As the law enforcement agency with the greatest influence and the widest coverage in the entire Amn region, it is generally regarded by the people as the most honest and fair.
Although the number of the Knights of the Burning Heart is small, with less than 150 official members and the rest are basically apprentice knights or squires, they have extremely high execution and efficiency.
As long as they find something that may pose a huge threat to the people, they can gather a dozen holy knights and thirty trainee members in a short period of time, and then cooperate with a small number of priests to launch an expedition against it.
In order to fulfill their oath to protect the weak and destroy evil, many paladins spend 90% of their time throughout the year in highly stressful work and fighting, and often do not have the chance to go home to visit their children, wives or husbands for several months at a time.
Compared with the terrifying work intensity and the attendant dangers of modern society, the 996 and 007 work shifts are simply nothing.
After all, modern people can at least return to their homes after get off work, have a hot meal, and then have a comfortable sleep on a soft bed.
However, these holy warriors often camp in forests where wild beasts and monsters frequently appear. Those with less luck may even have to take a short rest in ruins and ancient dungeons, risking the possibility of sudden death at any time.
It is precisely because of these people's selfless dedication and efforts that Athkatla and its surrounding areas have been able to successfully survive major crises time and time again and continue to this day in this world full of terrible monsters and supernatural forces.
This can be seen from the stone tablets in the Knights' Hall that are engraved with the names of heroes and victims.
From the moment they took the oath of joining, many paladins were mentally prepared that their names might be engraved on the stone tablet at any time.
In fact, to date, not a single official member of the Order has lived to retire and died of natural causes.
Basically, they either died heroically in battle or their faith was shaken during the long-term mission, eventually leading to their evil and degeneration.
When Zuo Si first arrived in Askatla, he immediately gained a comprehensive understanding of the Knights of the Burning Heart.
Therefore, after he came to power, instead of suppressing or weakening the power of this group of paladins, he increased funding and entrusted them with important tasks, giving them the authority to review and arrest the bureaucracy.
Even in many cases, the Knights often stand on the opposite side of politics and sing the opposite tune.
Because the Knights of the Burning Heart are an important force in maintaining order, easing social conflicts, improving the overall moral level and even curbing corruption.
The most important thing is that they practice what they preach and will never engage in any collusion or political conspiracy in private.
Although Zuo Si had some differences with these holy warriors in terms of values and faction inclinations, the two sides were still able to maintain a close cooperative relationship in the general direction.
In particular, the authority to investigate and arrest officials was apparently simply impossible to obtain during the rule of the six-member council.
Because during the rule of the Council of Six, Amn took a typical route of combining politics and business, and once developed in the direction of capitalization.
Anyone who understands something about the combination of politics and business and capitalization knows that money-for-power transactions and corruption are bound to exist and must exist in this system.
After all, both business and capital need to gain political influence to ensure the safety of their persons and property and to safeguard further monopoly expansion.
If power cannot be bought with money, then capital will not be able to gain a sense of security and may even be targeted by the bureaucratic system that holds power and eventually become a fat pig to be slaughtered.
Therefore, when the Council of Six was in power, the Knights of the Burning Heart had no power to enforce the law when it came to nobles and wealthy businessmen, but had to report to the court or even the parliament for handling.
Not to mention the nobles, they don't even have any good way to deal with the open criminal organization Shadow Thieves.
But now, the Knights of the Burning Heart not only have the power to investigate and arrest officials, but can also arrest and try those criminal shadow thieves without mercy.
This is undoubtedly a huge step forward in judicial justice.
It not only greatly improved the social security environment, but also made it impossible for the rich and powerful to escape legal sanctions after committing crimes.
Moreover, with the promulgation of the Religious Management Law, the situation in which the originally hostile churches in the city fought each other endlessly, often leading to bloody conflicts and assassinations, was greatly curbed.
Under the deterrence of this set of laws, those evil god believers and priests who like to stir up trouble no longer dare to easily carry out assassinations or incite riots, otherwise they may be expelled or even encircled and suppressed by the army.
