Chapter 214: The Weakest Link Breaks First
Old John's Bakery is located in the Novigrad slums.
As the name suggests, only the lowest strata of society live in this area.
First-time visitors to Novigrad are often amazed by the city's beautifully arranged houses and stone-paved streets.
Thus, they overlook the filth hidden within this pearl.
The slums don't have a clear boundary with other areas; this district is simply hidden within the labyrinthine crevices of buildings.
Only when you arrive here do you realize that even a city that appears so prosperous on the surface still has dark corners.
In the sewage-filled, stench-ridden slums, a small bakery stood out.
Though its exterior was dilapidated, its interior was surprisingly clean and tidy.
"Welcome."
Hearing the wind chime on the door, Greisha, the bakery owner's daughter, instinctively looked towards the entrance.
When she clearly saw that the person who walked into the shop had a pair of golden cat eyes, she couldn't help but freeze.
"You..."
Lynn, making himself at home, found a chair and sat down.
"Is this Old John's Bakery? Did I come to the right place? Don't be afraid, I just have a few questions I'd like to ask the owner of this shop and his daughter."
"Greisha?"
Old John, working in the back of the bakery, heard the commotion outside and quickly dropped what he was doing and came out.
Then, he also saw Lynn's eyes.
"You are..."
"I am a witcher. My name is Lynn."
Old John pulled his daughter behind him and shook his head: "I apologize, sir, we don't know you. If you're here to buy bread, I'm truly sorry, our bread is just average, it might not suit your taste."
"Don't be nervous. I'm not here to cause you trouble. I just want to ask you a few questions, and once I'm done, I'll leave."
Old John saw Lynn sitting in the chair, not moving.
He realized that if he didn't humor the man, he might truly stay here indefinitely.
"Do you really just want to ask a few questions?"
"Of course."
Old John sighed heavily.
"Then ask, sir. Anything I can answer, I will tell you."
"Do you know another witcher with eyes like mine, who carries two swords on his back like a bow?" Lynn paused, then continued, "His full name is Geralt of Rivia."
Old John nodded: "Yes, I do."
Old John's cooperation pleased Lynn.
"Excellent, we have a good start. See, as long as you answer the questions properly, we can avoid a lot of trouble."
"So he often came to your shop to buy bread?"
Old John nodded again: "Yes."
"Be more specific. For example, when did he come, how much did he buy, how did he pay, and did he say anything during those times?"
Old John thought hard for a moment and said.
"He usually came when we were about to close. He'd buy enough bread for a dozen or so people each time, and always paid in crowns... He, he didn't say much."
"Do you know where he lives, or where he usually goes?"
Although he thought it unlikely they would know, Lynn still asked.
As expected, both Old John and Greisha shook their heads.
"Alright, next question... Do you know a citizen named Alfred?"
Old John suddenly became agitated.
"Citizen? What kind of citizen is that scoundrel? He's a bastard! A rogue! Scum!"
"Father!" Greisha quickly grabbed her father's hand, tugging hard.
She worried that her father's sudden outburst would displease Lynn.
But Lynn's eyes lit up.
He knew this wasn't so simple.
"Tell me about this Alfred scum. Tell me everything you know."
Lynn had a premonition.
Whether Geralt could be released depended entirely on this Alfred.
Greisha asked cautiously.
"Sir, may I ask, what is your relationship with Sir Geralt?"
Lynn said without hesitation.
"He is my brother. I would go through fire and water for him without hesitation, and he would do the same for me."
Old John suddenly understood.
He didn't know much about witchers.
In this world, most people didn't consider witchers to be human. Although they mutated from humans, most people regarded them as a completely new race.
A race called "witchers."
And in the North, the reputation of witchers was not good at all.
Even though most witchers simply did their jobs for money, people instinctively felt afraid when they saw a witcher.
This was why both father and daughter were so nervous when Lynn entered the shop.
But now, Lynn said he was "Geralt's" friend, and that their bond was strong enough to face any danger for each other...
"Geralt" had left a very good impression on the father and daughter.
So, if he was "Geralt's" friend, perhaps he too was a good person.
The father and daughter then relaxed.
"So that's it... Alright, since you are Sir Geralt's companion, I will tell you everything."
"We first met Sir Geralt about half a month ago. He would come to our shop every day, buy enough bread for a dozen or so people, and then leave without saying anything else."
"Until the day Alfred appeared before us."
Old John patted his daughter's shoulder and gently said, "Let me tell it, my dear daughter. You go to the back and get us two cups of water."
Greisha looked worried.
But under her father's gaze, she limped into the back room.
"Alfred, he's my younger brother. He's been idle and lazy since childhood. Ever since my parents died, taking care of him became my responsibility."
"Actually, if it were just about providing him food and drink, it would be nothing. As long as I had something to eat, he wouldn't starve. That was my duty as the eldest son."
"But the problem is, not only does he not work, he's also a gambler."
Old John sighed with exasperation.
"Gwent, dice... he gambled on everything. I'd work hard all year to earn some money, and before I could even spend it, the debt collectors would come knocking."
"Sir, you've seen my daughter's condition, haven't you?"
Lynn narrowed his eyes and asked, "Yes, what happened to her leg?"
"It's not a rare disease. As long as we can save two hundred crowns, she can have surgery at the Oxenfurt Academy's affiliated hospital, and she'll be able to walk like a normal child..."
.....
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