Equipment Printing School Mage

At this moment, Carl Ola tilted his head slightly, as if listening to something, and then whispered to Emiya, "Carl Koros is safe and sound. He asked us to leave here first and talk in detail outside the Supreme Hall."

At this time, Anta II Silver Shield finally arrived, but all he saw was a messy lounge and Emiya and his group and the red-robed wizards who were silent and glaring at each other with murderous intent.

Anta II Silver Shield was stunned for a moment, then he moved closer to Carl Ola and asked in a low voice, "Mr. Ola? What happened?"

Carl Ola pondered for a moment and did not answer. He just looked at him angrily and walked out of the Supreme Hall side by side with Emilia and his group, leaving only the eldest son of the Silver Shield family with an indignant figure.

This silent confrontation continued until Karkoros's figure slowly floated down from the sky.

Obviously, there is still a huge gap between the strength of these red-robed wizards and Karkoros, so they dare not really confront Karkoros head-on.

Therefore, the red-robed wizard glanced at Karkoros's white cloak, trembled slightly unconsciously, and quietly disappeared in the light of the portal.

Carl Ola glared at the Supreme Hall fiercely, wishing he could swallow all the decorations and gold and silver in it.

Then, he let out a sigh and handed the parchment book containing the account book to Karkoros. "Finally, this day has finally arrived. There are still a few hours before the Council of Four convenes, and I must complete the handover with you during this time—you can only attend alone."

At this tragic moment, Karkoros blocked the account book with great determination.

"No. My trigger spells were seen by those red-robed mages. I have to spend most of my energy preparing tactics to counter the red-robed mages and redesigning my trigger spells. It's very, very troublesome. I don't have the energy to take care of the Flame Fist's accounts anymore."

This answer clearly caught Carl Ola completely by surprise. The Flaming Fist's chief steward was stunned for a moment, then practically leaped to his feet in anger. "Are you crazy? Who else can we turn to now? The Flaming Fist's warriors are a bunch of roughnecks. They can read and write, but they're completely clueless when it comes to accounting. The priests are reliable, but they're generally Baldur's Gate natives. Telling them the information would be like telling their church. And the mage advisors? I don't know if many of those guys are still in Baldur's Gate, and one even turned traitor last night!"

It was obvious that Karkoros had been able to become the acting Marshal of the Flaming Fist because he had done the work of countless people by himself, and at the same time he was approachable and always willing to help others - this character trait was unremarkable or even mediocre among paladins, but was truly groundbreaking among mages.

Carl Ola practically roared, "Now, you're telling me you want to delve into magic? Why don't you take a moment to announce to the Council of Four that the Flaming Fist is disbanding today?!"

"—Don't be impatient." Karkoros's beard twitched suddenly, as if he was trying to hold back a laugh. "Just now, I realized that we still have an assistant."

"Who?"

At this moment, Emilia's heart suddenly stopped beating.

Karkoros slowly turned around and said, "For example, a few young people who have always wanted to join the Flame Fist—I decided to let them solve the Flame Fist's urgent needs from the very beginning."

Yin was stunned for a moment and asked, "We and Carl Ola have been expelled from the Supreme Hall?"

"My lady, this shows that you still don't understand the stupidity of those pedantic jurists in the Supreme Hall." Karkoros replied.

"Your disguise hasn't been broken yet." The old wizard sneered. "Change your appearance, or, to be safe, go again in your natural appearance. That's how the scholars of the High Hall are. They're so complacent with the rules they make, but the result is like a thatched house, leaking everywhere - sometimes just enough for their mummified bodies to slip through."

After Emiya realized what Karkoros wanted them to do, she was stunned for a moment.

He had a feeling that becoming the representative of the Flame Fist might not be so easy. Karkoros was far from being so powerful within the Flame Fist, and expecting someone who had just joined the Flame Fist to become its representative was clearly not an easy task.

However, he didn't expect that the solution to this problem would come so quickly and from such a unique angle.

He would indeed become the representative of the Flame Fist and be recognized by everyone...but the order was vastly different from what he had expected.

A smile appeared on Karkoros's face, obviously satisfied with his reaction.

He said to Emya, "Don't you want to obtain the identity of the Flaming Fist and become its representative? Now's your chance—just come with me to the Council of Four's questioning. Soon, all of Baldur's Gate will know that you are the representative of the Flaming Fist. As for how far you can go... that's up to you."

