Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 593 Bracelet
"However, indulging in grief is the right of the weak, and I have long since abandoned it."

“You have no choice either, Gavial!”

"Do you intend to spend your entire life as an apprentice in the North? Even if you are willing, your teacher will not agree."

"Teacher... he really thinks highly of me, but what can I do?"

The young man dejectedly shook his head, his dejected appearance making Ska feel a lump in his throat. He was about to say something stern, but then seemed to remember something and swallowed it back.

"You may not know this, but I used to be Mr. Chanem's tutor."

"what?!"

When Gavial heard about this for the first time, he was stunned and even forgot to sob for a moment.

“A swordsmanship teacher,” Ska added.

"Oh, oh." The latter then came to his senses, not expecting that his mentor had such an experience.

"He once asked me what I would rely on in the face of fear and danger,"

"I say, what truly supports the hand that wields the sword is the courage that comes from within."

Gaviel seemed to be moved, opened his mouth as if to say something, but then fell silent again.

Ska softened his tone, adding a touch of admonition:

"I'm not trying to comfort you with empty words. Neither Chanem nor I will place a burden on your shoulders that you cannot bear. If there is truly no hope, we will simply let you remain an ordinary apprentice. Why bother with any more effort?"

Just as the two were encouraging Gavial, Mr. Zhang Yuan, who was racking his brains, arrived at Highhold Castle. He went into the warehouse with ease, "borrowed" a bunch of materials, and spent the whole day tinkering with them before rushing back to Baldur's Gate the next day.

Before the sun was high in the sky, the gates of the Silver Shield Duke's mansion in the inner city were already gleaming, welcoming the distinguished Mage and Lord, Lord Chanem.

"Good day, Your Excellency the Grand Duke."

"May the grace of God protect you and me, Your Excellency Chanem, in these turbulent times."

Anta Silver Shield rose from behind the tea table, waving away the attendant who was leading the mage, his face somewhat gloomy and sighing:

"O twin goddesses who hold the reins of destiny, you never know which one will set their gaze upon you today."

"Who can say whether tomorrow or an accident will come first?"

The monk seemed quite detached: "If you're constantly anxious, does that mean you shouldn't live your life?"

"You have a powerful backer, so you live a carefree life. Poor Gavial, he finally reunited with his father, but then this unexpected disaster struck. Alone in the North, isn't he like a kite with a broken string?"

The Grand Duke spoke with a tone of emotion, yet it seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

“He is my apprentice, and I am his mentor. It’s that simple, whether Iltan is alive or not.”

The monk said calmly.

"Your words are rather harsh. Do you think I, Anta, am a snob?"

The Grand Duke of Silver Shield looked somewhat indignant, it was unclear whether he was truly misunderstood or had his thoughts exposed.

The monk remained silent, only taking a sip of tea from his cup. Through the rising steam, his eyes, devoid of any emotion, stared intently at the Grand Duke's face.

"After all, I am her father."

Anta didn't offer any further explanation, and simply returned the gaze.

Now it was the monk's turn to be speechless. The other party had brought up their parental status, and it was understandable that they wanted to help their children.

"The situation is constantly changing and difficult to understand. What we relied on in the past may not be applicable in the future, so why rush things?"

"Hmph, I'm not in a hurry now. Do you expect me to wait until Shi Ji comes back with a child before I get anxious?" "If that's the case, why don't I send her back to this troublesome place and see which playboy from Baldur's Gate is lucky enough to become a live-in son-in-law of the Grand Duke's mansion?"

Anta Silver Shield, relying on his age and acting shamelessly, was met with harsh words from the mage, who silenced the other party with a single sentence.

Thinking of his precious daughter's deadly personality, he realized that what the mage said was not just a possibility. But then he thought again, at least Gavial was a decent person. Although he was a bit indecisive, at least he didn't have to worry about anything.

Moreover, even though Iltan is dead, the blood of the Hidalgo family still flows in his veins…

Just as the Grand Duke was trying to comfort and calm himself down, he heard the monk's words again.

"I've come today not to argue with you, but specifically to deliver something to you."

As he spoke, the monk handed him something.

"Does your White Pagoda have new designs recently?"

The duke muttered something, but his movements were swift; he snatched the item in one swift motion.

As a partner, Anta himself greatly admired the aesthetic design of the White Tower Chamber of Commerce, especially the many styles of clocks, which he praised highly.

But is now the right time?

Upon closer inspection, it was a silver bracelet, with only a few inscriptions and no other embellishments, making it extremely simple.

"Ok?"

Grand Duke's Doubts.JPG
"Are you planning to expand into the jewelry business? Forgive my bluntness, but this bracelet isn't in very good condition."

"I already told you it's for you, to use for self-defense and to save your life."

"Oh? Thank you for your concern."

Anta didn't refuse, but he didn't take it to heart either, only replying with a simple thank you.

Silver Shield is a large and wealthy family, so it certainly doesn't need another magical item.

“Iltan’s death is not so simple. If I were you, I would wear it immediately and would not dare to take it off even when showering or sleeping.”

The monk's tone was unusually stern and solemn, almost exceeding the boundaries of equal communication among comrades, carrying a hint of admonition and instruction.

Grand Duke Silver Shield was not an arrogant or stubborn person. Although he had some doubts, he readily agreed and put the bracelet on his wrist.

"That's wonderful,"

Seeing that the other party was understanding, Master Zhang's tone finally softened a bit:
"Once you feel the bracelet on your wrist getting hot and vibrating, immediately leave everyone around you and seek refuge in the temple or the Hábthor Mage Tower. Do not trust anyone else, not even the person you trust most."

"It contains two Ottilucic energy shields. You can activate them by rotating them clockwise and counterclockwise four times along your wrist or by reciting a spell. They should be able to keep you safe for a moment and give you a chance."

"So serious?"

Sensing the sinister intent, Anta became somewhat uneasy, lowering his voice several notches when asking questions.

"Baldur's Gate cannot afford to lose another Grand Duke."

The mage's words had a remarkable effect; the Silver Shield Duke immediately gripped the bracelet on his wrist, even tighter than if he were holding his own lifeblood.

After all, even a bracelet made of iron can't be broken.

The mage worked hard all day to create this thing. It looks simple and unadorned, but this bracelet is small and portable, and it can be called a little magic weapon when dealing with certain dangers.

If one had not already mastered this skill and had not had ample materials at the teacher's home, it would have been difficult to complete the work.

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(End of this chapter)