The continent of Faerûn is a forgotten and stunning country, full of boundless miracles, mysterious heritage and ancient evils lurking around the world.
Before the era of dragon rule, for thousands of years, various human creatures in Faerûn began to gradually conquer this wild land with cities and civilization, building it into a world full of hundreds of races and endless chaos.
.
And similarly, behind civilization, there are naturally unknown dangers, lost ruins, and endless underground cities, which fill the world and coexist with the intelligent life forms on Faerûn.
At the same time, the gods are also working hard and scheming with each other, trying to shape and fight for control of this world for their believers.
For this reason, they can attack dissidents mercilessly, and even do not hesitate to make some conspiracies to harm or even destroy the world!
In addition to those gods with numerous names, the continuous exploration of magic by the great arcanists also casts a haze over the uncertain future of this world.
After all, the destruction of the ancient Netheril Magic Empire is proof of this!
But no matter what, the city of Neverwinter is still prosperous and lively.
In the meeting hall of Neverwinter Castle, Edkin was working with a frown on the seat that should have belonged to a bad little girl. In front of him was a lot of backlogged information from the days when he was away.
Documents and various trivial reports.
At this time, his daughter Kira was thoughtfully helping him organize documents and move some lighter sundries. Simon was sitting in front of a bookshelf not far away and quietly reading his books. As the queen,
Horgai, the commander-in-chief of the Praetorian Guard and the deputy general of the Neverwinter Guard, was lying leisurely on the side, peeling an apple and eating by himself, with no intention of doing any favors for Edkin.
finally!
When Edkin saw Doric's Druid girl transformed into a bird flying into the window and re-performing a transformation into a living person before standing still in front of his desk, he was not surprised by this.
While quickly signing and sealing the document, he raised his eyelids and asked Doric:
"came back?"
"How is it? Is our little queen okay?"
Although he had already guessed the result, Edkin still asked knowingly and handed a signed document to his daughter Kira who acted as his secretary.
"fine!"
"Fortunately we didn't start a fight."
"but……"
"I think the believers of the Lord of the Morning will come to settle accounts with Anne sooner or later."
"besides!"
"You guys don't even care?"
Immediately afterwards, he saw that Edkin was busy with official duties. However, after seeing Simon and Holgay enjoying themselves, Doric became a little angry and hurriedly
He shouted angrily at two people.
"ah?"
"Why go?"
"Anne is the most, most, most, most, most... the most powerful arcane archmage. Even the Lord of the Dawn had her burned. I, a rookie warlock, was just going to cause trouble for her.
."
"I knew she would be fine."
Not far away, Simon, who was sitting in front of the bookshelf, continued to read his books and sighed softly without raising his head.
"Simon!"
"You are now able to synchronize with the 'Spell Breaking Helmet'. You are no longer a rookie warlock, you are a qualified warlock!"
"You can definitely help!"
Seeing Simon actually making such a despicable excuse, Doric took a deep breath and continued to refute angrily.
"Yes Yes Yes!"
"But I know that no matter what, a qualified warlock can't compare to an arcane archmage, far behind!"
"Anyway, give me a hundred years, and I definitely won't be able to burn the Lord of the Dawn!"
"Even if it is just a temporary incarnation constructed to come to the world of Faerûn?"
After speaking, with slumped shoulders, Simon continued to focus on the book in his hand.
It is the collection of Lord Neverember from the original Neverwinter City. It contains many secrets about the ancient Netheril Magic Empire and some interesting magic knowledge. It is very interesting!
It's a pity that Lord Ember doesn't know what to buy, and neither does that guy Fudge, so it has been gathering dust until he discovered it.
Anyway, he decided to go back and ask Anne. If Anne didn't object, he would add this book to his personal collection.
"Okay, Holgay, what about you?"
"Aren't you the steward of the Queen's Guards, responsible for the security of Anne and the castle?"
"What have you done?"
Seeing that Simon's words seemed quite reasonable, Doric had no choice but to point his finger at Horgai who was lying on the other side, not bothered by the exquisite plate armor on his body.
"I?"
"I'm eating an apple, you saw it."
Holding up the half-eaten apple in his hand, Holgay didn't say much to Doric's words at all.
"you!!"
As a result, Doric couldn't help but become even more angry.
"Okay!"
"Doric, stop messing around. We don't need to take care of that little Anne, and we can't do anything about it!"
"In fact..."
"I have always felt that as the head of the Queen's Guards, I only need to take care of this castle and prevent some thieves from sneaking in. As for other things, such as Anne's safety, I don't think she cares about it at any time.