"Do you have the courage?"

Emiya sighed deeply. "I don't consider myself a warrior, but it seems I have no choice... Mr. Carl Ola, I'm sorry to trouble you."

Thirty-eight Undercurrents

courage……

Emiya sighed.

Estimate the situation of your team.

During the time they met, he had never seen Mars show any fear - in this respect, he was a model of a paladin.

Silver? Silver probably doesn't know what fear is. And in the literal sense...

Higg...

As if she knew what he was thinking, Sig raised her hand seriously, and her wide sleeves fell smoothly from her arms: "As long as there is enough money, it's fine."

Faced with this bizarre team combination, he could only nod his head. "Mr. Karkoros, this Flame Fist identity is more pressing than expected... Well then, we will go with you to the Council of Four this afternoon."

A single teleportation triggered Karkoros's protective spells; the system's sensitivity seemed a bit too high. However, judging by the results, these triggering spells successfully helped Karkoros avoid the sudden attack, allowing him to retain his right to attend the afternoon's four-person meeting.

I don't know whether this is a blessing and a curse, or just some brilliant foresight on the part of old Karkoros.

"Very good. This is the only good news today." The old wizard's beard trembled. "Ola, what are your plans next?"

"Plan?" Flame Fist's chief steward was stunned for a moment. "Establish a mind connection with you, then return to Wangyang Tower and wait for your contact?"

"You took a leap, didn't you?" the old wizard said coldly.

Ola was completely unable to keep up with the old wizard's train of thought: "What do you mean by a jump?"

The old wizard's voice was filled with chilling coldness: "How are you going to get back to Wangyang Tower?"

"Hmm?" Ola paused, then understood a little and replied, "The soldiers who stayed in the lounge at that time...Okay, I'll take all the soldiers with me?"

"As I expected..." Karkoros's breathing became slightly heavier, and he closed his eyes. "The soldiers of the Flaming Fist may be well-trained, brave, and skilled in combat—but these are skills for offense, not protection. They may even be able to kill a dragon, but they can never prevent you from being killed by one. So—"

"——Of course I will take you back myself.

He hadn't even finished.

Karkoros couldn't help but wave his hands wildly at this moment, just like he had not long ago when he discussed his grand plan for the magic fortress in Wangyang Tower and Feilong Rock. "No, it's more than that. For the next period of time, you can't leave Wangyang Tower anymore. With all due respect, the most perfect solution is that you, and even all the Burning Flames, must remain in Wangyang Tower and Feilong Rock, and move your families into the fortress as well. Otherwise, if your family members are kidnapped one by one in the middle of the night, the Flame Fist will be on the verge of disbanding."

"..."

"..."

After such shocking remarks were made, everyone present fell silent.

Karkoros was obviously not so shy about the plans; at least he thought it was not something that could not be discussed.

But the others present didn't think so.

Mars couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Mr. Acting Marshal? It seems you haven't officially taken office as Marshal yet. Your decision itself sounds like a threatening statement—regardless of what you actually think."

Such a simple and direct objection made Karkoros stunned for a moment, and his already gray eyebrows knitted together: "How can you understand it this way?"

"No, I think this is a normal reaction... I don't know the selection process for the next official Marshal, but most of the Flames who are eligible to run for Marshal definitely don't want to be controlled by you."

"So, I've received a lot of care from you in Flame Fist, so it's no problem for my whole family to move to Wangyang Tower in the past month. Forget about everyone moving to Wangyang Tower, but please stop driving up the price of water and food in Baldur's Gate." Ola waved her hand. "Let's get through the first hurdle first—the Council of Four is about to convene, and there will be countless citizens and visitors, and we may even be questioned by the Council of Four. I have to urgently hand over to a few new Flame Fist members first."

"Not here." Karkoros waved his hand. "Everyone, return to Wangyang Tower... I'll send you all back directly. At worst, I'll send you back in two batches."

"--ah?!"

There was no doubt that a high-level mage like Karkoros naturally possessed such power, but Karl Ola was still extremely shocked: "You are willing to cast a spell for just a few steps? You usually don't even want to cast a first-level spell?!"

"This is a different time now—now that my defenses have been mostly broken, there's no need to be tied up in a small place like this anymore."

