Chapter 318: 318

Like most people in Novigrad, he was born to a regular family. His mother was a tough yet gentle woman, while his father was a sailor who worked under One-Eyed Jack for decades. He spent most of his life on the seas of Skellige.

Todd seldom saw his parents. His mother was the one who raised him, but the man got his obstinance from his father. He was unsatisfied with a peaceful life, and he wanted to make a name for himself.

Even after he was married and had a daughter at twenty, Todd stubbornly departed Novigrad on a quest for the thrill of adventure.

Fifteen years went by. He roamed the lands of the northern kingdoms, heading in the direction of mayhem and destruction. Todd once helped Prince Hereward squash the rebellion in Ellander. At another time, he helped a group of farmers rebel against the bandits who exploited them. When they finally claimed victory, he became Hoghton's honorary citizen.

Todd survived hundreds of battles and skirmishes in these long years and became an elite mercenary. As a consequence, he became a more heartless man than his father. Not once did he come home to see his parents or family.

The man was already thirty-five. At Calanthe's behest, Todd took on the job of being a spy in Amell. One year after that, Todd finally felt tired of this life. He was lonely, and he wanted to go back to a simple life.

Fifteen years. All he had to show was money and nothing else. He never quite made a name for himself, and his soul was urging him to go home. He knew that it was time.

Todd put aside everything he worked for and returned to the land he once loved and hated—Novigrad. "I thought I'd have a family and a feast waiting for me." Todd stared at the magical lamp, his eyes glossing over, his voice sorrowful.

Roy had conflicting emotions after hearing that. To an extent, Todd's life was akin to the witchers'. He was a vagrant who had no friends besides death and battles. Of all people, he had to learn his father's ruthlessness. He had a wife and daughter, and yet he never treasured them. He left his mother, wife, and daughter just to sate his thirst for adventure. They were all alone for fifteen years. Now that's irresponsible.

"But all I came back to was an empty house." He hung his head low, his cheeks red. Todd put his hand on his knee and wiped his tears away. "Dead. All of them."

Roy's heart sank.

"Olena, my mother, died of consumption ten years ago. Kolleen, my wife, died of the same disease eight years ago. And Frank died from drinking too much five years ago."

Todd stopped talking. His chest heaved, and he was huffing.

Roy was quiet as well. That's how most people die in this world. They either die from diseases or accidents. Living a long life is a pipedream. He sighed. "You said you had a daughter. Where is she?"

"And that's why I need you, Roy." Todd had a bitter look on his face. "This is about my only family. My little Elsa. I've been searching for her since I came back to this city."

Todd sobbed, but then he controlled himself. "From what I know, Elsa lived alone ever since Frank died. She survived on the family's savings until six months ago. The savings dried up, so she moved to southern Novigrad and worked in a flower shop. She's been living in the shop since then."

This discovery showed the weary mercenary another path in life. Roy saw longing and hope in his eyes. "Things didn't go as you expected them to, I guess," he said.

"When I got to that shop, the shopkeeper told me Elsa's been missing for a month," he said coldly. "She left the shop one morning and disappeared without a trace."

He felt fury welling up within him. Todd got up and paced back and forth, but he managed to hold himself together. "The employees searched everywhere, and the Eternal Fire soldiers helped as well, but it was no use."

Roy shook his head. A beautiful young lady going missing in a city like Novigrad? Fate will not smile on her.

"Searching at random won't be of use, so I went to Francis Bedlam, the guy with the most intel in Novigrad. Nothing escapes him in this city," Todd said. "I promised him a lot of coins, and he promised he would do everything to help me with my search."

"It's been more than two weeks, and Bedlam hasn't returned with any news." Todd slumped down onto the sofa and stared at the ceiling once more. There was almost nothing left in his eyes. He started trembling and shedding tears. "Gods, please, just let me find her. I'll do anything just to see her again."

Roy had a solemn look on his face. Not even Bedlam the intel king found anything? This is no simple missing person case.

"Roy, I know witchers have unbelievable powers, and tracking is one of them. If you can find my Elsa…" He craned his neck and gnashed his teeth. "I'll give you all the money I made from my work as a mercenary. And I can give you this house too."

He went to the second floor and came back down with a peculiar military knife. "If that's not enough, I'll throw this in. I got this after I killed a bandit. I've used it for years, and it's a lot better than most steel swords."

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Roy pulled the knife out from the leather sheath, and a silver light arced through the air.

The glint was almost blinding. This blade was different from any sword in the north. It was almost straight, and its curvature was a lot softer than most curved swords. Its edge was smooth and bright, while the tip curved ever so slightly. Its hilt was embedded with a sapphire, while beautiful patterns adorned its back.

'Ofir Military Knife

Type: Steel sword

Components: Dark iron ingots, magma, meteorite ore, leather, pinewood, powdered monster tissue

Specs: Weighs 4.05 pounds, hilt measures 9.4 inches, blade measures 36 inches.

Affixes:

Improved Signs: When Ofir Military Knife is equipped, Aard, Igni, and Axii receive a small boost in power.'

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Roy brushed his finger across the edge, and he felt a cold stab of pain on his finger. It almost wounded him. "Not a bad weapon." Roy looked surprised. He sheathed the knife and handed it to Todd.

"Is it not to your liking?" Todd asked nervously.

"Keep it. You need the money, and I don't need this house either." Roy shook his head. He didn't come here to make any money. "I was going to send Jack's regards to your father, but since he's not with us anymore, I guess I'll tell his granddaughter that Jack said hi. I'll find Elsa, free of charge." This is for you, Jack. Thanks for your help.

"I can't possibly ask you to do this for free!" Todd was overjoyed but perplexed at the same time."

"I'm just helping out a friend. If you want to thank someone, thank Jack."

Todd wanted to say something, but words failed him. He looked at Roy gratefully.

Roy cut to the chase. "Todd, I'd like to be honest with you, if you don't mind. The reason Elsa went missing lies with you. If you had come home earlier and stayed with your family, none of this would have happened. Your parents and wife could have lived, and Elsa could still be here."

"I know. This is a sin I must carry. I was blinded by my ambition… my greed." Todd teared up and slapped himself. He roared almost hysterically, "And I must atone for my sins. Please, Roy, you have to help me!"

After a decade and a half of going around the northern kingdoms, Todd finally realized that making a name for himself wasn't what he wanted. That was just a fantasy he concocted in his youth. The treasure he yearned for had always been there for him—family. And yet he neglected it.

When he finally opened his eyes to that fact and tried to come back for it, his family was gone. That was ironic.

Roy said grimly, "Todd, reality is often disappointing. The results of my investigation might be unacceptable to you. You have to prepare yourself."

Todd blanched. He knew what Roy was saying, but he didn't want to give up any hope he had. "I know, Roy. If Elsa really is dead, then I would want you to find the killer and hand them over to me. I want to deal with them myself."

Todd hung his head low and hid his face in the shadow as he clenched his fists.

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