After a brief exchange of pleasantries and thanks, Guilliman naturally didn't let these two unusual people slip away. He invited them outright, and the four of them went to the village inn for dinner.
"Shani, why did you come to Vizima? It's not very safe here lately."
As the semi-leading lady of the first Witcher game and the heroine of the Hearts of Stone story, this medical-student girl is extremely popular with players.
Hearing the Witcher's question, Shani didn't hide anything. A resolute look appeared on her face as she answered:
"It's because of the Catriona plague."
"My former mentor and several good friends all died in this epidemic."
"School's on holiday right now. My new mentor asked me to come and investigate the situation in Vizima."
"The plague is raging. With no cure yet, just within Vizima hundreds have already fallen ill."
"This data is extremely valuable."
"So that a cure can be developed later, I accepted the invitation of the priestesses of the Melitele temple and will stay here for a while to record the patients' conditions."
As expected, it was still this matter.
Although the Catriona plague wasn't very prominent in the games, in the real Witcher World the casualties it caused were no less than those of the Nilfgaardian wars—tens of thousands dead at minimum.
Later, not only Vizima but also Novigrad, Velen, Oxenfurt and other places reported cases.
The infamous "mouse tower" incident in Velen that traumatised so many players was, in fact, an offshoot of this plague.
Even the sorceress Keira took the search for a cure very seriously and almost died in that tower—some players even killed her there.
In the first Witcher game, Geralt met Shani in Vizima because the red-haired girl had accepted the priestesses' commission to help treat the sick and find a cure.
At present, the timeline was a year earlier; Shani had not yet graduated.
So this time she was only using her holiday to observe the patients and gather data.
Guilliman pondered and found it quite reasonable.
Perhaps it had happened in the original story, and only his own butterfly effect had made the girl meet Alvin earlier, get robbed by the Salamanders and land in danger.
In the original tale, before falling in love with Geralt Shani had once had another boyfriend—Charles, Temeria's spymaster.
Most likely it had also happened around this time; the spymaster had helped the newly arrived Shani and won the girl's favour.
But since Shani had already met him, Guilliman would certainly not let another man pick the fruit—not even Geralt.
After a moment Guilliman spoke in a suggestive tone:
"The Catriona plague is indeed dangerous."
"It has wiped out entire villages, spawned monsters and wraiths, and caused untold tragedies across the North."
"Tell you what, Shani."
"I'd like to help."
"You may not know it, but we Witchers are immune to many plagues and diseases, Catriona included."
"If you ever need to go somewhere dangerous, or need any help, just come to me."
"I'll charge only the minimum fee—a meal, perhaps, or a pretty girl's kiss. Guaranteed affordable."
At the half-serious, half-joking words the red-haired girl laughed brightly, but soon turned serious and looked at the Witcher:
"Are you telling the truth, Mr Guilliman?"
"If you're willing to help with the plague, I won't stand on ceremony."
"I'll be asking for your help often."
"My mentor found a herb that seems especially effective: celandine, which grows deep in the marshes."
"Part of the reason I came to Vizima was to obtain some for study."
"I've been worrying about that very thing."
"Having a powerful Witcher like you assist would make me very happy."
Guilliman raised his cup, clinked it against the red-head's, and gave her a "leave it to me" smile:
"Easy as pie."
"When you're ready, just let me know."
"I'll escort you into the marsh and keep you safe."
With that he casually produced a small pouch from his palm and slid it across to her:
"A hundred orens—my small contribution. I hope it helps develop a cure."
"If you need more research funds later, I can provide additional support."
"I only ask that you perfect a cure soon and save those poor souls tormented by the plague."
Offering money, offering help, handsome, powerful—and the hero who had just saved the beauty—Guilliman had, in a single short evening, earned Shani's deep affection.
Even Caroline and little Alvin at the side gazed at the Witcher in admiration.
Shani hesitated for a moment at the bulging purse, then bit her lip and accepted the money.
She was only a medical student, not yet graduated, with little income.
Developing a cure was no simple task; it consumed vast amounts of both time and money, and only Shani knew how hard the research was.
Had her beloved mentor and good friends not died in the plague, perhaps the girl would never have found the resolve to brave such danger and hardship, travelling all the way from Oxenfurt to Vizima to see it through.
Only moments earlier she had been filled with terror, determined to protect little Alvin and escape the Salamanders.
Now, unexpectedly, someone was supporting her so wholeheartedly, willing to fund and aid the search for a cure.
Gratitude overflowed in Shani's heart.
"Thank you, Mr Guilliman. Thank you for your support."
"You're a good man, a Witcher worthy of respect."
With sincere emotion she thanked him again, then blushed and brushed a light kiss across his cheek.
Because of his earlier hint, Shani wasn't sure what else she could give this man except a young girl's kiss.
Feeling the soft warmth on his cheek and seeing the gratitude in her eyes, Guilliman rubbed his face in mild embarrassment.
Though he had indeed intended to do good, his motives were not entirely pure.
In a world where gods truly existed, good deeds really were rewarded.
Shani was a case in point.
In the original story she had been a virtuous, compassionate medical genius who later became the university's dean, beloved and respected, living past ninety.
For a medieval mortal to die peacefully at over ninety after surviving wars and disasters—surely that was divine favour.
If he, too, could contribute to fighting the plague sweeping the world, even if he received no god's blessing, at least he would not incur divine curse and misfortune.
That was enough for him.
Besides, doing good and being thanked for it was a delight to body and soul.