Guilliman, of course, had his reasons for doing so.
In any era, public opinion is a powerful tool for rulers to control the common people, and to govern society and the nation.
A good reputation can bring many friends, fill one's surroundings with goodwill, and garner much support, significantly increasing the success rate in both battles and tasks, often leading to unexpected pleasant surprises.
As for a bad reputation, the opposite is true.
Not only does it inexplicably bring more strange enemies and fill one's surroundings with malice, but speaking and doing things also become fraught with obstacles, as if under some kind of curse.
This is not just for an individual.
The reputation of a profession, a race, or even a nation follows the same principle.
Why have Witchers fallen to their current state?
Besides their own strength being continuously weakened, their failure to manage their reputation and influence, and the persecution and apprehension from various powerful enemies...
The bad reputation fostered by the common people, controlled by nobles, mages, and various religious figures, is also one of the biggest reasons for the decline of Witchers.
As the saying goes, love what you do. Since he has already become a Witcher, Guilliman is prepared to improve the reputation of the Witcher profession, even if it's just for his own sake.
Looking back, this current time node is arguably the best opportunity in the next few decades.
The Brotherhood of Sorcerers, which once opposed Witcher organizations, is now an empty shell; sorceresses are banding together for warmth, desperately needing external aid, and may even face more severe persecution in the future due to witch hunts.
The noble circles, which once feared the Witchers' strength and worried they might rebel, are now less resistant to Witchers due to the prolonged war and the proliferation of monsters.
And in the Kingdom of Temeria, where Guilliman resides...
Because of his good relationship with the Royal Family and the Princess, the noble class will not only not be an obstacle but may even become an aid in improving his reputation.
This is also why he had such an idea after seeing Priscilla.
Of course, what man doesn't dream of becoming a hero, admired by all?
While raising the overall reputation of Witchers, letting his own name as a legendary Witcher spread throughout the world is merely going with the flow.
In fact, when his reputation is strong enough to make him a revered hero, even flirting and romancing beautiful women will become easier.
Hmm, everything is for becoming stronger, for becoming a god!
Looking at Priscilla's shocked expression, the Witcher smiled, then continued to tempt her:
"Miss Priscilla, an excellent bard like yourself must be very interested in legendary tales, right?"
"Do you want to know what kind of contract I've been busy with lately?"
Hearing his question, Priscilla was naturally very interested. Holding a wine glass, she took a small sip, her bright, sparkling eyes fixed on the Witcher as she asked curiously:
"Are you on a contract to hunt a powerful monster, Mister Witcher?"
"Or, like in the poems, rescuing a child trapped in a monster's lair?"
Guilliman scoffed.
If a human was truly taken to a monster's lair, unless under special circumstances, they would most likely have already been eaten.
There wasn't so much drama waiting for a Witcher to rescue them.
He wagged his finger at the young woman, then said with a smile:
"No, it's not a common contract like that."
"A goddess."
"In Lake Vizima, I met a goddess, the legendary Lady of the Lake."
"And from this goddess, I received a contract to defeat an evil god."
"Now I am helping the goddess to jointly subjugate the evil god in the sea."
Upon hearing such a reply...
Priscilla gasped in surprise, her mouth wide open, her tongue visibly trembling slightly.
The young bard's eyes, as she looked at the Witcher, were filled with disbelief and a hint of suspicion.
Although there are many religions in this world, and priests and bishops all claim to be able to see gods and hear their teachings...
In practical life, everyone knows that gods are very difficult to meet.
Most people will never witness a true miracle in their entire lives, let alone have a face-to-face encounter with a goddess and accept her commission.
If this were true, it would be a legendary tale that could be passed down for hundreds, even thousands of years.
For a bard, it would be an absolutely rare and excellent subject.
This story sounded too fantastical.
Even though the Witcher in front of her was handsome, kind, and seemed like a good person...
Even though he was currently serving the Princess of Temeria and trusted by the Royal Family, Priscilla still found it hard to believe, thinking the Witcher was lying.
