Equipment Printing School Mage

The negotiations have reached a dead end at this point.

"……snort."

Rex looked up at the towering walls of Feilongyan and asked, "Then we are not allowed to see Michelle for the last time."

"The Flame Fist has its own procedures—identity verification. If you attempt to identify the deceased, then come to Wangyang Tower tomorrow—but I must state in advance that Wangyang Tower has a special status and will not allow you to be fully armed and wield swords."

"And then, can our bodies even be buried in the same grave as Michel?" Eltoril's messenger turned his horse's head. "I don't think that's necessary. This matter is no longer an internal matter between our delegation."

The old wizard narrowed his eyes slightly.

Karkoros may be a little eccentric for a mage, but he's generally easy to get along with—but above all, he's still a mage.

His patience is also limited.

Elios de Carcoros replied: "We will still try to find out what happened behind this case. As for whether you want to unilaterally define the nature of this matter, I have no right to interfere - but I will be prepared."

It would be more accurate to say that the fuse has been lit rather than that it ended on bad terms.

At this point, Emiya and her group had been listening for quite some time from a distance as their newest negotiation master had already given her assessment.

Sig kept shaking his head. "That doesn't sound right. This Eltoril man speaks politely, but it seems like he's deliberately trying to provoke us, as if he's afraid a fight might break out."

Mars' brow furrowed. "...Thor's followers are the most radical among the Three Pillars of Justice. Perhaps it's because they're already convinced of Baldur's Gate's crimes?"

They didn't expect to achieve any results from the negotiations at this moment. A conversation without sincerity would naturally produce no results.

Sig thought for a moment and took a breath. "Well, what are your plans? Do you really need to get involved? I think this is a bit complicated."

Emiya nodded without hesitation. "Yes. I think there's still room for maneuver. And since there's a possibility of conspiracy behind this conflict, I'm going to ruin it."

"Then raise the tone of the conversation! Think about whether you have any useful identity that can be used to put it on the wall! - For example, the Harpist? Also, do you have a more specific connection with either side? The kind that can easily lead to the topic?"

Emiya sighed: "--both."

Regardless of which side he is on, he has both the right identity and the reason to join.

Twenty-eight each with his own hidden agenda

Next, there will probably be a lot of verbal battles tonight.

Emilia was very aware of this.

Problems that could be solved with just whispers of the communication spell in the past now require more advanced spells.

Emiya clapped her hands lightly and whispered a few spells.

The fifth-ring prophecy spell, Larry's mind connection, is activated.

This was also one of the spells he learned urgently during the last few days in the Sharptooth Forest.

Yin's eyes lit up as she watched the flow of magic. She tried it out, then immediately used the latest communication channel: [A telepathic link that can affect multiple people simultaneously...allowing all recipients to communicate internally for a limited time, and without spatial restrictions—a very good spell, is this also a new invention!?]

"I don't know if it's new by your standards... but my teacher said he's been collecting spells, so maybe he's relatively new." That was all Emiya could say.

[…Hello? Can you hear me? Tsk, the Master Mage's stuff is just great. We poets can only pick up what the Master Mage leaves behind.] After trying it a few times, Sig immediately took to it with great enthusiasm. [Those Eltoril people are obviously very strict people. A short poet like me can't get them to take it seriously right away. I'm just responsible for observing their expressions and cheering them on.]

Mars just shrugged his shoulders - he couldn't lie. He was at a disadvantage in such negotiations where the enemy and friend were unclear.

Emiya sighed and spurred her horse forward.

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

Just as the Eltoril people had begun trying to return, a small group of people on horseback came towards them from a distance, holding torches without concealment.

However, although their team of four also rode horses, the horses' hooves alternately kicked up no sound or dust on the grasslands of Baldur's Gate. The dark horses' bodies and smoke-like hooves seemed like ghosts looming in the darkness.

Their appearance immediately aroused the vigilance of the Eltoril people. The clanging sounds of swords being unsheathed became continuous. The originally neat team almost immediately dispersed in all directions, forming several small teams, and surrounded Emia and his group.

Mars silently observed the Eltoril formation and sneered: "I told them long ago that since they should disperse immediately after the battle, why do they usually focus on training in such a dense formation? In Faerun, even fighting a hobgoblin might turn up a fireball!"

Emiya sighed over the comms: "So, what did you see? I just saw that they all seemed to be real riders."

