Trust is a very interesting thing.

Its establishment required the joint efforts of both sides and has been tested over a long period of time.

But if it is destroyed, it often only takes a moment.

Due to the relationship between himself and secretly escaped in a small boat, the four guys, including the captain, the first mate, the boatswain and the merchant, have completely lost the trust of the sailors.

If it weren't for the fact that the illiterate sailors had neither knowledge of navigation nor wanted to stay on this deserted island, they would not have accepted Bernard's offer of ten gold coins per person to board the ship again.

In this way, in a very strange atmosphere, the group stayed on the island for another three days, replenishing some fresh water and coconuts.

When the water brought in by the high tide caused the stranded ship to float again, Captain Bass Sr. immediately ordered the sail to set sail towards the port of Carlin in the southeast.

In just a few days, the two ships safely left the dangerous waters of the Sword Sea and officially entered the relatively safe Sea of Glory.

Along the way, you can even occasionally see boats of different shapes and sizes passing by.

Some of them were merchant ships, while others were warships patrolling from Port Carlin.

As the most populous and largest coastal city on the southwest coast of the continent of Ferron, the prosperity of Port Carlin is undoubted.

Its market size is even higher than that of Azkatra, the capital of Amm.

Therefore, the rulers here naturally need to build a fleet that can protect themselves from pirates.

Thanks to patrolling ships from Port Carlin, pirates are far less active around the Shining Sea than they are near the Nlanthel Islands.

Zuo Si can even lie on the wooden chairs on the deck as if he was on vacation, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze while flipping through the books and notes found on the upper floors of the Floating City Tower, and occasionally taking a sip of coconut water with a small amount of lemon.

Beside him, there was always a soldier armed with a short sword and shield, always on alert.

Whenever a sailor passed by, the soldier's eyes were filled with shock, confusion, and bewilderment.

After all, they had seen each other commit suicide with a short sword into their heart.

But who knew that just one day later, this young man who had been presumed dead would reappear without any wounds on his body.

Only Bernard, a well-informed businessman, knew that the soldier was in fact summoned by some kind of magic, just like the leopard that guarded the pirate captain Hallette in the cabin twenty-four hours a day.

Alternate minions like this don't actually die at all.

Once you take damage that exceeds your maximum health, you will be repatriated by the power of magic.

There is no doubt that the young merchant would be the envy of the young merchant to have such a guard who was absolutely loyal and not afraid of sacrifice at all.

Although he can also pay some adventurers or mercenaries to work for him.

But it is almost impossible to be 100% loyal, or even sacrifice your life for your employer at a critical moment.

"Your Excellency, in three or four days, we will be in Port Carlin. Do you have any plans for going ashore? Bernard asked very stiffly.

Because through his observation these days, he found that Zuo Si's words and deeds could not be connected with a boy about ten years old.

Quite the opposite!

It's closer to the legendary tales of the evil mages who have just taken over the young body through magical means.

Combined with the previous large-scale transformation of undead zombies without scruples, as well as the decisive character of killing, the merchant is more convinced of his guess.

Zuo Si raised his head and glanced at the other party, and responded nonchalantly: "I don't have any special plans.

I just want to get the ransom as soon as possible and head north to Candlestick or Waterdeep.

But Harrett said he would need some time to raise the money, probably for a week or two.

Also, there's no need to always use honorifics, you can just call me Soth. ”

"Soth? Is this your first name or last name? Bernard asked curiously.

"Name."

Zuo Si gave the answer without thinking.

To be precise, this "pseudonym" was a misunderstanding caused by a misplaced accent when he first met with the necromancer Ashta.

You must know that there is basically not much difference between Zuosi and Soth reading.

Later, in the process of learning magical knowledge.

Zuo Si discovered that the name of such a thing actually contained powerful magical power.

Naturally, he hid his true name and declared himself to be Soth.

Bernard nodded slightly, "Alright, Lord South. Since you have the intention of going north, you shouldn't mind stopping by with me, right? ”

"Oh? Aren't you in a hurry to get back to Askatra? What, changed your mind again? ”

Zuo Si closed the book in his hand and stared at the merchant in front of him with interest.

"Because I figured it out.

If you rush back in a panic without any preparation, then it is very likely that you will encounter a halfway interception.

Rather than this, it is better to complete this business well.

Then exchange the remaining funds for Port Carlin specialties, such as spices, silks, pearls, rare herbs, secondary magic items, etc., and divide them into two parts.

Some of them were loaded by sea and returned to Askatla, while others were led by me by land.

At that time, even if the chamber of commerce is illegally occupied, I will have enough financial resources to deal with various situations, and even fight a protracted lawsuit. ”

Bernard said with a serious face that he had made a decision after much consideration.

I have to say that this is quite an ambitious and risky plan.

Because unlike the sea route, where only pirates threaten.

The overland return journey from Port Carlin to Ascatra would require you to traverse not only the Karin Desert, the largest desert southwest of Feren, but also almost the entire kingdom of Tesser, as well as the dangerous Vortex Mountains and Broken Tooth Mountains.

Especially the Vortex Mountains and the Broken Tooth Mountains!

The latter is home to a large number of evil humanoids and giants, and has even attempted to seize the second largest port city from Am, Moulin, on more than one occasion, in order to build a kingdom ruled by various monsters.

The former isn't much better, full of goblins, ogres, and bestials.

It is said that near the easternmost extinct volcano of Tagil Peak, someone saw the figure of a huge evil red dragon passing through the sky.

But it was this danger that convinced Bernard that his sister Isadora would never have imagined that he would be able to return to Amm by such a route.

Zuo Si couldn't help but smile after hearing this: "So...... You're going to hire me to be your bodyguard? ”

"Nope! Not a bouncer! It's a partner! Bernard clenched his fists nervously and corrected.

He knew that the success of his plan depended on whether he could impress the necromancer in front of him, who gave people an unfathomable feeling.

"Tell me about your plans, I'm listening."

Zuo Si suddenly wanted to know what the merchant thought, and raised his arm to make a gesture of please.

Bernard unfolded a slightly scribbled map and plucked up the courage to say, "From the moment you chose to capture Harrett the Bloody Hand instead of killing him, I have found that you should need a lot of money.

I, on the other hand, am a successful businessman.

Know how you can make the most money from trading.

If you believe me, you can give me all the money after you get the ransom.

I guarantee that you can earn at least four times as much profit by trading along the way.

And that's not all!

If you're willing to help me reclaim what is rightfully mine, I can also promise to give you twenty percent of the shares after the Inheritance Chamber of Commerce.

Whatever you need in the future.

As long as it is within the coverage of the Chamber of Commerce's trade routes.

I will do everything I can to collect it and sell it to you at cost.

What I want to build is not a temporary employment relationship, but a long-term alliance and partnership. ”