Duke Eden hurried forward to greet him, bowed politely, and then said loudly: "Good day, Mr. Hermit.
Thank you for your help to the family, and you are welcome to visit Silver Castle. It is really our honor to have you here. ”
"Good day, Mr. Hermit."
Behind him, the chief mage Kaushik and the three knight commanders also saluted respectfully and said hello in unison.
After chatting along the way, Heloise seemed less reserved and just smiled and said: "We meet again, Mr. Hermit"
"You must be the Duke of Eden that Miss Heloise mentioned.
The hermit just nodded in greeting. He looked around at the people in the hall, and finally looked at Duke Eden.
The Silver people in the hall didn't know that in the hermit, or Cassius' deep light green eyes, they seemed to be naked, with no secrets - that was the crushing of the essence of life.
As a red dragon with ancestral blood, Cassius has a life essence that is far more powerful than them, even in his incarnation.
[Duke Plantagenet-Ayden (Professional Level: Battle Master 12)]
[Sifer Blade-Simon (Professional Level: Champion Warrior 20)]
[Master of Secrets - Kaushik (Professional Level: Mage - Conjuration School 19)]
[Leader of the Mithril Hand-Feodor Pate (Professional Level: Rune Warrior 16)]
"Tsk, tsk, it is indeed the Fiansuo continent where gods and demons fight. Even a noble who is in charge of part of the city can have such strength."
Browsing the information that appeared on the panel, Cassius couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
A sub-legendary warrior, a near-legendary archmage, and several powerful warriors who are also at extraordinary levels.
Just the power that the Silver family put on the table for him was so much.
If such a configuration were placed in the North, it would be more than enough to rule a principality, and it could even penetrate the most powerful Principality of Bosque among the northern countries.
But on the Fianso continent, in the largest and most prosperous Victoria Harbor on the west coast, it can't even fully control the city, and can only compete with the other three major families.
Thinking of this, Cassius said in a relaxed tone: "You are indeed one of the powerful people in Victoria Harbor, Duke Eden. It seems that your family is indeed quite powerful."
At this moment, Kaushik couldn't help but sweat dripping from his forehead. The many spells he had arranged in Silver Castle had no effect in front of this hermit.
And he had a strange feeling - the being in front of him had already seen through him, and nothing about him could be hidden from him.
Simon also subconsciously held onto the silver sword at his waist to ensure the Duke's safety, but his arms were also trembling slightly.
Just now, he felt an unprecedentedly powerful aura overflowing, which even made him feel instinctively afraid.
"Don't be nervous, Mr. Hermit is the benefactor of our Silver family."
Duke Eden noticed that the atmosphere was a little strange and quickly smiled apologetically.
"Mr. Hermit, you protected our caravan in Silver and rescued my daughter. I really don't know how to thank you.
This is just a small thank you gift to show our sincerity from the Silver family. Please be sure to accept it. ”
He summoned several of his servants and directed them to move the boxes that had been prepared long ago.
But they were too heavy, and it took a lot of effort for the servants to move them to the hermit and open them skillfully.
Suddenly, golden light filled the ground.
I saw that the boxes were filled with gold coins, tens of thousands of them. There were exquisite gold jewelry everywhere, as well as pearls that were as shiny as gravel.
Apparently, Lord Aiden had a detailed understanding of the preferences of bronze dragons, knowing that like all dragons they were greedy for gold and enjoyed pearls as a tasty snack.
Even everyone in the hall could not help but feel short of breath when seeing so many treasures.
——But it is obviously impolite to spy on other people's wealth. They quickly controlled their emotions and focused their expectant eyes on the hermit.
Mr. "Hermit"'s eyes were bright, his mouth corners were raised, and he was nodding. He was obviously very satisfied with this gift.
The light green pupils reflect the gleaming light of gold - obviously, even a metal dragon cannot completely restrain this greed derived from dragon instinct.
However, this is not the end, it can only be regarded as an appetizer.
