Equipment Printing School Mage

Although Karak was just struggling and claiming that he did nothing, after observing them, Gotash changed his previous eloquent nature and lowered his head in silence.

But sometimes, their very existence is evidence.

Schwartz, who had been a little nervous at first, had regained his composure. He made no secret of his steps, holding the child named Gortash firmly under his armpit.

Schwartz mercilessly pinned Gortash against the side of his breastplate. The sturdy breastplate, through the thin fabric of his clothing, nearly dug into his ribs, causing his face to twitch constantly. Even so, he kept his lips tightly pursed, saying nothing.

The little girl named Karak kept looking over here, but every time she was about to speak, Gotash glared back without hesitation.

Emiya followed them and didn't see this minor conflict. He simply asked, "It's a bit late now. When did Wangyang Tower become completely closed to the outside world?"

This question is obviously an open one, and all residents living nearby know when they will raise the drawbridge.

The thinner soldier replied, "It's been dark for some time now. The Tower of the Sea relies on the bell tower of Baldur's Gate and the water clock of the Church of Gond to keep time. In any case, when the bell rings eight times, the gates of the Tower of the Sea will be completely closed. As for further information, it is a secret of the Flaming Fist."

Just at this moment, seven slow bell tolls reached their ears, passing over the towering city walls and the layers of tree houses.

Emiya shrugged. "What if we can't get out within an hour? Will the Flame Fist extend its closing time for us?"

"It's not unprecedented during more peaceful times. But that's impossible now. You might have to live in the duty room with us then—but it's actually quite spacious."

Emiya sighed: "Well, I don't mind."

Anyway, ever since the tragic experience in the Friendly Arms, they had been staying in the Mage's Hut every night. If they stayed in Baldur's Gate tonight, they had even planned to set up the Mage's Hut in their room at the inn.

This certainly seems like a stupid move—if you don't trust the hotel's security, are you really going to spend money just for a soft bed?

Well, for their team, it’s probably true.

Being locked up in a dungeon in one's own lair, the shadow cast by this experience will not be erased in just a few days.

At least Emilia is still afraid of the rope.

The bridge in front of Wangyang Tower was at least a hundred meters long and unusually wide. This terrain wasn't particularly suitable for defense, but rather for a collective attack by the garrison at the right moment.

But it made sense. The Ocean Tower was at the very edge of Baldur's Gate, guarding its various ports. This location made it unnecessary to hold on to a stronghold—if the enemy had already reached the Ocean Tower, the entire Baldur's Gate would likely have fallen. By then, if only the Flaming Fist remained unharmed, what would be the point?

It is the Flaming Fist that protects Baldur's Gate, so there is no reason to use the entire Baldur's Gate as a shield for the Flaming Fist.

When the vague shadow of Wangyang Tower appeared in their field of vision, Yin suddenly narrowed his eyes, pulled Emiya's sleeve, and whispered, "...There's magic in the area in front of Wangyang Tower. It's very similar to the one at the entrance of the Hall of Miracles. They should have been created by Gond Priest. The effects should be slightly different."

Emilia pondered for a moment and then understood.

This kind of magic is not difficult to guess - it is a continuous spell at a fixed location, and there are only a few most commonly used ones.

He lowered his head and saw a brass mark on the bridge surface.

A golden gear - the emblem of the Temple of Gond.

Holy Residence, a spell that is almost essential for priests to build various advanced fortresses - the only problem is that it costs thousands of gold coins and can only last for one year.

However, the two Flame Fist soldiers didn't think much of it. Apparently, the spell had already been cast. The soldier named Schwartz paused, glanced at the child in his arms, and bared his teeth. "Hmph, I have a hostage now, so I'm not worried about Hope giving me a hard time."

Aimiya frowned and asked, "Are you two planning to take these two little guys to the bottom of Wangyang Tower like this?"

Hearing this, the two soldiers stopped and turned around with a puzzled look: "Or?"

Aimiya gestured to Mars to take the two children aside to prevent them from hearing too much. Then he lowered his voice and said, "I'm not very familiar with the atmosphere within the Flame Fist. I just have a suggestion. You two may wish to listen to it."

*********************

"He who comes is stopped!"

They had no intention of concealing their tracks. Several members of the team wore heavy armor, and the thud of their greaves colliding with the stone bridge had already reached the gates of Wangyang Tower.

The guards at the city gate lifted the curtain on the city wall, revealing the magical light source on it. Bright radial light poured down from the high wall, illuminating the figures of everyone extremely clearly in the dark night.

