and even a garishly dressed woman displaying ample cleavage - clearly a working girl.
After briefly scanning the drinkers, Kiriman's gaze didn't linger but went straight to the proprietress. Though her appearance differed significantly from the game, he recognized her as the woman who nearly repaid Geralt and Vesemir's kindness with betrayal by kicking them out. However, being several years younger and untouched by war, she appeared much fresher now without the haggard look from the game.
When she noticed the witcher approaching, the innkeeper couldn't hide her surprise. "Madam, I'd like a bottle of sweet cherry mead, some smoked meat, white bread, and roast beef," Kiriman ordered expensive lunch items while maintaining his usual stoic expression despite growing weary of being treated as a freak. "Might I ask you some questions, madam?"
Having run the inn for years, she was well-versed in information brokering, especially when the customer ordered pricey meals that promised good profit. After pursing her lips and studying Kiriman's battle-worn armor and distinctive amber cat-like eyes for several seconds, she asked quietly, "Are you a witcher, sir? White Orchard is safe lately, no major incidents. If I know what you're asking about, I'll tell you truthfully."
Kiriman nodded, neither confirming nor denying her question, and proceeded, "I heard a witcher I know was recently captured by the local lord for trial. Do you know when this happened?" He was referring to the witcher skeleton found in the noble's crypt in Witcher 3, killed by wraiths. As an experienced player, he remembered clearly - the unfortunate soul was a Viper School witcher named Kovirghm from the south, sent by Grandmaster Ivar Evil-Eye to find lost school weapon blueprints. Geralt's Viper silver and steel swords in Witcher 3 were forged using those blueprints.The exact time of this witcher's death was unclear - when Geralt found his skeleton, it had long decomposed. But Kiriman estimated it happened around 1269 - right now. With luck, he might have saved this witcher from the villagers. Hence his question.
Unfortunately, after hesitating and stealing a few glances at the handsome witcher, the innkeeper replied, "There was similar news, sir. About a month ago, a witcher allegedly kidnapped a beekeeper's son. When villagers tried capturing him for the lord's judgment, he resisted violently, killed a villager, and was subsequently beaten to death by the mob - even beheaded. Later investigation showed the beekeeper's son was actually killed by drowners - the witcher was innocent. As for where they buried him, I don't know."
Kiriman sighed - he was too late to save the poor soul. The villagers' version was just rumor-mongering. Still, since the dead witcher carried the Viper steel sword blueprint, Kiriman needed to visit the noble's crypt regardless - if only for that weapon design.