Of course. Including the emissary himself, there are three priests, eighteen warriors, and a light-mounted rogue serving as a scout. Eltoril's official staffing has maintained a similar ratio since the Arcane Scourge. Mages are also brought along for truly dangerous battles. As for riding horses... that's perfectly normal. In Eltoril, even a grown monkey might be strapped to a horse.

It looks like this guy has been in Eltoril for quite some time.

Emiya watched as the Eltoril people slowly surrounded them and raised her hand to indicate they were not hostile. Inwardly, she asked curiously, "Eltoril seems like a good fit for a paladin. Why do you seem to have no fondness for it?"

"Overall, that's true. Perhaps there's no city in Faerun more suited to a paladin than Eltoril. But after a deeper look, you'll find that all cities are similar—corruption, secrets, and shadows are inevitable." Mars snorted coldly. "In my opinion, a place that appears benign but still has undercurrents is more dangerous than a place that people avoid."

From a purely intuitive perspective, I believe the culture of Eltoril lies precisely at the most dangerous and delicate point when following a paladin—they revere the paladin's code, pursuing justice and loyalty, but are unwilling to strictly adhere to the paladin's precepts. At the same time, they take pride in this half-hearted justice. This self-perception of being proudly independent in this filthy world—though this view isn't entirely wrong—gives them a subtle... drive.

Therefore, their behavior tends to be more radical when they believe they are right, which can seem a bit mysterious to outsiders. Therefore, I agree with Sig's statement: show weakness to these idiots first, let them become complacent, and then push them against the wall. Only when they realize that their actions don't actually match their slogans will they be willing to restrain themselves a little.

Just as they were discussing countermeasures, the Eltoril people had already completed their siege. Rex glanced back at the city walls and rode up to Emya and her companions. "Good evening, everyone. May I ask why you have suddenly arrived so late at night? We are in a delicate situation, and we must be wary of any visitors from behind."

Emilia shook her head, glanced at the Feilongyan wall behind them, and replied, "Excuse me, I originally wanted to approach you from the front, but after seeing the turbulent Chongsa River, I had to give up this tempting idea."

The faces of the Eltoril people around them suddenly flushed - they blocked the Feilongyan Bridge tightly, so others naturally had to approach from behind them.

Rex smiled and shook his head: "Your Excellency is right. This is our fault..."

As he spoke, he was stunned for a moment: "...Have we met before? You look familiar."

"That's true." Emilia sighed, "Just today, I passed by Rivington and gave some advice on an unexpected murder case."

At this point, he turned his horse's head seriously, looked at the flashing cold light, and asked, "I dare not claim any credit, but I think we have some friendship?"

Rex waved his hand without hesitation, and the Eltoril men immediately sheathed their weapons and returned to their sides. Rex, bowing from his horse, greeted them, "We are deeply sorry for our over-excitement. We bear no ill will towards you. Your generosity today has enabled us to swiftly capture several Hell Knights. I will repay you in due time."

Emilia rode her Phantom Horse slowly sideways a few steps, looking at the Feilongyan Bridgehead—there were many figures there, and it seemed that something had happened in the city. Then she asked, "Have the murderer been found? Oh, maybe I shouldn't ask this question?"

Rex shook his head. "Unfortunately, this question is rather sensitive, but I can answer part of it. According to Elturgard's rules, such unexplained deaths should be brought back to the realm, or the remaining spirit of the deceased should be summoned in the presence of priests from multiple churches to ask those three precious questions. We are all priests of Torm and are not qualified to ask questions here."

Emiya looked up and said, "From what I understand, the other side of the Flying Dragon Bridge is the Twins' Hymn, the outer city's temple district. There are temples to almost all the gods there."

"There's even a temple to Baal, the former god of murder," Rex replied. "Please don't joke about that—we don't recognize such places. In all of Baldur's Gate, we only recognize priests of two gods—Gund, the god of craftsmen, and Tymora, the goddess of luck."

This is also two of the three largest churches in Baldur's Gate.

In fact, there's another goddess in Baldur's Gate who's equally revered, or even revered: Umberlee, goddess of the sea. Unfortunately, she's a member of the Furious Gods, a pantheon led by Talos, the storm god, who represents the cruelty and ruthlessness of nature. A deity who exploits faith with death and fear is a sign of evil.

The people of Baldur depend on the sea for their livelihood, so they naturally have great respect for the goddess of the sea. However, the people of Eltoril along the river do not have to suffer this loss.

At this moment, Rex took a deep breath and unconsciously glanced at the commotion on the city wall.

Sig narrowed his eyes slightly and immediately thought to himself, "This is quite strange. This person is unusually focused on the movements on Feilong Rock. I suggest we launch an attack now. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens and we haven't revealed our intention to join the game, we might miss the opportunity... He might not be in the mood to bargain with you right now."