It will definitely be safer than us!"
"She is a powerful mage herself, and she also carries Tibbers with her. Who dares to provoke her if they are tired of living?"
After saying that, she waved the apple in her hand again, and Holgai continued to nibble on her fruit leisurely.
"OK!"
"Then I don't care!"
After saying that, seeing these guys acting like this, Doric walked aside angrily, pulled up a chair and sat on it, then folded his arms and sulked.
"How strange!"
"It seems like you guys are the officials of Neverwinter, right?"
"Why am I the one worrying now?"
Then, Doric, who became more and more angry as he thought about it, couldn't help complaining loudly.
When she saw the situation just now, she couldn't wait to turn into a bird and fly down to prepare for rescue, but as a result, Edkin, Holgai and Simon, the three senior officials of Neverwinter who had clearly seen it at the time, were still there from beginning to end.
They were all indifferent, reading books when they should, and eating fruits when they should, as if she was the only one who was a clown?
"??"
"What are you looking at?!"
Then, Doric, who was in a rage, saw that Edkin stopped what he was doing and kept looking at her, looking like he was hesitant to speak. She couldn't help but glared and asked in a sharp voice.
"There is something..."
"Doric, can I ask you to make a trip?"
Although Doric was angry now, it was not good to talk about things at this time, but after thinking about it seriously, Edkin still asked with a wry smile.
"??"
"What is it?"
Doric did not agree in a hurry, but first looked at Edgin with caution and surprise and asked.
"Of course it's about our paladin Henk!"
"You also know that he has been investigating Leilong Town and the Swamp of the Dead for nearly a month, but we haven't received any news from him until now. In addition, we don't know about the relationship between the Dragon Cult and the Ser people in Leilong Town.
Is there really any conspiracy or collusion..."
"So, I want to invite you to go?"
After expressing his worries, Edkin put down the pen in his hand and waited expectantly.
"But!"
"Why not let those two guys go?"
"I'm not an official of Neverwinter!"
She was startled at first, and then Doric hesitated for a while before pointing dissatisfiedly at Simon and Holgay, who were looking towards her.
"No! No!"
"I definitely can't!"
"With my current abilities, I'm afraid I won't be a match for those cult mages in Leilong Town, and I won't dare to go deep into the Swamp of the Dead!"
Simon quickly raised his hand to express that his abilities as a rookie warlock were really limited and he did not dare to undertake such a dangerous task.
"me too!"
"You really can't expect a barbarian to do things like investigating the situation!"
"We're not good at that kind of thing!"
Holgai also hurriedly spoke up.
"Is such that."
"This time, there was no news when Henk took the giant dragon Fat Orange with him. I suddenly had a bad feeling. So, Doric, I can only leave this matter to you."
Seeing that Doric still had doubts on his face, Edkin quickly explained.
"First of all, you are not an official of Neverwinter City, so it can have a certain confusing effect."
"And then..."
"You are a druid. Turning into an animal and sneaking into the swamp of the dead is probably better than the rest of us who rush in and die?"
"at last!"
"You're just going to check out the situation. For example, turn into a bird like you just did and fly over the swamp to see if you can find the dragon?"
"so……"
"In every aspect, you are much more suitable than us?"
Although their bad little queen solved Sammaster and Dracolich Dogothos in the Lost Mine of Fandulin, so that those two terrifying existences would not become a threat in a short time, but,
The threat from the Dragon Cult and Sel has not yet been resolved, and that is one of the biggest threats to their Neverwinter City at the moment.
Furthermore, their incredible queen burned the incarnation of the Lord of the Dawn. He knew from the conflict that had just occurred at the Fishing Pier that this kind of thing would definitely be a big trouble in the future, and it might still be a big problem.
Are the threats greater than those of the Sers and that Sazastan?
Therefore, if possible, he hopes to crush or figure out the conspiracy of the Serbs and Sazastan as soon as possible, then solve the problem, and then quickly free up his hands to deal with other bigger troubles that may come next.
"I……"
"I'll think about it!"
Originally, Doric wanted to refuse outright.
However, looking at the earnest expression of Doric in front of me, and then thinking about the wood elves in the Neverwinter Forest, I feel that if the conspiracy of the Sers and Sazastan succeeds, it will be very difficult for the wood elves to be kind.
?
So, she still didn't say anything, she just nodded and began to think deeply.
"Do not worry!"
"I won't let you take risks alone."