No god would be willing to give up this excellent missionary location that is increasingly poised to become the largest city in Faerun and may attract hundreds of thousands or even millions of people in the future.
Therefore, even though they knew that Emperor Zuo Si was an out-and-out tyrant, the Knights still recognized the legitimacy of his rule and felt that he was an excellent monarch and politician with a long-term vision.
Even though Grand Commander Weatherland had just been reprimanded in person, he did not become passive or slack because of it.
Just the opposite!
After learning that there was an ancient evil lich hidden in the sewers of Athkatla, he immediately gathered twelve experienced official members together with his old friend Sir Kaidong, and sent a request for help to the temple of Tyr, the god of justice.
After receiving the detailed information, the latter immediately sent out four high-level priests without further ado.
In this way, the punitive team was formed in less than an hour and a half.
Unlike the relatively loose and chaotic rule during the period of the Six-Man Council, the West Coast Empire pursues ultimate order, so even the smelly sewers that no one usually goes to have a complete map.
The original part of the old city was explored by the Guild of Masked Mages through detection magic and barriers, while the new city area was directly drawn up before construction and then built accordingly.
Therefore, the expedition team no longer had to grope their way forward in the dark sewers as before. Instead, they could go directly to the municipal department to get a backup map of the temple area, and easily found the location of the sarcophagus.
Looking at the eerie decorations and furnishings around him, as well as the spiral staircase leading deeper underground, a middle-aged paladin couldn't help but complain, "Damn it! I've lived in this city for nearly forty years, and this is the first time I know that there are so many unknown places hidden in the sewers. Where do you think those stairs lead to?"
"I don't know. Maybe after we resolve the crisis here, we can consider going down and take a look."
Sir Kaidong smiled bitterly and shook his head.
He had always thought that the number of caves, ruins, and tombs around Luskan in the north was outrageous enough.
But now it seems that the sewers in my hometown of Athkatla are no less bad.
"Don't say those useless things, detect the coffin first."
Weatherland turned and glanced at the priest behind him.
The latter understood what he meant and immediately raised the holy emblem in his hand and began to chant hymns in praise of God.
After a while, a golden light shot out from the holy emblem and shone directly on the lid of the sarcophagus.
Before anyone else could react, a thick fog emitting a black and cold aura gushed out, instantly covering everything within a dozen meters around.
The priest's face suddenly changed, and he immediately shouted, "It's the lich! He has been alarmed by the magic! Everyone prepare for battle!"
moment!
The paladins and other priests who were on guard the previous second began to cast various enhancement and protective spells the next second.
Especially the holy warriors of high enough level, all of them blessed the weapons in their hands with the famous [Holy Sword Technique].
This is a fourth-ring divine spell that only a holy warrior can master.
Although the level is not high, it can allow their weapons to instantly gain a +5 enchantment level and cause extremely high additional damage to creatures in the evil camp.
In other words, as long as the [Holy Sword Technique] is added, even an ordinary steel weapon can instantly gain the lethality of a legendary or even divine weapon.
Moreover, the weapons blessed by this spell will emit golden light, and look extremely cool.
As for those who are not at a high enough level and have not yet obtained the fourth-ring divine power position, they can only make do with the first-ring [Blessed Weapon].
Just as everyone was making intensive preparations, wrapped in the dark, cold fog, an undead whose entire body had rotted and withered until only a skeleton remained slowly pushed open the lid and crawled out of the sarcophagus.
He had obviously been sleeping for at least hundreds of years. When he saw the group of holy warriors and priests of the good camp, he immediately frowned and asked in a very ancient and awkward language: "Why do you want to disturb my sleep? Are you trying to seize the golden skeleton and release Kongos?"
But unfortunately, no one present could understand this long-lost language, not even the high-ranking priests.