A Flame Fist soldier on the tower, dressed in a rather complicated outfit, was clearly the commander. He glanced at the figure below, frowned, and shouted in a pretentious tone, "Wangyang Tower is closed to the public today. Those arriving must state their identities and purpose!"

Schwartz glared and yelled back, "Hope! Did you become blind after becoming Jingwei? Don't you recognize me?"

Jingwei is the title of a mid-level officer in the Flame Fist. Hopper, also a Jingwei, snorted coldly, "I recognize your face, but I don't know if you're a fake."

A burst of low laughter immediately came from all around him.

After that, Hope said to the crowd below, "Besides, there are a lot of people behind you! What's going on?"

The Flame Fist soldier next to Hope also chimed in, "It's hard to explain. You can't come in!"

Schwartz muttered, "Okay, Flame Fist Guard Waltz, the guy next to you is Wagner, Flame Fist Iron Hand. Our team was supposed to go to Gund Temple to place a new order, but a murder occurred in Gund's hall, and we were even there. You know Gutenberg's temper; he's always reluctant to get involved in unnecessary matters. As a result, we were forced to return to report the crime before we could even send out the order."

Schwartz was actually a Jingwei - this was actually quite unexpected for Emilia - but it made sense, a team that was directly connected to the Gond Temple couldn't just be of too low a status - in Baldur's Gate, the status of the Gond Church was no worse than that of the Flaming Fist.

"Homicide?!"

The atmosphere on the city wall was still somewhat cheerful, but when this shocking news came out, the other soldiers on the wall suddenly stopped laughing.

One of them immediately lay on the city wall and shouted down, "Are you kidding me? There's been a murder in the Gond Temple? A priest is dead?"

"Bullshit! Use your brain! Is it full of alcohol? If a priest died in the Gond Temple, wouldn't I be detained by those Gond people all night? How could I come back so soon!" Schwartz roared, "The crime happened outside the hall. I was at the scene, so I was pushed into the hands of us Flaming Fists! Open the damn door!"

Hope looked dissatisfied and asked, "Who is behind you?"

"Of course it's the damn witnesses! If it was just me and Wagner, wouldn't we both be suspects?"

Hope raised his eyebrows: "-You witnessed the murder? Then why didn't you go and arrest the person? You actually came back so leisurely? Could it be that you killed him?"

Having said that, he snorted coldly and patted the city wall: "It's so late now, how can we let outsiders in?"

Although Schwartz had anticipated these repeated harassments, he still couldn't help but feel his blood boiling when he heard them. "Hope, can you even say something sensible?! A few people came to Wangyang Fort after seeing a murder, and you're actually planning to stop them from entering?! And I have to bring the body back!"

Even so, Hope still showed no sign of giving in. He just sneered and said, "That's still a special case. I have to find Ranyan first to report..."

Ranyan is the highest-ranking officer under the Grand Commander of the Flame Fist.

"Stop it! I've already explained the reasons for the changes in our ranks and names according to the regulations. The team behind us just came here to report the case and serve as witnesses. Why are you still complaining? You're just trying to trip me up!" Schwartz wiped his face, which was a little wet from the sea breeze. "I was forced to run back and forth all over Baldur's Gate because of Ranyan's orders. If every soldier has to report to Ranyan every time he comes back, then we'll all just squat and line up outside the city gate!"

Hope shook his head: "Then you can come back and complain to Ranyan--"

This is what is called the situation is stronger than people.

Hope wasn't Schwartz's superior. But because he was standing on the city wall, perhaps responsible for monitoring the gates of Wangyang Tower at night, he could easily control his opponent.

Emiya, who had been standing at the back, stepped forward.

Schwartz was currently standing within the area of ​​effect of the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary spell could grant a lasting blessing, but as a divine spell capable of being cast by a fifth-ring cleric, its effects naturally couldn't be as strong as those of a druid's sanctuary. However, its effects were generally mild, consisting mostly of blessings and relatively weak effects.

At the same time, while the Holy Residence had a certain degree of screening ability, a group like the Flame Fist was clearly a mixed bag, exceeding the Holy Residence's ability to filter. If Emiya were to guess, the effect of the Holy Residence would be effective for all living beings.

In this case, if Emilia were to design a spell effect in this position, there would be almost only one choice - Realm of Honesty.

The effect of this spell is simple and straightforward—each creature must speak the truth when it is cast. Although some powerful creatures may try to resist, it usually works.

