This Is Not Over

Zhang Yuan had been focused on the road, when suddenly the veteran Steve came up beside him. "Let's go talk to Skar. Our team can't continue like this."

Zhang Yuan didn't look up. "Talk about what? The ore's been stolen, the witnesses are dead, what else can we do?"

"I think your judgment back then was correct," Steve's words surprised him. "I didn't think the Iron Throne was behind it, but I didn't expect them to go this far."

"Oh, so now you think the Iron Throne is the culprit? What evidence do you have?" someone retorted, questioning him in turn.

Steve said apologetically, "We were too hasty that day and didn't seriously consider your opinion. But it's different now. Goblins don't casually cooperate with human mercenaries, nor would they steal iron ore they can't eat or wear."

"There must be a force unifying them behind the scenes, and at the same time hoarding iron ore. The Iron Throne is the prime suspect," Steve asserted.

"Oh, so how did they transport the iron ore to Baldur's Gate? I remember the main roads being patrolled by Flaming Fist soldiers," the person who had been refuted earlier now refuted Steve.

"I've already apologized, why won't you let me off?" Steve said with a wry smile, hearing his own words thrown back at him. "As you saw, they never intended to use the Coast Road. With enough manpower and the help of local snakes, they probably went around from the east."

Heh heh, a certain contrarian watched Steve with great interest, as if watching a simpleton who only babbled suddenly become enlightened.

Steve, feeling a chill from being watched, had to speak again. "So, it's not that we have no clues, but rather that we've caught a big fish. Besides,"

He paused and continued, "Besides, our team's morale has hit rock bottom. If we don't find a target soon, I'm afraid everyone will just scatter."

You think you're Uncle Li? Scattering everyone, Zhang Yuan thought to himself, but he knew the gravity of the situation and was unwilling for his mission to end in failure.

Skar, who had been silently making their way after speaking, was worried about how to salvage the team's low morale when they saw the veteran and the rookie appear before them.

Zhang Yuan remained silent, letting Steve speak. Steve gave Zhang Yuan a helpless glance. "Skar, our enemy has actually revealed their identity."

Then, the two of them, one after another, explained their deductions to Captain Skar. After listening, Skar also began to suspect the Iron Throne.

"However, where's the evidence? We have no evidence regarding the Iron Throne, nor any clues about that group of bandits," Skar stated their concerns. "Mere suspicion and deduction won't threaten the Iron Throne, and we might even be bitten back."

"Nashkel must know that the Iron Throne is behind Black Claw, won't they come forward to testify?" Zhang Yuan asked.

"There are no survivors. We can't prove that Black Claw did it. Nashkel might even suspect us of being angry and lashing out," Skar shook their head. "Moreover, the Iron Throne isn't stupid. They wouldn't leave evidence and loopholes in Nashkel's hands."

This won't work, that won't work either. They all started to feel cornered, and the situation seemed to have fallen back into the initial vicious cycle.

Suddenly, Zhang Yuan spoke, "What if we could find the stronghold of these robbers?"

"What if? If we can really find the bandits' lair, then the Flaming Fist will make them pay. And the Iron Throne behind them won't escape justice either," Skar said sternly, but then slammed the table hatefully. "The problem is there's no 'if.' These guys vanished without a trace, and we don't even have a single clue."

"The convoy was attacked northeast of Nashkel, and the robbers who stole the ore headed north," Steve gestured on the map. "From north of the attack site to Valley Town, and east to Firewine Bridge, it all belongs to the Wulgarst Ruins, a vast expanse of Gobi and desert terrain with no forests at all. It's impossible to supply water and sustenance for so many people."

Skar chimed in, "Moreover, with so many bandits, the wilderness terrain of the Wulgarst region couldn't possibly hide them. They would have been discovered by the patrolling guards long ago."

"Then there's only one possibility: they crossed Valley Town and continued north, deep into Sharp Tooth Forest. Only there would there be enough living space for these bandits." Both of them looked at the map simultaneously.

??? Someone nearby stared in disbelief. I haven't said anything, and you've already deduced the bandits' base camp in just a few sentences?

Why weren't you guys this smart before?

However, the few of them then ran into difficulties. Zhang Yuan, having some understanding of Faerûn, at least the Sword Coast region, also understood the difficulty of the situation.

Sharp Tooth Forest was no small thicket. It stretched north from the Chou Sa River to Valley Town, and south, it spanned the entire eastern corridor from Dragon Bridge Mouth to Beregost.

What did this mean? To put it visually, it was equivalent to the entire five-day journey from Baldur's Gate to Beregost.

Finding a group of bandits in such a large area? It wasn't much different from finding a needle in a haystack. Not to mention the forest was filled with hospitable wild beasts, monsters, and bandits ready to welcome them, and even a pack of dim-witted Druids.

"I have an idea that can locate their stronghold," the other two looked at Zhang Yuan.

"What scouts can't do, magic might. Divination magic can obtain information and clues about the target under specific conditions," the mage's pride swelled.

"Are you specializing in Divination? A first-level spell can find our target?" Skar was somewhat skeptical, with the unspoken meaning being clear: I believe in Divination magic, but I don't believe in you.

Zhang Yuan, his face darkening, couldn't help but retort, "I can't do it, but someone in Baldur's Gate can. There are fortune tellers in the city center market who specialize in Divination."

Skar became even more suspicious. "You mean those fortune tellers who hold tarot cards and mutter all day? You haven't been scammed, have you?"

This matter was a bit hard to explain clearly. Zhang Yuan took a deep breath and decided to persuade (trick) him in a way he could understand.

"Of course, I know that most of those people are swindlers. Divination masters aren't as common as cabbage being sold on the street. But please, trust my judgment as a mage. Don't I know better than you whether it's genuine magic?!"

This was using his status to pressure them, but it was very effective!

As a disadvantaged martial class, a weak warrior was naturally at a disadvantage against a mage. Normally, with the boost from the captain and their professional level, even Zhang Yuan himself wouldn't dare to be presumptuous.

Furthermore, they generally didn't need so-called magical consultants, so everyone, including Zhang Yuan, hadn't really taken their identity as a spellcaster seriously.

But this time was different. Without a second mage, the team had no way to question this rookie's judgment, even if they had reservations. When someone was aggressively asserting themselves in their professional field, the pitiable Skar could only act meekly.

Since there was hope, they quickly finalized the plan and began to execute it. The mage then began to issue instructions:

"Captain, you go inform Grand Duke Iltan about the entire process of this mission and the suspicion towards the Iron Throne. I will go find the Diviner."

"After I get the answer from him, we'll go find Grand Duke Belth together. His merchant guild suffered the most in this matter, so it's unreasonable for only the Flaming Fist to fight alone."

"Also, are there any Druids in Baldur's Gate? If not, we can go to Valley Town and ask for the help of Reverend Bevin, their nature god. With their help, we'll have a much easier time in the forest."

The barrage of words left the others dizzy and confused. Unable to understand but impressed, they could only nod like enchanted insects.

Zhang Yuan, having taken the lead for once, felt exceptionally good about himself. So, giving orders feels really good?

One day, when power is in hand, command all the working dogs. After the conversation, this person was non-stop, dictating to everyone in the team. Although everyone was surprised, they endured it seeing Skar following along.

Until night fell, and everyone set up camp, rested, and slept. The "Saber-toothed Tiger" suddenly came to its senses. No matter how you look at it, this little fox is just a rookie mage. Why am I afraid of him?