As everyone knew, magic items generally suffered from compatibility issues.
No matter how powerful an item was, if you couldn't use it, it was little more than junk. That was why bartering one magic item for another was so common.
Everyone knew Anser was wealthy, and every magic item he carried was extraordinary, but no one had imagined he possessed an Artifact.
After all, what adventurer didn't dream of Legendary items and Artifacts? Quide had been the same in his younger days, so he didn't mind satisfying the curiosity of the younger members.
"This Artifact came from another Wildspace system. Its name is..." He paused, then looked at Anser with an odd expression. "Dragonlance."
The others couldn't help laughing, their chuckles tinged with amusement.
Dragonlance wasn't the weapon of a dragon rider—it was a weapon forged specifically for slaying dragons!
And "dragons" here referred specifically to the chromatic dragons led by Tiamat, not gem dragons or metallic dragons.
The Dragon Queen had never been one to stay in her own lane. She had invaded other Wildspace systems multiple times under aliases such as Takhisis, and the name of the evil Dragon Queen was infamous throughout the cosmos.
"This Dragonlance was loaned out twice in the past. After successfully fulfilling its purpose each time, it was reclaimed and sealed away. They say it's exceptionally effective at killing dragons..." Quide explained with a smile.
That was all he knew. He had heard of the Artifact, but knew nothing about its actual abilities.
"Sounds impressive enough," Anser replied softly, his thoughts already racing.
He was a dragon too. This thing might work against him as well.
Still, what he truly wanted was an Artifact usable by spellcasters. But after thinking it over, he realized that in a place like the Magic Research Society, where powerful spellcasters gathered in droves, there was no way something that valuable would ever fall into his hands.
'Either trade it at Traveler's Rest, or cooperate with the Magic Research Society's wizards in exchange for a casting of Wish. Neither option is without risk.'
He couldn't quite make up his mind.
His own people were too weak. Lin Qiancheng, for example, wouldn't be able to withstand an Artifact's drawbacks.
After all, Vecna had already ascended to godhood and was unquestionably aligned with evil. He could certainly sense his Eye and Hand.
No matter what, the Eye and Hand of Vecna couldn't remain in his possession. There had been far too many survivors that day. The longer he kept them, the easier it would be for others to scheme against him.
He wasn't afraid for himself, but he still had subordinates to think about. Some risks could—and should—be shifted onto someone else.
"Something on your mind?" Quide asked with a genial smile, as though he had guessed what Anser was thinking. "If there's something you need, just say it. Our Magic Research Society may not be the most united organization, but it's absolutely safe. That's our bottom line."
He didn't say much, but every word carried weight.
The Society had unusually selective membership standards. Many of its members were brilliant in only one field, and quite a few were socially inept mages who were practically useless in a fight. If even their safety couldn't be guaranteed, the organization would never have lasted this long.
Anser heard the confidence in his words, though he didn't believe them entirely. Still, what had happened beneath Viheral wasn't exactly a secret anymore.
After choosing his words carefully, he said, "An ancient ruin appeared in the Wood of Sharp Teeth, guarded by a death knight. A Thayan lich, one of Myrkul's Chosen, and the Cowled Wizards were all fighting over a coffin. I went in to rescue someone... and brought the coffin back with me."
"Inside... was an Artifact!"
Quide and the others immediately straightened in their seats, staring at Anser with varying expressions of shock.
He had described it casually, but every one of them understood just how dangerous that situation had been.
"This is no small matter. How do you always end up stumbling into things like this?" Quide rose to his feet and began pacing around the reception hall.
"You made the right decision." Jiandar gave Anser a slight nod, his expression grave. "A Thayan lich is far less patient than you think. Dragging this out won't end well."
He could even guess that Anser's first choice had been Traveler's Rest. But that wouldn't be possible for several more days, and trading an Artifact was hardly something that could be done easily.
"What Artifact is it?" Mason asked eagerly, looking like a completely different person from the detached, indifferent man he had been only moments earlier.
Anser said nothing. He simply handed Quide the two appraisal reports labeled Eye and Hand of Vecna, all the while quietly observing everyone else's expressions and reactions.
The eyes of several members were practically glued to the papers, their burning gazes seeming ready to pierce straight through the thick parchment.
