The main questions Lynn wanted to ask were how these miners had discovered the abandoned mine, and how they had fallen ill.
Had they seen any monsters in the mine, or a woman covered in red rashes and blisters, with rats scurrying around her?
Their answers were much the same as what Brovar had told Lynn.
They had discovered the abandoned mine while opening up a new mining tunnel.
Because adamantine ore had been found in the abandoned mine.
Brovar had ordered them to continue mining.
Unfortunately, the good times did not last, and people began falling ill.
But in the early stages, no one had taken it seriously.
Not until every miner who had entered the abandoned mine developed red rashes and blisters.
Only then had Brovar realized something was wrong.
It was only then that these sick miners had been withdrawn.
And after several changes of arrangements, they had finally been housed here.
Though Brovar had confined them here, he had not entirely abandoned them.
Someone delivered three meals a day, and he had previously sent people to care for them.
However, their caregivers soon developed the same symptoms.
So after that, no one dared enter this place anymore.
As for what would happen to them if their condition continued to worsen, they did not know.
Some merely speculated that they might be killed, and their bodies burned.
But some would rather have all of that happen as soon as possible than remain in this state worse than death.
After asking all his questions, Lynn examined every one of them again.
He soon discovered the problem.
Traces of a curse's power lingered on every one of these sick dwarven miners.
Ordinary people might not be able to sense it.
But to a witcher's eyes, it was quite obvious.
He muttered to himself.
"As expected, this isn't an ordinary plague. It's a curse."
"Brovar was right to confine them here."
"If they weren't isolated, it wouldn't take long for all of Mahakam to be infected."
"This is a curse. Even the most skilled apothecary would be helpless."
"In that case, the only way to lift their curse is to destroy the Plague Maiden in the abandoned mine."
After leaving the quarantine area.
Lynn returned to the guest room.
Geralt did not return until evening.
Unfortunately, Geralt had learned nothing.
The abandoned mine had been sealed off, with barricades erected and guards stationed outside.
Having been told that people could enter the abandoned mine but could not leave, Geralt had not ventured inside rashly.
However, after questioning the dwarven soldiers patrolling and standing guard outside, he had learned something.
The soldiers guarding the abandoned mine had not been infected.
This matched Lynn's findings.
It also confirmed Lynn's belief that "the spread of the disease comes from the curse."
It seemed that only those who entered the cursed area within the abandoned mine would become afflicted by the curse.
The next day.
He and Geralt went to visit Brovar again.
This time, the two finally gave him a definite answer.
"Your Excellency, Great Elder, after careful consideration, we are willing to accept your commission."
Brovar was naturally delighted.
Mahakam remained closed to outsiders year-round.
Two witchers had finally happened to come up the mountain. If he missed this opportunity, who knew how long it would be before another witcher came?
"That's wonderful, master witchers. A wise choice indeed. Rest assured, I guarantee you'll receive all the payment I promised yesterday."
"Of course we trust Your Excellency's word. However, this commission is unlike our previous ones, and the monster we must deal with is no ordinary creature. Our strength alone is still somewhat insufficient, so we will need your support."
Brovar felt as though a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head.
Though he had sensed that the monster in the abandoned mine would not be easy to deal with.
He had not expected even the two witchers to say so.
Nevertheless, he readily agreed. "All right, masters. Just tell me what you need."
Geralt produced a list of the materials he had written down the day before.
Considering the tough battle ahead, they could not afford the slightest carelessness.
They would therefore need to bring all the witchers' supplementary tools into play.
Such as blade oils, potions, and the most indispensable of all, alchemical bombs.
All of these could greatly enhance a witcher's fighting strength.
Unfortunately, since witchers were generally poor, few could employ these measures on every hunt.
Since this assignment was work for the authorities, surely it was reasonable to have the authorities cover the expenses.
Mahakam might not have all the materials Geralt needed, but they would gather as much as they could.
In any case, the Plague Wraith was trapped in the abandoned mine and could not get out. They had plenty of time to make thorough preparations.
While they waited for Brovar's men to gather the materials for making blade oils, potions, and alchemical bombs, Istredd came to Carbon Mountain and found the pair.
His caravan had finished all its business in Mahakam.
Now they were only waiting for the two of them.
Upon learning that they still needed some time to deal with the Plague Wraith in the abandoned mine, Istredd said he would wait for them in Mahakam.
A few days later, the dwarves under Brovar finally delivered the materials the pair needed.
Lynn and Geralt then spent the following stretch of time mixing blade oils, potions, and alchemical bombs.
Once all of this was finished, Thor and a squad of dwarven guards escorted them to the abandoned mine.
Under the dwarven guards' forceful dismantling, the barricades and planks sealing the abandoned mine were soon cleared away.
A sudden gust of chill wind blew out of the mine tunnel's entrance.
Cold spread in every direction.
Even the strongest dwarf could not help shivering.
Every dwarven guard looked frightened, and even Thor could not help saying sheepishly.
"Up ahead is no place for us. This is as far as we can take you."
"Good luck, master witchers."
The surfaces of the mine tunnel were rough and uneven.
An empty torch holder hung at intervals along the way.
The ground beneath their feet sloped gently downward.
This was still an ordinary mining tunnel. They would have to follow it deeper for two hours before reaching the abandoned mine.
Lynn and Geralt followed the tunnel for roughly ten or fifteen minutes before entering a man-made cavern.
Several tunnels of unfathomable depth stood in a row along the stone wall ahead.
Rather than continuing, the two planned to drink their potions and apply blade oils in this cavern, preparing for the battle ahead.
After all, this was still a safe area.
If they continued farther, there was no telling what they might encounter.
As witchers, they should always remain alert to potential danger.