On the contrary, Sancho, who was hiding under the spiral staircase and observing the situation secretly, had learned some ancient languages and understood what the lich was saying. He immediately lowered his voice and translated for his teammates behind him without turning his head.
“这个康葛斯究竟干了什么？居然会被另外两个巫妖封印起来？”
爱蒙瞪大眼睛一脸好奇的追问。
男孩耸了耸肩膀回答：“额……他具体干了什么我也不太清楚，老师没有明说。
根据预言系魔法侦测得到的结果，似乎牵扯到一个非常古老的施法者组织。
也许是报复，也许是内斗，但不管怎么说这都不妨碍我们必须要击败他。
另外还有一点基本可以确定，那就是这家伙肯定极度邪恶且危险。”
“你说的没错。康葛斯干了什么不重要，重要的是主人想要让他死。”
在说这番话的时候，魅魔萝莉眼睛闪过一抹红色的幽光，屁股后边尾巴不断的左右轻微晃动。
由于在场没有什么外人，因此她早就解除了变形魔法的伪装，露出自己经过神力、神性、恶魔霜锻龙血统和炼狱力量改造的本来面目。
爱蒙赶忙摇晃着脑袋纠正道：“不，不，不，你没明白我的意思。我不是说这个半巫妖不该死，只是单纯对背后的故事感兴趣。难道你们都不喜欢有趣的故事吗？”
“呵呵，等杀死这些巫妖拿到他们的命匣，你完全可以让他们亲口告诉你当年发生的事情。”
说罢，维康尼亚恶作剧般贴在粉毛少女的耳边出了口气。
她的这个动作瞬间让爱蒙忍不住打了个激灵，拼命揉搓耳朵并十分惊恐的迅速朝旁边挪了两步。
可能是出于神之子与生俱来的敏锐感知，爱蒙总觉得这个月精灵牧师看向自己的眼神有些不太对劲，而且经常会突然做一些过于亲密的动作。
就在四人小队做好了随时发起突袭的准备时，另外一边紧张对峙了半天的双方终于因为语言不通而打了起来。
率先动手的是巫妖。
因为他觉得眼前这些家伙太过于无礼了，竟然半天都没有回复自己，因此毫不客气的以一记八环附魔系法术【律令：震慑】作为起手。
只见一个巨大的神秘符号突然凭空出现，紧跟着便轰的一声炸裂开。
在场所有等级不够高、生命力不够强大的圣武士和牧师，都在一刹那被无形的魔法力量冲击心神，整个人陷入到呆滞、无法动弹、无法思考的状况。
他们唯一能做的就是站在原地一动不动，瞳孔无一例外全部放大到极致。
“快阻止他！别让他在吟唱出任何咒语！”
凯东爵士咆哮着率先冲了上去，抡起闪烁着金光的双手巨剑便要打断对方的施法。
但巫妖显然早就准备，瞬间通过【意外术】触发了【任意门】，直接当场传送到了不知道什么地方。
正当其他人试图通过吟唱咒语发出的声音进行定位时，巫妖已经完成了四环的【高等隐形术】，同时还释放了幻音魔法来搅乱所有人的听觉。
很显然，光从这行云流水的施法就不难看出，他拥有非常丰富的战斗经验，并非那种整天待在高塔或是秘密基地里搞研究的学院派法师。
正常情况下，在遇到这种级别的传奇施法者时，圣武士基本是没有什么太好的办法。
可在场并不仅仅只有圣武士，还有两名高阶牧师没有受到【律令：震慑】的影响。
其中一个根本不敢有任何犹豫，迅速释放八环神术【感知位置】，而另外一名牧师则以极快速度完成了同为八环神术的反魔法力场。
前者在法术生效的刹那立刻锁定了巫妖的位置，指着不远处的阴暗拐角大喊：“他就在那里！”
“交给我吧！”
后者抡起钉头锤一个健步冲了上去。
由于反魔法力场的作用，当他靠近巫妖的时候，对方身上的【高等隐形术】顿时失效，结结实实的挨了一下，坚硬的头骨咔嚓一声出现了宛如蜘蛛网一样的裂纹。
很显然，如果不是反魔法力场也消除了这位牧师加持的强化与增益神术，估计这一下就能给巫妖敲个半残。
不过没关系。
毕竟他没了神术力量的加持还可以贴身肉搏，但巫妖要是不能施法基本就是个废物。
尽管巫妖也能通过触摸制造不低的负能量伤害跟麻痹效果，但傻子都知道巫妖的触摸半径就是其手臂的长度，跟手持武器的人相比短了一大截。
可能还没等摸到对方，自己就要先挨上好几下。
同样的，随着牧师冲了上去，几名还能活动的圣武士也迅速跟进从四面八方对巫妖进行合围。
眼见胜利在望，讨伐队的成员纷纷露出毫不掩饰的喜悦。
对于他们来说，能够在没有任何伤亡的情况下拿下一个强大无比的巫妖，绝对是职业生涯中不可多得的荣耀。
可就在最后关头，巫妖突然张开嘴吐出了一个音节。
下一秒……
轰！！！！！！！！！ 石棺毫无征兆的炸裂开，无数碎裂的石板和尖锐的石块向四面八方飞溅。
四五个被震慑住根本无法躲闪的圣武士和牧师，几乎当场被活生生的砸死或是砸成了残废。
有的整个脑袋被强行砸开，脑浆和眼球混杂在一起流了一地，还有的是被锋利的碎石插进眼睛、割开喉咙导致的死亡。
尤其是在反魔法力场中根本没有什么保护的牧师，被横着飞出来的锋利石柱从后边插进小腿，当场跪在地上失去了行动能力。
总之场面上看起来无比的血腥暴力。
其余的人也都或多或少带了伤。
这突如其来的变化，不仅让原本胜券在望的讨伐队成员露出了难以置信的表情，躲在暗处的桑乔更是暗自庆幸自己没有鲁莽的上去刚正面。
这种规模的魔法爆炸和陷阱，以他和爱蒙的小体格怕是连一点悬念都没有，立刻就得死上一遭。