Only Jiandar seemed largely unconcerned. Instead, he subtly signaled Anser with his eyes, discreetly sweeping his gaze across the other members.
Anser understood instantly.
To be honest, though, aside from the Level 17 Mason and the Level 19 Tower Master Quide, he wasn't afraid even if everyone else attacked him together.
Without a stable Weave, no matter how many schemes these spellcasters might have in mind, they'd have no choice but to keep them in check.
After reading the reports, Quide's expression didn't change in the slightest. He carefully folded the papers, slipped them into his pocket, and made no attempt to let anyone else read them.
"These... really aren't of much practical use. But keeping them in your possession is dangerous as well." He pondered for a moment before continuing, "How about this? I'll take you to meet the President."
Without waiting for anyone to respond, he waved a hand. "Everyone else, get back to work. Anser, stay behind."
The other members looked at one another before letting out resigned sighs and leaving.
Jiandar was the last to go. Stroking his beard, he gave Anser a slight nod.
'Does that mean the Tower Master can be trusted?' Anser wondered.
But he knew some members wouldn't give up so easily. They would probably sneak off to the dungeon beneath the Wood of Sharp Teeth to see if they could pick up any leftovers.
'Perfect. They can clear out any remaining threats for me.' He pressed his lips together, betraying nothing.
"Anser, Artifacts connected to Vecna aren't something you should meddle with lightly." After closing the door, Quide sat down across from him once more.
"I know. I want to trade them for an Artifact I can actually use, or deposit them in the Magic Research Society's vault so anyone can borrow them. In return, the only condition would be that someone casts Wish for me once," Anser said bluntly.
"Well... that's an interesting idea, but it's unrealistic. The greatest attraction of these Artifacts is Wish itself. No one... would ever agree to that. My advice is to get rid of them as soon as possible and convert them into your own strength before the lich comes looking for revenge."
Quide's golden eyes resembled two pieces of amber, and his demeanor was noticeably more patient than before.
"How do I convert them?" Anser asked sincerely.
"Artifacts are incredibly rare, and most of them come with severe drawbacks. In short, anything you can actually use is good enough. Even Legendary items are excellent." As Quide finished speaking, the corner of his mouth twitched. He had almost failed to keep a straight face at that last remark.
What did he mean, 'Even Legendary items are excellent'? He had made it this far in life without owning a single Legendary item himself!
"Dragonlance?"
"Hard to say. I'll take you to ask. Come on!"
"Alright."
Instead of walking, the two headed downstairs to the teleportation hall and used a Teleportation Circle to enter the Nasti Mage Tower, where the Executive President was based.
Anser remained silent the entire time, simply following Quide.
Completely at ease, Quide navigated the tower as though it were his own. Despite it being an entirely different mage tower, he reached the top floor with ease. Aside from the final door, nothing seemed capable of stopping him.
Knock, knock, knock...
The moment he knocked, the door opened silently on its own, revealing a room decorated in a style remarkably similar to Quide's reception hall.
Behind the desk, an elf with pointed ears, copper-colored skin, black hair, and black eyes glanced at Quide before lowering his gaze back to the book in front of him.
"I'm busy. Stop dropping by my office all the time."
"Gordon, this is important!" Quide strode over and plopped down in the chair opposite the elf.
Anser quietly closed the door and waited in the sitting room, focusing his attention on the President.
'The President is a sun elf too. No wonder the two of them seem to get along so well.'
Still, he couldn't help feeling disappointed. He had been wary of the Magic Research Society all this time, only to discover they were surprisingly upright and harmonious. Was this cursed Artifact really going to end up stuck in his hands?
At that moment, the President noticed Anser. He let out a quiet sound of surprise and immediately rose to greet him.
"You're Drizzt, aren't you...?"
"His real name is Anser," Quide interrupted.
Here, he seemed even more relaxed than he had been in the Otto Mage Tower. His personality was noticeably livelier.
"Greetings, President," Anser said with a slight bow.
The die spun gently, displaying his information:
[Gordon, Executive President of the Magic Research Society. Sun Elf. Level 20 Wizard (School of Abjuration).]
---
I will post some extra Chapters in Patreon, you can check it out. >> patreon.com/TitoVillar
---