The tavern door swung open, and the bell on the frame chimed. Erwin walked over to Ron's table and adjusted his glasses.
"Everyone's been picked up. One architect, five philosophy students—one more than expected."
Ron nodded and briefly recounted what had just happened, then looked at Erwin.
"Hire another ship. Send guards to take these people back to the manor first. You and the rest stay at the harbor and wait. Geralt and I will go see whether this business is worth getting involved in."
"Alright." Erwin glanced sideways at Geralt, opened his notebook and wrote a few words, then closed it and headed for the door.
After Ron retrieved his greatsword from the Seagull, Geralt was already waiting at the fork outside the harbor. The dirt road beside them stretched into the distance beneath the sunlight, flanked by rolling wheat fields and scattered orchards.
Ron glanced at Geralt. "Geralt, why do I get the feeling that trouble follows you everywhere? Is a witcher's life always this exciting, or is it just you?"
Geralt shrugged indifferently. "Mm-hmm. I'd like to know the answer too."
He paused. "But this time, it's hard to say who dragged whom into trouble."
"Come on. Let's see what surprises that man has in store for us."
After following the path around several bends, they spotted a herb garden enclosed by a fence ahead. Racks outside the cottage within were laden with drying medicinal herbs.
Two figures stood before the door, dressed in red uniforms with the holy emblem of the Eternal Fire on their shoulders. They were pounding on the door with their fists.
"Eternal Fire, burn away evil!"
The soldier pounding on the door paused, then shouted again, "Open up! We know you're in there!"
The other soldier held up a large shield and