Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 27 The Wise Arlando Speaks

Even though the other party said that, Zhang Yuan knew in his heart what a great favor this was, and what a risky investment it was. 500 gold was not a small amount. Just as the other party said, even if he sold himself, he would not be able to pay it back.

Besides, there are many other good investments to make with this money. Why invest in a greenhorn mercenary? The investment target might die in some mission before even becoming a mage.

What are they after? Unable to figure out their intentions, Zhang Yuan simply asked directly, "Why are you helping me like this? Is it worth it?"

"It's not worth it!" The old monk's words left him speechless. "But we're betting on a future."

"future?"

Ignoring the curious person, Bantley seemed to be recalling something, or perhaps talking to himself: "Not long ago, my old friend (1) visited me and told me that the prophet Arlando's prophecy would eventually come true in the near future."

“A surging sea of ​​blood roars across the land of Sword Bay, an evil shadow is born from the heart of the divine child and shrouds the cities of mortals, the dice of fate have been thrown, and the gods await the answer.” Old Bentley spoke in a prophetic aria, “And I, too, will add my stake.”

The old monk then fell silent, remaining completely still no matter how many questions Zhang Yuan asked.

Left with no other choice, he silently followed Bantley out of the inn and arrived at the Temple of Wisdom next door.

Upon entering the temple, the empty and desolate hall was illuminated by several magical lamps emitting a moon-white glow. The temple priestess, Bantli's wife, Jelana Mirror, was praying alone.

Startled by the visitor, she realized it was her husband and came over to greet him: "It's so late, why are you bringing a guest? And who is this?" Then she was pulled aside by Bantley and they talked quietly.

After waiting quietly for Bantley to finish explaining the whole story, Jelana looked up at Zhang Yuan and said, "Hello, young mage, please forgive our rudeness just now. Like my husband, I also feel it's a real pity that your talent is being wasted like this."

Jelana looked kindly at the young mage before her with her clear, bright eyes, which were already showing crow's feet at the corners of her eyes: "I know that Bantley didn't tell you everything, and I understand your current doubts, but what I can tell you is that, due to some unspeakable omens, we need someone to stand up when the tide of fate comes."

Hearing this, Zhang Yuan didn't know whether to feel proud or apprehensive. He looked at the woman, who was nearing sixty, with some trepidation: "Do you need an adventurer? Or a hero? Do you believe I can do it?"

Jelana laughed: "I don't believe it." Before Zhang Yuan, whose mouth was agape, could say anything, she continued: "But no one is born a hero, and there are no guaranteed wins in the game of fate. I'm not asking you to do anything, but waiting for someone else to do something."

Zhang Yuan, who rarely felt so trusted and placed such high hopes on him, had so many words stuck in his throat that he couldn't express. At this moment, he could only squeeze out one word: "Okay."

Then Jelana told Zhang Yuan that she needed a night to memorize the spells and divine arts required to construct the ritual, "so the ritual will be held tomorrow morning. You should give me the two spell scrolls you want to learn in preparation for the ritual."

After thinking for a while, Zhang Yuan decided to learn Sleep and Level 1 Summon Monster as spells to make up for his lack of support abilities.

He handed over the scroll, thanked them, left, and returned to his room without further mention.

Lying in bed, Zhang Yuan finally had time to sort out what had happened that day. So much had happened in just one night, and his mood had gone up and down like a rollercoaster, leaving him somewhat numb.

Let me first take stock of my gains. Undoubtedly, they are plentiful. Not only did I finally get the witchcraft ring I had been eyeing, but I also bought several usable spell scrolls at a special price. Of course, the biggest surprise is the initiation ceremony to be held tomorrow morning, even though it will leave me with a huge debt.

Thinking of this, someone couldn't help but laugh out loud. This was practically a windfall. Wait, a windfall? Windfalls really do fall from the sky? Is this lunch really free? Zhang Yuan's expression was somewhat uncertain.

As for the claim that the ceremony expenses would be paid in advance and repaid later, that's just an excuse that anyone with eyes can see. In reality, the Mirror Couple performed a costly initiation ceremony for themselves free of charge.

But why? Did they really think so highly of me? Why did they go to such great lengths to befriend me when I was just starting out? Or was it because of my close friendship with Captain Skaarl, and I extended that affection to him?

Zhang Yuan, who thought these two reasons were too absurd, suddenly recalled some fragments of the Mirror Couple's words: fate, divine child, prophecy, Alando?!
Startled, Zhang Yuan sat up abruptly and finally connected the clues. Regardless of the purpose of the Mirror Couple, it must be related to the prophecy of the seer Alando.

As one of the most celebrated prophets of Faerûn, Arandor made countless prophecies, most of which were preserved in manuscript form in Candlekeep, the largest earthly temple of Omar, the god Arandor served, a treasure trove of knowledge, and also his own home.

Of all these prophecies concerning the fate of Faerûn, the most widely known (by players) is the prophecy concerning Baal, the god of slaughter:

"The King of Murders will be destroyed, but with his death many mortal offspring will be born, and chaos will spread with their footsteps."

—Thus said the wise Arlando.

If it was a prophecy from the great prophet Arlando, then it's not surprising that Bantley and his companions were on high alert. But why themselves? And what do they want to do about it?
Surely they don't consider themselves Baal's offspring, right? So what exactly do they want?
Besides, I don't have anything special about me except for my innate magic. It's not necessarily true that the Mirror Couple would invest in me as a child of slaughter.
I drifted off to sleep with a lot of doubts and questions in my head.

Waking from the dream of ascending the throne of Baal and achieving godhood, Zhang Yuan sighed and realized that he still hadn't awakened his innate abilities. After packing his luggage, he went to wash up.

After finishing these trivial matters, Zhang Yuan hurried downstairs to the counter but couldn't find Lao Ban Te Li. He waited for about fifteen minutes before the old master finally arrived.

“I’m getting old, and I don’t have the energy of you young people anymore.” Bantley, holding a pipe in one hand and rubbing his aching back with the other, walked behind the counter. “Don’t worry, Jelana is still preparing ritual vessels and spellcasting materials.”

Zhang Yuan, somewhat uneasy, said, "How about I go and help out?"

"Nonsense, what help can an amateur monk like you possibly offer? Just don't make things worse." The old monk snorted twice.

"Just wait patiently." He squinted and blew a smoke ring.

After a while, when the other teammates came out of the room in twos and threes, Priestess Zylana finally arrived.

Having already informed Ska about the ceremony, Zhang Yuantong said goodbye to the captain and then followed the Mirror Couple toward the Temple of Wisdom.

“We’ll wait for you for two hours. Any longer and you’ll have to catch up with the convoy by yourself.” As the leader of the squad, Scar couldn’t let the whole team keep waiting indefinitely.

He waved to indicate that he had heard, and then walked on without looking back.

1. In the game, the Arm of Friendship is suspected to be a secret gathering place for the Harpists. Members such as Elminster, Jahira, and Khalid have all been seen there. I also speculate that as righteous mages, Bantri and Elminster should have some connection, just like Grian.

P.S. The cheat system will be available in the next chapter.
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(End of this chapter)