Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 55 Exploration of Another World
Zhang Yuan, who entered the tent with Andrei, asked curiously, "Are you still planning to use the True Knowledge Flash spell today?"

“No, this time we are well prepared, there is no need to continue using the Flash of True Knowledge spell. It has great limitations, it can only answer yes or no questions, and there is also a certain probability of error.” Andrei explained slowly, “Today I will open your eyes. Next I will cast the fifth-circle prophecy spell: Otherworldly Detection.”

Zhang Yuqian Yuan completely immersed himself in the role of the straight man, asking quite cooperatively, "So, what are the working methods and effects of this magic?"

Guo Andrei Degang also became interested: "It works similarly to a flash of insight, allowing an otherworldly entity to answer a question or give you a brief hint."

"As a fifth-circle spell, the biggest advantage of 'Otherworld Detection' over the latter is that it is not limited to answering yes or no questions; it is significantly superior to the latter in determining the location of a target."

"This is truly amazing, truly incredible! Is there any more powerful search spell in the divination system?" someone exclaimed in astonishment, showering the spell with compliments.

“Of course there are, such as the eighth-circle spell: location sensing, which can directly and accurately locate the target. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to reach that level yet.” Andrei’s tone was not without regret.

Then Andrei asked, somewhat puzzled, "You're just a Flame Fist mercenary, you should be focused on swordsmanship, why are you so interested in the arcane realm?"

*Sigh* Someone didn't like hearing that. He straightened his collar with feigned composure and said, "Let me introduce myself again. I am actually a mage."

Not only was Andrei's eyes wide with surprise, but even Nancy next to him turned her gaze over.

"I really didn't realize you were a mage." It was unexpected that this guy dressed as a mercenary was actually a mage; otherwise, if Andrei had used a detection spell, he would definitely have seen through him clearly.

"Let's not talk about that anymore, can we begin the spell ritual?" Nancy was getting impatient.

So the prophet shut his mouth and focused more intently on preparing the spell materials and ritual.

A short while later, Andrei said, “We can begin.” He had completed all the preliminary preparations.

Accompanied by lengthy incantations, complex gestures, and those expensive spellcasting materials that vanished without a trace, just like yesterday, an unknown entity answered the call of divination.

The difference was that this time, the being that arrived did not exude the fearful aura of evil as it had yesterday. Instead, it emitted a bright, emerald-green light similar to that of a natural rainforest, making the foreheads of the three people present look like jade.

“O beings from another world, I have come in response to your call and in accordance with my oath. Please state your requests, and I will do my best to provide the answers.”

"Homage to you, great being. Please inform us of the whereabouts of the young son of Grand Duke Iltan and Lady Elizabeta Hidalgo, who disappeared ten years ago, a boy named Gaviel who was nine years old at the time."

“You should go to Belgost and find a man named Garric. The opportunity will be fleeting, so act quickly.”

After he finished speaking, the large jade floating in mid-air flashed and then disappeared without a trace.

"Garrick." After hearing the information she wanted, Nancy turned to leave.

"Garrick?!" Upon hearing this familiar name, the person deliberately exclaimed in surprise, feigning utter astonishment.

Upon hearing this shout, Nancy stopped in her tracks as Zhang Yuan had hoped and turned around: "You've heard of this name? Do you know Garrick?"

“I heard the name when I was in Belgost. He was a young troubadour who toured the Sword Coast with a band called Valley Wind, and often passed through Belgost where he performed.”

“A bard?” Nancy frowned. As a wanderer herself, she didn’t have a good impression of these guys who often overstepped their bounds. Unlike wanderers who were usually viewed with suspicion, bards often worked as thieves in private, but on the surface they wore a disguise as cultured people.

This disparity in pay for equal work has always made the wanderers dislike these guys who are practically colleagues, and what the other party said next confirmed this.

“From what I understand, the Valley Wind Band isn’t as respectable as they appear on the surface. In fact, there have been rumors that the band members often engage in theft under the guise of performing.” Zhang Yuan added fuel to the fire.

