Chapter 434: The Reason

Bugo Torres sat in the main seat, his large belly hanging over his thighs, his fat fingers playing with a gold ring, his face full of boredom.

Virgil, the highest authority of the Zhentarim Axe Beach branch and a half-elf, stood calmly and upright beside the puppet lord.

His white and brown interwoven leather-padded coat proclaimed his outward identity as an expert of the lord's private battalion.

After Virgil finished listening to the report from the subordinate who should have been acting as a foreman at the White Dragon Tomb.

His expression remained calm, and he said coldly: "So what? Why did you come back?"

That human seventh-ranker broke out in a cold sweat: "The power of the land naga exceeds our estimates. Coupled with the demon disturbances, they have taken advantage of the situation to demand more compensation. I could not make a decision, so I had to come personally."

"You spent time coming back for such a trivial matter? Do you know how much time is wasted on a round trip? Where is your animal messenger?"

"This matter is of great importance. I feared I could not make it clear in a letter. That naga mother and daughter are not simple; especially the daughter, she may possess a treasure capable of activating eighth-ranker power."

"Are you implying I fear them? Mere mindless land nagas."

"Subordinate did not mean that."

The seventh-ranker subordinate lowered his head even further, fine sweat seeping onto his forehead.

Virgil narrowed his eyes slightly.

"The demons could find the White Dragon Tomb; it must be because you six foremen did not clean up your traces properly. As the team leader, you cannot escape responsibility. Go down later and receive fifty lashes."

"Thank you, my lord, for showing mercy."

"As for the land nagas, do not worry about them; just agree to all their demands. It does not matter."

Virgil saw the hesitation on his subordinate's face; it seemed that even after accepting the punishment, he still wanted to persuade him further.

So he could not help but soften his expression a little.

This was the first time the Zhentarim had touched the power structure of the Sword Coast region. Although Axe Beach was merely a gem situated between the two pearl-level cities of Waterdeep and Baldur's Gate, because it lay on a trade highway, it possessed some potential for development.

It was also very suitable to serve as the first region the Zhentarim would occupy.

However, ultimately, this place was very far from their stronghold, Moonsea, leaving huge gaps in resources and personnel.

As a pioneer ox, Virgil had previously been forced to reach an agreement with the demons of Dragon Snake Gubao.

This also led to a situation where, despite seizing political power in Axe Beach, a large amount of cleanup work remained.

And this seventh-ranker subordinate before him.

Although not very sharp, he was at least loyal and could be used.

After this matter.

Let him take on more work.

Virgil thought to himself.

"Since you are involved, I will tell you a few things early so you do not have to report on everything. Do you remember the Miss Puwei family treasury?"

That seventh-ranker subordinate nodded: "It was a false rumor we spread out to cover our attack on the White Dragon Tomb."

"That is one aspect. The other aspect is to fool the demons of Dragon Snake Gubao. The agreement we reached with the demons back then was this: after seizing political power in Axe Beach, we would gather wealth, while the demons would harvest all life within Axe Beach."

As long as the treasury remains unopened, meaning the Zhentarim have not gathered the wealth they desire, the demons will not get their wish for one more day.

The human subordinate's eyes suddenly widened in terror.

This agreement was tantamount to skinning a tiger for its hide, and it contradicted the Zhentarim's purpose.

Virgil snorted lightly:

"Of course, I certainly will not fulfill the wishes of these scattered demons. Axe Beach will serve as our first foothold for invading the Sword Coast region. And that so-called Miss Puwei treasury can serve as a good excuse to resolve the two troubles of the demons and the land nagas."

The subordinate paused for a moment, then suddenly understood:

"After the White Dragon Tomb, we will use the false rumor that the Miss Puwei treasury cannot be opened to tempt the land nagas. Given their greedy nature, they will surely fall for it. At the same time, we will request the demons' help. To promote the completion of the agreement, they will also agree. At that time, the two sides will collide and fight to the death, and finally we will reap the benefits!"

"You are not completely stupid. Those two mother and daughter, as nagas, are of quite good quality. If they survive until the end, after some training, they can still be sold for a good price."

"My lord's strategy is divine, his planning is profound, possessing the wisdom of the legendary gods!"

With a shocked expression, he immediately began to blow his own horn.

Virgil was very satisfied with his expression and spoke encouragingly: "You just go and properly soothe those land nagas to work, break open the White Dragon Tomb as soon as possible. Afterward, there are many things you will need to do."

"Subordinate will certainly not fail your trust!!!"

After a dose of chicken blood was administered, he instantly became excited.

"Hmm, go down."

"Understood. Subordinate will immediately have the land nagas start working!"

Saying this, that subordinate exited the reception hall excitedly.

A moment later.

Through the huge floor-to-ceiling window on the right, one could see his back striding swiftly away in the garden in front of Gubao.

And after he was completely out of sight.

Bugo Torres, on the main seat, taking advantage of Virgil seeming to be in a good mood, asked curiously:

"Lord Virgil, actually, what is there in the White Dragon Tomb worth us breaking open? I remember there is only a dead dragon."

"A dead dragon naturally has its uses. You have already heard enough secrets; it is time to stop. My lord, and where is a lord who calls his guard 'my lord'?"

Virgil looked at him with a faint, eerie gaze.

With just one glance, Bugo Torres broke out in cold, clammy sweat, shrank his head in fear, and dared not ask again.

He quickly changed the subject:

"By the way, Mr. Virgil, someone in the militia privately bypassed the private battalion and wrote directly to me to report on the situation of Miss Wen Na Miss Puwei. Should I dig this person out?"

"No need. Tell me about Miss Wen Na Miss Puwei's situation. Even if the White Dragon Tomb is no longer needed, executing this person can add some prestige to you."

"Understood. According to the letter, the writer was chosen this morning by a passing half-centaur as a 【Hero Candidate】. He sought help from this half-centaur to prophesy Miss Wen Na Miss Puwei's location."

Virgil was somewhat surprised: "Ho, Axe Beach actually has a 【Hero Candidate】."

Bugo Torres smiled ingratiatingly: "I inquired a bit. That is an old fellow in his sixties who has been a captain in the militia for over ten years. His strength and spiritual energy have already declined. The half-centaur's hero prophecy is actually not very reliable."

"Let's get to business."

"Alright. The letter says that Wenha Torres has some kind of artifact that conceals her from prophecy, so her location can't be found—but the man who rescued her doesn't have that protection. Based on the spiritual residue the man left at the scene, the half-deer folk crafted a guidance spell artifact."

As he spoke,

Bugo Torres pulled an old, brown, short wooden stick from his bosom.

Both ends bore marks of rot and breakage, yet right at the middle there was a branch sprouting a few emerald-green leaves.

"It's just that the man's abilities are no slouch either. The spell artifact not only can't pinpoint his exact location, it only works when he's within a hundred meters."

Virgil took the stick, his eyes contemptuous: "Within a hundred meters? Laughable. What good is that?"

"Right? That's exactly what I said."

As he spoke,

the emerald-green leaves on the stick suddenly emanated spiritual energy. A green vine sprouted out, spun a few circles, then pointed toward the shadowy corner of the ceiling above the two of them.

(End of Chapter)