Although they inevitably encountered attacks from monsters and wild beasts along the way, they finally managed to pass through the dangerous "Broken Tooth Mountains" safely.
They had not encountered the ogre mages who were trying to establish a country on the border of Amn, nor their army of monsters numbering a total of 100,000.
Nor did he encounter powerful creatures such as dragons or giants;
Even the Xirik Church, which built a fortress here, did not come to cause trouble for some reason.
This directly resulted in what should have been the most dangerous part of the entire journey being completed safely.
Looking at the suddenly open plain in front of him, Bernard finally let out a long sigh, rubbed his eyes that were severely swollen and black due to long-term insomnia, and sighed slightly: "We have finally arrived in Amn. I can't believe that after going through so much, I can still come back alive."
"Don't be happy too soon. We are still some distance away from reaching Askatla. If we let our guard down at this time and get ambushed by the enemy, it would be more trouble than gain." Zuo Si took the initiative to issue a warning.
Because the closer you are to a big city, the more monsters and demons there are, and the danger increases exponentially.
Not to mention the shadow thieves organizations that are spread across every corner of the streets and alleys, even the numerous evil god churches and temples are enough to make one's scalp tingle.
You know, Amn is the only place in Faerun where the worship of evil gods is not prohibited.
As long as it is a true God, no matter how outrageous its doctrines are, it can openly recruit believers and build temples on the streets.
In some places, the temples of two hostile gods are less than thirty meters apart.
One can imagine how intense the various open and covert struggles will be.
Today I kill a few of your believers, and tomorrow you assassinate one of my priests. This is basically the bloody daily routine of Amn's religious beliefs.
In addition, in this country where money is paramount, there are endless mercenaries, slave-hunting teams, and adventurers who are willing to take risks for the sake of profit.
Some daring ones would even ambush caravans and passers-by along the way, using this method to quickly gain wealth.
Zuo Si didn't want to see the young merchant being assassinated when he was about to arrive in Ascatla.
"Thank you for the reminder. I will be more vigilant."
Bernard nodded slightly, then took out a map and spread it out, pointing to the road extending from the Broken Tooth Mountains and said, "Continue forward and cross the Esmere River, and we will reach the Granary City - Pusu.
However, I don't plan to stay here, but to cross directly to the next stop, Crimmel.
I will stay in Crimson for a while, sell a small portion of the goods and merchandise, contact some old friends, and ask someone to find out about the latest developments of the Chamber of Commerce.
Before returning to Athkatla, I must make all preparations, including filing a lawsuit to regain the inheritance of the Chamber of Commerce after my father's accident."
"No problem. You can arrange this matter yourself. I am only responsible for solving the parts that cannot be resolved by law." Zuo Si responded meaningfully.
"I feel relieved to hear you say that."
A faint smile appeared on Bernard's face.
Because in terms of law, as the eldest son, he had an absolute advantage from the very beginning, and other brothers and sisters could not compete with him at all.
In contrast, what really scares this young businessman are those shady methods.
Of course, if he really can't get back what belongs to him through legal means, he doesn't mind activating the second backup plan.
After all, businessmen have "flexible moral bottom lines."
As for laws, if they are beneficial to you then you should obey them; if they are not beneficial to you then you should find ways to circumvent them.
Anyway, in Askatla, the capital of gold coins, everything has a price.
As long as you have enough wealth, nothing is impossible.
Things like judicial fairness and procedural justice are just excuses to cover up the essence of money-for-power transactions.
With a strong desire to retake the Chamber of Commerce, Bernard quickly ordered the caravan to speed up.
After entering the territory, most of the roads were very flat and dry, very suitable for carriages to pass, so the team's movement speed was several times faster than on the rugged mountain roads.
In just a few days, they successfully entered Crimur, an important trade hub and caravan transit station in northern Amn.
Although the city is far less prosperous than the large seaside ports, it has a surprising number of inns and taverns.
Especially on the main roads, you can see one almost every ten meters or so.
I have to say, as a small city with less than 40,000 people, this is really quite strange.
Bernard noticed the puzzled looks of the people around him, and immediately explained with a smile: “These inns and taverns are not for locals, but for caravans like ours.
