From Hogwarts to Strixhaven.

Chapter 533 Gotash's Insurance

“Ivy, this is Duke Dillard Porter, the most senior duke in the council of four.” Amidst the whispers of the nobles who spoke of Ravengard, Will gestured and introduced, “Duke Porter, this is Ivy Doom, an archmage from another world. And also—”

Will looked at Ivy questioningly again, and only continued after Ivy nodded slightly: "The Lord of Dawnstar City in the Cursed Lands of Shadows."

"Everyone in Baldur's Gate knows that the Council of Four is a mere shell of its former self. I'd rather retire and let you call me 'the chubby old man'!" Duke Porter said with a chuckle, while displaying a perfectly appropriate spirit of inquiry. "I remember the 'Shadow Curse' refers to the area east of Baldur's Gate, on the north bank of the Chongsa River, right? I think it's... Resven? But what about this Dawnstar City...?"

“I cleansed the Shadow Curse from that land and used magic to build a new city from the ruins,” Ivy said leisurely, as if discussing the weather at Baldur’s Gate tomorrow. “The last survivor of the Somme family has agreed to transfer the ruling power of Raistv to me and then go off to spend time with her lover.”

The last survivor of the Somme family was, of course, Isobel Somme, who was resurrected by Melkor. The transfer of the ruling law was completed in the presence of Serene.

Although there are no recognized international law enforcement agencies on the continent of Faerûn, the constraints of the gods and oaths are just as effective for ruling power.

Anyway, Isobel had long since decided not to stay in that place of sorrow.

"In conclusion, I, Ivy Doom, am the rightful lord of the Cursed Lands, that is, Morningstar City." Ivy looked directly into Dillard Porter's eyes.

Just a second later, Dillard Porter looked away and extended his chubby hand to shake hands with Ivy.

"So, Baldur's Gate has gained another powerful mage lord as an ally!" Dillard Porter shook Ivy's arm enthusiastically. "In such a time of crisis, this is truly wonderful news! However, the specific details of the treaty may have to wait until after this ceremony! I'm too old now, and my energy is not what it used to be. This world already belongs to you young people!"

Dillard Porter was indeed a shrewd politician. Having keenly observed the shifting political landscape within Baldur's Gate, he decisively chose to step back rather than rashly confront the rapidly rising Gortash. He also noticed the unusual signals at the coronation ceremony as Gortash's power was about to reach its zenith, cautiously sending a signal of goodwill to the only son of High Duke Ravengard.

Dillard Porter's most prominent characteristic has always been his shrewdness and diplomacy, which also means he is the most compromising member of the council of four. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, as many say politics is the art of compromise.

Whenever he appears, laughter and applause always follow his conversations.

"In any case, purifying the Shadow Curse is an absolutely wonderful thing! Especially since Lord Doom is still so young!" Dillard Porter said emotionally, turning slightly to face the gathering of nobles in the High Hall. "How I long to see that land ravaged by the Shadows come back to life... It's a pity that at my age, I may never see it... But I believe you young lads can build a better future than this—"

Dillard Porter's impromptu speech contained several formulaic segments, nothing more than common tactics politicians use to garner attention and sympathy. But after Porter's determination to leave the quagmire of Baldur's Gate, the latter part clearly became unsuitable. After all, the rising political star of Baldur's Gate wasn't him, but Enver Gortash.

Just as Dillard Porter was pausing in his speech, Ivy suddenly said, "That day will come, Duke Porter. After all, you see, I'm only 150 years old, or more accurately, 148 and a half."

Realizing what he had just heard, Dillard Porter turned to stare at Ivy's handsome young face, his mouth agape, unable to utter a word.

He knew exactly what the title of Archmage meant, but before witnessing Ivy's strength firsthand, no one would feel any awe towards a young man with a title often used by white-bearded old men in legends.

Fortunately, Dillard Porter's embarrassment didn't last long, as the guards and Flame Fist soldiers standing at the door began loudly announcing Enver Gotash's arrival.