"I will ask Holgai to bring me some soldiers, and then hire some adventurers to stand by at the intersection fortress. I can go south to Leilong Town to support you at any time?"
Seeing Doric's hesitation, Simon quickly put down the book in his hand and promised sincerely.
Obviously, the three of them had already discussed and made a certain decision before Doric came back, and now, they were just asking Doric for his opinion at the end.
"..."
Doric opened her mouth, but in the end she didn't say anything, nor did she refuse. She just frowned and sat on her chair, not knowing what she was thinking.
…
While Edkin and others were pleading with Doric to investigate, in the Driftwood Tavern in Neverwinter, the 'Giant Hunter' adventurer team was sitting in the corner drinking beer and discussing the previous scene with the ogre.
During the battle, suddenly, as the door was kicked open, a little girl scampered in and successfully attracted the attention of everyone in the tavern.
"!!"
Seeing someone dared to kick in the door, the tavern owner was originally ready to yell and curse. However, when he saw clearly who the person was, he instantly suppressed the words he was about to say and blushed.
His face immediately changed to another expression.
"Aha!"
"welcome!"
"You are such a rare guest!"
Look at his flattering look. To be honest, if he hadn't been so polite at the counter, he might have greeted him with humility, right?
"Go aside!"
o(╭╮)
"Don't bother me! I have business to attend to!"
()
After throwing a gold coin to the boss at the counter, the little girl didn't pay attention to him at all. Instead, she started to openly raise a glass to her, or pointed at the random people who were whispering to her.
The drinkers made their rounds.
"..."
(ˇˇ)
That’s right!
The person coming is none other than Anne, the Queen of Neverwinter!
Just now, when Edkin and others were planning to send Doric to investigate the intelligence and find out why Henk has not returned yet, Anne also happened to come to the city of Neverwinter, which is very popular with travelers and adventurers.
Outside the Driftwood Tavern.
Then……
When she saw the lively scene here outside and remembered some of the things that the previous Priest Chen Xi had said, she suddenly thought of a brilliant idea.
So, she is here now.
"It's them!"
(ω)
Annie first glanced around the tavern, and then she quickly zeroed in on the group of adventurers in the corner who looked relatively reliable.
However, she hesitated at first.
Because, those few of them look a bit weak, and they don’t have any particularly outstanding characters or equipment. They seem to be a little bit worse than the original combination of Uncle Edkin and others?
But since there was no better choice here for the time being, she thought about it and reluctantly walked over.
"Hello you all."
☆(o^▽^)
Amidst the astonishment and confusion of those people, Anne greeted them so openly and sat down next to them.
"Do you need me to introduce myself?"
ヾ(^▽^)o
Then after she sat down, she looked at those people with questioning eyes.
"Of course not!"
"We know who you are."
At this time, one of the leaders stood up quickly and said:
"You are the queen of Neverwinter, a powerful arcane mage, the master of the dragon, and the owner of endless wealth."
"I am the leader of the 'Giant Hunter' adventurer team, Sun Elf Mage Gareth!"
"Like you, I also have a dragon. Her name is 'Mrs. Strange Fire', but she is just a false dragon..."
"What do you do for a living?"
The sun elf Gareth asked nervously and awkwardly.
After all, the visitor is the Queen of Neverwinter. Logically speaking, even if there is something to see them, they should send someone directly to take them to the fortress palace to summon them, but now they come directly to the door, which really makes them angry.
He was quite surprised and surprised.
"very good!"
()°
Seeing that she even skipped the step of introducing herself, Anne naturally nodded with satisfaction.
"So!"
|ω)
"That's it. Do you want to take on a mission from someone else?"
(ψ｀▽′)o
Anyway, she wasn't very familiar with these people, so Anne naturally didn't bother to be polite and asked straight to the point.
Of course, even if she is a very familiar person, she will definitely not be polite.
(…)
(●￣￣●)
"Task?"
"Then it depends on what kind of mission you enact."
"We don't dare to do it if it's too difficult."
Gareth and the others looked at each other in surprise at first, and then the leader, Gareth, replied hesitantly.
"It's not difficult!"
o(*^*)o
"I just need you to go to Thunderlon Town and the Swamp of the Dead to investigate and find out why the paladin Uncle Henk hasn't come back for so long."
(^▽^)
"Also, do we need to pay attention to the movements of the Serres?"
(ω)
Anne spoke bluntly, and directly assigned what the previous pastor of the Lord of the Dawn, that is, the chief priest, told her to this group of adventurers.
"rest assured!"