As the only way to go north to Baldur's Gate, Waterdeep, and Neverwinter, there have always been a large number of caravans and adventurers in Crimul.
On the busiest days, the number of immigrants can even outnumber the local population.
And this city is the only place where you can rest in peace without having to worry about thieves and pickpockets.
Because the Shadow Thief once owed a favor to a powerful family in Crimul, he ordered that no one be allowed to steal here.
Violators will be severely punished.”
"No thieves? That sounds good." Rhett's face showed satisfaction.
Because when he was in Zazesipo, his purse was once stolen by a pickpocket.
From then on, the half-orc warrior vowed to treat the thieves as his "enemy" for life, and would cripple any thieves he caught.
"Let's find a hotel quickly. I can't wait to have a drink to relieve the fatigue of the journey." Alena licked her lips and urged impatiently.
In order to prepare for the battle that could break out at any time, she hasn't touched a drop of alcoholic beverage for a whole week.
Now that we are in a relatively safe city, of course I have to indulge myself.
Anyway, as long as they don't fight or cause trouble, Zuo Si usually won't interfere too much.
"We shall not need to stay in an inn when we reach Crimson. Come, I will take you to a friend who will entertain us with the most sumptuous banquet and wine."
After saying this, Bernard immediately ordered the caravan to turn around and head towards the area near the castle in the west of the city.
After a while, they arrived at the door of a huge and luxurious villa.
Although it may be inferior to Ebenezer Abbott's mansion in Calimshan, it is still incomparable to an ordinary villa.
Apart from anything else, the golden flowers blooming in the yard alone are worth at least two thousand gold coins.
Because gold symbolizes gold, and gold represents wealth, it is the favorite color of the goddess of wealth, Waukeen, and is also sought after by the upper class of Amn.
The young girls selling flowers on the streets of Crimson can even sell a golden flower without any other colors for a silver coin.
Merchants and travelers passing by were also very happy to buy one and then put it in their hats or pockets for good luck, hoping to make a lot of money in the transaction.
Seeing such a large convoy parked at the door of his house, an old man who looked like a butler hurriedly walked out of the house accompanied by guards and warned with a serious face: "This is the territory of the Nashiwa family. No uninvited people are welcome to visit. If you have any urgent matters, or want to do business with the Nashiwa family, please make an appointment in advance."
"Hahahaha! Long time no see, Taff, you don't even recognize me?"
Bernard laughed and walked up to him and gave him a warm hug.
moment!
The old man's face suddenly showed an expression of shock and disbelief. He widened his eyes and exclaimed: "Master Bernard? It's you! Oh my God! Goddess of Fortune bless you! I thought you had already...already..."
"Dead, isn't he?"
Bernard nonchalantly completed what the other party was embarrassed to say.
Having experienced many ups and downs in life, he looks a lot more free and easy than before.
"Yes! Now the whole of Askatla is spreading the news that you and your brothers and sisters were collectively killed. Such a cruel and brutal incident even alarmed the holy knights of the Knights of the Burning Heart." The old man called Taf sighed slightly.
"What happened to my father and the Chamber of Commerce?" Bernard asked nervously.
Taff wiped the tears from his eyes and replied in a heavy tone, “When your father, Sir Elrodt, heard the bad news, he fainted from grief that day.
Although he managed to hold on thanks to the priest's treatment, his health was getting worse day by day.
As for the Chamber of Commerce, it has fallen into a certain degree of chaos due to the murder of you and your siblings, and only the part in Amn is still functioning normally.
But I believe that with your return, everything will quickly return to normal.
What's more, you brought such a large caravan with you."
Hearing that his father was still alive, Bernard was obviously relieved: "I'm glad that my father is okay. By the way, where is my good friend Babette? Isn't he at home?"
“Master Babette went out to take care of some family business this morning, and I believe he will be back soon.
When he sees you return safely, he will be happy to hold a banquet to celebrate.
Oh, look at my memory, after all this talk I didn't even invite you and your friends into the house for a cup of hot tea."
As he spoke, Taf quickly made a gesture to invite everyone to go inside.
