Partner

Trust is a very interesting thing.

It takes effort from both sides to build, and it's tested over a long period.

But it can be destroyed in just an instant.

Because of his previous attempt to escape on a small boat, the four individuals, including the Captain, First Mate, Boatswain, and the Merchant, had completely lost the trust of the sailors.

If it weren't for the illiterate sailors lacking navigational knowledge and not wanting to stay on this deserted island, they certainly wouldn't have accepted Bernard's offer of ten gold coins per person to board again.

And so, under a very strange atmosphere, everyone stayed on the island for another three days, replenishing their supply of fresh water and coconuts.

When the tide brought the seawater that allowed the stranded ships to float again, Captain Bas immediately ordered the sails to be raised, heading towards Caledon Port in the southeast.

In just a few days, the two ships safely left the perilous Sea of Swords and officially entered the relatively safe Sea of Radiance.

Occasionally, they could even see ships of various shapes and sizes passing by.

Some of these were merchant ships, while others were warships patrolling from Caledon Port.

As the most populous and largest coastal city on the southwestern coast of the Faerun Continent, the prosperity of Caledon Port was undeniable.

Its market size even surpassed that of Amn's capital, Athkatla.

Therefore, its rulers naturally needed to establish a fleet capable of protecting them from pirate raids.

Thanks to the warships patrolling from Caledon Port, pirate activity in the Sea of Radiance was far less rampant than near the Nylanthian Islands.

Zuo Si could even recline on a wooden chair on deck as if on vacation, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze while flipping through books and notes found in the upper levels of the Floating City Tower, occasionally taking a sip of coconut water with a hint of lemon.

By his side, a soldier always stood, holding a short sword and shield, remaining vigilant at all times.

Whenever a sailor passed by, their eyes would fill with shock, confusion, and bewilderment as they looked at this soldier.

After all, they had personally witnessed him impale himself through the heart with his short sword and commit suicide.

But who would have thought that just one day later, this young man, presumed dead, would reappear without a single wound on his body.

Only the well-traveled merchant, Bernard, knew that this soldier, like the Leopard guarding the pirate captain Harlett in the cabin twenty-four hours a day, was actually summoned through some form of magic.

Summoned creatures from other planes like this would not truly die.

Once they sustained damage exceeding their life limit, they would be sent back by magical power.

Undoubtedly, the young merchant felt incredibly envious of being able to have such an absolutely loyal guard who didn't fear sacrifice.

Although he could also spend money to hire adventurers or mercenaries to serve him.

But achieving one hundred percent loyalty, even to the point of sacrificing their lives for their employer at a critical moment, was almost impossible.

"Esteemed Mage, in three to four days, we will reach Caledon Port. What are your plans after you disembark?" Bernard asked very cautiously.

Because through his observations over these past few days, he found that Zuo Si's words and actions could not be associated with a boy around ten years old at all.

Quite the opposite!

It was more akin to the evil mages in legends who had just seized a young body through magical means.

Combined with his previous unhesitating large-scale transformation of undead zombies and his decisive personality, the merchant became even more convinced of his guess.

Zuo Si looked up and glanced at him, responding nonchalantly, "I don't have any particular plans.

I just want to get the ransom quickly, and then head north to Candlekeep or Waterdeep.

However, Harlett said he needs some time to raise the money, probably a week or two.

Also, there's no need to always use polite language; you can just call me Soth."

"Soth? Is that your name or surname?" Bernard asked curiously.

"Name."

Zuo Si gave the answer without hesitation.

To be precise, this "alias" was a misunderstanding caused by a pronunciation difference when he first met the Archlich, Astar.

After all, Zuo Si and Soth sounded almost identical.

Later, during his study of magical knowledge.

Zuo Si discovered that names actually contained powerful magical energy.

Naturally, he hid his real name and claimed to be called Soth externally.

Bernard nodded gently, "Alright, esteemed Soth. Since you intend to head north, you wouldn't mind accompanying me along the way, would you?"

"Oh? Weren't you in a hurry to return to Athkatla? What changed your mind?"

Zuo Si closed the book in his hands and stared at the merchant with interest.

"Because I've thought it through.

If I rush back without any preparation, there's a high chance I'll encounter an ambush along the way.

Rather than that, it's better to complete this business properly.

Then, I'll exchange the remaining funds for Caledon Port's specialties, such as spices, silk, pearls, rare herbs, and minor magic items, and divide them into two parts.

One part will be loaded onto the ship and returned to Athkatla by sea, while the other part will be personally led by me overland."

"Even if the merchant guild is illegally seized later, I'll have enough financial resources to handle various situations, even a protracted lawsuit."

Bernard said his decision, made after repeated consideration, with a serious expression.

It had to be said, this was quite a bold and risky plan.

Because unlike the sea route, which only had pirate threats.

Returning to Athkatla from Caledon Port by land not only required crossing the southwestern Faerun's largest desert—the Caledon Desert—but also traversing almost the entire Tethyr Kingdom, as well as the incredibly dangerous Spiral Mountain Range and Jagged Teeth Mountains.

Especially the Spiral Mountain Range and the Jagged Teeth Mountains!

The latter was inhabited by numerous evil humanoids and giants, and had even attempted more than once to seize the second-largest port city, Mulan, from Amn, aiming to establish a kingdom ruled by various monsters.

The former wasn't much better, being riddled with goblins, ogres, and gnolls.

It was said that near the dormant volcano Mount Tajir in the far east, someone had seen the silhouette of a giant evil red dragon soaring through the sky.

But it was precisely this danger that made Bernard confident his sister, Isadora, would never expect him to take such a route back to Amn.

After listening, Zuo Si couldn't help but laugh, "So... you plan to hire me as your bodyguard?"

"No! Not a bodyguard! A partner!" Bernard corrected nervously, clenching his fists tightly.

He understood that the success of his plan depended on whether he could impress this necromancer, who gave off an unfathomable aura.

"Tell me your plan, I'm listening."

Zuo Si suddenly felt curious about the merchant's intentions and gestured for him to continue.

Bernard spread out a somewhat hastily drawn map and, mustering his courage, said, "From the moment you chose to capture Bloody Harlett instead of killing him, I realized you must need a lot of money.

And I am a successful merchant.

I know how to make the most money through trade.

If you are willing to trust me, you can hand all the money you receive from the ransom over to me for management.

I guarantee that along the way, I can earn at least four times the profit for you through trade.

Not only that!

If you are willing to help me reclaim what rightfully belongs to me, I can also promise to give you a twenty percent share after I inherit the merchant guild.

No matter what you need or what materials you require in the future.

As long as it is within the coverage of the merchant guild's trade routes.

I will do my utmost to use all my power to collect it and sell it to you at cost price.

What I hope to establish is not a temporary employment relationship, but a long-term alliance and partnership."