"Why is he paying attention to the reaction on the city wall? I thought he was planning to go back to Eltoril directly." Emilia asked.

[I don't know, but if there's an accident, that's good news for us.]

And Rex's next words also confirmed Sig's point of view.

He took a deep breath, gathering his words. "Sir, we are gathered here tonight because of a matter of our own in Eltoril. It is a long story, but I do not think you would wish to be involved... This matter has nothing to do with you."

Emiya hesitated.

According to his original plan, he should have used indirect tactics to divert Rex's attention to other aspects, and then try to make a surprise attack to expose the messenger's true intentions.

But now it seems that he should just take out the most important proof.

"Nothing in this world is completely unrelated to one person." Emilia sighed softly. "If possible, I hope to slowly gain your trust. But now, I hope that when you lament the misfortune of your compatriots, you will also consider other innocent people."

The gentleness on Rex's face froze for a moment, then turned serious: "--Can I understand that our meeting today is all part of a carefully planned plan?"

"That's a legendary story, and I hope so. But unfortunately, I'm quite isolated in this area, and today's encounter was truly a coincidence." Emilia deftly untied a silver harp brooch from the inside of her clothes and displayed it to Rex. "—Of course, tonight's encounter was clearly not one of those."

"I came to visit you in this capacity. I hope you will give Flaming Fist and Baldur's Gate a chance to maneuver."

"You should be aware that the Flaming Fist's previous Grand Marshal has just resigned, and the Flaming Fist is currently in turmoil. I don't deny the possibility that the Flaming Fist is deliberately delaying, but since Elturgard is involved, it is a matter of great importance between nations, and the Flaming Fist cannot make this decision independently."

"...!" Rex's face tilted slightly, but then he straightened it again, tightening his grip on the reins. "You're joking. Everyone knows that the Marshal of the Flaming Fist has been the Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate since Iltan, without exception."

"That will only happen after the elections for the Council of Four are completed, or until a vacancy occurs. Unfortunately, while the Flaming Fist is still responsible for Baldur's Gate's military and security, it no longer holds a seat on the Council of Four. In other words, the Flaming Fist has lost its preeminent position during this period. I absolutely cannot answer questions of this magnitude on my own right now. I beg for your understanding."

At this moment, Mars suddenly spoke: "—Please put yourself in their shoes. Hell Knights can patrol all of Elturgard, and sometimes even perform heroic acts in Faerun, but they cannot act as representatives of Elturgard without permission. The same is true for the Flaming Fist at this moment."

This contrast was obviously quite convincing. The Eltoril people around looked at each other uneasily, but ultimately remained silent.

Emya shook her head and spurred her horse closer. "I dare not demand any promises from you here, but at least wait until tomorrow, and let the Council of Four at Baldur's Gate urgently address the situation, before considering the next step. I think it would be too rash for both the Baldur and the Elturgard to make a decision based on a single argument on the city walls."

"I..." Rex finally glanced at the top of the city wall and sighed deeply, "...You're right, I was too impatient."

As soon as these words came out, not only Emya, but also the people of Eltoril around him breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, the commotion on the Feilong Rock suddenly grew louder. A young man in formal attire walked up to the top of the wall.

He was from the Valakan family and had met Emiya and others once - although that meeting was extremely unpleasant.

He shouted towards the city: "Lord Rex of Eltoril, please slow down! I am Jesus Valraken, son of Grand Duke Valraken of Baldur's Gate. My father, Grand Duke Valraken, has learned of this matter and is willing to provide full assistance at the Council of Four!"

Emiya silently looked at the top of the city wall and said casually, "It seems that there are really many people who want peace."

Rex's head was covered in a thin layer of water beads. He wiped his head casually and replied, "It seems that Baldur's Gate, at least the outer city, is quite serious about this."

Twenty-nine Doesn't this show that you are good at speaking?

“Squeak, squeak—”

The winch of Feilong Rock is turning slowly.

Grand Duke Valakan's representative didn't reside at Feilongyan. His ability to enter Feilongyan from the outer city itself reflected the Flaming Fist's stance. After all, Grand Duke Valakan, who was cultivating power in the outer city, had gradually begun to rival the Flaming Fist, becoming a direct competitor. Allowing Grand Duke Valakan's representative to enter Feilongyan at this time to gain political resources was a testament to the Flaming Fist's sincerity.