This is why, despite Schwartz's empty words and Hope's attempts to embarrass him on the wall, no one questioned him—what Schwartz said must be true. If Hope wanted to cause trouble, he could only do so through the procedures.

Emiya said to the Flaming Fist soldiers on the city wall, "Everyone, it's late at night, and everyone still has to stand on the city wall, being blown by the sea breeze. You dare not relax for a moment. It's really hard work. But isn't this hard work just so that we can survive the crisis safely?"

"But now, someone has dared to spill blood in front of the Gond Temple. Is this a small matter in front of Baldur's Gate? Is the person who dares to do such a thing just to kill someone? In that case, Baldur's Gate is so huge, where else can it be convenient? Why would they choose to provoke the Gond Church? This is either a madman or the beginning of a major conspiracy. No one can stay out of it!" Emilia shouted. "Everyone, the waves are already foaming. Now is not the time for quarrels!"

Hope had clearly only just been promoted, and the hierarchy within the Flame Fist seemed relatively flexible. Emiya's words immediately stirred their interest, and whispers began to spread across the city walls.

However, Hope immediately turned around and glared at them fiercely: "Before you think of being heroes, you should first understand one thing: what is the night guard of Wangyang Tower, and what is the punishment for violating the rules at this time."

Then, the whisper that had just sounded disappeared in an instant.

Emiya sighed. "That's not necessary, sir. Wangyang Tower isn't under such tight security that no outsiders are allowed to enter, right?"

Hope said coldly, "Who can enter and who can't enter—this is decided by the head of the night guard, unless Ranyan is present. Of course, if you are not satisfied, I can go to Ranyan for instructions."

After going around in circles, I still couldn't get in.

Seeing this, Schwartz spat on the ground. "If you had just let me in, I wouldn't have pulled out this trump card. Looks like you're asking for trouble! If I hadn't been on guard against you, I would have been out there enjoying the sea breeze all day. Brothers, let me ask you, Hope stopped me tonight, but did he let others in with a little scrutiny, or even without scrutiny?"

The soldier on the city wall was about to nod, but he looked at his superior and immediately stopped.

But Schwartz got the answer, and he waved back: "Come on, Wagner, please help me bring over the two thieves we just caught."

"Varied--"

Amidst Hope's uncontrollable screams, the two children, who had been following behind and guarded by Mars, were brought forward—of course, their hands were tied and their mouths were stuffed with cloth. Their hesitant voices could not penetrate the tide of the Sea of ​​Swords.

Schwartz freed the two of them from their mouths and waved at Hope. "Now, I suspect these two people might be harmful to Wangyang Fort. In this case, according to the new regulations set by the deputy commander, proving their innocence at the city gate is not enough. They must be questioned in the interrogation room newly built by the deputy commander before they can be released. But if I can't get into Wangyang Fort, then these two kids will have to stay outside with me. It might not be a big deal, after all, Wangyang Tower does not prohibit family members from visiting. Now I guess they won't be able to go back within a day."

He coughed lightly and suddenly raised his voice. "If they return to Hope's Residence and say something to their companions, saying that people from the same orphanage forgot about their former brothers and sisters after their Flame Fist became powerful, then it won't be my responsibility."

"We didn't do anything!" The little girl named Karak immediately shouted with her teeth bared.

Gotash lowered his head and said nothing, with no intention of asking Hope for help.

Schwartz shrugged. "If I can get into Wangyang Fort, that's not a big deal. But if I'm stuck outside all night, well, sorry, the Feilongyan Bridge has been built, so I have nowhere to go. You'll just have to eat seaweed and swallow seawater with me."

He thought for a moment, then said in his coldest voice, "Even feeding you the cold food from the Wangyang Tower cafeteria! That Waterdeep-style green garbage that only the most resilient cows can open their mouths to!"

Emiya's eyebrows couldn't help but twitch - what on earth was this cold dish served in Wangyang Tower Canteen? It was even more terrifying than seaweed and seawater?

But no matter what, both sides have now revealed all their cards.

After a brief hesitation, Hope waved to the side: "-Open the door."

The atmosphere, stagnant and almost melting, paused for a moment. The Flame Fist soldiers nearby breathed a sigh of relief. A moment later, with the creaking sound of a capstan, the gates of Wangyang Tower opened to them.

Hope, as always, put on a businesslike face: "Just a reminder, the gates of Wangyang Tower will be sealed soon. When that happens, I won't have the right to release you."