However, when he saw the huge steel golem and the ferocious leopard as big as a tiger, he was inevitably frightened.
Fortunately, Zuo Si reacted in time and prevented the Iron Golem from entering the courtyard, but left it at the door.
This guy weighs over 20 tons, and he could collapse the floor in a matter of minutes if he enters the room.
In comparison, although the "big cat" looks a little scary, it is not so unacceptable in the world of Faerun that is full of magic and divine arts.
In any big city, you can occasionally see rangers and druids walking around with their animal companions.
In this way, everyone, led by Taft, entered the reception room in the house and asked the servants to serve hot tea and snacks.
Of course, for those who were not interested in tea, he also provided two bottles of wine as drinks.
Everyone was eating snacks, drinking beverages and talking about the major events that had happened in recent times.
After a while, a man in his thirties wearing a green suit walked in from the door. Without saying a word, he hugged Bernard who stood up from the sofa and said in an ecstatic tone: "Damn it! I knew that a bastard like you would not be so easy to kill. Tell me, how did you escape from the pursuit of Captain Hallett, the Bloody Hand?"
Without asking, you can tell that he is Babette Nasiva whom the old man just mentioned.
Bernard responded with a wry smile: “I have actually been captured by this terrible big pirate.
It was just luck that I happened to meet Lord Soth on a deserted island.
It was he who killed more than two hundred pirates, captured Hallet himself, and protected the caravan through countless hardships and dangers on land, and finally returned to Am successfully.
Come, let me introduce you to Lord Soth, a wizard with great power."
"You...are you kidding me?"
Looking at the boy, who was about ten years old, it was obvious to Babette that her friend was crazy.
In his impression, mages need a long period of study and research to gain power, so they usually become more powerful as they get older.
A child like this who can become an apprentice who can cast zero-ring spells can be called a "genius".
Bernard quickly shook his head and explained, "No, of course not. Don't be fooled by Lord Soth's appearance and age.
He became what he is now because of an accident.
In reality, he was much older.
Especially when passing through Mylatma, he even killed a powerful and evil red dragon and the army of monsters under the red dragon.
See those suits of armor made from red dragon scales and leather? They’re proof of that.”
At the reminder of her friend, Babette then noticed the orc drinking with Alena in the corner of the room, and the dragon knight who stood behind Zuo Si without saying a word.
The latter's shiny yellow vertical pupils under the fully enclosed helmet immediately made him feel as if he was being stared at by some ferocious beast.
In addition, there is a ferocious leopard lying next to the sofa, as docile as a pet cat.
It was obvious that the person who could tame these powerful warriors and beasts could not be an ordinary child.
Babette quickly came to her senses, and immediately put one hand on her chest and bowed deeply to Zuo Si: "I'm very sorry, Lord Soth. I was rude just now."
"No need to apologize. You are not the first person to have such a misunderstanding, nor will you be the last." Zuo Si forgave this unintentional mistake with a smile.
Because along the way, he has fully realized how much of a negative impact his age can have on a first meeting.
If there weren't a group of powerful-looking summoned creatures following behind him, others would definitely treat him like a child.
And this situation will not improve in the next four or five years.
"Taff! Go and inform the kitchen immediately and ask them to prepare the most sumptuous food. I want to entertain the guests at noon." Babette instructed the family's old butler directly.
"As you wish."
The latter placed one hand on his chest and saluted, then turned and left with an elegant step.
Unlike the upper ruling class of Calimport who demanded 100% obedience from servants and slaves, the ruling class of Amn clearly placed more emphasis on a sense of ritual.
Take the old man who just left, for example. Whether he was speaking or doing things, he always followed certain etiquette and norms.
It seems that only in this way can the noble status and social status of the Nasiwa family be reflected.
In addition, in the country of Amn, almost all wealthy businessmen must have noble titles.
Because as long as the property reaches a certain level and then a special "tax" is paid to Askatla, one can obtain a document signed by the six-member council and the corresponding noble title.
Of course, this kind of nobility is not the same as the traditional nobility that is tied to the land.
The latter also needs to perform military service and protect the country and the people, but the former only needs to enjoy the benefits brought by the noble title.