"Return to your seats, Lord Gotash's coronation ceremony is about to begin!"

The sound of metal linkages and gears meshing, along with heavy footsteps, reached the ears of the nobles. Two rows of brand-new steel guards stood guard over Gotash and Duke Urd Ravengard at one end of the red carpet.

The nouveau riche began searching for their seats amidst the chaos. The order was no better than in a vegetable market or any other place where ordinary people gathered, but out of respect for the tall and sturdy steel guardians, they did not make any extra noise.

Bann's voters watched with satisfaction as Zonggui found his place in the order he had established in the hall, until the dispersing crowd took their seats, highlighting the four adventurers who had been standing in the corner of the hall.

Duke Dillard Porter, who had been chatting enthusiastically with Will earlier, had already slipped into the crowd, his enormous belly swaying, and taken a seat in the row closest to the throne. It's truly baffling how the Duke, who's practically a meatball, manages to maintain that shape; perhaps his round exterior hides a ton of solid muscles that can only be seen with X-ray vision.

Gotash simply smiled, seemingly oblivious to their eccentricities, and looked away from the four of them.

With a hint of arrogance, but more so with pride, he announced loudly: "Fellow countrymen! Fellow Bodø people—friends! Thank you all for spending this special day with me."

The steel guards' metal legs trod on the stone floor of the Supreme Hall, following their masters as they flaunted their power and authority to the nobles of the Upper City.

Gotash was still wearing that deep black robe embroidered with exquisite gold thread patterns, seemingly without a bra or shirt underneath, revealing his chest covered in black hair and muscles. His face was cold and confident, as if he still controlled all the variables. Even with his disheveled hair, heavy dark circles under his eyes, and stubble, his tough confidence remained unbroken.

Perhaps he hadn't taken care of his appearance for a long time, but he held tightly to his power and his army. Only after Enver Gotash stood before the throne in the hall, raised his arms to greet the nobles, and received round after round of applause, did he guide the attention of everyone participating in the coronation ceremony to the four of them.

“Perhaps some of you have already heard, or perhaps you still have questions about the arrival of these visitors.” Gortash raised his arm, the Netherstone encased in golden gauntlets gleaming. “But allow me to introduce them—the mighty warriors who ended the army of Katheric Somme, the chosen one of the Supreme God!”

The Order of the Supreme God had been spreading rumors about Katheric and his army in Baldur's Gate for a long time, but until Katheric died, no noble in the city ever saw him. However, the increasing number of refugees in Baldur's Gate told them that Katheric's threat was not an illusion, but a fact.

Upon suddenly hearing that the Undead General, who had long threatened Baldur's Gate, had vanished and been killed by a few unknown adventurers, anyone would feel bewildered.

“It’s a pity that the crisis at Baldur’s Gate has not been resolved, and the army of the Supreme God is still threatening our homeland.” Gotash made an inviting gesture. “Please sit down, my friend from afar. Perhaps after the coronation ceremony, we can discuss matters related to the alliance.”

Gortash's so-called alliance wasn't referring to Baldur's Gate and Ivy's Dawnstar, but rather to being the holders of the Netherstones. The Mind Flayer's mainframe was no easy subject to control, even with a significant loss of its brain. The three Netherstones had to be tightly bound together to ensure the control of one of the most powerful beings on the Material Plane.

However, in the eyes of Zong Gui, who participated in the coronation ceremony, Gotash's words undoubtedly confirmed what Duke Dillard Portal had said earlier: Baldur's Gate was about to gain another powerful mage lord as an ally.

Ivy did not reject Gotash's proposal. Fighting in areas with low concentrations of non-combatants would easily result in friendly fire, and regardless of whether Gotash obtained the Netherstone, it would cause Ivy and Dawnstar to lose a great deal of trust.

He clenched his fingers, and a pale blue magical light shone in Ivy's palm, summoning four luxurious armchairs.

There were plenty of empty seats in the Grand Hall, but it was difficult to find four seats that were connected together.

