It might not be the best choice in the long run, but for the time being, and considering the war between Nilfgard and the rest of the Continent, fear might be the single most important weapon at the witcher's disposal.
And Geralt waking up with bandages and wounds and Yennefer telling him to slow down.
Alas, he could handle a sword! Geralt acquires a scar on his arm from a Vodyanoi priest during his contract with the prince exploring the Underwater City, which is compounded by the fact that the prince doesn't want to pay him when he fails to persuade the mermaid to trade her fins for legs and accept the prince's proposal.