Mars raised his head indifferently and said indifferently, "Yes, it seems that we voluntarily stayed at the city gate and entangled with others."

Hope snorted coldly and shouted to the people below, "Alright, put my brothers and sisters down."

Hope House seems to be an orphanage - so maybe everyone here is a brother or sister.

Emilia looked at Gortash, who was sitting silently on the gears of Gund, raised her eyebrows, and whispered in the ear of the tall and thin soldier named Wagner, "Are you putting it back like this?"

Wagner had been relaxing for a while, but he was startled when he heard this: "—You really are as cold as you look... Uh, strict! There's no need for that, is there? It's too late now. If you delay any longer, you might not be able to go back tonight."

"I hope so." Emilia shook her head and looked at the two children who were about to leave without saying anything else.

He just asked casually.

Thirteen Hope Residences

The two children finally landed and were free. Without a word, Gortash turned and hurried away, as if something was chasing him. Kalak, after angrily spitting at the shadow of the Wangyang Tower, also turned and left.

By now, they had successfully entered Wangyang Tower. The huge castle was quite quiet at the moment - it was past shift change and dinner time. Most people stayed on the city walls instead of patrolling inside.

Most of those who had been busy all day had already returned to the dorms to rest. Of course, there were a few exceptions—for example, someone who had been running around Baldur's Gate all day and ended up running into a murder team while doing their last job.

After Schwartz entered the city, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Wangyang Tower was a true military fortress. After Emilia passed through the ridiculously thick gate, she belatedly realized that the so-called city wall was actually a comprehensive defensive complex. The wall surrounding this isolated island perhaps occupied a full quarter of the fortress's area.

I'm afraid that many of the functions of this fortress are hidden within the city walls.

"Ahem, everyone, please don't look around. I understand your curiosity, but allowing outsiders into Wangyang Tower and allowing internal information to leak out are two different things." Schwartz cleared his throat and resumed his businesslike demeanor. "You all came with me to report a case. Please proceed this way—sorry, no other areas are allowed."

Emiya shrugged. "If the Flaming Fist headquarters doesn't even have this kind of vigilance, I'll flee Baldur's Gate overnight."

Mars's focus was entirely on the building itself. "How can I describe this fortress...it's unusually perfect? ​​There isn't even a single flaw on the walls...this is too bizarre. Could it be newly built?"

"Of course—" Schwartz casually mentioned it, but Wagner coughed violently mid-sentence. Schwartz was immediately startled and shook his head violently. "It's only natural for us Flame Fist to pay more attention to our headquarters!"

It seems that he has his own secrets.

They were walking in the area inside the Wangyang Tower city wall. At this moment, a secret door leading to the underground slowly opened in front of them. A male priest who was dressed 70% similar to Gutenberg, but with fewer decorations on his body, walked up to the city wall breathlessly.

A Flame Fist soldier followed behind him.

After finally reaching the surface, the Gond priest breathed a sigh of relief: "Ah, this life of being a ground rat is finally over. I don't want to smell the earth again this year."

The Flaming Fist soldiers bowed their heads respectfully in thanks, "Your Excellency, the people of Gond, you have worked very hard today."

"Temple work isn't exactly tough," the priest shook his head. "Rivengard, if it weren't for you, I'd probably have gotten lost in the Ocean Tower a dozen times today. A Gond priest getting lost in the works of the people of Gond would be laughed at for a year if I told anyone."

"You're joking. Please leave quickly. Wangyang Tower will be closed soon."

After a brief greeting, the pastor quickened his pace and passed by them with the sound of tools clanging. He nodded and passed by them.

Schwartz's eyes then fixed on the Flaming Fist soldier who had just climbed up: "Rivendell Guard?! Why are you still here? Aren't you supposed to—"

Wagner immediately stepped forward and interrupted: "—The old commander has just retired. I thought you would take a few days off to accompany him."

The Flame Fist Jingwei named Ravengarde had clearly answered this question more than once. His dark face showed no particular expression, as he replied with remarkable practice, "I simply feel that the Flame Fist needs me more than ever at this time. Besides, Wangyang Tower is the safest place right now."

Schwartz sighed: "That's the logic, but..."

He shook his head, looked back at Emiya and his group, and changed his tone: "Okay, Urd, which Burning Flame is on duty at Wangyang Tower now? I have a lot of things to report."

Urd Rivengard replied, "There's no shift change. The deputy commander has been here all day and hasn't left yet."