Siegel put down his glass and pulled out his pipe. Several people stopped talking, watching the mage think quietly in the smoke. At this time, even the impatient steppe people were like being hit by the slowness spell and the silence spell, and the action of eating became gentle. Only Kerry crossed his arms, grinned happily, and said, "Give me a good idea, just like last time." ”

The mage mixed all the knowledge he had about the Old World in his head and slowly searched for available clues. If the Jackdaw tribe's "enclosure" action is stopped, and the principle of the overall situation is important to Kerry, I believe that this chief will eventually be able to adopt it, but this will affect his prestige in the tribe. Siegel can't be sorry for his brother and doesn't want to see the tide of battle turn corrupt, so he must find a way to get the best of both worlds. He sat and pondered, then got up again and paced around the room, until the fire in his pipe was about to be extinguished, then he stood up and said to Kerry, "Come to my study." ”

Karl didn't say much, leaving the table to see his mother, leaving Dennis with the three northerners. Siegel closed the curtain of his study, closed the door, and began to cast his magic.

Kerry would be curious to observe every time a mage cast a spell, and this spell obviously shocked him even more. Siegel used extraordinarily precise illusions to outline the steppe terrain south of the Walled Mountains, marking hills, lakes, and rivers. It was a reproduction of Archmage William's topographical map, which Siegel had long kept in his mind.

Kerry had never seen a map of the grasslands, and their tribes used approximate directions and distances to form an understanding of the surrounding terrain. In addition, the craft of drawing maps is rarely learned, and most of these talents are still collected by the lords. Siegel was afraid that Kerry wouldn't be able to read the map. They used illusion to form a crow's mark to mark their original location.

This was followed by the location of Waterdeep. Then by determining the relative position with several rivers. Kerry marked several points where they could attack.

"Our tribe needs a place where there is water for planting, rivers and lakes are fine. The Red Sun tribe needs pasture, and their forage has been in short supply. As for the Black Wolf Tribe, they don't have any special needs. Although they will look for gold from rivers, you can't ask for sand gold in every river. ”

"I already have a good idea, but I still need to know the situation on the battlefield. The mage said, "Tell me everything you know." ”

It was the first time Siegel had worked as a tactical adviser for someone else, and he was still a rookie in the field, but at least he was much better at seeing the big picture and analyzing the situation than Kerry. A good mage is more than just a transmitter of spells. He is far more than a warlock, a cradle of stratagem. Constantly learning a variety of knowledge to enrich oneself is something that every mage must do, including occultism, history, nobility, planes, architecture, geography, and even more proficient in religious knowledge than some priests. Strength is hidden in the continuous learning process, and every bit of accumulation has the potential to prompt the mage to progress in magical power. In particular, many advanced spells are not only a combination of sounds, gestures, and casting materials, but also a kind of understanding and transformation of the world by the mage. And this transformation is based on countless knowledge.

Because of this characteristic, mages have more information and more thorough thinking skills, so they are more likely to become good counselors than others. For the mage. Simply applying knowledge to think about the battle situation is a job that costs almost nothing compared to making magical items. No one would say no. And those who are willing to hire mages as staff officers are at least the big lords, and in order to maintain their strategic and tactical advantages, the remuneration they pay is also very exciting. Many mages look for opportunities like this at some point to help them build up the money they need to learn to master spells of higher difficulty.

Siegel naturally doesn't charge Kerry, he doesn't have the awareness of this at all. One is a fledgling mage staff officer, and the other is a toddler tribal chief. They pointed at the illusion map and finally found a good target.

"It's relatively remote here, and it's likely that there are no tribes, so you can avoid fighting and preserve your strength to the maximum. Even if there is, it will certainly not be your opponent. Siegel pointed to a piece of land in the southwestern part of the steppe, far from all battlefields, near the Walled Mountains. "There's a river that flows down from the walled mountains, and it's not big, but it's big enough for you. It's already very close to the dwarven defense area, and it's not completely wild, so the possibility of large monsters is low. The most important point is that there is a silver mine in the upper reaches of the river, and there are crystal stones further afield. ”

When the giant heard this, he gave a thumbs up and said, "If there is silver, then we can buy more supplies to rebuild." But Siegel, how do you know?"

