Talk:The Whispering Hillock/@comment-178.11.53.49-20190420214715

Releasing it is the only logical choice for Geralt.

People thinking otherwise, only do this on the basis of knowing what'll happen due to reading up the consequences on the internet or playing both.

But from Geralts pov, the situation is simple: the crones trapped a spirit and put up forest sentries that killed the villagers when they got too close. The crones are gonna kill the children. The spirit promises to save them if he frees it.

From the books and also games we know that geralt siding with creatures he's supposed to kill isn't such a rare thing, and it's obvious he'd want to save the kids that are in immediate danger. So whether he trusts the spirit or not, the children's rescue from the crones makes the decision clear for him. Because at that time, killing it would mean dooming the children. That's the opposite of Geralts character.

Everything that happens after is not a factor for the decision. But even when looking at it: the freed spirit keeps its promise, saves the children who end up save in novigrad, and takes revenge on the village that wanted to kill it. It's a bitter sweet end, but the right one gameplay and story wise.