Chapter 108: Beregost
With the experience from the first time, the rest was simple.
The group specifically targeted small-scale kobold crowds, surrounding them, intimidating them, and killing one to scare the rest—a complete set that got the job done, tried and true every time.
The key points of this strategy were two: Anse’s half-dragon-like appearance, and the small groups of kobolds.
When kobolds grow in number, their courage swells, they can’t read the situation, and can’t tell friend from foe.
So after capturing about three hundred kobolds, Anse decisively stopped, which was enough for now.
The paradise seals on the kobolds had been removed; they could never leave Hollewen in their lifetime—even in death, they would fertilize the fields.
Anse sent Giant Tail and Brat back to Hollewen, where they worked together to tame the kobolds, first repairing the damaged plaza, clearing bones and trash, taming while working.
With Giant Tail there, even if the kobolds rebelled, they could be suppressed. Besides, those kobolds were terrified and seemed obedient for now.
Anse and Finn rode to Beregost, with Greyhawk scouting ahead.
Night travel was difficult, ordinary horses couldn’t run fast, so Nolnos held back his speed, but still much faster than ordinary people.
Blue Water City with its lights gradually receded, soon vanishing from sight; no wyvern pursued, and the night sky was very quiet.
This was probably good news—if they pursued, it would mean the green dragon was out of danger.
‘I wonder how that bald big shot is doing?’
That green dragon must have caused trouble, or the big shot wouldn’t risk everything to kill it.
‘If I were level 11, I could help right now.’ Anse sighed inwardly.
Faerun was too dangerous; he couldn’t get too reckless.
After several hours, the sky began to lighten.
They reached the coastal road and headed south along it, making travel much easier.
The road had only scattered refugees, not many in number; they were fast and had left most refugees behind.
There were no signs of kobolds here either—they couldn’t run fast and disliked daytime activity.
Following the coastal road all the way led to Beregost, a commercial transit hub.
North was Baldur’s Gate, west was Candlekeep, south through Cloud Mist Mountain was Kingdom of Amn, east to Uldan Trade Route led straight to green wasteland and Dragon Coast.
Thus, Beregost was coveted by all sides, changing hands several times, currently nominally belonging to Kingdom of Amn.
In recent years, Amn grew increasingly dominant, not only controlling many surrounding towns but also occupying numerous enclaves like tentacles of a commercial empire, spreading everywhere with astonishing influence.
As the sky fully brightened, Anse sent Finn, Greyhawk, and Nolnos into Hollewen, then continued riding an ordinary horse.
Daytime was relatively safe, no worry of ambushes; Finn and Greyhawk’s tasks were complete.
Anse donned his hood, cast disguise self to turn into an ordinary-looking human, pocketed the elemental orb, appearing utterly unremarkable.
These disguises were necessary; his notoriety was not low, and if Amn’s people saw through it, a major battle was inevitable.
Better to stay low-key on their turf.
However, he didn’t plan to stay long—just procure some tools, seeds, and food in Beregost and leave.
Those kobold laborers needed to eat too; skipping a few meals was fine, but a few days would spark rebellion.
The warhorse had run half the night and was tired; Anse gave it some water and let it walk slowly along the coastal road.
He pulled up Nolnos’s character card, trying to level him up remotely.
Tapping the level field, the character card immediately blurred.
At the same time, Nolnos frolicking on the island sensed something and raced back to the black tower hall.
He closed his eyes, raised his head, posture relaxed, scales emitting dense magical spiritual light, body rippling with water-like waves.
Brat hurried over, relieved at the sight, full of envy.
After leaving Baldur’s Gate, he realized how wondrous the world was—too many things he’d never seen.
On the coastal road, Anse smiled; the dice were too powerful, working instantly across worlds—this was some high-level stuff.
‘Leveling up isn’t easy; wonder what changes this time.’ He was a bit expectant.
About half an hour passed.
Nolnos’s character card popped back up, with significant changes.
【Name: Nolnos】
「Level」: 2
「Experience」: 967/2700
「Life」: 58
「Armor Class」: 14
【Strength: 19】
【Dexterity: 14】
【Constitution: 16】
【Intelligence: 7】
【Wisdom: 12】
【Charisma: 14】
Attributes changed noticeably, life increased to 58, strength and wisdom each up by 1.
Every level up boosted attributes; the racial talent was extremely powerful, something humans couldn’t envy.
In comparison, ability gains were fairly average.
Nolnos gained two passive traits.
「Magic Resistance」: Fey horse has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
This was a common fey ability, not standout but very practical—just resistant, not easily controlled by spells.
「Jump」: Fey horse’s jumping ability greatly enhanced.
This was good too; combined with Anse’s great step and jump, athleticism maxed out.
Anse closed the character card and used the scepter of sanctuary’s projection to observe Nolnos’s changes.
Size seemed a bit larger, but not obviously; muscle lines clearer, majestic and spirited.
Currently excited, he galloped across the island, sometimes into the sea, sometimes startling the kobolds, more like a sheepdog than a mount.
‘Faster speed.’ Anse was very satisfied.
The horse beneath him was good too, but paled against Nolnos. Special circumstances now, so he made do riding it.
Sun rose high, temperature climbing.
Vast farmlands appeared in the distance, lush and green, free of monsters and war, harmonious and natural, soothing the mind.
‘With Candlekeep blocking ahead, Beregost should stay peaceful for a while.’ Anse remarked.
A winding gray line appeared in the sky, west side like a steel curtain, east side blue as a mirror, their boundary fusing like a rift, eerily strange.
Anse focused his perception; the coastal road had the magic net, no effect on him, but major for other spellcasters.
At least they could die with some dignity!
Then, a black dot drifted from the horizon.
Anse first thought it was some flying creature; only on approach did he see it was a flying carpet, solid purple with red tassels on the edges, two ribbons trailing from the tail, dancing in the wind.
‘Another big shot.’ He silently lowered his head, minimizing his presence.
It made sense—things so chaotic now, who dared fly so ostentatiously without real power?
The flying carpet came from inland, heading straight for Blue Water City; just as it was about to cross over the coastal road, it suddenly stopped, circled in the air, then flew straight toward Anse.
