Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 508 Interrogation
Faced with this unfortunate fellow who readily admitted defeat and repeatedly begged for mercy, Master Zhang, after putting on a show of authority, pretended to ponder for a moment before saying:
"Considering that you have not yet succeeded and have not caused any loss, if you sincerely repent, we may consider giving you a lighter sentence."

"Your Excellency is merciful, I repent, I deeply repent!"

Beverley saw a glimmer of hope and clung to it desperately, unaware that straws are never meant to save lives, but rather are often used as bait.

And just like that, a small fish took the bait from Master Zhang.

"Since words are inadequate, you should perhaps use more sincere, earnest, and pleasant sounds to express your sincerity."

The halfling was startled, but immediately understood after seeing the other party's gesture.

The gesture looked very familiar: thumb, index finger, and middle finger rubbing together like a fly...

Ah, even a monk needs to eat!
Beverly, feeling unlucky, pulled out a money bag and threw it over, but Master Zhang reached out and caught it before it hit the ground.

"Ok?"

He weighed the purse in his hand; the coins clinked together with a pleasant soft sound. He untied the ribbon with his fingers, revealing several glittering little coins scattered about.

"Indeed, it's a very sincere and pleasant voice. I'll let you off this time, but consider it a lesson learned."

As the monk spoke, he smoothly put the other person down. The whole process was as fluid as a stream, almost no less skillful than that of the bandit leaders who roamed the dark alleys.

After all, Master Zhang wasn't some kind of ruthless opportunist; he wouldn't go so far as to exploit every unfortunate soul he encountered.

Before Beverly could even catch his breath after thinking he had escaped, the world spun around him, and he was thrown to the ground by the sorcerer.

He quickly sprang to his feet, and just as he was about to say goodbye and run away, he suddenly heard a clear sound. Something fell out of his clothes, which had become a little loose as he took out his money pouch.

Gudang~~~
The sound of metal striking the floor echoed in the room, lingering long afterward, and the monk standing nearby saw it clearly.

It was a highly sophisticated and complex metal contraption, made of gears, springs, mechanisms, and screws that fit together seamlessly, and it almost seemed out of place in this medieval-style hotel.

Beverly rushed over to pick it up, but suddenly a foot stretched out and swatted the object away with its toe.

Upon closer inspection, it had already fallen into the hands of that despicable mage.

"Sir, this is mine, it's been passed down through my family."

"Look..."

The halfling was so anxious he was practically tearing his hair out; if he weren't completely outmatched, he would have pounced on the opponent and tried to snatch it.

"Don't rush, you said this is your family heirloom?"

The mage stroked and played with the object in his hand for a while, a playful smile in his eyes as he looked at the halfling:

"Why don't you take another look? Maybe your memory is wrong?"

The latter stood on tiptoe, staring intently at the treasure that had fallen into the mage's hands, barely managing to suppress the urge to curse and vent the curses in his heart.

"I don't think there's anything to confirm; I'm even more familiar with it than with my cousin..."

“Oh, it seems we have a slight disagreement. I have a suggestion for you, perhaps the gentlemen of the Mysterious Hall could offer some perspectives that we can all accept.” Beverly’s words came to an abrupt halt, his face showing visible fear and distortion, and beads of cold sweat began to trickle down his back.

"Yes, yes, sir, you win, damn it, my darling, oh no, I mean, it's yours now, take this thing!"

Panicked and unable to express himself clearly, the halfling thief practically jumped up and tried to flee, abandoning even the stolen treasure.

Bang!
Beverly fell face-first to the ground. When he hurriedly tried to take a step, he found that his feet were rooted to the spot, unable to move his waist or legs.

The halfling who had fallen to the ground looked at the magical rope that snaked up his legs and bound his body tightly, and he knew perfectly well that he had fallen into the trap of the evil wizard opposite him.

"Damn it, I've already given you everything, what more do you want?"

Beverly curled up on the ground, writhing like a caterpillar, while loudly complaining.

"No, no, no, dear thief, I think we have much more to talk about. Yes, let's have a good talk."

"The law is in a daze!"

The halfling's incessant protests suddenly fell silent, replaced by a low snore; the halfling was now fast asleep.

"This person is involved in a major case, and I need to interrogate him tonight."

The monk said in a deep voice, then picked up the unlucky man again and brought him to the reserved suite.

The saying "you get what you pay for" is true. Compared to the simple and cramped ordinary houses, the luxury suites not only have spacious and comfortable bedroom beds, wooden tables and chairs with carved elven patterns, but also a small cubicle similar to a reception room.

Of course, this is where Mr. Beverly will be staying tonight. The kind-hearted Mr. Zhang has generously spared him the trouble of sleeping in the woodshed, and the halfling only needs to pay a tiny, insignificant price for it.

For example, answer all the questions raised by Your Excellency the Dharma Master honestly and sincerely!

What happened next proved that the halfling race, at least the halfling in front of him, was not some tough guy. With a casual fear stare and an electric claw massage, the mage obtained all the information he wanted.

Yes, during the other party's tearful confession.

The gist of the matter is not complicated. Beverly, who appears to be just one of the many thieves in Baldur's Gate, is actually a seasoned thief whose footprints have spread to several cities in the Sword Coast. After offending a certain enemy, he ran to Baldur's Gate and lived a semi-reclusive life on the surface.

The man who had accumulated a considerable fortune before became much more restrained in his new place of residence. Although he was fond of boasting, no aggrieved parties came to settle scores with him, so others just accepted his boasting.

But looking at it today, it seems that old habits die hard.

"They've got some nerve, actually daring to steal from the Gonde Church, tsk tsk~"

The monk gave a thumbs-up, seemingly praising but also teasing, and said:
"Don't judge a book by its cover!"

“You can’t compare me to those petty thieves; I’m doing this for my dream.”

Upon hearing the praise, the halfling raised its head, which seemed disproportionate to its short stature, and its voice became several decibels louder.

Then came a cacophony of grumbling, about things like the Curious Hunter and the Legend of Sword Coast. The mage didn't argue, but after the other person had finished, he quietly added:
"That's very well said. Just be careful not to forget your lines when the High Priest of the Mysterious Hall asks you about it!"

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(End of this chapter)