Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 64 Resolution
With the help of Andrei's prophetic magic, the location and approximate number of bandits in the Sharp Tooth Forest were revealed.

Ironically, this band of bandits is hiding in the northwest corner of the Sharptooth Forest, which is the closest end to Baldur's Gate. This makes it much easier to send troops out. It takes less than a day to advance eastward from the Dragon Bridge and they can head straight for the enemy's main camp. If they move quickly, they can even skip stopping to camp along the way.

The approximate number of people was also estimated to be over 140. This number cannot be compared to an army, but it is quite large for a gang of bandits.

In response to the enemy's location and number of enemies, the Flame Fist leadership efficiently formulated a battle plan—which was decided by the Grand Duke alone.
They exchanged views in a positive and friendly manner—with fists, kicks, and flying boots;

They offered many constructive suggestions—go for it! What's there to be afraid of? Kill these scumbags!

Although these guys had the air of members of parliament who used to fight each other in the previous life, once the battle plan was approved and the battle orders were issued to each combat unit, the entire Flame Fist began to operate in a highly efficient and covert manner.

In order to wipe out the bandit camp in one fell swoop, a total of three Flame Fist-affiliated combat squads joined the battle, including Zhang Yuanshika's team, totaling 92 soldiers.

The operational orders were distributed to the three summoned captains in the form of documents personally signed by the Grand Duke. In order to cover up the true operation, several captains were summoned to headquarters on the same day under various pretexts to report on their duties.

The headquarters remained as calm as ever, as if nothing had happened, but the atmosphere was completely different for the three teams preparing for the competition.

All soldiers will have their leave cancelled and will return to their bases to report for duty. All current missions will be suspended or cancelled, with headquarters covering any resulting losses. At the same time, all personnel will conduct a thorough inspection and verification of their equipment, weapons, ammunition, and supplies.

To prevent intelligence leaks, personnel are not allowed to leave their posts, and all supplies are provided by designated personnel at headquarters.

The three selected teams, like tightly wound springs, began to operate seamlessly.

At that very moment, old Habasir's sorcery general store welcomed a distinguished guest—yes, a man dressed in fine clothes and behaving like a great nobleman.

No one knows what they talked about, but when the man left, he was holding a deep blue gem that he hadn't seen before.

As a member of Ska's team, Zhang Yuan was also obliged to join the expedition team this time.

Actually, as an unofficial member, it wouldn't be impossible for him not to go, but for the sake of secrecy, he would probably be placed under house arrest in the central Flame Fist region for a while. It would be better to go to the front line, where at least he could earn some energy points.

Besides, I was one of the initial proposers of the plan, so it wouldn't be right not to go.

It's worth mentioning that Nancy also participated in this expedition. It seems that after completing that mission, she completely let loose and had nothing better to do. I don't know how she persuaded the Grand Duke to let her participate in this operation.

But that's just right, since he's been staying at the base these past few days, and while he still has some time, he asked Nancy to give him a crash course in footwork. As for dual weapons...

According to Nancy, it would be unrealistic to expect it to take less than a few months.

Even with his special abilities, Zhang had no confidence that he could make any progress in the next few days, so he had no choice but to give up.

"Pay attention to your center of gravity, don't stand so straight. Do you think you're on guard duty? Who are you trying to impress with that stiff neck?"

"Don't take such big steps, what are you doing? Are you talking nonsense? The bigger the steps, the harder it is to change direction, and the more openings you make." "Idiot, I've taught so many people, and I've never seen anyone as stupid as you. It's taken you so long to learn a simple turn and cross step change. How many more times do you want me to demonstrate it?"

Perhaps it was the impending battle and the pressure she felt, or perhaps it was because someone's learning progress was not satisfactory during the teaching process, or perhaps Nancy simply intended to take this opportunity to give that person a good scolding and vent her anger.

In reality, Nancy wasn't as disdainful or disappointed as she appeared. On the contrary, she was surprised that the other person had learned the two or three advanced steps she had taught in just a few days, let alone the fact that the other person was a complete novice just a month ago.

As for her so-called mastery and proficiency, just take those words with a grain of salt.

Advanced movements are far more complex than basic skills. Without years of repeated practice, integrating these movements into one's instinctive reactions, or breaking through oneself in the face of death and its shadow, transforming them into unforgettable memories, it is nothing more than empty boasting by wandering poets.

The simplest example is blind combat. In games, it's easy and effortless; you can master it completely with just one click. But in reality, depriving people of their most relied-upon sense of sight while still having combat power almost identical to when they can see normally is a skill that cannot be easily mastered.
Even with the system, Zhang still had to put in the same amount of effort and suffer the same pain. However, the system, which didn't grant him any extra points, still bestowed upon him top-tier aptitude in his chosen profession.

The mage profession is like a tree without roots; without even the most basic knowledge and understanding, it's like asking Einstein to read a book written in oracle bone script—no matter how smart you are, it's useless.

On the other hand, someone has already made enough people's jaws drop. Whether it's the physical fitness that has improved at an almost visible speed in the early stages, or the enviable learning ability they have now, they are not ordinary people, at least not something that the ordinary otaku could have done back then.

That's why, even though he sometimes complains in his heart about how unreliable his system is, he is actually very clear about what gives him the means to make a living in this other world.

(Of course, it was this lousy system that sent him here.)
Zhang Yuan's sudden practice of footwork wasn't because he was completely clueless, thinking that with the system he could be like those chosen ones, easily mastering the techniques and applying them in other situations, while also making those old guys who had been in this field for a long time feel ashamed.

Learning this skill is just a seed, a seed that can grow on its own in future battles and training. How can my unconscious, random punches compare to formal combat training?

Besides, even if you're not very skilled, at least you have a general idea. Who knows, you might be just one step away from life or death someday? If you're going to break through in battle, you need to have something to break through with, right? You can't break through with some kind of New Year's greeting sword technique or turtle flipping over in battle. What good would that do besides make your opponent laugh?

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. On the morning of the fourth day, the entire team received orders to meet up with other teams at the city gate.

When the large group of over ninety people gathered at the city gate, it inevitably attracted many curious and even prying eyes. However, this was no longer important. Unless the bandits or the Iron Throne's spies were willing to use a special communication array, by the time the message reached the camp in Sharp Tooth Forest, it would be too late.

In addition to the three Flame Fist teams themselves, another force has also joined the operational sequence of this operation.

First were the priests sent by the Temple of Heim and the Temple of Tyr, including the two bald men I had met last time.

Next came several experts from a shady industry, dressed in black and moving silently with furtive movements. They didn't introduce themselves but simply hid in the gaps between the groups, causing the Flame Fist soldiers to frown and clutch their waist pouches.

In addition, two spellcasters in robes and a druid joined the group to provide spell support.

It seems Flame Fist is really serious this time. I just wonder how skilled these spellcasters are? Someone wondered to themselves, surprised.

(End of this chapter)