(゜▽＾*)
"You will be paid enough."
o(*︶*)o
Originally, Anne wanted to take a look on her own, but since she felt that it would be more interesting to continue walking around Neverwinter than to go to the Laoshizi Swamp, she naturally thought of this perfect solution.
"investigation?"
Gareth muttered.
"But!"
"We are not a reconnaissance and investigation type adventure team."
After exchanging glances with his team members again, the sun elf captain said with some embarrassment.
"But you are giant hunters, aren't you?"
(ψ｀▽′)o
"People have seen the badge on your chest. You should be very famous, right?"
乛乛
Anne interrupted the other party impatiently, and then hurriedly continued without waiting for the other party to formally refuse:
"I believe you will be able to complete that simple task."
()
"how?"
|˙˙)?
After saying that, Annie, who didn't want to stay in this messy and smelly place any longer, of course continued to ask expectantly.
"this……"
"All right!"
"We can think about it."
The sun elf Gareth thought about it for a moment, exchanged glances with his teammates, and finally said this.
"Don't think about it!"
(~)
"Here!"
(ψ｀▽′)o
Seeing the game, Anne quickly took out a small bag of gold coins from her pocket and threw it boldly in front of the opponent.
"That's part of the reward!"
(￣▽￣)~*
"The sooner it is completed, the higher the reward will be. When the time comes, you can report to them directly. You can go to the Temple of Justice or the Castle of Nevermore. You should be able to find them, right?"
(-)
After seeing several people staring at the bag of gold coins for a long time and unable to take their eyes away, Anne roughly knew what they were thinking. Then, without asking if they were willing, she got up and left this place where the smell was everywhere.
's tavern.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
And until Annie opened the door and walked away, Gareth and his teammates were still looking at each other in confusion at the bag of gold coins, and they didn't come back to their senses for a long time.
You know, that is a considerable amount of wealth, and it can even make many people take risks!
Now, they finally have a personal understanding of Queen Neverwinter as the 'owner of endless wealth', and they also roughly understand why Lord Neverember simply abandoned Neverwinter City and ran away with the bucket.
Therefore, before the people around them could continue to cast greedy glances, they hurriedly put it away carefully.
"Hello!"
"Are we really going to accept this mission?"
Then, seeing the captain put away the deposit, a female half-orc dressed as a priest quickly approached their captain and asked carefully.
"why not?"
"We need money!"
"Besides, this mission sounds very good."
Without waiting for their captain to answer, another human wanderer member lowered his voice and spoke in a slightly trembling tone. It seemed that he had not yet settled down from the 'huge sum of money' that had just hit their heads.
Depressed?
"do not talk!"
"We have accepted this mission."
Before the other team members could say anything, the sun elf captain made his decision.
"Shall we go to Leilong Town now?"
Seeing that the captain had made a decision, the human wanderer hurriedly asked.
"No!"
"We need to prepare first."
"This mission could be dangerous."
The sun elf captain replied.
"Danger?"
"But she didn't say anything just now!"
Hearing that there was danger, the mountain dwarf warrior on the side became a little anxious.
"You're stupid!"
"The general of Neverwinter, the paladin Henk, went out with the fat dragon. Many people saw it at the time. Isn't this correct?"
"Now that he is missing, how can things be simple?"
Shaking his head, the sun elf captain held down his mountain dwarf teammate and explained to everyone with a wry smile.
"!!"
"Then why did you accept it?"
The mountain dwarf couldn't help but be startled.
"Why?"
"Isn't it because she gave too much?"
That kind of stupid question, if the other party hadn't been his partner, the Sun Elf captain would probably not have answered it at all.
"Everyone!"
"listen!"
"Anyway, Queen Neverwinter just said that our mission is only to investigate the truth, not to fight or conquer. This way, there will be more room for maneuver."
"I can't tell..."
"Can we complete the mission if we go to Leilong Town and ask someone?"
As he spoke, the sun elf actually looked at his teammates with sly hints.
"ah!"
"makes sense!"
"Well!"
"Let's go!"
"No!"
"We need to buy some necessities and equipment first?"
"good idea!"
"Um!"
"Without further ado, let's go!"
“Spend all your money before leaving!”
So, just like that, the Giant Hunter team began to prepare for their mission.
Although they didn't know why the Queen of Neverwinter gave them such a task inexplicably, they only knew that it would be an excellent opportunity for them to make a fortune!
Moreover, the Queen of Neverwinter seems to be easy to fool. As long as they use their brains and make a trip, maybe there will be more bounties waiting for them when they come back?
————————
Chapter completed!