Chapter 295: Midnight Oaths on the Roof

Deep at night, Novigrad’s riverside district lay silent. Aside from scattered starlight, not a single lamp could be seen.

Roy stood on the rooftop, looking out at the flickering lights of the commercial district across the river. One hand moved a sword with easy rhythm. In the other, magical flame danced nimbly over his fingertips, like a flawless conjuring trick.

Above him, the air surged with a rushing sound. In the depths of the black night, a beast the size of a calf, eagle-headed and lion-bodied, could be faintly seen circling joyfully.

“Tap, tap...” Sudden footsteps sounded. Roy’s expression changed, and he gave an order through the mental link. The Griffin overhead immediately flew toward the distant sky and vanished without a trace.

A coolly dressed figure climbed the stairs onto the roof, then came straight to his side on two long, strong legs and sat down. Her calves hung over the eaves, swinging idly.

“The Willie Gang probably won’t come make trouble tonight.”

Kantila brushed back the hair at her temples. Her face, usually somewhat heroic, and the vivid tattoos along her cheek looked a little softer in the hazy night. At this moment, concern showed in her brown eyes.

“Go down and rest a while, Roy. Talk with your family. I’ll watch for you for the rest of the night.”

This young Viper School member had been apart from his kin for more than a year. By rights, there should have been endless things to say, endless old memories to speak of.

The truth was exactly the opposite. He did not speak much with Old Mole, Susan, or his babbling little brother. Most of the time, he merely listened to the old couple chatter and ask questions, answering passively.

When little Minnole somehow began crying and the old couple busied themselves soothing him, Roy seized the chance and hurried to the rooftop.

“Thanks for worrying, but I’m fine. Just wanted to sit for a while and feel the wind.” Roy felt the warmth of the Zerrikanian woman’s delicate body pressed close to his arm, and likewise began swinging his feet in the air.

After seeing his parents, his mood had become rather conflicted.

It was something like being timid when nearing home.

Especially when he noticed Old Mole’s graying temples, and how that wrinkled old face carried a hint of ingratiation and cautiousness when facing him.

His heart ached for no clear reason, and he had fled to the rooftop, somewhat at a loss.

But after half a night of cold wind, he had also thought it through. No matter what, he had to let his family go on living peacefully and happily, even without his involvement.

“Kantila, now that we’ve reached Novigrad, what do you plan to do next? Go back to your old trade, find a local troupe and put your name down?”

From the La Valette Barony to Novigrad, the Witchers and Kantila had got along well, drinking and chatting without restraint, like old friends of many years.

But they could not keep a woman with them forever. It made Roy feel strange.

And every journey had an end. Everyone had their own road.