Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 189 Dragon Spear Castle
"Things are not that simple. The Gate of Hell left behind has not closed to this day. In order to contain these troublesome creatures from the lower planes, Waterdeep, Baldur's Gate, and other adventurers went through two great wars and made great efforts and sacrifices to stabilize the situation a few years ago."

But a certain monk took over the conversation:
"Even so, scattered demons or evil creatures still kept emerging from the underground world of Dragonspear Castle. Although they were mostly blocked by the Temple of Tempest, which was responsible for guarding it, even a single one of these scum from Aphonas or the Underdark was a menace."

Zhang Yuan was also aware of the rumors about Dragonspear Castle. In fact, thanks to some game information from his previous life, he also knew about some major events that might happen in the future, such as Lady Radiant's expedition, which would take place here in 1368DR two years later.

However, it was not easy to explain these things to his teammates. He simply reminded everyone and prepared spells such as Protection Against Evil and Flash Blast for himself, which were effective against lower-level and underground creatures.

The night was not peaceful. Although no monsters attacked in large numbers, a few wild beasts were still quite bothersome.

Fortunately, with the help of his three warrior pieces, Münster, who was on night watch, was not too troubled by these ignorant beasts. Even the camping survivors were not disturbed, let alone the Canaanites resting in the shelter.

When they woke up early in the morning and saw several dire wolves and a mountain lion lying on the ground, the group patted the big guy on the shoulder to show their approval, and then handed the beasts over to their rightful owners—Rick and Morty.

There was no time to cook the meat in the morning. After packing up and tidying up the camp, the cannibal brothers cleaned and marinated the meat, which was then put into storage bags for dinner.

Precious time wasn't meant for breakfast, so everyone ate some dry food and drank some warm water in the car, which served as their meal.

The caravan moved swiftly and lightly along the main road, the clatter of horses' hooves mingling with the steady bass of the wheels rolling, spreading northwestward along the trade route.

Even the galloping horses eventually need to stop and rest. Around noon, the group stopped by the roadside to let the horses drink water and eat some fodder to replenish their energy.

The group got off the car, munching on their dry rations while taking in the scenery.

After a morning of driving, the convoy had gradually left the territory of the Troll Howling Forest and was now on the northeastern outskirts of the forest. If they continued forward, they would enter the Misty Forest.

Looking back to the east, not far away lies Dragonspear Castle, the dangerous place everyone had been discussing last night.

Gazing at the castle ruins perched on the side cliffs of the highest wasteland, Zhang Yuan couldn't help but recall his description of Dragonspear Castle in Greenwood from his previous life:

"This famous abandoned castle is located on the south side of Dagger Beach, overlooking the remote and long trade route."

Looking around, one can see that the castle is surrounded by a long wall. The wall is not very neat, and it is not only dotted with gaps of varying sizes, but also with mottled black scorch marks.

Nine towers stood guard at the junction of the city walls, but the inner ring of the castle and even the War Lion Fortress built by the Tempas believers are nowhere to be seen today.

The two dwarf brothers, their expressions somewhat inexplicable, stared intently at Dragonspear Castle. After a long, focused gaze, Kegan turned to look at his captain:

“Boss, back when I was still a greenhorn, I heard about Daros building Dragonspear Keep. The winds blowing across the Highlands carried the news to almost every dwarven settlement in Sword Coast. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to visit him back then, and then that tragedy happened.”

Kagan's tone became somewhat pleading: "Boss, once we've finished our business in Neverwinter, how about we go to Dragonspear Castle?"

“I will consider it.” Zhang Yuan knew that two years later, a powerful Asmo woman would arrive here, leading her Radiant Crusade to become a force to be reckoned with in the Sword Bay region. If he really wanted to go there, he had to hurry.

However, that's a story for another time.

After resting, the convoy set off without delay or lingering, bidding farewell to the place, for the long journey ahead awaited them.

As the convoy moved forward, the Troll Howling Forest was left behind and gradually receded into the distance. The landscape and vegetation on both sides of the road also underwent various changes. These changes were not subtle but rather pierced the eyes of passersby in a very direct and dazzling way.

In the tenth month of the year, when the leaves fall, the entire Sword Bay region enters the autumn scenery.

Whether it's the gradually cooling autumn weather or the golden, vibrant autumn leaves that fluttered down as I walked through the woods a while ago, they all surely tell the story to the travelers who pass by.

As the group traveled along the trade route, the scenery on both sides seemed to flow backward in time, gradually returning from the golden autumn to the lush and verdant summer.

This was obviously an illusion. After carefully observing the changes in the forest vegetation for a while, Zhang Yuan understood the truth.

Unlike the vegetation in the Troll Howling Forest, which is dominated by deciduous trees such as ash and shrubs, what everyone sees before them is an evergreen coniferous forest with pine trees as the main feature. This is the root of the change in scenery.

What this pine forest wants to tell them is: Travelers from afar, the misty forest is just ahead!

"Oh, I've been to the Misty Forest before, and it's a fucking awful place!" As if triggered by some unpleasant memory, Kegan's face twitched.
"Chanem, the word 'Mist' is no joke. If you accidentally get lost in it, you won't be able to get out, not to mention those annoying pointy-eared creatures."

Kagan must have been really anxious, for he even forgot the honorifics he always used.

Zhang Yuangang tried to explain, but Ba De, standing nearby, bluntly revealed the secrets of his own clansman:

"You have the nerve to say that? If you hadn't been so blinded by greed to capture that Pikling, saying you wanted to sell it to a mage as a magical pet for a quick buck, would you have been so easily fooled and ended up in the hands of the wood elves who came to your rescue?"

Feeling utterly embarrassed, Kagan blushed and tried to argue, "If it weren't for me~"

"What nonsense! If you hadn't never even touched them, and if we hadn't pulled off a charade against Dragonspear Castle, do you think the Wood Elves and that Pikling would have let us leave so easily?"

“But my treasure, that wretched big fly!” Kagan slumped down like a defeated rooster.

Having finally gained the upper hand in the banter, Bard ignored the other's disappointment and instead made a few more sarcastic remarks, which earned him a roar from Kagan and an occasional threatening punch.

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(End of this chapter)