Duke Eden continued: "Mr. Hermit, this is only part of our thank you gift.
The arms brought back by the caravan can be measured in gold coins, but to me personally, my daughter Heloise is priceless.
I really don’t know how to express my gratitude. I can only present our many collections from Victoria Harbor. I hope you like it. ”
"Pah, pah."
Duke Eden clapped his hands, the door of the hall slowly opened, and the maids in luxurious clothes lined up in a neat queue and walked in slowly.
They were carrying transparent glass boxes filled with all kinds of precious collectibles, many of which shone with brilliant magical auras.
Red corals from the bottom of the sea, ships in glass bottles, the crowns of Naga nobles, huge pearls with colorful brilliance.
These are almost all precious collections from the ocean carefully prepared by Duke Eden.
As far as he knew, in addition to gold and pearls, the bronze dragon as the "Dragon of the Coast" also liked other treasures from the ocean, and the Silver family, which had been in Victoria Harbor for many years, obviously had a lot of inventory.
More than a dozen collections were presented and displayed in front of the hermit, and Duke Ayden also secretly observed his reaction.
I saw this "hermit" admiring the carefully prepared collections, with unconcealable love in his light green eyes.
Duke Aiden knew that his goal had been achieved - the Silver family had successfully gained the favor of this ancient bronze dragon.
The hermit sighed: "It seems that Victoria Harbor is indeed the most prosperous port city now. Your Silver family is really financially strong.
In this case, I cannot refuse your kindness, so I will accept these thank you gifts. If you need help, please ask Miss Heloise to throw the coin. ”
Duke Eden winked, and Heloise quickly stepped forward and asked softly: "Mr. Hermit, I still have something to ask you
Do you know - what are the identities of the cultists who attacked us that day, those who call themselves followers of the ‘Lord God’?
The hermit sneered: "Ah, they are just a bunch of bugs who overestimate their capabilities. They don't even know that their minds are being controlled. It's really ridiculous. But according to common parlance, they should be called... puppets of the Mind Flayer."
"Mind Flayer?"
Hearing the name, Kaushik's expression suddenly changed and his face turned pale.
He had systematically studied the knowledge of the multiverse with Trafalleno, and understood how evil and dangerous the mind flayers were.
Kaushik recalled some of the memories in his library-like mind and recalled them carefully.
Mind flayers, also known as illithids, which means "mind flayer" or "mind slave" in Undercommon, are sometimes called ghaiks (brain-eating hybrids) by the Githyanki.
This is a brutal aberration, feared by many intelligent beings in the multiverse because of its powerful psychic abilities.
Mind flayers extract and consume the brains of living victims, devouring their personalities.
These aberrations often dwell in twisted lairs deep in the Underdark, seeking to dominate all other life forms, controlling their brains and turning them into obedient slaves.
Kaushik couldn't help but mutter to himself: "How could the mind flayer appear in the above world?"
The hermit glanced at him and said meaningfully: "Young mage, the history of these bugs is much longer than you know, and their greed is far beyond your imagination.
Four hundred years ago, I destroyed a Mind Flayer Nautilus warship and learned about their great blueprint. ”
After hearing all this mixed information, Duke Aiden frowned and his expression became more solemn: "Mr. Hermit, the purpose of these mind flayers is Victoria Harbor?"
The hermit said calmly: "You can say that, but it is far more than that, and this is one of the reasons why I came to Victoria Harbor."
Duke Aiden said: "Mr. Hermit, our Silver family will provide you with everything we can. We only hope that you can cooperate with us to destroy these monsters."
The hermit replied: "Of course, but you need to find a place for me to stay first.
Haha, I originally wanted to go back to my room in Tal Port, but I didn't expect that place to sink directly into the sea. ”
Duke Eden hurriedly said: "Of course, Mr. Hermit, we will build a mansion for you in the best area of the Uptown, so that you can enjoy the most beautiful sea view of Victoria Harbor"
The hermit shook his head and refused: "No, the upper city area is full of monks and nobles, which is a bit boring, and you can't come into contact with all kinds of groups."