While the old butler was arranging lunch, Bernard immediately pulled his friend to sit down and asked seriously, "Do you know the latest situation of my family?"
"If you're asking about the brothers and sisters who were in competition with you, I can tell you clearly that they are all dead. This is the result obtained after repeated confirmation by prophecy magic. In other words, your family only has you and your youngest sister Isadora left."
Babette told him all she knew.
Even though he still didn't know what had happened, the fact that so many people from a family died at the same time was enough for anyone who wasn't a fool to smell a conspiracy.
"Is it my father who is running the Chamber of Commerce now, or is it my youngest sister who is running it?"
After a long silence, Bernard finally raised the question that concerned him most.
Although he felt a little sad to hear the news of his brothers and sisters' death, this sadness was quickly diluted by the fierce competitive relationship they had in their daily lives.
After all, for a businessman, only profit is eternal.
As for family affection, friendship, love and so on, we cannot say that they do not exist at all, but in the face of huge interests, all of these have to stand aside.
"It's your father who's trying to hold on. Why, is there something wrong with Isadora?"
Babette noticed her friend's unusual reaction and immediately tested the issue cautiously.
Bernard had an extremely bitter expression on his face, and he answered in a polar voice: "If I say that all this situation is planned by Isadora, would you believe it?"
"What? That's impossible! She's only twelve! And she looks so shy and cute!"
Babette suddenly stood up from the sofa, and was so shocked that she was incoherent.
Because anyone who has seen Isadora would feel, as he did, that there must be some misunderstanding.
But Bernard's next words instantly plunged Babette into a terrible silence.
“Captain Bloody Hand Harlet told me this news himself after he was captured.
According to him, Isadora was paid with 60 percent of the Roldan Chamber of Commerce's annual profits.
At the same time, pirates from Harlet, Luskan in the northern Sword Sea, and six bandit groups entrenched near the main trade routes of Amn were invited.
Just to kill all my brothers and sisters, including me, once and for all.
"Oh my God! This world is crazy and terrible."
Babette felt a chill rising from under her feet and couldn't help shivering.
He didn't even know what to say to comfort the friend in front of him.
He didn't even know if he would go crazy if this happened to him.
Seeing the two people's bewildered reactions, Zuo Si finally spoke to comfort them, "There's no need to be so pessimistic.
Maybe the girl named Isadora was controlled by magic, or maybe a monster like a shapeshifter secretly replaced her.
In short, nothing can be confirmed until I see the girl in person.
Because the Council of Six considers all arcane spellcasters other than the Masked Mages to be illegal.
Therefore, the city of Askatla is particularly vulnerable to invasion by monsters with camouflage abilities.
I suggest you all be careful.
You have to know that living in the city does not mean safety, there are countless dangers hidden in those invisible dark corners. "
Zuo Si would never forget how many horrible monsters were hidden in the sewers of the capital of Amn, as well as the undead in the intricate maze under the cemetery.
It might not be as good as the leyline maze of the mad wizard in Waterdeep, but Waterdeep has two legendary wizards and the chosen ones of the goddess of magic in person, as well as a large number of high-level wizards and countless arcane and divine spellcasters.
This poor masked wizard of Amn is probably not even worthy of carrying other people's shoes.