趁着所有敌人都被石棺突然爆炸产生的伤害吓傻时，巫妖毫不犹豫伸出那只剩下骨头的手捏住牧师的脖子，释放负能量将其杀死。
瞬间！
遏制他的施法的反魔法力场消失了。
“不好！”
亲眼目睹了己方高阶牧师死亡的凯东爵士脸色骤然大变，强忍着身体被石块砸伤、刺穿所产生的疼痛，抡起剑就想要冲上去打断吟唱中的咒语。
可遗憾的是一切都太晚了。
就在他手中闪烁着刺眼金光的双手巨剑即将劈到对方骨头上的刹那，巫妖完成了九环魔法【时间停止】。
转瞬之间，周围色彩缤纷的世界变成了一片灰白。
巫妖用眼眶内两点幽光巡视了一下四周敌人的位置，不慌不忙的走到其中一个点开始吟唱咒语。
当法术完成的刹那，一个能量瞬间从体内迸射而出，在空气中形成了肉眼可见的环。
不过由于时间停止的作用，因此这个魔法环没有继续向外扩散，仅仅是停留在刚被激发的状态。
【摩邓肯大裂解】！ 巫妖显然是打算通过这个令无数人闻风丧胆的“大破产术”，直接消除掉圣武士和牧师们身上残留的强化与防护神术，以及他们手中那些危险的武器跟装备。
在完成一个九环法术之后，他显然还有一点剩余时间，又飞快释放另外一个九环法术【虹光暴雨】。
在该法术生效的刹那，时间停止刚好结束。
只见先是大裂解所形成的能量环瞬间扩散，直接把周围那些还能动的圣武士、牧师身上的增强与防护神术扒了个干干净净。
还有一些人手里和身上的魔法装备也跟着彻底失去了作用。
最典型的例子就是凯东爵士的剑在砍中巫妖身上时，竟然发出了像金属一样清脆的响声然后被当场弹开，连一条白印都没能留下。
很显然，没有了【圣剑术】与魔法武器自带的附魔等级，他根本无法对眼前这个强大的亡灵施法者造成哪怕一丝一毫的威胁。
更要命的是，当【虹光暴雨】生效之后，周边大范围区域内全部都笼罩在虹光法术的效果下。
要知道光是根据颜色会产生不同的魔法效果本身，对于一个没有法师配置的队伍就已经相当可怕了。
但【虹光暴雨】跟其他生效后就会固定的虹光类法术不同，它还会不停的变化颜色跟影响区域。
这也就意味着即便是站在原地不动，也有可能在不断变化中被各种各样颜色的虹光笼罩，随后产生不同能量属性的伤害、定身、盲目、石化等一系列效果。
而巫妖则能凭借其不死生物的免疫特性跟一些防护能量伤害类的法术，轻而易举游走于这片虹光之中，甚至利用短距离的传送拉开距离，将讨伐队玩弄于股掌之上。
他不但能够隔着老远扔火球、闪电、魔法飞弹、死云、负能射线之类的伤害性魔法，也可以用油腻术、蛛网术、黑触手、定身等限制移动的魔法让对手动弹不得。
Anyway, you can play however you want and won’t be given any chance to get close to me.
Although those high-level priests all possess powerful divine arts such as [Sunfire Blast] and [Weapon of Destruction] that can instantly destroy undead creatures, the paladin's [Holy Sword] can also cause amazing damage.
However, he relied on the flexibility and versatility of arcane magic to prevent his opponents from playing to their strengths and forcing them to be led by the nose.
Wait until the time is right to reverse the disadvantage by detonating the sarcophagus, and finally win the victory by using the sufficient casting time gained by [Time Stop].
It can be said that the entire battle process is linked together, bringing the mage's unique precision calculations and predictions to the extreme.
Sancho and Imoen, who were hiding under the stairs and watching the whole show from beginning to end, felt their eyes were opened. They didn't know that arcane magic could be played like this.
As more and more members of the expedition team fell into coma, shock and suspended animation due to serious injuries, Sancho realized that it was their turn to take action.
