Book 11: Chapter 42: The Zhentarim’s Scheme

“Apostle 70053, your Black Iron Team intercepted a secret letter from the Zhentarim, triggering the Plot Mission: The Zhentarim’s Scheme.”

“Apostle 70053, because you previously met Emily Silverhand, a direct descendant of Silver Marches’s main leader, Lady Elastor, during the last Otherworld Mission, you now qualify to participate in the Silver Marches’s Founding Mission. This mission will merge into the large Epic Plot: Silver Marches.”

Silver Marches Overview: In the year 1033 of the Valley Era, northern cities including Adabar, Felbarr, Dead Snow Town, Everlund, Quaervarr, Silverymoon, and Sundabar signed a union treaty, forming a city-state alliance with Silverymoon as its political center, historically known as the Silver Marches.

Initially, the Silver Marches was a loosely structured city-state alliance. However, after nearly 500 years of development, the alliance had grown into a massive power in the North.

This region was once home to the ancient elven empire of Eaerlann centered in the Supreme Forest. It had also been ruled by the Sannata Dwarves and the human Netheril Empire.

The territory of the Silver Marches was larger than all of these. It stretched west to the Endless Sea, bordered the Spine of the World to the north, and maintained friendly relations with the Shield Dwarves of Icewind Dale. To its south lay the Supreme Forest, while its eastern borders extended deep into the Anauroch Desert.

If one traveled via the Black Road through the central Anauroch Desert, they would connect with the Moonsea region—the most important trade and political center in northern Faerûn.

On the southern shore of the Moonsea were the Sun Elves of Cormanthor. The northern shore was home to Zhentil Keep, the headquarters of the Zhentarim.

The Silver Marches linked colonial settlements and city-states from different eras together. It implemented a policy of great racial tolerance. Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Half-elves, Half-Beings, Gnomes, and even Orc tribes could join.

In fact, it had competitive relationships with both the Zhentarim and the Sun Elves of Cormanthor. Now, with the Cormanthor Elves migrating to Evermeet, it had only one enemy left: the dark organization entrenched in the northern Moonsea, the Zhentarim.

By this time, the various city-states of the Silver Marches had become more united. They not only formed a council of lords led by Silverymoon’s ruler, Lady Elastor, but also planned to further transform the city-state alliance into a unified nation: the Silver Marches Federation.

If the Silver Marches was already a serious concern for the Zhentarim, then after it became a federal state, the Zhentarim, which had plagued the continent for centuries, would face immense military pressure from this natural enemy.

[The Zhentarim’s Scheme (Mission Difficulty: Uncalculable): To eliminate the potential threat in its cradle, the Zhentarim used their usual tricks. During the upcoming Silver Marches Celebration half a month later, they planned to assassinate members of the council of lords, led by Lady Elastor, using Deathbloom poison. Their goal was to destroy mutual trust and alliances among the Silver Marches city-states, causing the effort to form a unified nation to fail.

Mission Objective: Apostles undertaking this mission have two interactive choices. First, join the Zhentarim’s scheme and assist in their assassination plan. Second, join the Silver Marches faction and thwart the Zhentarim’s assassination plan.

Mission Reward: Distributed based on the apostle’s contribution during this mission. Stay duration extended to one calendar month. Once Apostle 70053’s Black Iron Team leaves the Troll Claw territory, the countdown will begin immediately.

Important Note 1: Due to Apostle 70053’s Plot Identity restrictions, they cannot join the Zhentarim’s scheme and can only pursue the second mission objective.

Important Note 2: This mission may involve competing apostle teams. Inter-team combat is in Kill Mode, with a chance to drop Bloody Cubes.]

Qin Lun quickly scanned the mission introduction, then turned to Mastashia and asked, “Does the Death Lands produce a plant called Deathbloom?”

“Deathbloom?!” The Highland Elf seemed startled. “Deathbloom isn’t a plant. Did you see Deathbloom mentioned in the Zhentarim’s secret letter? You deciphered this letter?”

“I once read the ‘Soro Continent Chronicle.’ Based on the patterns you deciphered, I translated a few more words.” Qin Lun lied without changing his expression.

He had no idea what the “Soro Continent Chronicle” was, nor could he explain to Mastashia what an Apostle mission was. Since the Highland Elf couldn’t possibly ask him to recite from the “Soro Continent Chronicle,” this lie was almost flawless.

“Let me see again!” Mastashia snatched the letter back and carefully reviewed it once more, searching her memory for the decryption code for Deathbloom. “That’s right, it does mention Deathbloom here!”

The Highland Elf looked somewhat troubled and said hesitantly, “Deathbloom isn’t a plant. It’s a crystal formed from the souls of the deceased. It looks a bit like a flower, hence the name Deathbloom. This thing can only be found in graveyards or ancient battlefields.”

