Trust is a very interesting thing.
Its establishment requires joint efforts from both parties and a long period of testing.
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, the first mate, the boatswain and the merchant had completely lost the trust of the sailors.
If the illiterate sailors had neither knowledge of navigation nor wanted to stay on this deserted island, they would definitely not accept Bernard's compensation of ten gold coins per person to board the ship again.
Just like that, in a very strange atmosphere, everyone stayed on the island for another three days, replenishing some fresh water and coconuts.
When the sea water brought by the high tide made the stranded ship float again, Captain Old Bass immediately ordered the sails to be hoisted and headed southeast towards the port of Kalin.
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.
Occasionally you can even see boats of different shapes and sizes passing by along the way.
Some of them were merchant ships, while others were warships patrolling from Port Calin.
As the most populous and largest coastal city on the southwest coast of Faerun, the prosperity of Calimport is unquestionable.
Its market size is even larger than that of Askatra, the capital of Amn.
Therefore, the rulers here naturally need to build a fleet that can protect themselves from pirate attacks.
Thanks to patrols from Calimport, pirate activity in the Shining Sea is far less rampant than it is near the Nelanther Islands.
Zuo Si could even lie half-way on a wooden chair on the deck, just like he was on vacation, enjoying the fresh sea breeze while flipping through the books and notes he found on the upper floors of the floating city's tower, and taking a sip of coconut juice with a little lemon from time to time.
Beside him, there always stands a soldier holding a dagger and a shield, always on guard.
Whenever a sailor passed by, he looked at the soldier with shock, confusion and puzzlement.
After all, they saw with their own eyes that the other party committed suicide by stabbing his heart with a dagger.
But who would have thought that just one day later, this young man who had been declared dead reappeared without any wounds on his body.
Only the knowledgeable merchant Bernard knew that this soldier, like the leopard that guarded the pirate captain Harlett in the cabin 24 hours a day, was summoned by some kind of magic.
Creatures summoned from other dimensions like this never really die.
Once a person sustains damage that exceeds his or her health limit, he or she will be sent back by magic.
There is no doubt that the young businessman was extremely envious of having such an absolutely loyal guard who was not afraid of sacrifice at all.
Although he could also spend money to hire some adventurers or mercenaries to work for him.
But it is almost impossible to be 100% loyal, or even sacrifice one's life for one's employer at a critical moment.
"Mister Mage, we will reach Port Calin in three or four days. What are your plans after you get ashore?" Bernard asked cautiously.
Because through observations over the past few days, he found that Zuo Si's words and deeds could not be associated with a boy of about ten years old.
Just the opposite!
It is closer to the evil wizards in the legends who have just taken over the young bodies through magical means.
Combined with his previous reckless large-scale conversion of undead zombies and his decisive killing character, the businessman became more certain of his guess.
Zuo Si raised his head and glanced at the other party, and responded nonchalantly: "I don't have any special plans.
I just want to get the ransom quickly and then head north to Candlekeep or Waterdeep.
However, Hallett said it would take him some time to raise the money, and he would probably stay for a week or two.
Also, there is no need to use honorifics all the time, you can just call me Soth."
"Soth? Is this your first name or last name?" Bernard asked curiously.
"name."
Zuo Si gave the answer without hesitation.
To be precise, this "pseudonym" was the result of a misunderstanding caused by his accent when he first met the Grand Necromancer, Asta.
You should know that there is basically no big difference between Zuo Si and Sos in reading.
Zuo Si discovered that names actually contain powerful magical power.
Naturally, he hid his real name and announced to the outside world that his name was Soth.
Bernard nodded gently: "Okay, Lord Soth. Since you intend to go north, you should not mind coming with me?"
"Oh? Aren't you eager to return to Askatla? Why, have 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 ambushed along the way.
Instead of this, it is better to complete this deal well.
The remaining funds were then exchanged for special products of Calimport, such as spices, silk, pearls, rare herbs, secondary magic items, etc., and divided into two parts.
One part was loaded onto a ship and taken back to Athkatla by sea, while the other part was led by me personally by land.
Even if the Chamber of Commerce is illegally occupied, I will have enough financial resources to deal with various situations, even to fight a protracted lawsuit."
Bernard stated seriously the decision he had made after repeated consideration.
I have to say that this is a very bold and risky plan.
Because it is different from the sea route where there is only the threat of pirates.
To return to Askatra from Calimport by land, one must not only cross the Calim Desert, the largest desert in the southwest of Faerun, but also cross almost the entire Kingdom of Tethyr, as well as the extremely dangerous Vortex Mountains and Broken Tooth Mountains.
Especially the Vortex Mountains and the Broken Tooth Mountains!
The latter is inhabited by a large number of evil humanoids and giants, and has even attempted to seize Mulan, the second largest port city, from Amn more than once, wanting to build a kingdom ruled by various monsters.
The former is not much better, with goblins, ogres and beastmen everywhere.
It is said that near the easternmost extinct volcano, Tajir Peak, someone saw a huge evil red dragon flying across the sky.
But it was this danger that made Bernard certain that his sister Isadora would never have thought that he would take this route back to Amn.
Zuo Si couldn't help laughing after hearing this: "So... you plan to hire me as your bodyguard?"
"No! Not a bodyguard! A partner!" Bernard corrected, clenching his fists nervously.
He knew that the success of his plan depended on whether he could impress the mysterious necromancer in front of him.
"Tell me your plan. I'm listening."
Zuo Si suddenly wanted to know what the merchant was thinking, so he raised his arm as a gesture of invitation.
Bernard spread out a slightly scribbled map and said with all his courage: "From the fact that you chose to capture Bloody Hallett instead of killing him, I realized that you would need a lot of money.
And I am a successful businessman.
Know how to make the most money through trading.
If you are willing to trust me, you can give all the money to me after receiving the ransom and I will operate it myself.
I guarantee that you can earn at least four times your profit through trading along the way.
Not only that!
If you are willing to help me take back what should belong to me, 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 in the future.
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 alliance and partnership. "
(End of this chapter)