"What do you mean"
Looking out the window and watching the ships coming and going in the port, the corners of the hermit's mouth slightly raised:
"Well, I need your Silver family to build a high tower for me in the most chaotic and mixed place in the lower city.
The name is Coast Tower. ”
Duke Ayden responded quickly: "Yes, Mr. Hermit, ten days, give us ten days, and we will build a high tower for you in the lower city."
But at this moment, he was secretly laughing in his heart, obviously mourning for the underground chaotic forces entrenched in the Lower City.
An ancient bronze dragon with a strong sense of justice appears in the chaotic lower city, which is definitely enough for thieves and cultists.
But for the ancient and evil mind flayers, Duke Eden was wary - what exactly do they want to do? Actually want to kidnap his only daughter?
Unexpectedly, the hermit suddenly spoke again, interrupting his thinking.
"By the way, Duke Eden, don't forget to transport all these treasures to the tower."
After saying these words, the Hermit created a space rift and disappeared into the hall, leaving Duke Eden alone standing there, dumbfounded.
After all, it is still a giant dragon.
Victoria Harbor is still noisy and noisy, with merchant ships coming and going in an endless stream.
However, rumors spread in the city that Duke Eden's only daughter Heloise was ambushed by cultists, and the Duke was furious.
Simon Amorim, the famous Blade of Silver and the Duke's crony, personally led the team and led hundreds of elite mercenaries to the most chaotic Wilson neighborhood in Victoria Harbor.
Just when the various forces in the Wilson neighborhood were worried and thought they were going to conduct a large-scale sweep, these mercenaries started construction in the neighborhood, which puzzled them.
A few days later, a beautiful and beautiful blue tower has stood in the Wilson neighborhood, with the sign "Coast Tower" hanging on it. It is incompatible with the low and mottled buildings in the lower city.
The mercenaries of the Mithril Hand escorted a large number of gold treasures and put them all into the tower, which also aroused the greed of the surrounding thieves and gangs.
And after all this was completed, all the mercenaries of the Mithril Hand evacuated, leaving only a group of helpless servants in the tower, and a man in a gray robe.
Although this is likely to be Duke Eden's treasure, facing the seemingly sparsely guarded tower and the dazzling treasure, the surrounding desperadoes are still coveting it.
Some gangs even colluded with the cult, and even roped in a group of undead, hoping to invade the tower together and divide up the rich treasures inside.
But after a night of thunder and lightning and particularly bad weather, when the fishermen complained about the moodiness of the "Sea Queen", the door of the Coast Tower was filled with ashes, and the servants were laboriously cleaning it.
People in the Wilson neighborhood were surprised to find that the religious orders and gangs that planned to invade the tower had all mysteriously disappeared and never appeared again.
As a result, another piece of gossip gradually spread: the owner of the Coast Tower, the man who calls himself "The Hermit", is an extremely powerful wizard.
Some people even swore that an extremely terrifying dragon lived in that tower, but most people scorned this.
As the largest port in Silver Moon Bay, Victoria Harbor is extremely tolerant. People have long been accustomed to foreign races such as orcs, dwarves, elves and even Nagas.
Soon, the residents of the Wilson neighborhood gradually became accustomed to the existence of this coastal tower, using it as a pawn shop for collecting ocean treasures and as a place to purchase information.
The most enthusiastic about this tower are the undead, who often enter the tower in groups to accept tasks from the mysterious hermit.
In the eyes of these players who use Victoria Harbor as their birth point, the "hermit" in the Coast Tower has obviously become the most mysterious and important NPC.
Standing on the top floor of the Coast Tower, staring out the window at the sea crowded with ships, Cassius narrowed his eyes:
"According to the original trajectory, the Order of the Lord God kidnapped Heloise to threaten Duke Eden, and gradually took control of the armed forces of Victoria Harbor.
Now that I have rescued the Silver family's caravan, I want to see what other tricks they can come up with. "(End of Chapter)