Four sorceresses, each with their distinct characteristics, sat before him.
Guilliman felt a stir in his heart, but still, with a polite gentleman's bow, he offered a kind and handsome smile to the red-haired beauty Triss, saying:
"Miss Triss, my name is Guilliman Gellerman, a Witcher."
"I've come to discuss the contract posted in the plaza."
Triss stood up and, equally politely, introduced herself, along with the three sorceresses beside her.
Indeed, the petite, short-haired beauty was Keira, the black-haired, purple-eyed mature beauty was Yennefer, and the last, scantily clad, sexy beauty, whom Guilliman hadn't recognized, was Margarita, the current headmistress of Aretuza Academy.
After a brief introduction, Triss warmly invited him to sit on another separate sofa in the living room and had a small maid serve pastries and tea.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Guilliman."
"I didn't expect a Witcher to accept my commission; it's quite a surprise."
"You might not know, but there haven't been any Witchers in Vizima for several years, and even within Temeria, we rarely hear news of you."
Their polite conversation caused the other three sorceresses present to show slight expressions of surprise.
The Witchers they remembered were a group of rude, strange-looking individuals, who, while powerful, were often difficult to communicate with.
Due to the Witcher mutations, few Witchers could maintain a normal appearance and personality, which was one reason why many commoners regarded Witchers as freaks.
After all, the Witcher community was extremely rare in the Northern Kingdoms, even rarer than mages, and even though the four sorceresses present were not young, the number of Witchers they had seen was still very small.
Their impression of this profession was mostly based on descriptions in specialized books.
Yennefer, who was most familiar with Witchers, had lost her memory; her current memories were from before she met Geralt, back when she had just graduated from the sorceress academy, a somewhat innocent and romantic sorceress apprentice.
The other person most familiar with Witchers was the smiling Triss.
At this time, only about half a year had passed since the famous Rivia Massacre, and apart from Ciri, who was evading the Wild Hunt, and the amnesiac Yennefer, no one knew if Geralt was truly dead.
The red-haired sorceress was still immersed in the grief of her friend Geralt's death and felt a certain novelty at meeting another Witcher.
However, as it was their first meeting, they were still somewhat reserved. Although each was curious about the other, they did not presumptuously ask any sensitive questions.
After Triss briefly explained her commission requirements, her bright cornflower-blue eyes looked at Guilliman and said:
"My original plan was to recruit a mercenary squad of about five people to protect me."
"However, judging by the dragon-hide armor and meteorite steel sword on Mr. Guilliman, I presume you are an exceptionally skilled Witcher."
"How about this: can you tell me your current address?"
"I plan to depart in three days. The destination is a small village near the Floating Keep, where the plague first broke out. It is now a ruin."
"The operation will likely last one day and one night. After completing the investigation, we will probably visit other villages or towns."
"So, the remuneration for this is tentatively set at one hundred Orens, with additional payment for dangerous combat situations."
"Please wait, Mr. Guilliman. I will have someone notify you before we depart."
One day and one night of work would earn a reward of one hundred Orens.
This was a generous payment; even the most popular women in brothels would struggle to command such a price.
Guilliman's gaze swept over the four sorceresses, finally resting on Triss's beautiful face. A broad smile appeared on his handsome features, and he nodded, saying:
"Let's arrange it that way, Lady Triss."
"These next few days, I should be staying at the Hairy Bear Inn in the Temple Quarter. Please notify me before the operation, and I will be ready for battle."
He didn't mention the House of the Night, not only because he didn't want to leave a bad impression on the sorceresses, but also because he didn't plan to stay there for the next few days.
The vampire beauty, though alluring, was too clingy. If he continued to stay there, he wouldn't have the energy to fight monsters and improve his strength.
The commission discussion concluded, and Guilliman politely departed.
This meeting was merely the beginning of a friendly relationship; being too abrupt would only leave a bad impression.
However, before leaving...
Guilliman suddenly remembered Berengar, who was still recovering in Ammonite Village, and thought of his friend's crippled arm.
He turned his head and, smiling, said to Margarita, who was dressed sensually, exuded a mature woman's aura, and was as beautiful as a Greek goddess:
"Lady Margarita, I hear you are an exceptionally skilled high-level healer."
"I have a friend whose arm was injured by a bone-eating arrow spell during a fight with bandits."
"If you have time, I hope you can treat him."
"I will pay you a satisfactory fee."
Margarita, who was leaning back on the sofa in a rather uninhibited posture, met Guilliman's gaze with slightly hazy, yet meaningful, eyes. Then, she chuckled softly and said with a beaming smile:
"Let's discuss this after you've completed Triss's commission."
"I will be staying in Vizima for a while."
"Oh, and when you collect plague samples, remember to collect several."
"If I have time, I will also conduct research on it."
"Alas, although I have no clear ideas, if there are any unexpected discoveries, it might help with this plague."
To his surprise, no sooner had Margarita finished speaking than Keira, who had maintained an arrogant expression and a dignified demeanor, also spoke:
"Triss, Mr. Guilliman, if you happen to find a Plague Maiden, please pause your operation and notify me."
"I hope to capture a Plague Maiden alive for study."
"Of course, I will pay the remuneration specified in the commission."
Neither Triss nor Guilliman refused this. Plague Maidens were very powerful, a rather eerie type of spectral monster capable of causing widespread plague damage in an area, even leading to hundreds or thousands of deaths in a short time.
Even a combination of a powerful sorceress and a Witcher could not underestimate it; having other sorceresses' help would naturally be the best option.
"Triss, why don't I go with you? Perhaps I can be of some help too."
Hearing Keira say this, even the amnesiac Yennefer spoke up, wanting to help.
Although she had lost her memory, her relationship with Triss was still the best; they were practically best friends and confidantes, which was why she had been staying at Triss's house all this time.
Margarita, however, shook her head and said:
"No, Yenn, I specifically came to Vizima to help you with memory recovery treatment."
"You should stay with me during this time and revisit places you still remember."
"Your memory hasn't fully returned, and your use of magic isn't as proficient as it once was."
"If you go with Triss, you might end up being a hindrance."