Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 139 The Grand Duke's Response

"You've really learned from Nancy quite well, haven't you? You're all as slippery as monkeys." Sori punched Zhang Yuan's shoulder, but there was some resentment in his voice.

However, Zhang Yuan could tell that this anger wasn't directed at him; it seemed that his cheap master had also left the other party with some unpleasant memories.

After chatting and laughing with Sory for a while, the sun was already setting below the horizon, and the light of the setting sun bathed the entire training ground in a golden-red glow. Most of the Flame Fist team members who were on missions or on duty had already returned to their base.

Zhang Yuan, along with Sorey, Bud, and Münster who had already returned, planned to go to a nearby pub for dinner. He really missed the cheese lasagna and gin there.

Before he even left the house, he saw his cheap master entering the camp with Ska, and they ran right into each other.

“Chanem, since you’re here, let’s go to the meeting room and talk about your proposal.”

Skater's facial muscles were somewhat stiff, as if he was suppressing some emotion. He made a suggestion to the rookie who had once followed him in a slow but firm tone.

Zhang Yuan, who already had some plans, had no objections. After apologizing to his companions, he turned and followed Skanansie and the other woman into the barracks.

The meeting room was well-lit and well-ventilated, with three large windows arranged in a row, which was quite a rarity in the Flame Fist base, which resembled a pillbox or bunker. Of course, for security reasons, these windows were surrounded by iron bars.

It really does resemble a residential building from a past life, with each resident having installed an iron cage around their window.

Since they knew each other well, there was no need for pleasantries. Nancy, who had just sat down, gave Zhang Yuan some good news:

"Grand Duke Iltan has agreed to your conditions. You have been granted the title of captain under the Flame Fist, and you are allowed to recruit members on your own and also recruit a certain number of members from the Flame Fist. You will receive a portion of supplies and equipment, and your squad is even allowed to have relatively free authority."

"Are you satisfied now?" Nancy asked Zhang Yuan.

The person nodded after hearing this, and although pleased, knew that this preferential treatment could not be unconditional, much less free.

"So what's the price, Dog Egg?"

"Oh, the price is... wait, what dog egg? Who the hell are you talking about?"

"Ahem~ Sorry, it was a slip of the tongue, a slip of the tongue, please continue." Zhang Yuan, who had let slip the words, quickly coughed to cover up his embarrassment.

Nancy glared at him, annoyed, and continued to relay Iltan's conditions:

"However, you need Ska's approval to recruit the people from Flame Fist, and you will be responsible for all the expenses and remuneration yourself."

Zhang Yuan nodded in understanding. After all, it would be too unfair for someone who had set up a semi-independent, unofficial team to expect to use the headquarters' personnel payroll.

However, the Grand Duke's conditions were naturally not that simple, and Nancy wasn't finished yet.

"At the same time, your squad is obligated to take on urgent missions from Flamefist or direct orders from the Grand Duke. For example, this investigation to Neverwinter is our squad's first mission."

So they're using the word "we" now? Zhang Yuan complained as he continued listening.

"But don't get too excited yet. If our mission fails, all of the above conditions will be cancelled, and you'll just have to be a wild adventurer." Zhang Yuan glanced at Nancy, whose expression was somewhat grave, and slowly said:
"What's the rush? If we can't find out in a month, then we'll do it in two months. If two months isn't enough, then we'll do it in a year. If that's still not enough, I'll just stay in Neverwinter and not leave. I'll just set up a Flame Fist branch in Neverwinter. Grand Duke Iltan and others have been waiting for ten years. It's not necessarily just a little while longer."

Nancy was speechless for a long time after hearing that one sentence, while Scar next to her shook his head and smiled bitterly, having witnessed the true nature of the rookie who had become a seasoned veteran.

"Chanel, the Grand Duke has always been grateful for your help in finding Gavial. If you would like to become a full member of the Flame Fist or a Venerable Mage..."

Ska didn't continue speaking. Seeing the other person's calm and resolute expression, he could only sigh.
"Tell me, who are you planning to recruit into your team? If I'm not mistaken, it should be Münster and Bard, right? After all, you guys were already familiar with each other back then."

"Yes, those two plus Lawrence are enough."

Zhang Yuan also considered the options: Bard and Kegan as tanks, Münster the Greatswordsman, Nancy the Wandering Swordsman, Lawrence the Professional Wanderer, and himself as a mage. All that was missing was a priest or druid, and the framework of an adventure party would be complete.

"Wait, what do we need Lawrence for?"

Nancy was clearly annoyed by the fact that they kept recruiting other rogues even though they already had one of them. Rogues were different from warriors or mages; each additional rogue meant more power.

The wandering profession is a technical one, where skill matters more than numbers.

A trap or lock that one rogue cannot handle, two rogues cannot handle either, unless the second one is more skilled.

So, how should the former conduct themselves in this situation? What is the value of a wanderer who can be completely replaced by others? In a fight, would they need you to launch a sneak attack or backstab?
Nancy's resentment was not unfounded. With her strong personality, how could she willingly put herself in such an awkward situation? If it were a large team, it would be fine, as there is indeed a need for this. But this small team of three to five people has to add another colleague?
"One wanderer is enough for our team, why make things complicated?"

Having anticipated Nancy's possible reaction, Zhang Yuan countered with:

"You're very confident in your thieving skills? Then why did Lawrence say that every time you tried to steal from those colleagues, you got caught and had to beat them up by force?"

"Besides, you couldn't even break through the basic magic trap I set last time, so where do you get the confidence to deal with those more deadly magic mechanisms?"

Nancy, speechless after being questioned, blushed and turned red, her face a picture of resentment.

Worried that Nancy might have a meltdown, the person didn't continue to provoke her, but instead gently comforted her:

"The Wandering Swordsman is one of the few powerful combat classes in the Wanderer class. With your dual-wielding skills, you are not much inferior to other classes in head-on combat. In fact, my current fighting style is largely due to your teachings. I have not even the slightest reason to question you, my teacher."

Perhaps it was Zhang Yuan's sincere flattery, or perhaps it was the first time her rebellious disciple had addressed her as "teacher" so formally, but Nancy's expression softened considerably. However, she still questioned him:
"That sounds nice, but what role do you want me to play in the team? I'm not a shield bearer or a berserker, you can't expect me to charge into battle, can you?"

"How could that be? You are the sharpest dagger hidden in the shadows, the only choice for flanking and decapitation. Why would I trouble you with those trivial matters of picking locks and opening doors? I've only ever heard of divine weapons being forged from adamantite and mithril, who would use them as keys?"

Flattery will get you everywhere, and Nancy, having been given plenty of face, reluctantly let her good apprentice go.

Zhang Yuan turned to look at Ska, knowing that the final transfer still required the approval of the person in front of him.

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(End of this chapter)