From Hogwarts to Strixhaven.

Chapter 608 Epilogue (Part 2)
All those invited to the banquet had finally arrived, and the celebration by the Baldur's Gate and the Saviors of Faerûn had just begun.

A melodious tune slowly rose from the stillness of the night. Sometime later, a well-dressed, skilled bard appeared on the terrace of Star Castle Garden, serving as the accompaniment for the banquet.

Although he was indeed alone, that did not prevent him from being a whole band.

Besides the antique lute he held in his hands, many other instruments, appearing as golden phantoms, floated around him, including the melodious flute, the hand drum responsible for rhythm, the violin, which was naturally suited for lyrical solos, and the lyre, whose pleasing tone best embodied the poet's temperament...

These instruments, created by divine power, together formed a harmonious accompaniment orchestra, playing a tantalizing and soul-stirring melody that added luster to the feast of the saviors.

"You found a god, a god of bards, to accompany our banquet?" Ivy looked away from the divine instrument and stared in astonishment at the old, skeletal Yego, whose face remained impassive.

"There is no difference between gods and mortals. Standing there is not only the god of poetry, the god of eloquence, and the god of song, but also a persecuted victim. He is no different from the prisoner who fell from the shell ship..." Old Bones looked at Ivy, "or the traveler who strayed into this place. The wheel of fate can make the high and mighty gods fall into the mud, and it can also make the mortals struggling to survive in the mud climb to the clouds."

"The god of poetry?" Jasira asked with a smile, holding a glass of wine. "You might as well call him the god of bards."

Seeing that neither Ivy nor Old Bones were joking, she stared blankly at the man standing on the terrace acting as a band: "Is he Milrier? The King of Song who was banished from the Pantheon for mocking the Dark Sun?"

"You know him?" Ivy raised an eyebrow.

“After all, most harpists are bards, and even I can hum a few nursery rhymes and tunes…” Jasira shook her head, her chestnut-colored dreadlocks swinging back and forth like octopus tentacles. “This is only the first drink, and I already feel like I’m getting drunk…”

“I never imagined that a high-ranking harpist who is always on guard would show such a defenseless and foolish expression,” Ivy said with a smile, clinking glasses with Jasira.

“I can’t even imagine…” Jasira muttered, emptying her glass and then refilling it. “But you know, we left a huge mess at Baldur’s Gate. Although the rebuilding work is complicated and difficult, the city is starting to recover.”

“Those winding alleys, the pickpockets hiding in them, and the illegal structures they build, sprouted like mushrooms after the rain from unknown corners.” Jashira waved his hand and took another big gulp of his drink. “Perhaps this is the civic spirit of Bodø? Stubbornness? Simple stupidity? Anyway, I no longer scoff at it—sometimes I even think that letting a sewer rat like Ninefingers into the city council might be a good idea.”

“I bet you’re not the first harpist to have this idea.” Will and Ansu, the temporary transportation for the Bod people, finally found their favorite drinks at the table.

Border Blade, who had lost his demonic powers but regained reconciliation with his father, looked radiant and smiled at Ivy across the table.

“You have no idea how excited I am to see Baldur’s Gate reborn and open its gates to welcome all newcomers!” Will cut a large piece of meat from a leg of lamb with his dagger, using it as a cutlery as he chewed and talked. “It’s a pity I still don’t quite fit in with the slow pace of the Baldur’s Gate Council. The wilderness and adventure suit me better. But this time, I’m here with my father’s understanding and respect, instead of wandering the border like a stray dog.”

"And there's the great city guardian, Anzu of Baldur's Heart! He has officially joined the Council as the founder of Baldur's Gate! Think about it, which politician dares to say they can match the wisdom of a dragon?"

Anzu, who had airlifted the adventurers from Baldur's Gate, had shed his dragon form and reverted to his former appearance as a dragonborn noble. He did not partake of the food and drinks at the banquet, but instead stared intently at Ivy with a probing gaze.

Hearing Will speak of himself, he cleared his throat with a touch of arrogance and bowed his noble head to Ivy: "I salute you, my wise and kind brethren. Since we parted at Baldur's Gate, I have been pondering how to repay your kindness. But after meeting you again, I understand. How about a pure gold statue, crafted in your likeness, placed in the most prominent town square of Dawnstar City, so that all the people of this nascent city may bask in your glory!"

Before Ivy could answer, Will, who was sitting at the same table, laughed first: "Ha! Those empty titles are nothing to Ivy! Don't describe him like some kind of dragon."

"Your dearest friend is not like a dragon—think of the advice he gave you on your adventures, think of the wisdom he left behind. Don't you have any doubts?" The ancient bronze dragon's iguana-like maw curved into a strange smile.

Will gasped, his face showing shock: "Could it be that he is—oh! He said before that his magic academy was founded by five dragons! Good heavens! I should have guessed sooner!"

Without a doubt, the ancient bronze dragon Ansu had enough experience and insight to distinguish its own kind from the crowd.

Last time, Ivy was a perfectly normal human, but this time she's become a golden dragon who loves to disguise herself as an intelligent being.

It was not surprising that Ansu would have such a misunderstanding, but Ivy did not intend to explain further whether she was human or a golden dragon.

Instead, he said ambiguously, "Thank you for your kindness, Ansu. I'm still more used to acting as a human. So there's no need to talk about statues anymore. Besides, the scroll I used to resurrect you originally belonged to Gale."

“That’s different.” Ansu shook his head, his beard swaying with it. “Mr. Decarios has already told me that it was his safety measure to prevent the Orb of Destruction from exploding. Since the safety measure has worked and the Orb of Destruction hasn’t exploded, then the Scroll of Complete Resurrection rightfully belongs to you. You saved me and gave me a chance to take revenge on Baldur’s. A truly noble metal dragon would never cheapen the kindness of a good person. I will find a way to repay you that you will like.”