Unfortunately, before she could even ask for details about the matter, the Witcher opposite her, like a fisherman who had cast his bait, was unwilling to discuss it further.
After successfully piquing her curiosity, he then clammed up.
He was practically like a scoundrel toying with a young woman, leaving Priscilla's heart scratching like a kitten, itching with unbearable curiosity.
Soon, the sky outside the tavern gradually darkened, and eating and drinking came to an end.
After Guilliman parted ways with Blackbeard and his crew, he voluntarily took on the task of escorting Priscilla home.
The young bard's inn was not far, located around the Temple of Melitele.
That was the most sacred and safest place in the slums, protected by the authorities and a large number of believers. Although the price was a bit higher, even gang members dared not cause trouble there.
As they parted, Guilliman smiled faintly, seeing the young bard's expression, which was a mix of gloom and hesitation.
He knew his tactic of feigning indifference had worked.
For a man to maintain his attractiveness to a woman, he shouldn't reveal all his secrets.
He must maintain an air of mystery, not be overly compliant, and occasionally be a bit domineering.
Just look at the'simp's' in real life; overly compliant men rarely end up well.
He made a note of Priscilla's residence, then said:
"I'll see you this far, Miss Priscilla."
"My previous invitation is still valid."
"If you are willing to compose poems and legendary tales for me..."
"Tomorrow morning, my ship will depart for Black Tern Island to deal with those evil underwater creatures."
"At that time, I will await your answer."
"Instead of singing other people's stories, wouldn't it be more interesting to join my story?"
...The next morning.
Guilliman's plan indeed worked.
The young bard, her earlier hesitation gone, excitedly joined his team.
Although Priscilla had little combat ability, it must be said that having a bard join during battles and adventures, occasionally playing songs, singing poems, and telling stories...
Such a life was much happier than the monotonous combat before, especially since the person was a charming and lovely young woman.
No wonder Geralt of Rivia always preferred to be with Dandelion; the solitary life of a lone wolf was simply too dull.
The group set off again for Black Tern Island, resuming their daily 'fish bombing' operation.
Priscilla, like a little girl who had never seen the world, kept looking around and asking questions, seemingly interested in everything before her.
However, that's not wrong to say; she was just a little girl who had recently graduated from the Bardic Academy. Everything she learned before was from textbooks. Although exceptionally talented, Priscilla indeed lacked experience, like a pure white, innocent little rabbit.
When he had nothing to do, the Witcher would share his stories with her, recounting fresh things that the natives of this era could not access.
Soon, the young woman's gaze towards him changed from that of a powerful warrior to that of an experienced and knowledgeable strong person.
And while Guilliman's large ship was rampaging and slaughtering in Lake Vizima...
An old man wearing a Wolf School Witcher medallion, along with his apprentice, had arrived at the Vizima Town Hall square, attempting to find some Witcher contracts on the notice board.
Unfortunately, the old Witcher named Vesemir searched for a long time but found almost nothing.
All the contracts on the notice board, apart from troublesome, long-standing ones like lifting Princess Adda's curse, didn't even include contracts to clear drowners from the sewers.
It was as if some obsessive-compulsive Witcher had completed all the contracts.
He, of course, didn't know that the Witcher Guilliman was precisely such a Witcher.
After all, even without contracts, he still had to hunt monsters to gain soul power, so every contract was a double reward for him.
As long as the remuneration wasn't too outrageous, Guilliman generally wouldn't pass up a contract, even if it was slightly below market price.
This was a habit retained from Witcher players.
Guilliman had been in Vizima for a month, and with his formidable strength, even if there were many more contracts here, they wouldn't be enough for him alone.
Vesemir, who had searched for a long time and still found nothing, sighed. He looked up at the darkening sky and turned to his apprentice, Leo, saying:
"Anyway, let's go find an inn in the slums to stay for the night."
"I remember an inn called the Hairy Bear; Geralt stayed there when he was in Vizima back then."
"However, we can only eat some potatoes and bread tonight."
"If we still can't find any contracts in the next few days, we'll just have to work as bodyguards to earn some wages."
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