The True Master Arrives (Bonus Chapter Thanking Readers)

The Flaming Fist soldiers, growing impatient, finally noticed a change in activity.

A fully armed convoy was rushing from the wilderness to the northeast. From a distance, it appeared that a black claw was embroidered on the convoy's banner. Scouts with good eyesight estimated the convoy had around forty people, a substantial size.

Several individuals were also dispatched from the mining area. The two groups met, seemingly to confer, after which the convoy was led toward the mining area's exit.

Watching the Nashkel miners, under the supervision of overseers, load iron ore box by box onto the transport vehicles, the Flaming Fist soldiers grew anxious. However, due to the Amn soldiers guarding the mining area, they couldn't step forward to question them.

Skar and the others were still wondering when an unfamiliar mercenary group had appeared. "Has anyone here seen this mercenary group's banner before?"

Everyone shook their heads. Zhang Yuan, who knew what was going on, had already confirmed that the mastermind behind this incident was the Iron Throne, through the Black Claw Mercenary Group. However, he could only keep his mouth shut. As an outsider who had only been in Baldur's Gate for a month, how could he know so much secret intelligence?

Moreover, what good would it do if he spoke? Setting aside whether he could gain his teammates' trust, could they force a sale now in front of the Amn army and the Nashkel people?

If they were to provide such leverage, the Iron Throne would laugh themselves to death even if they lost this batch of ore.

Frustrated, Zhang Yuan could only pack his belongings with everyone else and break camp to depart.

Of course, they weren't actually slinking back to Baldur's Gate. The unwilling Flaming Fist members were determined to find out the origins of these guys who had intercepted them and whether they were truly connected to the previous robberies.

They trailed far behind the Black Claw Mercenary Group's convoy. Fortunately, the convoy was loaded with ore, so they couldn't expect the fully loaded transport vehicles to be fast.

Slowly leaving the territory of Nashkel, bidding farewell to the winding rivers and the smoke from the fields, the surrounding scenery gradually changed. Whether it was the dust kicked up, the desolate cliffs, or the Gobi Desert, it clearly indicated their current situation.

Skar, taking out a map to estimate their journey, looked grave. "If I'm not mistaken, we are now southwest of Firewine Bridge. Not only are there ogre settlements here, but even the kobold warbands from Firewine Bridge will occasionally come to cause trouble."

Steve, standing nearby, thought of something else. "This is all desolate wilderness and Gobi. Why would that mercenary group avoid the Coast Road to the west and take this detour instead? The only civilized town on this route is the halfling Valley Town. Are they planning to spend a month in these desolate lands?"

The Flaming Fist group wasn't the only one with questions; the Nashkel representative involved in the transport convoy was also full of doubts.

Just half a month ago, this mercenary group called Black Claw had come to negotiate business with the so-called sincerity of the Iron Throne.

At that time, the repeated robberies of trade caravans had already caused great distress to the de facto rulers of Nashkel. Unable to find a way to recover their losses, they chose to contact Black Claw, although their arrival at this particular time was indeed strange.

However, the Iron Throne's influence and authority in the mining and blacksmithing industries were truly extraordinary. Although not as influential as the Seven Suns Merchant Alliance managed by Grand Duke Belth, they were not far behind.

Furthermore, their leader, named Togos Kosan, who carried the authorization documents, was quite eloquent. Perhaps the substantial advance payment was also very persuasive.

In conclusion, it was ultimately decided by Nashkel's mayor, Bailang, to end cooperation with the Seven Suns Merchant Alliance, which had caused them significant losses, and instead engage with the Iron Throne's subordinates.

Everything was going smoothly until the convoy left Nashkel's territory, and then things started to go awry. First, the Black Claw mercenaries, under the pretext of avoiding highwaymen, led the entire convoy into this desolate area. Then, they adopted a lazy attitude, stopping and starting as if they were on an outing rather than transporting goods. The mercenary leader also kept gazing in a certain direction, as if waiting for something.

While the Nashkel contingent was filled with dread, their worst fears finally came true.

A large group of goblin bandits emerged from behind the distant hills, charging straight for the convoy without hesitation. The previous tragedies had already terrified the Nashkel ore merchants, and they never expected to fall victim again.

They let out terrified screams, desperately urging the Black Claw mercenaries to form a defensive perimeter. Some, scared out of their wits, had already fled.

What chilled the Nashkel people was that the Black Claw mercenaries not only failed to engage the enemy but instead drew their bows and arrows and shot the fleeing individuals. Then, they abandoned their previous politeness, grinning sinisterly at the trembling group.

At this point, there was no longer any doubt: the so-called robbers and the mercenaries before them were working together, and they were likely responsible for the previous bloody incidents as well.

They only regretted having trusted the Iron Throne again. No one had expected their ambition to be so great. They had initially thought the Iron Throne merely wanted to go independent of the Seven Suns and seize more market share. Now, it seemed the Iron Throne had no intention of competing conventionally but was instead aiming to cut off their roots entirely.

The Nashkel people, collapsed on the ground, had lost all hope. The other party had never intended to leave any survivors from the beginning.

No miracle occurred. The Black Claw mercenaries, who had suddenly turned traitor, colluded with the goblin bandits. They didn't spare a single survivor, skillfully dumped the bodies, and drove the transport convoy to resume their journey.

Meanwhile, the Flaming Fist group watching from a distance was stunned. The turn of events was too rapid; before they could react, the battle, or rather the massacre, was already over.

Once they calmed down, they simply glanced at the enemy's numbers and abandoned the impulse to go and get themselves killed. Over forty Black Claw mercenaries plus nearly a hundred goblin warriors formed a force comparable to a small army in the Sword Coast region.

Even Skar gritted his teeth and signaled his team members to maintain their concealment. The only option now was to abandon a direct assault and try to track these bandits to their stronghold, or at the very least, capture a few stragglers for interrogation.

However, the other party did not give the Flaming Fist this opportunity. The shrewd and cunning Black Claw leader dispatched several teams to scout during their retreat. Coupled with the goblins menacingly holding their bows and arrows, the Flaming Fist soldiers couldn't even get close.

Watching the other party leave safely, Skar angrily slammed the ground in front of him and stood up. "Notify the scouts, abandon the pursuit. We're returning to Baldur's Gate."

Thus, Zhang Yuan knew that his first important mission was likely to end in failure.

Everyone was subdued on the way back. In the Flaming Fist's team of over thirty people, hardly any words were spoken. Even Zhang Yuan, who had anticipated this, was somewhat disoriented after witnessing that scene of slaughter.

Even though he had personally slit the throats of several monsters, seeing his own kind slaughtered like animals was difficult to accept.

Skar was the first to speak. He forced a smile onto his face. "We haven't completely failed. Although this batch of ore was stolen, it was Nashkel's choice, not taken from us. Moreover, we have gained some understanding of those cunning bandits. Our intelligence is of significant importance to Baldur's Gate."

While that was said, the mission was still unfinished. Would the group that returned to Baldur's Gate empty-handed receive commendations? And the so-called intelligence was just to comfort themselves. Seeing a chess piece and a group of goblins, what kind of significant intelligence was that?

The team members, who could all think of this, showed little change. Except for the old drunk Bard, who was still guzzling wine, the entire team was enveloped in a terrifying silence.