“Alright, you’ve convinced me, Ansu.” Ivy didn’t try to persuade him any further; after all, he was the one who benefited. “Tonight is destined to be an unforgettable night. Let’s raise a glass to friendship.”

"To friendship!" "To this great city!"

After the Baldur's Gate heroes finished their toasts, Ivy rose from the table: "I need to go check on Lyezal. She's in projection form right now, so she can't eat meat or drink alcohol."

“Maybe you could show her what real humor is!” Will still harbored resentment towards Leezer’s Gisyanke-style humor.

The pale purple psionic projection of Star Bay Women's University was enjoying the performance of the Bard God, savoring this rare moment of tranquility.

Upon seeing Ivy arrive, she greeted her with the usual Gisyankee-style greeting: "Chk!"

“I spent the past two months training the new Comet Riders, two months cutting open the belly of the Kethrak Centurion, and two months traversing the Chaos Sea. Before receiving definite news from the Gravekeeper, I never imagined that we would all be here today, standing shoulder to shoulder.”

“You are not only an ally of mine, a great mage who saved the hopes of all the Githyanki, but also a companion who brought me joy and comfort.” Lyezel made no attempt to beat around the bush and went straight to a heartfelt confession, “I miss you, I miss the days when we fought side by side, I miss the heads that were chopped off under your precise commands, the blood that was spilled—I miss Faerûn.”

"Seeing you so energetic makes me very happy." For some reason, Ivy had a feeling of watching a naive college student grow up. "Orpheus, the comet prince, has returned to the astral plane. How is your war for freedom going?"

"We are now at a time to gather strength and prepare for a counterattack. In order to overthrow the Lich Queen Vairakis and reduce her casket to ashes, the prince has ordered me to seek allies in Shrakato." Leezel did not hide the movements of the Githyanki Liberation Forces, "It is located deep in the Chaos Sea, the capital of the Githzerai, and belongs to our former brethren."

"So, you're a diplomat now?" Ivy was very interested in Leezer's transformation. It was a very rewarding thing to teach a warrior who only knew how to use a sword to use his brain and his mouth.

"That's exactly what you taught me: a true victory can be built on words, not on the blade."

“I have another suggestion, Diplomat Lyezal,” Ivy asked with a smile. “Do you remember what your views were on trade with Baldur’s Gate?”

“A pointless and inefficient activity—the Lich Queen would order the Githyanki to plunder any ship they saw, using the cargo and passengers as war materials, slaves, and servants.” Lyezel didn’t hesitate much; this was how the Githyanki empire in the astral plane was built.

“So, are you interested in representing Prince Comet, Faerûn, Dawnstar, and me in some inefficient resource exchange?” Ivy asked. “You have ample experience navigating the astral plane, while the Prime Material Plane possesses resources that the astral plane cannot match. With just a small amount of manpower for escort, you can contribute warriors who would otherwise perish in raids to the war against Vyrakis. I think it’s a very worthwhile deal.”

“Your eyes can always see possibilities that ordinary people cannot.” Leezel’s projection stared at Ivy. “The Githyanki don’t have a good reputation in the Astral Plane. They all say we are Astral pirates.”

“This is precisely the difference that distinguishes the Prince of Comet from the Lich Queen.” Ivy spread her arms toward the sky as if to embrace the stars. “In order to liberate all the Githyanki who are still ruled by ignorance and lies, the Prince of Comet and you need to unite every worthwhile force, just as we did at Baldur’s Gate. Don’t forget that we all have a grudge against Vairakis.”

“Let resources circulate among the stars, use scarcity to generate huge profits, and then turn those profits into weapons against the Lich Queen.” Ivy described a prospect that the Comet Prince and Lyezel could not refuse. “And then you can serve as a diplomat and be stationed permanently in this land that holds so many memories.”

“You’ve always been good at persuading people.” Leezel agreed almost without thinking. “Perhaps we really do need to make changes… I’ll do my best to make it happen. If I can turn the Lich Queen to ashes with you, I’m willing to give anything! I’m going to report to the prince now—don’t worry, this projection will last until dawn, at least until everyone disperses, I’ll stay here.”

"So, we have a new ally? My lord?" The gleaming vampire avatar, Asdalon, gave Ivy a flamboyant knightly salute. "Radiant Inquisitor Asdalon reporting for duty!"

“It seems you’ve adapted quite well, Asdalon.” Ivy looked the vampire up and down, who had been personally blessed by him. The power of the sun had granted him the right to walk freely in the sunlight, which added a touch of color to his pale skin, as well as an aura of health and hope.

"You made me the hope of the Derivatives, you gave me a new life, and you also made me accept my dark side..." Who would have thought that Asdell's expression would be so different from his usual frivolous and dissolute manner?

“But bearing such expectations is difficult… I know this is not an easy thing to solve, but your people are hoping that you will turn your favor to them.”

“I can assure you, DOOM.” Minsara walked over with her hands behind her back and glared at Asderon. “The Derivatives are telling the truth. Can you imagine? You have more statues in Twilight City than I do! I even know some Derivatives have your face carved on their bedside tables, just so they can fall asleep under your gaze.”

"Forgive me, my dear. I can't think of anything that hates sunlight except for drow elves and undead." Ivy's familiar smile returned to Asdalon's face once again.

“I don’t hate sunlight.” Minsara waved her arm resolutely, as if wielding a longsword or a razor. “I’m just used to the shadows. But even I know that without light, there would be no shadows…”

Minsara hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "Enjoy this feast, DOOM. I dare say that tomorrow morning, you'll have plenty of mundane affairs to attend to. Affairs concerning our city..."

(End of this chapter)