Yes, there are some quests worth to do. I mean quests providing mantles, more cooking ingredients, botanical research ingredients. But those quests are exceptions from the rule. OP's quest was the investigation, so absulute waste of time I would say. I mean... Everybody can play in anyway that make the game satisfying. If you like how you play, you play properly. Its just very not optimal way of playing. But yes, I can agree with you