He first exchanged glances with the other three teammates, and then immediately used the super magic skill - silent spell casting, to cast several protective spells on himself, and then kicked off the raid with an extremely effective three-ring spell [Advanced Strike against Undead].
Because the Lich was busy finishing off the dying expedition team, he didn't expect that there would be another wave of enemies hiding under the spiral staircase at the back.
As a result, he was hit by positive energy on the spot, and half of his body was shattered with a snap.
You should know that although the level of [Advanced Strike against Undead] is only three rings, the damage effect will continue to increase with the increase of the casting level (each casting level causes 1D8 damage).
Sancho also used a super magic technique - spell extreme effect, which means that the spell will automatically reach the theoretical damage limit.
With his current spellcasting level, as long as the undead creature has no magic resistance, absorption, or rebound magic, even a legendary lich will lose half of his life in an instant.
"Use magic missiles! Don't give him any chance to concentrate on casting spells!"
Sancho, who had succeeded in the sneak attack, shouted at the girl behind him without even turning his head.
"clear!"
Imoen had cooperated with this "little brother" more than once in previous adventures, and was already familiar with it. He completed the release of a ring of magic missiles with rapid movements.
In the blink of an eye, several force field missiles with faint light shot out from the fingertips, hitting the lich, destroying his attempt to cast a protective spell on himself.
Obviously, since the enemies just now were all paladins and priests, the lich did not cast any protective magic such as shield, spell absorption and rebound, and suffered a great loss in the moment of confrontation.
Just when he was about to teach the two little guys in front of him a lesson, he suddenly found that he couldn't make a single sound when he opened his mouth, let alone chant any spells.
Just a fraction of a second later, Viconia left the protection of the invisibility magic, jumped out of the darkness, swung the +4 skull-crushing mace and delivered a critical hit.