**********************

Karkoros is probably quite unique among high-level mages.

A high-level mage's teleportation spell costs thousands or even tens of thousands of gold coins. But it was clear that he was somewhat stimulated at this moment.

"Alright, everyone, your schedule has been temporarily changed. For those of you who were unfortunately expelled at the same time as the Flaming Fists, consider yourself lucky. Your original schedule has been suspended and you have today off. Rest for the rest of the day. After two hours, when the Baldur's Gate bell rings once, you will resume duty and proceed as planned. You can have an extra day today..."

Obviously, Karkoros originally wanted to give the soldiers a raise, but he swallowed the thought back in the face of Karl Ola's murderous gaze.

"...you can go listen to the lords of Baldur's Gate quarreling in the High Hall."

The soldiers cheered and left the Marshal's office, while Ola took out the account book he had brought with him with a murderous look on his face. "Okay, boys and girls, now I have no choice but to teach you all the budget fraud tricks I've learned throughout my life! Although my impression of you is that you are not very good at dealing with people, I have no choice but to let you teach me now..."

At this point, he said angrily, "As for the Flame Fist gang, once they sheath their swords, they become little more than the thugs from the downtown area: they're submissive, even deferential, to the powerful, but they start flexing their muscles when they meet ordinary citizens. They're doomed if they face the Council of Four."

At this moment, Karkoros quietly left the office.

Carl Ola, now a figure standing before the Council of Four, waved his fingers wildly, his expression agitated. "The same content, spoken by different people, has vastly different effects. While your words may be a bit harsh, even disrespectful, you're still better than Karkoros, who acts on his own, lacks common sense, and is completely unaware. Thankfully, no one on the Council of Four has a heart condition. I hope you don't piss them off to death. Also, if you do get into trouble, please don't say I was the one who taught you to do it."

"Now, let me begin the outline: First, the Flaming Fist's budget is entirely within plan. We respect the trust placed in the Flaming Fist by the citizens and the Grand Dukes, and we have adhered to the creed of loyalty, bravery, and wisdom. There has been absolutely no unplanned squandering or waste."

"However, we anticipate that in the new year, as the scars left by the Arcane Scourge gradually heal, Baldur's Gate's shipping volume should continue to rise. In order to ensure the security of Baldur's Gate and curb the increasing number of pirate attacks, we request more military funds to ensure the absolute safety of the shipping routes near Baldur's Gate."

Emiya frowned. "Is it just about money? The recent Baldur's Gate murders seem to have had quite an impact."

"...Unfortunately, I'm only in charge of finances and property, so this isn't really my area of ​​responsibility." Carl Ora sighed. "The Flame Fist originally had a Burning Flame dedicated to overseeing city security and various cases... but he previously refused to go to the Supreme Hall. I suspect there will be little progress."

Or perhaps, he wanted to make Karkoros laugh... The division of responsibilities within the Flame Fist wasn't particularly clear to outsiders. When the questioning regarding the murder case arose, Karkoros would be the only one left, completely clueless and unable to make excuses.

"This is really difficult." Even Emilia felt a tingling sensation on her scalp when she thought about the fact that they would probably have to help Karkoros withstand the storm of power.

"...What are the Grand Dukes' attitudes towards the Flame Fist? I think this is very important."

**************************************

Just as the Flame Fist group was agonizing over the afternoon's Four-Man Council, the Supreme Hall erupted in a commotion. The commotion in the Flame Fist's lounge had captured the attention of everyone present. By this point, most of the other participants had gathered in front of the lounge, exchanging bits and pieces of information. The limited information they had received was constantly being distorted in this process.

At first, only thirty people crowded into the Flame Fist's lounge, but soon that number began to increase. A few minutes later, the lounge was already filled with five hundred dragons disguised as humans.

Amid the hustle and bustle of the Supreme Hall, a dark-skinned, curly-haired little boy quietly blended into the crowd, anxiously observing everyone present.

But unfortunately, no one present was wearing the emblem of the Flaming Fist.

He circled around and around the Supreme Hall, but still found nothing. He soon began to breathe rapidly due to fatigue and panic.

At that moment, a young man wearing a double sun symbol approached him with his followers and patted his shoulder gently. "Young man, you've been around here for a few times. Who are you looking for? I'm Rex of Eltoril, and I'm happy to help you out."

