Book 11: Chapter 24: Troll Claw

“He rushed too impatiently. Something as important as rescuing someone is definitely not a joke!” Mastashia waved her hand with a bitter smile. “That recent judgment was just a guess, not necessarily accurate. Besides, even if my guess is right, the place where we need to go to rescue her lies beyond the very center of the Death Lands. So, going this way isn’t wasting any rescue time!”

Hearing Mastashia’s further explanation, Qin Lun’s expression softened a little. He glanced meaningfully at Hill.

Almost immediately understanding without needing the Team Channel, Hill acted on it. “Please forgive our earlier rudeness,” he asked quickly. “Can you tell us now what this so-called secret is?”

“Do I have any choice now?” Mastashia rolled her eyes in exasperation, before speaking seriously again. “But you must promise me that after this matter is settled, you will never speak of this news to the outside world. Otherwise, it might bring a great calamity upon Baldur’s Gate.”

Because the earlier argument had gotten quite loud, Rick and his companions had also gathered around. Hearing her words now, they all quickly promised they would never reveal whatever secret Mastashia meant. Though they were mercenaries, they weren’t like the common profit-seeking sort.

“What’s the biggest legend you’ve ever heard about Baldur’s Gate?” Mastashia asked with a smile.

“What else could it possibly be? The biggest legend in Baldur’s Gate is undoubtedly about how the Legendary Pirate, Balduran, founded it,” Rogue Lago raised his eyebrows and answered without hesitation.

“Exactly,” Mastashia nodded. “And about the Death Lands?”

Everyone was momentarily stumped. There were too many important legends concerning the Death Lands. Long ago, even epic wars that reshaped the entire continent had been fought there several times. Mastashia’s question was hard to answer.

“Mastashia, do you mean the legend about Balduran crossing the Death Lands?” A weak voice came from the group. Everybody turned to look and saw Winnie, whose face still looked a bit pale.

Prompted by Winnie, they all suddenly realized. While there were many legends about the Death Lands, linking it to Mastashia’s first question clearly pointed to another legendary tale of Balduran – he was the only famous human throughout history to traverse the entire Death Lands.

He was called famous because he was the only traveler or adventurer known to have crossed it with definite historical records.

“You found clear clues left by Balduran?” Qin Lun frowned slightly, pondering. “No, that can’t be right. No matter how important ruins Balduran left, they wouldn’t bring calamity to present-day Baldur’s Gate, unless…”

“Did you find the Legendary Pirate’s treasure?” Everyone looked up at once, expressions complex: astonishment, delight, worry…

The legendary pirate’s treasure! Even though these individuals were all unusual, they were still shocked by this discovery. Every human emotion appeared on their faces in an instant, including the three Apostles: Qin Lun, Hill, and Sif.

They were Apostles; they didn’t need wealth. But a Legendary Pirate’s treasure wouldn’t necessarily just be gold and jewels. It would likely also contain his Legendary Equipment, Magic Scrolls, navigation logs, and perhaps even records of his incredible martial skills.

The value of Legendary Equipment and martial skills was secondary. Comparatively, Balduran’s navigation logs held the greatest potential attraction for Qin Lun and the other two. The Legendary Pirate Balduran and his warship had sailed everywhere – not just Faerûn, but the Kara-Tur Continent in the Far East, the island chains overseas, and beyond. Who knew how much World Exploration Degree that encompassed?

Those logs were Balduran’s life story, recording the most important history of his era. If Qin Lun and the others got hold of them, the potential Exploration Rate gain might well surpass that of several combined Quest Worlds.

“You’re all such gold-diggers; you immediately jumped to treasure!” Mastashia gave a bitter laugh. But of course, that was to be expected—when a pirate king was mentioned, treasure was always the first thing anyone thought of.

“I did discover a mark left by Balduran. But it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s treasure. Actually, I don’t even know what’s inside that place. I didn’t dare to explore it deeply at the time.” Mastashia shrugged helplessly. “That area is the most dangerous, core part of the entire Death Lands. Just judging by the traces around it, there should be at least one true Legendary Creature.”

“A Legendary Creature!” Everyone hesitated. They were all fairly strong fighters. But stepping over the threshold into the Legendary realm was a completely different matter, because beings above that level possessed inherent Legendary Domains.

Don’t be fooled that Qin Lun and his group had all reached the Second Order and, relying on their powerful Law Bodies, could even hold their own against High-Ranked plot fighters. Facing a Legendary Creature was absolutely beyond their capabilities.

If they encountered a Legendary Domain that countered their own attributes, they might be instantly killed—just like how Qin Lun was almost stabbed to death in one blow by the High-Ranked Assassin from Zhentarim.