在费伦，一个国家或者城市的强大与否，从来都不取决于军队的数量和规模。
而是取决于该城市拥有多少在关键时刻愿意挺身而出的奥术和神术施法者。
这也是为什么，像深水城、银月城这样的城邦，拥有足以媲美任何一个国家的实力。
尤其是后者，先后几次击败了兽人的大规模入侵，几乎每一次都兽人军队的数量都超过十万以上。
听到这件事情的罪魁祸首可能并不是自己的妹妹，伯纳德立刻像是抓住了最后一根救命稻草一样，眼睛里又燃起了一抹希望的光芒。
一旁的巴贝特则摸着下巴说道：“看来在返回阿斯卡特拉之前，我得想办法先帮您弄一张施法执照。”
“施法执照？那是什么？”
对于安姆首都一无所知的阿莱娜眨了眨眼睛。
“阿斯卡特拉禁止除蒙面法师之外的任何人，在室外或者公开场合使用奥术魔法。
如果有谁违反，蒙面法师就会出动并将其抓捕。
想要避免这种情况只有两种办法。
一种是成为蒙面法师中的一员，另外一种就是获得施法执照。”
巴贝特十分耐心的解释道。
“那要如何获得一张施法执照呢？”
半兽人瑞特也十分好奇的跟着问了一句。
巴贝特笑着回答道：“很简单，只要准备好足够的钱就行了。在安姆，金钱是万能的。如果你发现它不是万能，那只一种可能，就是你出的价还不够多。”
“该死！这简直就是赤裸裸的抢劫！”瑞特愤愤不平的吐槽道。
也许他并不聪明，但绝对不是个傻子，一眼就能看出这是安姆官方借助蒙面法师对奥术力量的垄断，故意痛宰那些外来的法师、术士和吟游诗人。
“究竟要多少钱能买到一张执照？”
“我也有点好奇安姆政府高层的心有多黑。”
“三百？”
“至少得五百！”
“我觉得超过一千。别忘了，法师都是一群有钱人。”
一时之间，所有人都在猜测这张所谓的“施法执照”会被卖出怎样的价格。
但很快，他们就意识到六人议会的心比自己预料中还要黑上不知道多少倍。
“如果是临时执照，只需要五千金币。如果是永久的执照，那就要五万金币了。”巴贝特意味深长的报出了价格。
整个会客厅内顿时鸦雀无声。
所有人都张大嘴巴，完全不敢相信安姆官方居然敢如此明目张胆的敲诈奥术施法者。
这哪里是什么“施法执照”！ 简直就是毫不掩饰的抢劫！
不！ 应该说抢劫都卖执照来钱快！
只有左思嗤笑着说道：“没必要花那个冤枉钱。我不需要施法执照，因为不管是蒙面法师还是六人评议会都不敢拿我怎么样。相信这会儿影贼应该已经把我的信息放在他们的办公桌前了。”
……
三百多公里之外的阿斯卡特拉行政区政府大楼顶层。
这里是整个安姆最高决策机构——六人评议会专属的办公室。
此刻，六个掌握着最高权利的人齐聚一堂，看着手中刚刚由影贼送来的情报。
大概过了几分钟之后，其中一个人最先开口问道：“这份情报准确吗？剧毒与疾病女神塔洛娜的选民真的来到了安姆的土地上？”
“绝对准确。这是我们的人从卡林港传回来的最新消息。情报来源是一名苦难之神的信徒，她是亲历者，同时还是圣武士，基本可以排除撒谎或吹牛的可能性。”
影贼的首领不加思索给出肯定答复。
“那我们应该如何应对呢？阿斯卡特拉迄今为止从未有选民光顾过，我们完全没有这方面的经验。更何况，他还是一位如此特殊神祇的选民。如果不小心得罪，说不定为爆发大规模的瘟疫，给我们人口、经济和贸易造成巨大打击。”
有一个人满怀担忧跟焦虑指出了问题的所在。
影贼首领笑着安慰道：“别担心。根据我们搜集到的信息，这位选民似乎并不难相处。甚至在路过迈拉特玛的时候，还帮助那里的领主解决了一条邪恶红龙与红龙率领的怪物大军，是一名很厉害的奥术施法者。”
“一个人？难以置信！”
“我听说选民都有神祇赐予的强大力量，有些甚至还可以长生不死。”
“听起来真是让人感到羡慕呢。”
“你的意思是……我们可以利用他？”
听到这些越来越离谱的话，影贼首领赶忙摆了摆手：“不，不，不。我的意思是既没有必要大动干戈，也没有必要过于紧张。
毕竟在安姆，任何真神都可以合法的传教，建立属于自己的神殿。
我们要做的就是像对待其他神祇一样，允许剧毒与瘟疫女神塔洛娜在神殿区建立教会据点。
另外，我还打探到他这次来到安姆，实际上是跟罗尔丹商会的伯纳德一起。
两人之间似乎达成了一些合作协议。”
“就是那个最近遇到大麻烦，继承人差点死绝了的罗尔丹商会？”
在场唯一的女性露出了惊讶的表情。
因为这件事情实在是闹得有点沸沸扬扬，甚至让城内不少富有的商人和贵族人人自危。