The little boy was stunned for a moment, his eyes rolling before he replied, "I... I got lost in the upper city. My home is in the lower city... I knew the Flame Fist mainly operated in the lower city, so I wanted to ask them for directions."

This reason may seem bizarre, but in this magnificent Supreme Hall, it is not easy to find a downtown guide who can help a lost child find his home.

The young man thought for a moment, then smiled. "Your arrival is unfortunate, aren't you? The Flame Fist's men have already left."

"Going back?!" the little boy almost shouted, "Isn't it afternoon..."

He was halfway through his sentence when he realized he should change the subject: "Isn't it Flame Fist's duty time this afternoon?"

"I don't know what's going on." The young man shook his head. "My name is Rex of Eltoril. I have some connections with the Flaming Fist. Do you want me to take you to the Flaming Fist's Wangyang Tower?"

"Eltoril?" The little boy pondered the name of the place, lowered his head and took a deep breath. "...No, no, no. My father said that a man shouldn't just follow others. I think I can get back even if I rely on myself. Thank you, goodbye."

After saying this, he bowed sharply, turned around and ran out of the Supreme Hall.

"Then I wish you a safe journey." Rex smiled gently and waved his hand behind him. "--Send someone to follow him. This little guy seems to be Will Rivengard, the grandson of the previous Flaming Fist Marshal... His whereabouts are a bit strange."

****************

Will ran out of the city gate almost without looking back. Once he entered the familiar lower city, his movements changed immediately, becoming erratic and maneuverable, as he sought out narrow alleys. It wasn't until a long while later that he dared to stop in a deserted corner of the lower city.

Look back.

There was no one following him. He finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, crisp applause rang out from behind him. "Pa pa pa pa pa... That's great, little Will. I was really worried that you would tell everyone the secret I told you. Now it seems that although you are young, you are already very capable."

Will shuddered all over, and after a long moment, he turned around.

Behind him stood a beautiful woman in luxurious clothes.

She was wearing a high-end dress that was totally out of place in this alley. She had a smile on her face, and her long, smooth hair, as passionate as flames, was casually spread behind her head.

Seeing her sudden appearance, Will's face was filled with disbelief, without a trace of joy: "Mizorah?! - Why are you here?"

"Ah, because I'm everywhere." The lady named Mizora smiled and sauntered closer. "Of course, the main purpose is to congratulate you... You didn't fail on your first adventure. On the contrary, your performance was perfect. You did the best you could.

"Flame Fist was suddenly framed and had to return to Wangyang Tower early... I didn't even know about this."

Will pursed his lips and stared at her warily: "You know everything, why do you still want me to pass on the message?"

"Because the same words sound different when spoken by different people." Mizora smiled and shook his finger. "Karkoros is an incomparably terrifying archmage. The price of feigning mystery in his presence is very heavy. Letting you deliver the message is for the benefit of all of us."

She casually flicked her hair behind her ear and turned. "Come on, Mr. Will..." "The news that the Friendly Arm had been attacked but had successfully escaped danger has spread throughout Eltoril by a newly returned Hell Knight candidate." Who to tell this news, and when to tell it, is where one can best demonstrate their wisdom, you know?"

Will didn't continue the topic, but took a deep breath: "Ms. Mizora...why on earth are you helping me? Why are you helping Flame Fist?"

"?" The beautiful lady smiled with genuine joy. "...Because I admire noble souls the most?"

"……What's the meaning?"

"I think I've been very straightforward." The beautiful woman turned and approached Will. Only after Will's back hit the wall did she slowly reach out and scratch the boy's cheek. "I admire those upright and righteous men the most... I hate those who don't practice what they preach, who smile at everyone but hold a knife behind their back. I really hope you can be the former, Mr. Will?"

Thirty-nine Fourth Duke: The Past of Varaken

The Council of Four, a term whose meaning in Baldur's Gate has changed over time.

Initially, this term referred only to the four highest rulers of Baldur's Gate. Each of them occupied a corner of Baldur's Gate and had absolute say in certain aspects.

Rather than saying the Council of Four holds absolute power, it's more accurate to say that four individuals with absolute power comprise the Council of Baldur's Gate. Consequently, coordination among the Grand Dukes is quite limited, and each Grand Duke lacks direct influence over individuals outside of his or her direct subordinates.