“How is Balduran’s clue related to rescuing Iristin?” Qin Lun was the only one still focusing on the main issue, frowning impatiently. “You didn’t purposely come along just to find Balduran’s ruins, did you?”

“You know my goal has always been just one thing!” Mastashia looked meaningfully at Qin Lun. “Rescuing her is the top priority now. The reason I mentioned Balduran’s clue is that… to continue our search for Iristin, we must pass through that place…”

“A mandatory pass…” Rick rubbed the fresh stubble on his chin, speaking hesitantly. “The Death Lands… the south has the Chionthar River, the west the Winding River, the east the trade road to Triel. Only the north…”

“If it’s the Troll Claw in the north of the Death Lands… then yes, there’s no way through except right through the center of the swamp!” Those familiar with the terrain, like Lago and the others, understood immediately. But their expressions turned grim.

To the north of the Death Lands stood a mountain range of sheer cliffs, difficult to climb from any side, known as the Troll Claw.

Since the ancient Troll-Elf war, these savage and powerful creatures had become scarce in the plains, only occasionally troubling traders as individual stragglers emerging from the mountains.

But this didn’t mean the Troll race had vanished entirely. They had merely retreated into mountains deeper than humans or elves could easily penetrate, places only the dwarves of the Northlands dealt with regularly.

A Troll’s biological rank was different from the Dragonflies they’d faced earlier. Any mature member of the species was generally Fifth or Sixth Tier.

Trolls possessed human-like intelligence, capable of learning totemic secrets and martial skills. This meant most males often surpassed their natural racial tier, reaching High Rank (Seventh Tier) or above. And large tribes might even produce Legendary warriors or shamans.

The Troll Claw mountains housed thriving, intact Troll tribes. The range was roughly ring-shaped, its sheer cliffs rejecting all outsiders.

There were only two ways into Troll Claw: first, through the Winding River that cut through the mountains; second, through a mountain gorge in the northern part of the Death Lands.

Both entrances were extremely perilous. The dangers of the Death Lands were already known. The Winding River’s danger within the Troll Claw mountains lay in nature itself.

Before the Winding River reached Troll Claw, it plunged through three giant waterfalls, each drop over a hundred meters tall. The deepest waterfall lay two kilometers inside the mountains.

No ship could navigate this; passage was only possible by flight. But flying was even more dangerous. Immediately upon entering Troll Claw territory, the high cliffs flanking the river became the habitat of savage raptors.

These birds were called Crested Eagles, named for their vibrant red crests atop their heads, resembling a rooster’s comb.

Crested Eagles were large as Griffins, fiercely wild and aggressive. They could never be tamed, not even by the greatest beast masters. They attacked any creature flying through their territory, daring to fight even Dragons.

Each Crested Eagle was Fourth or Fifth Tier. Crucially, they were colonial. Hundreds attacking together could overwhelm even a Legendary Profession.

Long ago, Baldur’s Gate authorities laid heavy chains across the Winding River at the mountain entrance on both banks erected warning signs, alerting merchant ships that forgot their schedules.

Thus, though the Winding River was one of the busiest waterways near Baldur’s Gate, this particular stretch remained deserted. Merchant ship crews transferred to waiting carriages arranged on either shore.

“Do you know what kind of Legendary Creature is in the depths of the Death Lands?” Qin Lun thought for a moment before asking Mastashia.

“No. Judging by the traces it left, it’s probably a large amphibian or reptile… could be a Hydra, a Primordial Tabanus, a Marsh Drake, a Longneck Leviathan… too many possibilities, I can’t tell them apart.” Mastashia shook her head, indicating helplessness.

“If the three of you feel this quest line can’t be continued, our contract can end here!” Qin Lun noticed the Thornblood Trio whispering among themselves. A thought struck him, and he made the offer himself.

Hearing Qin Lun’s question, Rick and his companions stiffened visibly, expressions turning awkward. They had been arguing about whether to continue fulfilling the contract, knowing life was now at stake.

Lago was strongly against going deeper, hoping to persuade Sif (the only ordinary person) to leave. Winnie, whose life Qin Lun had just saved, insisted on sticking with the group regardless. Rick, however, felt hesitant – something new for the three, who never usually argued over jobs.

Thinking this, the Knight looked at Qin Lun and said gravely, “Being mercenaries, we see things through. But as I said before, you’re not our employer. So, whether the Thornblood Trio continues with you… let’s leave that decision to Mr. Sif!”

The Thornblood Trio looked simultaneously at Sif, who seemed bewildered. Qin Lun shook his head slightly, gave a small smile, and bent to whisper a few words to Sif privately.

Seeing Sif’s expression change through several states before finally settling into resolve, Rick inwardly sighed. The answer seemed perfectly clear.