Just as Aldric and Vitoria were discussing whether or not to establish a warband, the witcher Gonz entered the dwarven workshop, with Aldric's follower, Terry, following closely behind.
Aldric immediately stood up and saluted his teacher. In the previous meeting, his mentor had practically handed over all the benefits to him without hesitation, which made Aldric feel a bit guilty.
The witcher waved his hand impatiently, as if swatting away a fly. "No need for such formality. The credit for resolving the Chaos corruption crisis belongs mostly to you. There's no need for modesty—you've earned it, apprentice."
Behind him, Terry looked visibly thrilled. Though he didn't fully understand what great events the adults had gone through in the past few days, he could tell it had been a grand and glorious adventure. Now that he had fully recovered, he dreamed of one day joining Lord Aldric on his own journeys—to become a hero admired by all.
The dwarf Gloin, having recovered from his earlier daze, returned to his usual boisterous self. He thanked both the witcher and Aldric, straightened his clothes, and said solemnly, "I hereby announce that the Thunderhammer Forge will officially reopen! Everyone, make yourselves at home. I'm heading out to find my apprentices—every single one of them. During this tax-free period, I'll double my business volume!"
He hurried toward the door with boundless enthusiasm, but before leaving, he suddenly turned around and said to the witcher, "Honorable sir, this workshop is mine. We produce the finest weapons and armor in all the southern colonies. Feel free to browse. Anything that catches your eye will be yours, free of charge—so long as you might, from time to time, put in a good word for me in the future?"
Gonz seemed to take a liking to this straightforward dwarf. After only a brief pause, he replied, "I'll consider it."
Hearing this, Gloin was elated. With renewed energy, he pushed open the door and dashed off on his short, stubby legs.
Then, turning back to Vitoria, Gonz said politely, "My apologies, madam. There are some professional matters I must discuss privately with my apprentice. May I trouble you to step outside for a while?"
Vitoria nodded gracefully—though the motion was somewhat stiff thanks to her heavily muscled neck. She sent a quick message to Aldric saying to contact her if needed, then left to find a tavern for a drink.
Now, only three people remained in the workshop: the witcher Gonz, Aldric, and young Terry. The boy looked uncertain, unsure if he should stay or leave like the warrior woman.
"You stay," said the witcher calmly. "Sit there and remain quiet."
Terry obeyed immediately, and Gonz took a seat across from Aldric.
"You've done well, apprentice," Gonz began, his tone both approving and serious. "Every time I think you've reached your limit, you manage to surpass my expectations again. Your talent is unlike any I've seen in my lifetime. No other witcher at your age has ever achieved what you've accomplished."
But as Aldric expected, praise was followed by warning.
"However," Gonz continued, "it's precisely because of your brilliance that I'm worried. History is littered with gifted apprentice witchers who never fell to the blades of their enemies, but instead succumbed to temptation, seduced by Chaos, and turned against humankind."
"Don't worry, master," Aldric said firmly. "I will keep my mind pure. I remember the witcher's creed well: Innocence is our shield."
Gonz nodded approvingly. The temptation of Chaos was a trial every apprentice would eventually face. No one could help them through it; one could only rely on their own willpower.
"It's unfortunate," the witcher went on, "that I must leave soon. I have to return to Kaer Morhen to investigate the incident that occurred at the witcher stronghold. Some people, it seems, have grown complacent—and this time, they've caused real trouble."
As he spoke, his expression darkened like an approaching storm. Aldric silently thought to himself that someone was definitely in for a reckoning.
"Before I go," Gonz continued, "I'll teach you as much as I can—everything a witcher apprentice should know. You must commit it all to memory, and practice diligently while I'm away. Once I've dealt with the matters back home, I'll return to continue your training. Don't waste your talent, Aldric. I expect you not to disappoint me when I return."
He clearly intended to cram as much knowledge into his student as possible before departing—a "stuffed goose" style of teaching, but one Aldric, as a hardened player and soldier, was well-prepared to handle.
"You can listen in as well," Gonz said, gesturing to the obedient Terry. "You have potential too. Whether or not you walk the path of a witcher, as his follower, what you learn here may one day save your life."
Then, with a grave tone, he began the lesson. "First, remember this: To know the foe is to purge the foe.
"There are four known Lords of Chaos," he continued. "They are: Khorne, the Lord of Skulls; Tzeentch, the Changer of Ways; Slaanesh, the Prince of Pleasure; and the one you've already encountered—Nurgle, the Father of Plagues. Each represents a different facet of corruption."
Just hearing their titles made Aldric's skin crawl, and he noticed Terry gulp nervously beside him.
"The only thing worth being grateful for," Gonz said, "is that despite our thousand years of struggle against corruption of Chaos, these four beings have shown little direct interest in our world. The invasions we've seen so far are the work of lesser daemons from the Chaos Realm, or mortals twisted into Chaos worshipers by its influence."
Terry's breathing grew faster as the weight of the lesson sank in, but Aldric remained calm and composed, earning another approving nod from his teacher.
To the witcher, this was proof of discipline and maturity.
To Aldric, however, his internal thought was much simpler: "Oh great... sooner or later, this is going to become our problem."
Unaware of his apprentice's inner commentary, Gonz continued his lesson.
"Of course, our world is not entirely without protection. The true gods behind the various churches are constantly strengthening the world's crystalline barrier. But judging from the many worlds we've seen fall to Chaos corruption, it's clear that divine intervention is not always enough. Should the Chaos Gods ever truly set their sights on our world, it would be unwise to place too much faith in the gods' salvation."
He clapped his hands, breaking the heavy silence that had settled in the room.
"Still," he said more lightly, "that's all background knowledge. We are only mortals, our task isn't to worry about the gods' affairs. Our duty as witchers is simple: when you find a Chaos worshiper, kill them. Find two—kill them both. If you come across a stray Chaos demon, send it back to where it came from."
His eyes gleamed coldly as he concluded, "We must make them understand that those who worship Chaos will face retribution. We are the nightmare that haunts them while they live. And in this regard, apprentice, you've done exceptionally well."
He looked at Aldric with deep approval, pride glinting in his eyes.
(End of Chapter)