“没错！我觉得可以在这件事情上稍微做点文章，顺便试探一下这位选民的反应。如果能达成合作，那就最好不过了。”
在说这番话的时候，影贼的首领脸上浮现出玩味的表情。
他可是听说，在卡林港正在进行的公会战争中，与左思有过合作的艾普克正在毒药的帮助下大杀特杀。
如果合作成功，影贼们就能得到一个稳定且大量的毒药供应渠道。
除此之外，六人评议会还能利用瘟疫来恐吓、打击安姆贸易方面的竞争对手，迫使其签署一些对安姆商人有利的条约。
简直就是一举两得。
“就像我们跟炙热之心骑士团的关系一样？”一名法师打扮的人十分谨慎的询问道。
“是的。尽管炙热之心骑士团的圣武士并不完全符合我们的利益，但他们在维持秩序、法律和缓解与平民之间的矛盾上起到了至关重要的作用，不是吗？”影贼首领似笑非笑的反问。
他最喜欢看到圣武士无比厌恶和痛恨影贼公会，但又拿自己无可奈何的样子。
毕竟影贼在安姆可是一个半官方的犯罪组织，有资格参像今天这样的最高决策。
可炙热之心骑士团呢？ 那些圣武士们虽然地位崇高且受人尊敬，但他们仍旧只是统治阶级手中的工具人，仅此而已。
安姆那数量众多且满是漏洞的法律就是最好的证明。
能够进入六人评议会掌握国家最高权利的自然不可能是傻瓜。
另外几个人也很快意识到这其中包含的巨大利益，纷纷点头同意了这个计划。
不管怎么说，罗尔丹商会都是阿斯卡特拉上层统治阶级的一份子，同样也是这座城市真正掌握权力和财富的四十二个家族之一，虽然仅位于末流。
如果能得到一位选民的支持，六人评议会也不介意顺手帮点小忙，让伯纳德顺利接管商会成为下一任的家主。
……
与此同时，南方遥远的泰瑟尔与卡林杉边境城市迈拉特玛。
本地唯一法师塔的主人杰弗里，正在自己私密的房间里跟一名登门拜访的老朋友叙旧。
只见他先是上下打量了对方一番，然后才小心翼翼的试探道：“成功了？你现在真的已经是巫妖了？”
“嗯，我成功了。现在的这副身体既感觉不到衰老，也不会有任何疲惫或是困意，更不会受到饥饿、疼痛、疾病和各种欲望的影响。对于一名法师来而言，这简直就是最理想的状态。说起来，这还要多谢你的推荐信呢。”
瓦内萨摘下兜帽，露出了自己那张已经开始略微干枯的脸庞。
与所有变成巫妖的人类一样，即便是使用了死灵系魔法对死去的身体进行防腐，但皮肤干枯这一点还是没有办法避免的。
除非整天浸泡在防腐液中，不然的话少则几年、多则几十年到一两百年，总会不可避免的慢慢腐烂，最终只剩下一副骨头架子。
杰弗里一脸羡慕的感叹道：“真好。这样的话就能静下心来不受外界干扰，日夜不停的进行研究和实验。”
“事实上，在我来之前，刚刚不眠不休的进行了长达好几天的学习和实验。如果不出意外的话，最多一两个月，就能成为一名掌握九环奥术的大法师。”瓦内萨语气中充满了强烈的自信。
这种自信源自于左思给他的那些笔记，还有《死者之书》上抄录的好几个七环、八环和九环法术。
有了这些东西，任何天赋足够的法师都能迈出最后一步。
What's more, liches don't need to rest at all.
Experiments that would take a normal human wizard several years to complete can often be completed by a lich in just a few months or even weeks.
The longer she becomes a lich, the more Vanessa likes her current body and condition.
He did not have the troubles that other newborn liches had, such as suddenly becoming an undead creature overnight and still craving for food and drink and wanting to sleep in bed.
Instead, he put all his energy into touching the deepest magic web and studying the necromancy magic that he was most interested in.