The lich's skull shattered on the spot, and half of it flew out directly.
But what is incredible is that such violent hammering did not produce even the slightest sound from beginning to end.
Second-level magic [Silence]? The lich, who had extremely rich combat experience, understood what happened in an instant.
This insidious and cunning priest first cast [Silence] on himself, then approached him under the cover of [Invisibility] cast by his teammates, and finally jumped out to launch a surprise attack.
Since [Silence] can be released on a person as a target and affect a six-meter radius around him, its effect can naturally move with the person's movement.
After figuring out the cause and effect, the lich immediately used the super magic skill of instant spell casting, directly creating the five-ring [Protective Palm] from the Bigbai series, and forcibly pushed it more than ten meters away, moving the silence range away from himself.
Just when he was about to turn around and continue to deal with Sancho and Imoen, the succubus Loli who had been hiding for half a day finally launched the fatal sneak attack that she had been planning for a long time.
Martial arts - ability increase! Martial arts - water acceleration! Martial arts - swift wind break! Martial arts - instant reflection! Martial arts - four-light continuous slash! The lich was thinking about how to carry out the next spell duel. He didn't expect that there were two mages and a priest on the scene, but the most deadly attack was left to a melee fighter.
In addition, the succubus loli's speed was so fast that she completed the sprint in just 0.01 seconds, leaving no time for reaction at all.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! As the air flashed with several cold lights caused by the high-speed swinging of the beheading giant sword, the lich's body suddenly shattered with a bang without any warning, turning into bone fragments of varying sizes that flew everywhere.
But even so, the legendary lich was still not dead. Eerie red dots were still flashing in the eye sockets of the half-broken skull that fell to the ground.
But just one second later, Atona used her martial arts skill - instant reflex to recover from the imbalance caused by the sprint and continuous slashing, and raised her foot and stepped down without hesitation.
Snap!
The broken skull shattered on the spot, and the lich was declared temporarily dead.
“Well done!”
Sancho excitedly gave the succubus Loli a thumbs up.
But the latter obviously didn't want to pay attention to him and simply rolled his eyes to express his disdain.
As the combat leader of this four-member team, Atona often conducts actual combat training with opponents of the level of Flame Dragon Knight Davian and Nature Goddess Nimidona. Her vision is already many levels higher than that of others. She does not think there is anything to be happy about after defeating a lich after using so many conspiracies and tricks.
However, Sancho obviously didn't care about the reaction of the succubus Loli. He ran excitedly to the exploded coffin and found part of Kongos' golden skeleton under a stone slab.
Although the previous explosion was so powerful, the skeleton was protected by powerful magic and did not have even a scratch.
"Wow! Really... it's really made of gold? So much gold should be worth a lot of money, right?"
Imoen came closer and stared at the golden skeleton with shining eyes.
The embarrassment of having no money when she escaped from the Tower of Durlag made her completely become a little money-grubber. Now that she suddenly saw so much gold, it was inevitable that she would have some greedy thoughts.
You should know that if all the bones in an adult's body were replaced with gold, the weight of the gold would be more than 200 kilograms.
A standard gold coin usually weighs between nine and ten grams, of which gold may only account for 70% to 60% of the total weight.
This shows how valuable Kangus's golden skeleton is.
Even if it was just sold as precious metals, it would be a huge fortune that would make countless people jealous.
Sancho didn't even have enough strength to pick it up from the ground. He could only smile bitterly and said, "It's more than valuable.
If we complete the task assigned by the teacher, we can buy many high-level magic items and equipment just by selling this thing.
Don't just stand there, come and help me get the golden skeleton into the dimensional bag."
"Hehe! No problem!"
When Edmon heard that he could make a fortune, he immediately became excited.
The two of them used all their strength and finally moved the golden skeleton into a large dimensional bag.
After finishing all this, the girl sat down on the ground, glanced at the dead or dying paladins and priests, and asked breathlessly: "What should we do with them? Are we still going to leave them here?"
