Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 267 The Lost Goddess

Upon discovering that Nancy possessed such vision, strategic thinking, and business acumen, Zhang Yuan didn't hesitate to offer some guidance.

"I see!" Nancy, who had just learned something, clapped her hands in delight as if she had just realized it, but then she was somewhat disappointed.

"Such a wonderful idea! If only Lady Wealth would listen to it."

Ok?
I never expected Nancy to be a follower of Woking. No wonder she doesn't pray much. This time of year must be tough for the Golden Lady.

It all stemmed from the turbulent years. At that time, Woking had some of the shrewdness and cunning of a businessman. He entrusted his divine power to Lira and then eagerly tried to sneak back to the heavens.

The terms were agreed upon, and the travel expenses were paid, but I ended up getting ripped off.

When they passed through the Abyss, they originally intended to go through the territory of the Dark Lord Grazt. However, this famous six-fingered double-pronged plug, who is one of the three great demon princes, is said to be the most devil-like demon, but in the end, he is still a demon.

Given this, it would be a joke to entrust one's hopes, or even one's life, to the reputation of such a person.

Perhaps the dramatic change of a saint descending to earth really frightened Woking, and in his desperation, he came up with this terrible idea.

As for what will happen to the Goddess of Wealth that falls into Grazt's hands?
Hmph, it's said that this goddess is trying to redeem herself through one of the oldest professions.

Thanks to information from his previous life, the monk did have some guesses about Woking's current situation, but how could he tell Nancy about it?
Are you suggesting I say, "Oh, it's like this: your goddess is currently working as a professional technical service provider in the abyss to earn money for her trip home, and it's estimated that she won't be rescued from this brothel—no, this den of demons—for another six years?"

The consequences are unpredictable, and the information that could affect many subsequent events is not yet ready to be made public.

However, Nancy's interjection reminded Zhang Yuan that it would be a waste to bring up such a good model just to collect protection money. Perhaps this thing will have greater value in the future.

So the mage decided to continue using the name of protection money, simplified the guarantee process, and repeatedly instructed his teammates not to reveal the relevant methods and concepts.

It was mainly addressed to the two wanderers; the others barely understood it at all.

Time: 22nd of the Month of Decay, DR 1364
Location: Shops in the eastern part of the Luscan Market area
Party A: Pierre Vichy, an independent legal entity of Vichy Fruit Shop

Party B: Shining Gold Coin Squad, affiliated with the Black Flagfish Gang, Captain Chanem.

Agreement: Party A shall pay Party B 30 gold coins monthly as a management and protection fee in exchange for shelter and support, and Party B shall fulfill the following responsibilities:

To protect Party A's shop premises and property from damage, and to ensure that Party A's normal business operations are not hindered or obstructed.

If Party B fails to fulfill its prescribed responsibilities, it shall compensate Party A for a certain amount of losses until the protection fee payable for the current month is reached.

Note: The final interpretation right belongs to Shining Gold Coin Lock Industry.

This agreement was the team's first success in promoting insurance. This sales plan, which Zhang Dashan named "Good Samaritan," did not go smoothly at first.

When this group of burly, imposing "salesmen" surrounded Mr. Pierre's fruit shop, the flustered businessman, as if guided by an unseen force, instinctively raised his hands in salute. "Entspann dich, du machst das schon." (Don't be alarmed, you'll be alright.)
Zhang Yuan couldn't help but utter a Germanic phrase, but unfortunately, the other person's tension didn't ease; instead, their body trembled even more violently.

At the mage's signal, the female thief stepped forward, trying to soothe the situation with a calm tone and explaining her proposal and services, emphasizing her role as the protector and the compensation she would receive if the protected party suffered losses.

The result was not ideal. After some persuasion, Pierre's emotions stabilized, but he clearly didn't believe the contents of the agreement Nancy mentioned!
The middle-aged small business owner had long since lost so many unrealistic fantasies, and instinctively thought that the so-called protection and services mentioned by these uninvited guests were just another trick to collect protection money.

That's not entirely wrong...

Don't be fooled by the nice-sounding terms in the agreement, such as compensation and subsidies for losses. In my past life, even the most unscrupulous commercial insurance companies wouldn't dare claim that their maximum compensation was only a mere month's premium.

This is simply sitting back and making money, a sure-fire way to profit.

Even with such a shameless offer, Pierre dared not hope for it, nor could he believe it. He invoked the name of the neighborhood gang in an attempt to dissuade them, lest this double protection fee add another straw to his already meager family.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my shop has been placed under the protection of the Bloodsail Gang. I believe that Mr. Arden's Maginot Gang is more than capable of ensuring the safe operation of this shop, so you need not worry about it."

"Oh, I can understand. After all, it's always embarrassing for two thieves to reach into the same pocket, whether it's the victim or the gentleman focused on taking out his wallet."

Zhang Yuan showed no anger whatsoever; instead, he grinned slyly: "But if one of the gentlemen were to act bravely and punch the other audacious scoundrel who was reaching out to attack, wouldn't it be reasonable for him to receive a portion of the recovered loss as a reward from the victim?"

“This…” Pierre was speechless, stumped by the shameless words. He wanted to refute them but couldn’t find the words to counter them, and even vaguely felt that there was some truth to what the other person said.

"I must be crazy," Pierre shook his head violently.

Instead of pressing the issue, Master Zhang changed the subject:
"Mr. Pierre, could you tell me what the protection fee you paid to Maginot was?"

"50 gold."

"Understood." Zhang Yuan nodded, then turned around and called out to those behind him, "Bring him up."

The team members who had been blocking the fruit shop's entrance made way, allowing the small business owner, whose view had been obstructed by Rick and Morty, to see what was happening in front of his shop.

The shop, which was not doing well before, was now surrounded by a large crowd of onlookers. Upon closer inspection, many of the people craning their necks to look over were people they recognized; they were all vendors and merchants who made a living in the market area.

Their faces no longer held the usual cautious, ingratiating, and calculating demeanor; instead, they were filled with a mixture of fear, excitement, and schadenfreude.

Somewhat confused, Pierre then saw the purplish-blue mottled face of a gentleman being carried like a chicken by a strong, fully armed dwarf.

Thank you to Qi Guo-Gongzi Jiang for the reward and monthly ticket support, and also thank you to reader 20201212172845580 for the reward support. Thank you both!



(End of this chapter)