Is my save permanently bugged?

My contracts have shown the quest “Contract: Patrol Gone Missing” without me ever stepping foot in the Nilfgaardian Army Group Center Camp, yet I’m on the “collect a trophy” step.

I must have killed the beast while free roaming. I talked with Tavar Eggebract and it’s as if I’d never met him. I can’t find where I killed it (if the loot is still there)

Is there anything I can do to salvage this bugged mission?