“Do what you’re supposed to do, Gotash…Grand Duke.” Ivy sat down calmly, in a spot not part of the coronation ceremony plan, just to the side of the Grand Duke’s throne.

This unconventional behavior caused Zong Gui in the hall to whisper among himself, but considering Dillard and Gotash's earlier remarks, it seemed reasonable.

Once the hushed conversations in the hall ceased, Gotash continued the ceremony as if nothing had happened.

The ceremony included reciting oaths, receiving the Duke's investiture and coronation, delivering an inaugural address, and finally, a social ball for the nobility.

The original procedure was as planned, but after High Duke Ravengard placed his sword on both of Gotash's shoulders in turn, took the oath with him, and conferred the title of Grand Duke on behalf of the Council of Four and the citizens of Baldur's Gate, Gotash announced that the social ball would begin immediately, completely skipping the speech.

As the waiting musicians occupied a corner of the hall, the guards and Flamefists removed all the chairs in the middle of the hall that were used for watching the ceremony. Gotash walked up to Ivy and the others and took the initiative to say, "Please forgive me, Baldur's Gate has always been my home that I cannot sever ties with, so it is my greatest honor to serve it as a Grand Duke."

“Honorable Mage Lord—” Gotash stopped, staring at Ivy, who showed no intention of getting up, “I suddenly realize that I don’t even know your name.”

“Ivy Doom. Skip the formalities, Gortash.” Ivy turned slightly to look at Duke Ravengard, who stood motionless beside Gortash’s throne like a puppet. He was still wearing the armor that belonged to Marshal Flamefist, but he could no longer fight for any rights for the citizens of Baldur’s Gate. “You went to such lengths, even risking Zariel, to send us this invitation. You must have something to say.”

“It’s not easy to see you, Lord Doom.” Gortash smiled confidently. “I suppose you’ve brought Katheric’s Netherstone along with my favorite assassin?”

"To be honest, I never imagined something like that would happen. An unknown mage who emerged from some obscure corner easily turned my meticulously planned conspiracy into a huge joke." The beam of the Dawn Cannon that pierced the night still shone brightly in Gotash's memory. Even after returning to Baldur's Gate, he still shuddered at that spell. "But fortunately, it's not over yet. Now you've come to my home turf. The true origin of the Supreme God Project."

“Of course.” Ivy glanced at the Netherstone on Gortash’s arm. “To thwart the entire conspiracy of the Supreme God and the Triune God of Death.”

“Hahaha…” Gortash laughed a few times, seemingly unconcerned about Ivy’s threat. “In order not to lose too badly, I’ve set up an insurance policy for the Supreme God in advance.”

“If Envir Gortash were dead, all the Mind Flayer tadpoles would immediately begin the hatching process, instantly creating a massive number of Mind Flayers in Baldur's Gate and even the entire Sword Coast region.” Gortash spread his arms and said smugly, “To control the Mind Beast, three Netherstones are essential. But thanks to you blowing up half of its brain, otherwise it would have been really difficult for me to do this.”

The mastermind controlled by the Crown of Karthus can now fully dedicate itself to producing Mind Flayer Tadpoles, which do not need to cannibalize each other to gain the right to parasitize. The cultists of the Death Trinity have already spread them throughout the Sword Coast region, and if those infected were to undergo a complete metamorphosis in an instant, it would be a massive catastrophe for the entire world.

The Mind Flayer Empire, which has been gone for a long time, may rise again, and all the mortal races in the world of Toril may be enslaved.

“A complete victory is impossible for me, but there are ways to avoid a complete defeat.” Gortash held the golden silk gauntlets to his chest, the purple Netherstone gleaming. “So, let’s talk about a win-win solution. With my wisdom and your power, we can control the Supreme God, and even the entire continent of Faerûn. We can kick all the high and mighty gods off their pedestals and sit on them ourselves.”

"The fate of this world is in our hands; whether it leads to prosperity or destruction is entirely up to us."

(End of this chapter)