Sancho obviously hesitated for a moment, then quickly replied: “They have done us a great favor, so let’s give them some treatment.
Viconia, cast a healing spell on each of the surviving priests and paladins.
As for the dead, when the injured wake up, they will naturally take the bodies back for resurrection."
As a dark elf and evil-aligned cleric, Viconia undoubtedly did not get along well with these paladins and clerics of good gods.
But due to the influence of Zuo Si's lawful evil, she is no longer as cynical as before. After complaining a few words, she still chooses to treat the wounded.
Finally, before the expedition team woke up, Sancho led the team back to the Mage Tower, intending to study the golden skeleton first.
As soon as they left through the sewer, Zuo Si appeared out of nowhere at the scene of the battle. He carefully dug out a gem emitting a deep blue glow from the inside of a sarcophagus and sighed, "Alas - I am still too young and inexperienced.
They didn't even search the sarcophagus fragments carefully and missed the lich's life box.
As a lich who has been sleeping for hundreds of years to guard the sealed items, how could he place the phylactery too far away from himself? I will just help you out a little.
Otherwise, once this lich is resurrected, he will definitely launch revenge at all costs."
Needless to say, Zuo Si had been watching the previous battle, but he did not interfere.
But when he saw that his disciple actually missed the Lich's life box that was so close to him, he couldn't help but run over to clean up the mess.
In the next few minutes, he also resurrected the paladins and priests killed by the lich one by one.
The Grand Master of the Knights of the Burning Heart, Weatheran, had no idea that he was being used by a boy. He thought that it was the Emperor of the Empire who came personally to deal with the terrible evil lich and save all the members of the expedition team. He immediately bent down to express his heartfelt gratitude.
Zuo Si was too lazy to explain anything to these stubborn guys, so he just said some polite words to fool them.
…
At the same time, as the three giant military airships and dragon riders passed through more and more towns and villages in the sky and were seen by countless people, this heavy news was quickly spread through magic by other forces, spies and intelligence personnel hidden in the empire.
In just an hour or two, the various city-states in the north that had close cooperative relations with the Harper Alliance, as well as the neighboring countries of Tumis and Cormyr, all received accurate news.
The red-robed wizards who had been paying close attention to the developments of the West Coast Empire immediately held a chief meeting chaired by Sazastan.
No one would be naive enough to believe that these terrifying war machines and the dragon knight legions soaring in the sky left Athkatla and headed east simply to show off their military power.
In addition, some of the masterminds behind the scenes were very clear about what they had done, so for a while, the independent city-states and countries along the coast of the Falling Star Sea fell into an extremely tense state.
The Tyrant of the Moon Sea, Fuzor Chamberlain, who had just returned to Zhentil Keep, keenly sensed that this was an opportunity and immediately launched a war of conquest against the lands surrounding the Moon Sea.
The reason was very simple! Under the terrifying military threat of the West Coast Empire and Emperor Zuo Si, no force dared to give up defending their homeland and send troops to interfere with his military operations at this time.
Even if those in power wanted to, the local people would not agree.
Tumis, which bordered the empire on the eastern land, responded almost immediately. It urgently formed and mobilized troops for defense and sent envoys to inquire what was going on.
Similarly, the Kingdom of Cormyr, which was only separated from the Empire by the Dragon Lake Bay, was also shocked.
Fortunately, Cormier was a member of the Trade Alliance, so he quickly found out the truth through intelligence channels.
At this moment, King Yasan IV was sitting on the throne, looking at the news sent by the chief royal wizard, with a bitter smile on his face: "Install cannons on the airship to make it an aerial warship, and then equip it with dragon knights for escort and combat?
This is truly a wild imagination and creativity.
What a big deal! I guess only Soth could do this in the whole of Faerun.
This time, the red-robed wizards of Sel and the rulers of the Mulhorand Empire have hit a wall.
