Chapter 149: Wizard Ser
“That alchemist living in the Toothed Forest?” Anse’s expression shifted, and he pressed.
“Yes, this time he came to us on his own, waiting for you at the Federation.” Illyas raised her chin, quite surprised.
“How’s his ability? Does he have good stuff?” Anse rubbed his chin, pondering what to trade for.
That section of Green Dragon Tail came from an Adult Green Dragon, very rare, and could not be measured simply by material value.
If just used to sell for money, it would actually be quite a loss.
“Ability unclear, but he’s definitely rich. He came over a dozen years ago and has always been heading into the Deep Forest, likely going for Vehral City.” Illyas crossed her arms, her tone very certain.
“Vehral City?”
“That place is just a legend…”
The two walked and talked.
Vehral City is a possibly existing ancient civilization ruin site. Some say it was built by werewolf clans, some say it’s a dwarf city, and others say it’s related to a lich named Vihral…
Rumors say Vehral City has endless Treasure, no one has seen it, but there are always undeterred adventurers going in to search, but no one has been heard to find any good stuff; instead, quite a few have forever perished in the Toothed Forest.
The Toothed Forest is vast, nearly three hundred kilometers north to south, and the narrowest point east to west is over a hundred kilometers; last time the Black Dragon fell only a few kilometers from the edge.
The deeper into the forest, the more dangerous: werewolves, goblins, gargoyles, shadow creatures, undead, dragons…
“Perhaps it’s real.” Anse was not a local, but he had read related materials; this was not a legend, but history buried for a long time.
“Hm?” Illyas pointed a slender finger at him, warning, “Don’t go. The Toothed Forest has several werewolf tribes who call themselves ruin guardians, specializing in hunting humans.
They cooperate with the Iron Throne, trading deadly poison and hallucinogenic mushrooms for human supplies; they’re not just a pack of beasts, very tough to deal with.”
The Iron Crown has sold that kind of poison and highly toxic weapons before, so she inferred Graham had ties to the Iron Throne.
“Why would I go there?” Anse shook his head slightly; only legendary or even legendary divine artifacts were worth him adventuring.
During their conversation, the two arrived at the Federation headquarters, where five people in gray robes stood waiting at the door on this hot day.
Illyas strode straight into the Hall without even a greeting, clearly not too fond of them.
“Please come in.” Anse dismounted, gesturing with his hand, a very affable smile on his face.
“Mm.” The lead thin man removed his hood, revealing a bald head, skin pale like a corpse.
Anse paused, a flash of platinum light in his eyes as Detect Evil and Good activated, several dim light shadows entering his perception.
Not undead.
“Hmph.” The bald man snorted coldly, lifting his foot to leave, but a struggle appeared in his eyes, and he forcibly changed his step, striding into the Hall in a few steps.
The gray-robed people behind him seemed to have anticipated it, following closely inside, also removing their hoods to reveal relatively normal appearances.
“Sorry.” Anse hadn’t expected the bald man to be so perceptive and quickly expressed apology, “Dulag hasn’t been peaceful lately; better to be cautious.”
He invited them to sit, signaling the staff to brew tea. This was the official Living Room, so it had this setup.
“You can call me Soske.” The bald man’s face was expressionless, his voice dry and raspy, as if his vocal cords had long rusted.
“I’m Anse. I don’t know where Mr. Soske is from?” Anse probed.
Soske’s gray-blue eyes looked at Anse, silent for a moment before saying, “Thay, a very distant place.”
“Heard of it, the famous magic empire, east of the Sea of Fallen Stars.” Anse sized up Soske, “Mr. Soske seems… different from the Red Wizards I know.”
Thay has strict hierarchy; the ruling class is the Red Wizards, or Red Wizard council. Wizards hold supreme status, with signature traits of bald heads, tattoos, and red robes.
Below wizards are some Mulan bureaucrats, priests, etc., with masses of slaves at the bottom.
A Thayan wizard running from three or four thousand kilometers away in the East Reach to the Sword Coast definitely had plans.
“You know quite a bit.” Soske didn’t mind his gaze, “I’m just a wandering wizard who doesn’t fit in with Thay. I’ve wandered outside for decades and long forgotten what Thay used to be like.”
Anse focused his mind on him, the dice turning slightly, popping up target info:
【Soske, human, level 12 wizard（ School of Transmutation）】
‘Not sure how much Casting Ability he has left.’
Casting Ability should also affect alchemy level, after all, high-end alchemy can’t do without magic.
“What do you need by coming here this time?” Anse wasn’t in a hurry; the other side came proactively, so they must need something.
“I heard aberrations are stirring in the city; these creatures are extremely dangerous. How did you handle them? Don’t leave any hidden dangers.”
“Handled?” Anse’s eyes turned, “Killed them, then incinerated.”
“What?” Soske suddenly felt heartbroken, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, “All burned clean?”
“Very clean. However…” Anse suddenly paused.
“However what?” Soske pressed.
Anse opened the Dragonhide Pouch, took out a black box emanating Cold Air, forcefully opened it, revealing four tentacles and most of a purple brain frozen in Ice.
Mind flayer-like ones were truly burned, but aberrations like Mind Flayers were different; materials on them were definitely valuable, how could he burn them all? That would be too wasteful.
“Just hard frozen like this?” Soske’s tone finally fluctuated a bit. He reached out to take it but stopped midway, pointing to the table, “Put it down, I’ll take a look for you.”
Anse set the box down, got up and left, Teleporting from his office to Hollewen, putting most of the Green Dragon materials into the Dragonhide Pouch, then returning to the Living Room.
He didn’t understand alchemy or potions; materials sitting with him were wasted. Better to trade for magic items that enhanced Combat.
“Still some use. How much do you want to sell for?” Seeing him return, Soske asked.
“Take a look at this too.” Anse took out Dragon Meat, Dragon Tendon, Dragon Scale, piling them on the floor; Cold Air swirled, instantly dropping the room temperature several degrees.
Soske abruptly stood: “You killed an Adult Green Dragon? No, rumors said Black Dragon?”
“A section of Green Dragon Tail.” Anse didn’t hide it, “Lots of meat, all in the Ice Cellar.”
Soske squatted down, checking each one, tone displeased: “Your handling is too crude. First time seeing someone smoke Dragon Meat, ridiculous. And Dragon Scale, who told you to cut like that? Scale and hide together…
Freezing is actually good, but must be timely, use spells for quick freeze; tossing in Ice Cellar is too lazy…”
His words came fast, like a different person from earlier; the dry voice had no ups and downs or rhythm, a bit awkward to listen to.
Anse listened carefully; maybe useful next time he slays a dragon.
“What about Dragon Blood?” Soske asked with doubt.
“Not much, I kept it myself.”
Soske’s eyes shifted, no further questions: “What do you want?”
Materials of this level unlikely to trade for money; either custom equipment or potions, or swap for equivalently valuable magic items.
“What do you have?” Anse really didn’t know the value of these materials; at least worth tens of thousands of gold coins.
Adult Dragon materials naturally couldn’t make legendary items, but starting should be Rare Quality; if skilled enough, Uncommon Quality possible.
Of course, pure alchemy couldn’t do it; needed other crafts combined.
