A sneeze destroys a magical civilization

Trust is a very interesting thing.

Its establishment requires joint efforts from both parties and has been tested over a long period of time.

But if it is destroyed, it often only takes a moment.

Because they had secretly escaped in a small boat before, the four guys, including the captain, first mate, boatswain and businessman, had completely lost the trust of the sailors.

If the illiterate sailors didn't know navigation and didn't want to stay on this deserted island, they would definitely not have accepted Bernard's compensation of ten gold coins per person and boarded the ship again.

In this way, in a very strange atmosphere, everyone stayed on the island for another three days, replenishing some fresh water and coconuts.

When the seawater brought by the high tide floated the stranded ship again, the captain Bass immediately ordered the sails to be set sail and sailed towards Port Carlin in the southeast.

In just a few days, the two ships safely left the dangerous waters of the Sword Sea and officially entered the relatively safe Sea of ​​Glory.

You can even occasionally see ships of different shapes and sizes passing by along the way.

Some of them were merchant ships, while others were warships patrolling from Port Calim.

As the most populous and largest coastal city on the southwestern coast of Faerûn, Calimport's prosperity is unquestionable.

Its market size is even far greater than the capital of Amn, Askatra.

Therefore, the rulers here naturally needed to build a fleet that could protect themselves from pirates.

Thanks to the warships patrolling from Calimport, pirate activities in the Shining Sea are far less rampant than near the Nelanthel Islands.

Zuo Si could even lie half on the wooden chair on the deck like he was on vacation, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze while looking through the books and notes found from the upper floor of the floating city tower, and taking a sip of coconut juice with a small amount of lemon from time to time.

Beside him, there is always a soldier holding a dagger and a shield, always vigilant.

Whenever a sailor passed by, the eyes he looked at the soldier were full of shock, confusion and confusion.

After all, they saw each other commit suicide by inserting a dagger into his heart.

But who knew that just one day later, the young man who had been deemed dead would reappear without any wounds on his body.

Only Bernard, a well-informed businessman, knew that this soldier was actually summoned by some kind of magic like the leopard in the cabin that guarded the pirate captain Hallett 24 hours a day.

Summoned creatures from other planes like this will never really die.

Once it sustains damage that exceeds its life limit, it will be sent back by the power of magic.

There is no doubt that having such an absolutely loyal guard who is not afraid of sacrifice makes the young businessman extremely envious.

Although he can also spend money to hire some adventurers or mercenaries to work for him.

But it is almost impossible to be 100% loyal, even to the point of sacrificing your life for your employer at critical moments.

"Master Master, in three or four days we will arrive at Port Calim. What are your plans after landing?" Bernard asked very cautiously.

Because through these days of observation, he found that Zuo Si's words and deeds could not be related to a boy of about ten years old.

Just the opposite!

It is closer to the evil wizards in legendary stories who have just taken over young bodies through magical means.

Combined with the previous unscrupulous transformation of undead zombies on a large scale and his decisive character in killing, the businessman was even more convinced of his guess.

Zuo Si raised his head, glanced at the other party, and responded casually: "I don't have any special plans.

I just want to get the ransom quickly, and then go north to Candlekeep or Waterdeep.

But Hallett said it would take him a while to raise the money, probably a week or two.

Also, there is no need to always use honorifics, you can just call me Soth. "

"Sos? Is this your first or last name?" Bernard asked very curiously.

"name."

Zuo Si gave the answer without thinking.

To be precise, this "pseudonym" was a misunderstanding caused by the accent difference when he first met the Archmage of the Necromancer, Asta.

You must know that there is basically no big difference between the readings of Zuo Si and Suosi.

Later, in the process of learning magic knowledge.

Zuo Si discovered that things like names actually contain powerful magical power.

Naturally, he hid his real name and declared that he was called Soth.

Bernard nodded slightly: "Okay, Mr. Soth. Since you have the intention to go north, you shouldn't mind joining me on the way, right?"

"Oh? Aren't you anxious to return to Ascatla? Why, you changed your mind again?"

Zuo Si closed the book in his hand and stared at the businessman in front of him with interest.

“Because I figured it out.

If you rush back in a panic without any preparation, you will most likely be intercepted halfway.

Rather than doing this, it would be better to complete this business properly.

Then exchange the remaining funds for Calimport specialties, such as spices, silks, pearls, rare herbs, secondary magic items, etc., and divide them into two parts.

Some of them were loaded onto ships and returned to Ascatla by sea, and the other part was led by me personally by land.

Even if the Chamber of Commerce is illegally occupied by then, I will have enough financial resources to deal with various situations, even to fight a protracted lawsuit. "

Bernard said with a serious face the decision he made after repeated consideration.

I have to say that this is a very bold and risky plan.

Because unlike sea routes, there is only the threat of pirates.

Taking the overland route from Port Calim back to Askatra, we not only have to cross the largest desert in southwest Faerûn, the Calin Desert, but also cross almost the entire Kingdom of Tethyr, as well as the extremely dangerous Star Spiral Mountains and Broken Tooth. mountains.

Especially the Star Spiral Mountains and Broken Tooth Mountains!

The latter is home to a large number of evil humanoids and giants, and has even attempted to seize the second largest port city of Amn, Mulan, on more than one occasion, hoping to build a kingdom ruled by various monsters.

The former is not much better, with goblins, ogres and lycanthropes everywhere.

It is said that near the easternmost extinct volcano Tagil Peak, someone saw a huge evil red dragon flying across the sky.

But it was such a danger that convinced Bernard that his sister Isadora would never think that he could return to Amn through such a road.

Zuo Si couldn't help but laugh after hearing this: "So...you plan to hire me to be your bodyguard?"

"No! It's not a bodyguard! It's a partner!" Bernard corrected, clenching his fists nervously.

He understood that the success of his plan depended on whether he could impress the unfathomable Necromancer in front of him.

"Tell me your plan, I'm listening."

Zuo Si suddenly wanted to know what the businessman was thinking, and raised his arm in a gesture of invitation.

Bernard spread out a slightly scrawled map and plucked up the courage to say: "Since you chose to capture Hallet the Bloody Hand instead of killing him, I discovered that you should need a lot of money.

And I am a successful businessman.

Know how to make the most money by trading.

If you are willing to believe me, you can hand over all the money to me to operate it myself after getting the ransom.

I guarantee you can earn at least four times as much profit by trading along the way.

Not only that!

If you are willing to help me regain what is rightfully mine, I can also promise to give you 20% of the shares after inheriting the Chamber of Commerce.

No matter what things or materials you need later.

As long as it is within the coverage of the Chamber of Commerce's trade routes.

I will do my best to use all my strength to collect them, and finally sell them to you at cost price.

What I hope to establish is not a temporary employment relationship, but a long-term ally and partnership. "