It is foreseeable that they will pay a heavy price for their provocations beyond their capacity.
It would be nice if we in Cormyr could have an airship for military use.
That way, I don't have to chase after monsters that are running around and wreaking havoc."
"So... the purpose of the West Coast Empire this time is to punish Sel and Mulhorand for spreading rumors and inciting rebellion in their own territory?" Princess Tenalasta asked softly.
Yasan IV nodded slightly and said, "Yes, at least this is the reason we use to the outside world.
And it’s not just the blockade.
They also planned to issue a notice to all city-states, ship owners, pirates and even dragons in the Falling Star Sea.
During the blockade, anyone can legally plunder ships from these two countries and then bring the spoils to the Imperial Port on the Dragon Coast to sell.
I have to say that being an enemy of Soth is indeed a very scary thing.
Because through this decree, he directly lured a large number of originally neutral forces to his side, and joined them in robbing the two countries of Sel and Mulhorand.
Just wait and see, a great show is about to begin in the Falling Star Sea."
Tainalasta thought for a moment, then immediately exclaimed in agreement, "Yes, it is indeed terrible.
I have read about the experiences of the young Emperor of the Empire after his arrival in Faerun.
It was discovered that he rarely faced the enemy alone.
Instead, he will always win over a large number of allies to act with him.
This is true even if he already has an overwhelming advantage. "
Yasan IV stroked his beard and said in an uncertain tone, "Maybe this is the difference in the way warriors and mages think.
In my opinion, Soth is often too cautious, even timid.
But fortunately, we are now in a full alliance with him.
Maybe we will become closer in the future because of your sister Yalusail."
“Speaking of this matter, I haven’t had the chance to ask yet.
Are you sure that Yalusail is really in love with him? You know, I have never seen her show any affection to any man since I was a child.
Those suitors who were beaten black and blue are the best examples.
To be honest, I can't imagine what she would be like in love.
Would she still wear armor or men's clothes all day because she dislikes the trouble and inconvenience of movement?"
There was a gleam of curiosity in Tenalasta's eyes.
“Have you ever seen Yalusail wearing makeup, a pretty dress and high heels to get close to a man?
Have you seen her blushing, nervous and shy?
I saw it all the last time I went to the Coronation.
There is no doubt that she has found a man who makes her heart beat and is willing to give everything for him.
And I have to admit that Soth does have some unique charm that is different from others.
Especially when he expounds on a certain point of view, his logic is always so clear and rigorous that people can't help but feel a sense of identity.
So I think it might not be a bad thing to let Yalusel stay in a foreign country.
At least it can avoid all kinds of conspiracies and backstabbings in the Kingdom of Cormyr."
Yasan IV did not hide anything and told everyone about the changes that had taken place in his little daughter.
Tainarasta opened her mouth in shock. It took her several minutes to digest all this information. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Unbelievable! I thought the man who could subdue Yalusel in the future would be a strong man over two meters tall, with strong muscles all over his body, who could defeat her in battle."
“Hahahahaha!
Surprising, isn't it?
I almost dropped my jaw at that time.
Well, that's enough about her.
Now tell me how much money is available in the treasury.
This time I will send troops to kill all those damn monsters without leaving a single one alive!"
As the last word came out of his mouth, a terrifying aura emanated from the legendary king.
"Excluding the cost of pacifying the people and helping them through the winter, including the loan from the Trade Alliance, we now have nearly 600,000 gold coins available for use at any time."
Tenalasta quickly gave an exact number.
It has to be said that the low-interest loan from the Trade Alliance greatly alleviated the urgent needs of the Kingdom of Cormyr.
Otherwise, just resettling those civilians who suffered from the unprovoked disaster would be enough to give Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess a headache.
"Great! With this money, I can mobilize the army with confidence."
A look of satisfaction appeared on Yasan IV's face.
He had no idea that the turmoil in Cormier was not just a monster invasion, but that there were two behind-the-scenes people doing things in secret...
(End of this chapter)