What can prove this is that the Marshal's deputy also appeared on the city wall with a serious expression, but he did not continue to speak. Instead, he gave the center of the city wall to the Grand Duke's son.

Sig frowned, his eyes darting around, and then suddenly spoke into the comms: "Lord Emya, please tell the people on the wall immediately that the Eltoril people have agreed to continue the talks. Oh, right now, immediately, and before Grand Duke Valakon does?"

【why? 】

[Don't ask why, time is running out, we need to be clean and efficient! ]

Sig's tone was serious, unlike the unconcealable anger of someone who was taking his anger out on others.

So her reason?

A flash of inspiration flashed through Emilia's mind.

Doing so will have no impact on Baldur's Gate and Elturgard, and the only one who will lose is Grand Duke Valakn.

At first glance, this matter seemed more like Sig's revenge, to cause some trouble for the Valakan family who had been chasing her before, but Emiya vaguely felt that this might not be the case.

He didn't have much time to think. After a brief consideration of his words, he immediately opened his mouth and shouted towards the top of the city wall: "Mr. Valakan, thank you for coming here so late at night. Lord Rex has just informed me that he is willing to reconsider this matter and give the Bod people some more time!"

"So, I implore...wait, what did you say?"

Of course, Jesus Valakan, the descendant of Valakan, would not come to one of his mortal enemy's lairs late at night just to shout that one sentence. He should have given a long speech like the rushing water of the Rusal River. However, this cadenced speech was instantly choked in his throat.

Not to mention him, even the people around him were in an uproar.

He was speechless and took a long time to digest what he had just heard: "No, this... seems a bit..."

Emiya looked up in confusion and asked, "Why, you're not here to seek peace, but to incite war between the Eltoril and Baldur's Gate? Although, considering the relationship between Grand Duke Varaken and the Flaming Fist, this is quite reasonable..."

"No, no, no, no!" Hearing the faint sound of weapons being unsheathed, the son of Varaken suddenly sped up his speech. "I just didn't expect that the Eltoril people would be so simple..."

Now, even below the city walls, a faint sound of metal rubbing could be heard. Rex, standing below, couldn't help but retort, "We Eltoril people recognize the necessity of force, but that doesn't mean we abuse it!"

Seeing that the matter was being smeared further and further in just a few words, Jesus Valakan unconsciously wiped his forehead and said, "No... I mean, the people of Eltoril are really as reasonable as the rumors say!"

"Okay, that's it."

At this time, the oldest agent on the scene, Ranyan, finally sighed and interrupted the conversation.

He glanced at the young politician beside him, said nothing, and simply leaned his head outside the city wall and asked, "Then, please let me confirm: Mr. Rex of Eltoril, have we at Flaming Fist and Baldur's Gate been granted additional time to investigate and uncover the truth behind the murders of the Hell Knight and His Excellency Michel?"

Rex's gaze roamed around, finally stopping on the son of Valakan. He wiped his face, putting on a resolute and regretful expression. "Yes. As Mr. Valakan said. We heard the tragic news so suddenly in the middle of the night and acted a little too impulsively. I hope Karkoros will give us a chance to make amends."

"Very good. I hope that Flame Fist can get an answer that satisfies everyone as soon as possible. We will do our best for this." Having said that, Karkoros frowned and looked towards Rex.

It wasn't that long ago that the Eltoril man hadn't been around these outsiders riding phantom steeds.

But then Rex shouted, "But there is one thing—we hope to be able to attend the Grand Duke's meeting in the next few days! We hope to witness with our own eyes that the mysterious death of our compatriot is indeed taken seriously by the four Grand Dukes!"

"..." Karkoros glanced at Valakon beside him and said, "Emissary of Eltoril, I must state once again—we, the Flaming Fist, no longer have a seat on the Council of Four. Regarding matters concerning the High Hall (the most important political venue in Baldur's Gate), our sole responsibility is security. Therefore, this matter must be handled directly by the High Hall. This isn't bureaucratic evasion; I simply lack the authority to do so. I'm merely the Marshal's deputy, not the Grand Duke's."

Rex frowned and asked, "As I recall, the Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate holds the title of Grand Duke for life. Even if the former Grand Marshal has resigned from his position at the Flaming Fist, he should still be the Grand Duke, right?"

Karkoros replied without hesitation, "Simple. He resigned both the Marshal's and the Grand Duke's positions. So let me repeat: I only have the authority to admit guests to Baldur's Gate late at night. I have no say in other matters. You should consult with Grand Duke Valakan's representative beside me."

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

What do you think of the situation just now?