Siegel pointed to the map, then replied, "This is where dwarven prospectors have recorded the situation and found sand gold. This information is recorded in the library of the Top of Mora, and few outsiders know about it except the dwarves. When I was at the top of Mora, I was very concerned about the treasures that the dwarves had discovered but hidden, especially the gold and silver mines. You can trust me on that. ”

"These," Kerry said to Siegel with his arms outstretched, gesturing the map with his hands, "the real treasure." I now understand why the Prairie tribe has not been able to thrive, and why Waterdeep has been able to occupy the most fertile land. On my horse, I could only see the hills, and I was still complacent that I could see farther than the sheep, and you mages were already sitting high in the clouds, looking down on all living things. ”

"It is God who looks down on all living beings, and the three spirits of you. "We're on the third floor of the house at most. ”

"Haha, at least I'm on the third floor, much taller than them. The giant straightened up, looked at the illusion map with his eyes, and said, "Siegel, do you think there should be a king on the grassland, to eliminate the barriers between all tribes, so that everyone can have food and horses?" ”

The mage knew what he meant, raised his hand and patted his brother's shoulder: "Come on." ”

The two of them discussed for a long time in Siegel's study, and the mage used his computing power to help the Raven tribe count supplies. The new plan goes even further. More food is needed. But I believe Trinis will be able to make up the difference. And Siegel prepared a list for Kerry. Above are some special plants and animals that can be found in the grasslands, some parts of which can be used as raw materials for alchemical potions. The price at which the Mage's Guild buys these things is very stable, but the main profits are made by the middlemen. The merchants said that these were just medicinal herbs and fur-like raw materials, which kept the price very low, and with Siegel's list, the Jackdaw tribe would be able to make more profits and grow faster.

"How can I thank you, Siegel?" said Giant Kerry, "even if it's a brother." It can't be done either. ”

"I'll need your help too. Siegel said, "I have a plan, and you're the first to know." I had this idea when I knew that Waterdeep was going to reward some Pioneer Knights for guarding the Walled Mountains. Siegel pointed to the Walled Mountains, his palms skimming over every peak, rift, basin, and cliff, and then clenched into a fist. "There's a huge amount of wealth hidden here, lying quietly in the mountains and underground, enough to support all the expenses of my magical studies. The dwarves don't need it for now, I do, but I need men, I need guards, I need a way to turn ore into wealth. Just as the dwarves built the top of Mora, I want a magical castle of my own. Drawing on the history of humans building defensive chains in the walled mountains, one must obtain legal lord status in order to actually start operating. Otherwise, it will cause hostility from the top of Mora, and Waterdeep will not do business with me. I'm in a good position right now. Whether it's the Dwarves, the Mage Federation, the Lords of Waterdeep, or you, they're all my friends and allies, aren't they?"

"No wonder you have to go north, there is another reason. Kerry recalled the scene, scratched his head, and said bluntly, "If it weren't for the fact that I couldn't leave the tribe after the dragon attack, I would have really wanted to go with you to the Walled Mountains." I always thought that my father would live a hundred years and my brother would be the next chief, but I never thought it would be me. Without the slightest preparation, suddenly change identity. At home he was a chief, and when he came out he was a king. Even though the Messiah kept reminding me, 'You need to be different,' I didn't understand it at all, thinking that despite the change of title, I was still Kerry, a skinny giant at best. If it weren't for reuniting with you today and seeing the whole picture of the Northland, I don't know how long it would have been before I understood what she said. ”

"You'll listen to her anyway, whether you understand it or not, won't you?" Siegel quipped.

"She's right!" Kerry said, "By the way, where's Janet?"

Siegel's expression darkened, but he quickly returned to normal: "We were separated due to an accident halfway, and she is now in the Black Blood Castle. Siegel pointed to the map in the air, and a bright spot indicated the location. "From what I've got, she should be in good shape at the moment. It stands to reason that it would be wisest to wait until the war is over, but I still want to go to the castle and have a fight with her as soon as possible. ”

"You should go. Kerry said, "If I were separated from the Messiah, I would go even if it was a mountain of swords and a sea of fire." Well, I'll go with you. ”

"No, I don't. You also need to lead your tribe. Siegel waved his wand: "I'll be faster on the road alone." Besides, it wasn't a rescue mission, I just rushed over to meet her. ”

"It's all battlefields. ”

"My spells are not ornaments. Siegel smiled confidently: "I have a solution. ”

"I still think it's better to send a few of the best horse archers to protect you, they are more familiar with the situation on the grassland. Marjorie "Lasso" is very good, and I have learned a lot from him. Kerry then added, "If you meet other tribes, you can have him in a better way." ”

Siegel thought for a moment and felt that what Kerry said made sense, and that rejecting his kindness would upset the giant. The Jackdaw tribe is a straightforward tribe, and being polite to them will only hurt them. So Siegel nodded: "Then Marjorie." If you have a good horse, don't hide it, at least I can save the spell that summons the mount. ”

"I'll pick it out for you. Kerry smiled and said, "When do you leave, I will let Marjorie bring the horse to you." ”

"I'll leave tomorrow, it looks like you're going home tonight. Siegel said, "How about I come back with Janet and visit your new place of residence?"

"No, no, no. The Jackdaw Tribe will always be your friend and brother. Kerry reached out and clasped it tightly with Siegel: "King of the Prairie and King of the Mages."

"A lord, not a king. ”

"King. "Kerry was very persistent. (To be continued......)