Nancy, growing increasingly impatient, glanced at Zhang Yuan and immediately left the tent, with him quickly following. "How much do you know about the Valley Wind Band and Garrick? How old is he? What are his physical characteristics?" Nancy bombarded him with a series of questions.

The man could only give an awkward smile: "Actually, I only know a little bit. I just heard that Garrick is a kind young man. Also, I'll go with you. After all, I got involved from the beginning."

"Oh? You've already done more than enough. You still want to find that child with me?" Nancy saw through his little scheme. "What? You want to make a name for yourself in front of Grand Duke Iltan? Are you trying to climb the ranks too?"

A little embarrassed, Zhang Yuan touched his nose: "I'm not even a formal member of Flame Fist. Besides, as a mage, I can't stay in Flame Fist as a mercenary forever."

"Then what are you doing this for? Apart from those stubborn paladins, no one would go through all that trouble for something without expecting anything in return. You'd better give me a reason that I can believe." Nancy looked at the rookie in front of her with a scrutinizing gaze.

"I actually wanted to gain the Grand Duke's trust and persuade him to support a plan that Captain Skater and I had discussed."

"Anything else? Just for this?"

"Money, there's still money." The man gritted his teeth and decided to go all out: "I discussed it with Andrei. I will go to gather clues and go to find the person, while he will be responsible for predicting the target's whereabouts. In the end, the Grand Duke's bounty will be split equally."

"How about you take one portion this time, and I'll take less?" Zhang Yuan had no choice but to reluctantly cut his losses.

"Ha~" To his surprise, Nancy suddenly laughed and even patted Zhang Yuan's head: "Kid, you've been talking about money all this time, why are you so serious?"

Feeling a little embarrassed by the other person's sudden friendly gesture and teasing, Zhang Yuan was also somewhat confused: "Why did you laugh when I said it was for money? Is that funny?"

“No, I was just thinking about myself,” Nancy said, her face showing a rare moment of reminiscence. “Back when I was a wanderer, I also had a period of carefree and unrestrained days, fighting and rummaging through my wallet every day, until I met the lady.”

“Back then, Mrs. Hidalgo—no, she wasn’t Mrs. then, she was Miss Elizabeth—was a little older than me, but she was like a carefree young girl, interested in everything and curious about everything,” Nancy said as she walked, though her pace slowed down.

"She walked down the most bustling street in Neverwinter with two attendants. Her clothes and accessories not only attracted admiration and envy from passersby, but also drew some unusual glances. You know, to some people who live in the shadows, this kind of naive rich girl looks like..."

After thinking for a while without coming up with a suitable word, Zhang Yuan blurted out: "Fat sheep?"

"Yes, it's a fat sheep, cough~ don't say it like that." Nancy subconsciously agreed, but still felt it was inappropriate.

"In short, she was being targeted by some people, and I was one of them."

Having already guessed what was going on, Zhang Yuan remained silent, waiting for Nancy to continue.

"At that time, I patiently waited for the other people to rush up, and while the two servants were entangled by those colleagues, I went straight to Miss Elizabeth's side and prepared to borrow the necklace I had my eye on."

"The word 'borrow' is used well. This isn't stealing, it's borrowing," Zhang Yuan thought to himself.

The female thief, of course, couldn't hear what someone was thinking and continued, "At that time, my fingers had already touched the necklace, but I didn't expect that with the lady's scream, my whole body would become paralyzed and I couldn't move. Later I found out that the necklace was enchanted with a trigger-type immobilization spell trap."

"And then what? You just go with Mrs. Hidalgo?"

"Pretty much. The lady back then was naive and innocent. She was very surprised to see such a beautiful young girl like me doing this kind of work. In addition, I fabricated a tragic backstory, and she was overflowing with sympathy. She asked me if I wanted to get rid of this kind of life."

"You must have said yes, right?"

"Actually, I didn't want to at the time. I was used to living alone, without any constraints, but..."

(End of this chapter)