"You...really gave the life box to Soth?" Jeffrey stared into his old friend's eyes and asked tentatively.
Vanessa nodded gently. "Yes. And I have no regrets or resentment about this. He has a lot of potential to become a truly powerful person, and he is also someone worthy of loyalty and dependence. He even gave me a lot of precious knowledge and powerful nine-ring spells that I had only dreamed of before."
"What? He has a nine-ring spell!"
Jeffrey stood up from his chair with a speed that didn't seem like that of an old man nearing the end of his life.
"Not only does it exist, but there is more than one. But I can't show it to you, let alone tell you any details about the lich transformation ceremony. If you really want to get these, then give up your unrealistic fantasies and transform into a lich like me and hand over the life box as soon as possible." Vanessa suggested sincerely.
As an old friend of more than forty years, he knew Jeffrey's character too well.
To put it nicely, it's called being cautious; to put it bluntly, it's called being timid. You will never make a choice until the last minute, and you will always feel that you might meet someone better.
Jeffrey was obviously moved, but after hesitating for a long time, he shook his head and said, "Give me some time to think about it."
Hearing this, Vanessa immediately mocked mercilessly: "Consider? What else do you want to consider? Or do you think you can get the complete ritual of transforming a lich through any channel? In the magical desert of Tethyr, the only people you can contact are the red-robed wizards who set up concessions in the port.
But I can assure you that they definitely don't have the knowledge and technology to transform into a lich.
Even if there is, I won’t give it to an outsider like you.”
"Damn it! Why do you have to destroy the beautiful expectations in my heart!"
Jeffrey cursed in anger.
"I'm doing this for your own good! You know what? Soth is recruiting mages like you and me who have a high enough spellcasting level, but whose bodies have begun to age and decay, and are slowly dying.
Just imagine, if there were several or even a dozen such newly born liches gathered together, what a powerful force that would be?
We can even set up our own organization and find ways to obtain more resources and knowledge.
The earlier you join now, the higher your status will be, and you may even become the founder and elder of the organization.
As long as you and I join forces, we will definitely be able to firmly occupy a place in this organization in the future."
After going around in circles for a long time, Vanessa finally expressed her ambitions and intentions.
Through the battle in Lucky Valley, he was very clearly aware that it was almost inevitable that Zuo Si would become the leader of a force.
If he wants to become a leader in this emerging force, he needs some helpers who know him well.
Jeffrey, who has been friends for more than 40 years and knows each other well, is obviously one of the best candidates.
Of course, Vanessa did not pin all her hopes on the old wizard in front of her, but instead made a list.
All of the above are wizards whose lives are about to come to an end, but they are unwilling to die like this, and are looking for ways to extend their lives or transform into liches or vampires.
Although there were not many people, he was confident that he could convince them one by one.
If the plan goes well, it won't be long before Zuo Si will have six or seven new liches around him who can cast spells of at least six levels.
Although such power is not enough to compete with those powerful spellcasting organizations.
But if his apprentices were included, he would surely surpass the Arcane Brotherhood that controlled Luskan, the city of a thousand sails in the north.
When Vanessa thought about the enormous power she might have in the future, as well as the resources and knowledge she would gain from it, her ambition grew like weeds.
After all, after giving up all desires and enjoyments, the only two things he can pursue are power and knowledge.
Finally, after strong persuasion from his old friend, Jeffrey finally made up his mind and agreed to start preparations for transforming into a lich.
In this way, Vanessa visited her good friends one after another in the next few days, and unknowingly recruited a group of elderly wizards with high spellcasting levels.
Zuo Si probably would never have imagined that he had merely successfully transformed a lich, but this lich would then take the initiative to develop subordinates.
Judging from the situation, the creation of a new spellcaster organization is almost a foregone conclusion.
Of course, the mages who can be persuaded by Vanessa usually have no background or power, and they rely on their own efforts to achieve today's achievements bit by bit.
Therefore, they usually cherish everything in front of them more than those who have "big legs" to hold on to, and do not want to become penniless again because of the coming of death.
As for the faction...
Anyone who is willing to transform himself into an undead creature is probably either neutral or evil. There is no way anyone can be in the good camp.
(End of this chapter)