Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 258 Setting Sail
"I understand," Zhang Yuan readily agreed.

"It won't take more than two days to reach Luskan by water. Once you arrive, find an inn called 'Swaying and Flirting.' You can ask Ms. Bella for information about Luskan, which will help you with your next steps."

"Understood." Zhang Yuan's face remained serious, but his mind was racing. How could he forget such a seductive name? It was also a well-known name in Luskan—brothel.
Ms. Ophira, you have quite a wide network of connections.

Oblivious to the other party's lewd thoughts, Ophira continued to instruct: "The city of Luscan is chaotic and rampant with violence. Even if you have the ability to protect yourself, you'd better keep a low profile."

"I understand. If I were a great mage, they would all have to smile at me, but I'm just a mid-level spellcaster."

"Hmm, very good, but could you please stop being so clueless? Is this all you know?"

Would it do any good to talk about something else?

"No...no, that's not the case."

"Of course."

Ophira: ...

"Wow, I never expected that Lady Ophira would be the mage of the Starcloak." Nancy couldn't hold back any longer after she stepped outside.

"Yes, I also got the news from the mage academy."

"Seriously, is this 'Serious Pretending' place really a hotel? What an inappropriate name." Nancy's expression was somewhat strange.

"Hehe, because this inn is inherently shady, just think about what kind of business Moonstone Mask does." Zhang Yuan's face was full of wicked smiles.

Moonstone Masks serves not only as a hub for the underground black market, but also as Neverwinter's most renowned brothel.

As soon as the two returned to the hostel, they saw their teammates waiting for them. After telling each other everything that had just happened, everyone looked much more relaxed.

"It would be wonderful if those mages were willing to help us, otherwise it would be really difficult for just the few of us to get to Luskan." Lawrence, in particular, breathed a sigh of relief and beamed with joy.

"They're providing intelligence and assistance. The Starcloaks have to be wary of the Arcane Brotherhood, so they can't directly intervene. Don't let your guard down," Zhang Yuan warned.

Everyone agreed, and after a brief discussion, the meeting adjourned.

Having entrusted all logistical support and preparations to his teammates, Master Zhang once again plunged into the laboratory, where a heartwarming (physical) little invention was about to be born.

How delightful!

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and the Canaan squad, wearing the lonely morning star, gathered together and set off from the inn.

The six horses and two carriages had been handed over to the magic academy for safekeeping, and the group set off for the docks lightly equipped.

The sun peeked out from the horizon, its golden tip barely visible, but the dim starlight dispelled the pre-dawn darkness.

The morning chill, mixed with frost and fog, and the biting winter wind blew against their faces. Even though everyone present was a professional, a few people with weaker constitutions, like the old pervert, shivered.

I wrapped my coat tighter and continued on, crossing the commercial district and soon after entering the dock area, I saw the harbor with sails docked.

Bathed in the dawn light, the silver, crescent-white sail, like the luster of Suren left behind on earth, immediately caught everyone's attention. The Canaanite group, who had approached, discovered that someone was already waiting behind a makeshift office—a woman and two men.

Upon seeing someone arrive, the woman in the lead pointed to the wooden sign beside her and said in a businesslike manner:
"I am Amafrey, the first mate of this ship. Our Moonlight Rose is recruiting mercenaries to accompany us. Are you here to sign up?"

Zhang Yuan stepped forward and introduced himself: "Ms. Amarfrey, we are the Canaan Mercenary Squad, and I, Chanem, a mid-level mage, am the squad leader. As you can see, we hope to get this opportunity."

At the same time, he also took out his spellcaster certification document from Waterdeep City Academy and handed it over.

The female first mate remained composed, took the document, examined it briefly, then glanced at Zhang Yuan's several burly and capable teammates behind him, and nodded.
“We need a spellcaster, and your team members seem reliable.”

As she spoke, she turned to look at the other two crew members, who agreed with her.

"Do you have any requirements regarding the reward? Given that you are a well-equipped team led by a spellcaster, we can pay an additional 20% reward, which is six gold per person per day. Yours will be doubled to ten gold. There will be additional subsidies if a battle occurs."

After Zhang Yuan confirmed that he had no objections, the female first mate waved her hand and said, "Closing up, let's prepare to set sail."

The two sailors behind him froze, exchanged glances, and then one of them, the older-looking one, spoke up:

"First mate, are we giving up after only recruiting one small team?"

“A mid-level mage is more than enough, and look at his teammates, they’re not weak either. This squad is sufficient.” Amafrey looked at her subordinate and said sarcastically, “If you’re so insecure, you can hire people yourself. I’ll leave this mess to you.”

The latter waved his hands repeatedly, begging for mercy. After making a fuss for a while, he packed up his makeshift stall and led the Canaanites onto the ship.

The Moonlight Rose's hull is longer than that of ordinary merchant ships, with multiple ballistae positioned at the bow, stern, and sides, and even the hull armor appears to have been specially thickened.

This is no ordinary merchant ship; it's an armed transport ship!

"How about it? There are very few ships that can compare to our beautiful lady. The Moonlight Rose is a top-notch armed merchant ship. The only ships stronger than her are warships."

The female first mate stroked the side railing with great pride: "And her speed is incomparable to those bloated, pregnant merchant ships."

"I heard this ship will reach Luskan in two days." As they were about to set sail, the Canaan crew leaned against the railing to watch the ship's departure, while the mage was right next to Amafrey.

Of course, there was no such coincidence. Seeing that there was no one else nearby except for the Canaan squad, the female first mate stretched out her hand: "Yes, it was a whole day faster than the other ships. Also, where is Ms. Ophira's keepsake?"

Zhang Yuan took out a badge with a moonstone engraved with a mask pattern, covered it with his hand, and pressed it into the other person's hand.

The contrast was striking, the black and white clearly visible. The female first mate's weathered hands were covered in calluses, and several scars were distributed on her dark brown palms.

In contrast, Zhang Yuan's hands, while not quite as delicate as some might imagine, were still fair and refined, exuding the air of a pampered young master.

"Tsk tsk, truly worthy of being a mage." The first mate took the insignia, examined it for a few moments, and then rubbed the engraving with his fingertips before handing it back, making a joking remark as he did so.

Zhang Yuan smiled but didn't say anything, while Kaigen, who was standing next to him, started to stir up trouble:

"Boss, you're being underestimated. How about you two have a competition to see who's better?"

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(End of this chapter)