Faerûn: Lord of the Eternal Sun

The group followed the high priest through the marble corridor, where they saw temple guards and nuns dressed in gold and silver armor passing by.

When they meet the high priest, they always bow respectfully and nod to Isaac as a sign of recognition of his status.

As for Antontans and his three companions, they were completely ignored.

The group arrived at a side hall inside the temple, which was very quiet. After finding a marble table and stone benches to sit down, High Priest Millerel raised his finger, indicating that the items could be taken out.

Anton Tans took out a black ring and a silver pendant from the cloth bag at his waist. Both of these were magical items. As for the spellbook, there was no need to appraise it.

Standing behind him, Isaac secretly opened a slit between his brows and scanned the ring with his half-closed golden eyes.

【name】???

【quality】???

[Details] A ring made of obsidian, a very hard material. The magical runes on it have unknown effects. It weighs 12 grams.

……

Helpless~

Isaac knew nothing about magic or magical trinkets, and even with his golden eyes, he couldn't discern their effects or quality.

If it weren't for having come into contact with obsidian, a precious metal, it might not even have displayed the single piece of information.

The high priest noticed Isaac's peeping and gave him a casual glance.

The high priest took the ring, his thumb carefully stroking the beautiful patterns on it, and within a few seconds he recognized its function.

"This is a dimensional ring, permanently enchanted with spatial runes. It is stable and empty inside. After magical synchronization, it can open a dimensional space by consuming magic power and mental energy. The internal space is 40*40 centimeters and cannot store living beings. Its market price is..."

"Around 200 gold coins."

Everyone gasped in astonishment; a dimensional space measuring only 40 centimeters in length, width, and height could be worth 200 gold coins.

The high priest ignored everyone's reactions and continued to examine the silver necklace.

"This is the Holy Symbol of the Wild Goddess Melika. Both the necklace and the Holy Symbol are made of mithril and permanently imbued with the 'Water Creation' spell. After magical synchronization, it can be cast using magic power and mental energy without consuming spell slots. Its market price is around 250 gold coins."

Miller, as expected of the high priest, appraised the two magical ornaments with just a glance and even provided a price reference.

"High Priest, may I ask what magical synchronization is?"

The young wanderer was not quite clear about the so-called magical synchronization, so the female druid beside him took the initiative to explain it to him.

"'Magical Synchronization' is the concept of establishing a soul and magical bond between a user and a magical item. Simply put, it's about recognizing a master. Except for a few magical weapons, most magical items require users to have magical power."

"Furthermore, there is a limit to the number of items that can be used for magical synchronization, which can place a burden on the user's soul."

There's a lot to say about this water-making spell. It's a first-level spell that can generate about 10 gallons of clean water in a container, which can be a lifesaver for sandwalkers adventuring in the desert.

However, to use magical items, one needs to possess magical power, which prevents melee classes such as warriors, barbarians, and rogues from using magical items.

Furthermore, spellcasters can learn and master this first-level spell. Therefore, the purpose of this mithril necklace with the water-making spell is to save a spell slot, and its greatest value is actually its material.

After the high priest finished his assessment, he got up and left, leaving the others to discuss the matter. As he left, he and Isaac exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with unspoken meaning.

……

"That spellbook contains three nature spells, and its market value is estimated at 50 gold coins."

"According to the high priest's estimate, after deducting the appraisal fee, the total spoils are 488 gold coins and 4 silver coins."

A great harvest can be achieved with just one successful adventure, earning wealth that ordinary people cannot earn in decades—that's the allure of adventure.

"Liam, as agreed beforehand, these 20 gold coins are your reward plus your share."

Antontans took out 20 gold coins and piled them in front of the wanderer.

Liam was unwilling; it was no small sum, but compared to his current gains, it was indeed a bit less.

"Phew~" After taking a few deep breaths, the young wanderer finally managed to restrain his greed. He put away the gold coins, got up, and left. His gains were already much higher than he had expected before the adventure.

After he left, only the three members of the Sandblade Adventurer Group and Isaac remained.

"Isaac, as agreed before we set off, you'll get 30% of the spoils from this adventure, which is 146 gold coins."

"But we all know that if it weren't for you, none of us might have made it back. Besides, I don't have that many gold coins. You can choose one of these two magical ornaments to make up the difference, and the three of us can divide the rest."

After Anton Tans finished speaking, Isaac looked at him with great surprise and was impressed by his generosity. He was a truly worthwhile partner to befriend.

"I want the ring, and I'll return the remaining 54 gold coins to you later!"

As a believer in the law of the sun god, Isaac was willing to uphold fairness and justice. Since the agreed-upon percentage was 30%, he accepted it and did not want to take advantage of others.

Anton Tans laughed heartily, patted him on the shoulder, and the two men acknowledged each other's feelings.

A reliable comrade-in-arms is one who can resist the temptation of personal gain. Many adventure groups have turned on each other because of unequal distribution of benefits.

Isaac took the black ring, got up and left, leaving the rest to the three of them to divide.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Isaac was fiddling with the black ring when a nun called him back as he left the side hall.

"Devout believer, the high priest wishes to see you."

Guided by the monks, Isaac met Miller again in a room.

"High Priest, what are your instructions?"

The bald priest stood by the window, his figure silhouetted against the sunlight, slightly dazzling.

"Isaac, I've heard Lord Omanus mention you before, and today we finally meet. You are even more outstanding than the lord described."

"Are you willing to become a servant of God, join the temple, and serve the supreme Amannata for life?"

Isaac maintained a respectful expression, but inwardly he roared, "I've seen you hundreds of times, you bastard!"

"High Priest, what exactly are you referring to?"

Isaac was puzzled. Did he have to become a monk and climb the ladder of priesthood step by step to become a priest? He thought to himself that he was already thirty years old, and it wasn't really appropriate.

"Paladin! Swear an oath before the gods to become a paladin of Amannata!"

Isaac wavered, his heart pounding. This was the first time he had felt any attraction since being recruited by multiple people.

In any church, the selection process for each paladin is extremely rigorous. Their status is equivalent to that of a priest, and they are the guardians of the church and the blade of the law.

The bald priest saw his hesitation and interest, and added fuel to the fire, saying, "After becoming a paladin, you can learn to better utilize the power of faith and divine blood, and even gain spellcasting abilities, becoming a half-spellcaster."

"I'd love to!!"

What more needs to be said? Isaac has firmly clung to the coattails of the Church of the Sun.