“What is it used for?” Rand asked, pretending not to know, guiding Mastashia’s thoughts.

“This time, it wasn’t Mastashia who replied, but the Dragon-blooded Mage, Linda.

She also looked worried. “Deathbloom is an alchemical ingredient used to make various soul and spirit-based potions. But for a dark organization like the Zhentarim, which commits every evil, they would likely only make one thing—Deathbloom poison!”

“If it’s Deathbloom poison, then they must be planning to assassinate someone important!” Mastashia’s expression changed, and she exclaimed, “The Silver Marches Celebration is in half a month. Do they intend to assassinate Lady Elastor Silverhand of Silverymoon?”

Qin Lun and Rand exchanged a meaningful glance. They only needed to guide the conversation this far. As a Harper maintaining balance in Faerûn, Mastashia would naturally involve herself in this Epic Plot. They just needed to follow the flow.

“I have to get this news to the Harpers in the Northlands as soon as possible!” Mastashia seemed agitated, her hand holding the letter trembling slightly.

“Is there really a need to be so tense? Didn’t the Zhentarim’s attempt to find Deathbloom in the Death Lands already fail?” Iristin, who had been listening nearby, chimed in.

“No, the Zhentarim wouldn’t put all their eggs in one basket. With their manpower, they would surely search for Deathbloom elsewhere. The Death Lands aren’t the only ancient battlefield on the continent.” Mastashia bit her lip and shook her head seriously.

“Is Deathbloom poison very potent? Is there an antidote?” Qin Lun asked Linda quietly.

“There is no antidote for Deathbloom poison because it’s not actually a poison in essence. It’s a soul reagent that pollutes the souls of the living.” Linda said with a bitter smile. “Those affected by this poison might not necessarily die, but they lose their intellect, becoming like the living dead. It’s colorless and odorless, making it very hard to detect beforehand. It’s said even deities can fall victim to it. Its viciousness ranks it among the top three of all alchemical poisons.”

“Oh…” Qin Lun and Rand looked at each other speechlessly. If this malicious alchemical reagent was truly that powerful, even they, as Apostles, had to be extremely careful. This wasn’t something recovery items could fix.

“Firal, this matter has nothing to do with you or Iristin. Once we’re out of Troll Claw, you two should head straight back to the Anke Elf Court.” Mastashia’s expression was complex. With this happening, her original plans had to be set aside for now.

“Hah, anything related to the Zhentarim is naturally related to me.” A cold glint flashed in Qin Lun’s eyes as he sneered, “I still have a score to settle with them!”

The people on the other raft soon learned about this matter. Sif and Mason the butler were indifferent; they didn’t care about the far-off Silver Marches in the Northlands, and this wasn’t something ordinary people like them could participate in.

The Thornblood Trio, however, seemed evasive. The Silver Marches was far away in the Northlands, and no matter how things changed, it had no connection to their lives. The only awkwardness was that, having gone through life and death with Qin Lun and the others, they couldn’t outright refuse.

For the rest of the journey, everyone was somewhat silent, lost in their own thoughts. In contrast, Hill and Rand were a bit excited. Rescuing Iristin was something the two Serial Killers did out of regard for Qin Lun’s feelings. Their purpose for entering the Toril World was solely for the Epic Plot.

However, one more problem lay before the three Apostles. If they managed to escape the Troll Claw successfully, they would be near the northern border of the Baldur’s Gate region. However, this place was still thousands of miles away from the Silver Marches in the Northlands. Moreover, the journey was fraught with danger. They might not make it to the Silver Marches Celebration in half a month.

“Qin Lun, how long did it take you last time to travel from Qiongda’er Forest all the way to Baldur’s Gate? This journey is less than a third of that distance. Do you think we can make it in time?” Hill cautiously asked in the Team Channel.

“If nothing goes wrong on the way, the timing should be just about right. But after we arrive, we’ll need some time to scout out the lurking Zhentarim. In that case, we definitely won’t have enough time!” Qin Lun thought for a moment and said, “We need external help. It would be much better if we could use a long-distance Teleportation Array or flying mounts.”

“Mastashia’s Harpers Alliance is a large organization. Can we think of a way through her?” Rand cautiously asked.

“The Harpers Alliance is not what you imagine. They’re more like a collection of solo-acting Robins. Their resource integration isn’t on the same level as the Zhentarim’s.” Qin Lun shook his head and narrowed his eyes slightly, “However, I think another person might have some means.”

“You mean that girl—the Dragon-blooded Mage, Linda!” Hill immediately understood.

“Hmm, mages in the Toril World are generally wealthy, and most of them possess one or two long-distance communication devices or Teleportation Arrays.” Qin Lun said with a smile, “But we can’t be the ones to bring it up, or she might become suspicious. I think Mastashia will probably suggest it herself. It depends on whether this girl has any favorable feelings towards the Harpers Alliance organization.”