As the flames of magic spread in all directions, the entire house was soon enveloped in skyrocketing flames.

Some nearby residents were awakened from their sleep by the fire, carrying buckets of water to try to extinguish the fire.

But alas, it was already too late.

They had to do everything they could to dig fire ditches to stop the flames from igniting the other houses around them.

Looking at the panicked crowd on the street not far away, Zuo Si, who was standing in the dark, immediately asked without looking back: "Have the valuable goods and goods in the underground warehouse been shipped out?" ”

"Rest assured! It was all shipped out before the fire spread. Most of them are more valuable spices, silks, and sugars. According to my estimates, it is probably worth between 48,000 and 60,000 gold coins. If it is transported to Amm or Baldur's Gate further north, it will make at least four times the profit. Further north, Waterdeep and Neverwinter may even reach eight times. ”

Bernard was a shrewd businessman, and he probably knew at a glance how much the goods stored in Mook's warehouse were worth.

The most important thing is that these in-demand goods are all in vain, and there is no need to spend money to purchase, and you need to worry about price fluctuations caused by large quantities of purchases.

At the same time, after witnessing a secret pirate stronghold with a large number of armed men, Zuo Si was easily uprooted, which greatly increased his confidence in arriving in Ascatra safely.

"Not bad! I'll leave these goods to you to deal with. Zuo Si gave the merchant an approving look.

As everyone knows, he is complaining frantically in his heart at the moment, so a lot of goods are only worth fifty or sixty thousand gold coins in the end?

It's not as valuable as the "trade bars" and magic items that are packed into dimensional bags.

No wonder some people say that the world in the eyes of the caster and the world in the eyes of ordinary people are completely different things.

In the eyes of most people, the "huge" wealth that is enough to make oneself comfortable for a lifetime may be just a few light, weightless high-level spell scrolls, a magic item, materials for making a golem or a construct, or the cost of several experiments.

Bernard hurriedly touched his chest with one hand and saluted: "Thank you for your trust." I will make a list of these goods later so that I can easily consult them at any time. ”

"You two, I must warn you that in ten minutes or so, the city's guards should be there.

If they found a large number of charred and desecrated bodies in the house, they would certainly entrust the temple with an investigation.

When the time comes, those nosy paladins will inevitably interrogate and search around. ”

A thief in leather armor and a gray cloak shrouded in his body couldn't help but interject.

As the person Epke had drawn from the guild to help keep an eye on, the last thing he wanted to meet was a paladin.

Because these brainless guys are naturally hostile to crime, as well as all people and organizations related to crime.

"Let's go. After working in the middle of the night, it's time to go back and rest. ”

With that, Zuo Si glanced at Yelinia hidden in his shadow, and the creatures she had transformed into shadow creatures, and it didn't take long for her to disappear at the end of the intricate streets of Port Carlin.

……

About two hours later, when the fire was completely extinguished, two paladins wearing the emblem of Ilmat, the god of suffering, finally appeared near the ruins.

They first asked the soldiers about the situation.

Then one of them, an elderly man in his mid-forties, immediately surveyed the extent of the burning of the main body of the building, and then crouched down to look at the remains that had been burned beyond recognition.

It took a few minutes before he said with a solemn expression: "There are traces of negative energy!" Although it had become very faint after being burned by the fire, the corpse had definitely been desecrated. ”

"Blasphemy? What do you mean...... Undead, necromancers, and demons from the lower planes? ”

Another young woman, who looked to be in her early twenties, widened her eyes in surprise.

An experienced elder paladin leads an inexperienced young paladin, a practice widely practiced by many shrines of goodness and paladin groups.

Because young paladins go on missions alone, it is easy to make some irreparable mistakes because of their impulsive personalities.

Or they are calculated by the evil camp, and finally fall for various reasons and temptations.

But with an experienced senior, the situation is much better.

Through word and deed, young paladins will also quickly grow into a sturdy shield to defend the innocent and the weak.

"I don't know! But I think it's worth investigating.

First of all, what we need to do is to find out the background and origin of this chamber of commerce.

Second, we need to look at the market.

In particular, there is a black market that specializes in buying goods of unknown origin, and there are no people who peddle stolen goods in large quantities. ”

The older paladin quickly made his own judgment.

Because he had learned from the guards that the house was almost swept away of anything of value.

The warehouse in the basement, in particular, is cleaner than a rat has ever licked.

This means that the attackers are most likely trying to make money.

"Got it! I'm going to look around and ask about this chamber of commerce. ”

The young female paladin seemed to be desperate to express herself, and without saying a word, began to knock on doors, taking the trouble to ask the merchants, men, minions, and slaves for clues.

I have to say that as a representative of orderly kindness, she behaved quite restrained.

Even if he saw the existence of a slave who was completely contrary to the teachings, he did not immediately draw his sword and cut people, or ask the slave owner to release the slave.

Quite the opposite!

She only kept a minimum of sympathy and pity.

After all, this was Port Carlin, where the slave trade flourished.

Moreover, in addition to being kind, the paladin also has the attribute of order.

Orderliness means that the existing order cannot be easily disrupted, and local laws and regulations must be obeyed.

Unless the law is hopelessly broken, the Paladin cannot do anything illegal.

This naturally included forcing slave owners to surrender their "property" – slaves.

After an hour-and-a-half-long investigation, the young lady paladin quickly ran back to the older paladin and said excitedly, "Agor! I got some unusual clues. ”

"Oh? What is it? ”

The elder paladin, known as Agor, raised his head.

"It's the number of armed men.

According to figures obtained from several neighbors, more than sixty armed men were stationed in the house.

There are even hired spellcasters.

Maintaining this quantity and quality of armed personnel throughout the year obviously requires a significant investment of money.

This is in stark contrast to the mercenary approach of most businessmen who try to save as much money as possible. ”

Miss Paladin told her what she had found suspicious in one breath.

Upon hearing this, Agor immediately smiled with satisfaction and praised softly, "Very beautiful investigation and inference.

He is truly the chief apprentice who can complete the basic training with the first place.

Looks like we're going to talk to the merchants we do business with to see if they know anything. ”

"Now?"

Miss Paladin looked up at the star-studded night sky.

"No, not now, of course, at least after dawn.

Remember, Aroline, be patient no matter what comes your way.

Don't let impulses dominate your sanity, or the consequences will be severe. Agor admonished solemnly.

In this way, the two paladins who had been invited to investigate the arson case had some clues, and soon returned to the temple to report.