Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 434 Getting Down to Business √ Having Fun X
The others gradually dispersed to go about their duties, leaving only Viconia behind, who was summoned into the study by the master mage.

"Chanem, why are you in such a hurry to bring me to the study? Are we here to do serious business, or to have some fun?"

When they were alone together, Viconia's gaze became increasingly bold and passionate. Coupled with her already beautiful and alluring face and petite yet domineering figure, she exuded an indescribable charm.

Master Zhang remained calm and composed, his expression unmoved, as he naturally reached out and pulled the beauty into his arms.

"How can we let personal matters interfere with public affairs? Let's talk about business first!"

The lord, with an upright demeanor and composed speech, was about to continue speaking when he suddenly felt a warm, soft sensation on his arm.

Zhang Da Guanren frowned, his expression solemn. He was about to deliver a powerful strike with his Azure Dragon Claw to severely punish the culprit, but the other party unexpectedly stood up, dodging the attack, and then sat down again.

"Heh~ Your Excellency, you were just about to discuss serious matters, what are you doing now?"

Viconia chuckled, one hand resting on the mage's inner thigh, leaning forward until her head was almost touching his chest, her breath tickling the mage's neck.

Annoying little goblin!

Zhang cursed inwardly, realizing he had fallen into the other party's trap. He immediately calmed down and no longer wore that hypocritical, sanctimonious expression.

Without bothering to respond to the drow's advances, the mage took out a scroll, unfolded it, and enjoyed himself.

"Besides leading the Word Bearers to set up defenses and intercept any who slip through the net, you have one more crucial task."

Despite being surrounded by fragrant jade, the monk's tone remained calm and soothing. His fingertips traced across the pale yellow sheepskin scroll, the soft texture of the delicate lambskin reminding him of Zhuo'er's firm skin from earlier.

Does the latter seem to have the upper hand?
However, he quickly suppressed this small ripple and began to explain the elements of the ritual:

"Your assistance is essential for the completion of this magical ritual. When the time is right, you must stand at this juncture to cast the spell..."

No matter how the restless body in his arms swayed gracefully, Master Zhang, who had already taken full advantage, remained unmoved, displaying the level of focus expected of an excellent spellcaster.

Perhaps out of caution, or for some other reason, the monk was particularly patient and meticulous in his explanation today. After a long while, he finished, gathered his books, pushed away the beauty in his arms, stood up, and smiled, seemingly satisfied, yet also teasing.

"You are so naughty today, daring to flirt with this lord, it is a serious crime."

"However, considering your merits in leading the reconnaissance and clearing operations, and given that we need manpower at this time, I will not hold it against you for now."

???

Viconia's dark face flushed red, and she was about to argue with the male Garuk about who had taken advantage of whom, when she heard the mage speak again.

"If we succeed this time and completely resolve the problem deep within High Cliff Fortress, then as a reward~"

The monk paused deliberately, then said:

"Your reputation points will increase by a full one hundred points. You should know what that means, right?" Before the drow could respond, a pair of large hands pushed her out of the study.

"If you keep working hard, you'll qualify to serve the emperor in bed! I believe in you!"

"You drooling malelos beast, hypocritical Garuk, dare to touch but not admit it?"

Viconia gritted her teeth so hard they clattered, wishing she could bite the other person to the bone.

"Go and prepare well. Whether Lady Night's altar can be established on the high cliff depends on your performance."

As the door closed, these words left Vicania stunned, her expression shifting between light and shadow for a long while before she finally left.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Zhang Yuan, who held the position of Lord of High Cliff, stood at the entrance of the castle for the first time. The mountain wind flowed and surged along the shape of the peaks, and the breath it raised stopped at this peak, swirling and wailing in front of the lost fortress.

Looking up, Gaoyabao is backed by steep cliffs, its terrain rugged and majestic, towering yet bearing the marks of time.

The trunk, built up from layers of giant rocks, remains sturdy and upright, while the vines that entwine it have long since withered, their gnarled branches revealing its decay and desolation.

Mr. Zhang had to admit that this legacy from his predecessor was truly a great gift. Aside from its geographical advantages, the castle's scale, structure, and sturdiness perfectly exemplified the function and definition of a fortress in every aspect.

Of course, poor lighting and ventilation, as well as an unpleasant living environment, are inevitable consequences, but that's another story.

At the mage's command, the Word Bearers, who had gathered once again, took on the role of vanguard and walked at the front of the team. The summoned three-star Axe King, Tinker, two two-star Omniknights, a two-star Crystal Maiden, and two Keepers of Light were stationed at the rear, jointly protecting the mage himself in the center.

The long-abandoned castle was dark and damp inside. The bright morning light from the outside was blocked by the high walls, leaving only a few slivers of light filtering through a few ventilation holes and the faint glow of the torches lit by the vanguard at the front.

Fortunately, neither the Word Bearers from the Underdark nor the mages and pawns were bothered by this, and their behavior was completely unaffected.

The castle occupies a vast area with a somewhat complex internal spatial structure. The enormous area is divided into numerous rooms and halls, and those unfamiliar with the place may find it difficult to find their way around if they wander in carelessly.

After all, real castles are nothing like the small and simple castles in games, and High Cliff Castle, as the central hub of a vast earldom, was incomparable to Crossroads Fortress, a knightly territory with only a few acres of barren land.

But this was no problem for the two minotaur slave warriors at the front of the group. In front of these seemingly stupid big guys, even underground labyrinths and magic labyrinths were useless, let alone a few dilapidated rooms.

Without stopping, they strode forward, passing through the already cleared first-floor hall and corridors, until they approached the entrance to the underground hall, where they discovered a few scattered shadowy figures and undead monsters, which must have been the ones who had rushed out of the underground palace and were now wandering around here after chasing the Word Bearers.

Faced with the well-organized mopping-up team, these confused men not only did not flee, but even launched an attack, and the outcome was predictable.

The process was swift and uneventful. After clearing out the guards, the monk stood at the entrance, frowning as he watched the black smoke rising from the underground palace.

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(End of this chapter)