Chapter 109: Magic System
"Why?" Talobane asked, his voice laced with confusion. "Dylan Grafson and the others are on their way to Illyrio's. Once they kill 'Spearbreaker' Silva, all we have to do is submit the evidence to Ambassador Oranto—"
"Have they taken action yet?" Hazan interrupted with a soft chuckle.
"Not yet, but I believe they will. The knight, Sir Ian, gave me his promise. I looked into his eyes; I know he was telling the truth."
"Sir Ian?"
"Dylan Grafson is little more than a servant in his presence," Talobane explained, thinking for a moment. "He is a very powerful young man."
"You think so highly of him?"
"He is exceptionally clever. He saw through my little tricks immediately. And he carries himself with such confidence, such self-assurance. For someone like him, I believe he would not choose to play games with me."
"But have you ever considered," Prince Hazan said with a knowing smile, "that the greatest threat to your plan is Illyrio himself?"
"As long as Ian doesn't tell him, how could Illyrio possibly know?"
"The invitation they used to attend Illyrio's party was yours," Hazan reminded him. "Given your reputation in Pentos, don't you think Illyrio will be curious as to why you gave that invitation to them?"
"This…" Talobane was stunned for a moment before mounting a defense. "Even if he is curious, what could he possibly find? I invented that story. The so-called slave ship doesn't exist!"
"True," Hazan conceded. "But you asked Sir Ian to kill the Spearbreaker. And what is the Spearbreaker doing at this very moment?"
"Helping Governor Hauket track down slave traders in Pentos. Of course, I know that. I was already prepared to leave the city before Ian and his men acted. Since I don't own any ship, Illyrio would only suspect that there are other moles in the Chamber of Commerce. He would then waste a great deal of energy searching for a vessel that was never there."
"After they acted? No," Hazan corrected him gently. "As of now, Illyrio already knows what you have done. The moment you set foot back in Pentos, he will have you seized."
"How is that possible?"
"Sir Ian and his companions came to Pentos to defect to the Beggar King. Once Illyrio meets them, it will not take him long to uncover everything they have done since landing here."
Hazan leaned forward. "You said yourself that Sir Ian was not lying, that he genuinely intends to help you deal with the Spearbreakers. So, what would be the very first thing they do after leaving the Chamber of Commerce?"
"Inquire about the details of the 'Spearbreaker'," Talobane guessed, his voice faltering.
"Precisely. And when Illyrio discovers that Sir Ian immediately sent people to find information about the 'Spearbreaker' right after leaving your company, what single conclusion will he draw? Slave trading."
Hazan paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. He then adopted Illyrio's smooth, persuasive tone. "Imagine he says to your young knight, 'Talobane was selling slaves behind my back. You nearly brought me a great deal of trouble, yet you chose to protect him?' Tell me, do you think your young man will keep your secret then?"
The color drained from Talobane's face, leaving it a sickly white.
"I have to escape," he stammered, his voice tight with panic. "I have to escape right away."
"Do not worry. I have already made the arrangements. You can set off with my caravan now. A ship will be waiting for you in the north to take you to Braavos."
"Yes, Your Highness." Talobane stood, gave a shallow, trembling bow, and then hurried away.
After Talobane was gone, Delif, who had been standing quietly by Hazan's side, spoke in a low voice. "He has muddled our plan. This incident will surely arouse Illyrio's vigilance."
"I believe it is quite the opposite." Hazan shook his head. "Let me ask you, who has the greater motive to frame the Illyrio Chamber of Commerce for transporting slaves?"
"The Volantis Party," Delif answered after a moment's thought. "If Illyrio is accused of slave trading, he will be alienated by the Braavosi ambassador. That would give the Volantenes a chance to win him over." He paused, a look of understanding dawning on his face. "You mean to say that since the slave ship was a fabrication, Illyrio will find no evidence, no matter how hard he looks. In the end, he can only deduce that the Volantis faction was behind it all, based on who stood to profit."
"Whatever his final judgment may be," Hazan said, "as long as he believes one of our rivals is attempting to curry his favor in this manner, our original purpose has been achieved. I have said it before: the best way to deal with a man like Illyrio is to keep all your actions on the surface, but allow him to misjudge your true intent."
"Perhaps you are right."
"Go back and find out what you can about this Sir Ian that Talobane mentioned."
"Are you interested in him?"
"Talobane rarely gives such a high evaluation to anyone, especially a man he has met only once." Hazan tossed his empty wine glass aside, the crystal clattering on a nearby table. He licked his lips and turned his gaze to Delif. "However, at this moment, I have no interest in anyone other than you."
The next morning, when Ian saw Darren Grafson in the restaurant, he almost didn't recognize him.
The man's face was pale, his eyes were ringed with dark shadows, and his steps were sloppy and uncertain. Ian couldn't help but wonder if the man had truly indulged in an overly enjoyable night.
Illyrio did not join them for breakfast. When Ian asked the butler, he learned that the Magister's private residence was on the other side of the sprawling mansion.
After a quiet breakfast, with still no sign of their host, Ian returned to his room. It was time to formally study the new item he had acquired: the 'Basic Skill Scroll of Choice'.
He closed his eyes, logging into the system's interface, and selected the item to use it.
A long, optional page materialized before his mind's eye:
[Archery, Throwing, Sprinting, Mounted Archery. Wine Tasting, Poetry, Music, Magic. Fishing, Blacksmithing, Logging. Medicine, Surgery]
Among the myriad of skills, one word immediately captured his full attention: Magic.
"Explain the magic option," Ian commanded in his thoughts.
"The 'Magic' option provided by the scroll is a general term," Annie's familiar electronic voice sounded in his head. "When choosing, the player must first select a magic system, and then select a specific magic from within that system."
Hearing this, Ian focused his intent and selected [Magic].
A new list of options appeared.
[System of the Old Gods. Prerequisite: Bloodline of the First Men. Currently available.]
[System of the Seven. Prerequisite: Andal Bloodline. Currently available.]
[System of the Drowned God. Prerequisite: Ironborn Bloodline. Currently unavailable.]
[System of the Lord of Light. No bloodline restrictions. Currently available.]
[Water Magic. Prerequisite: Rhoynar Bloodline. Currently unavailable.]
[System of the Many-Faced God. No bloodline restrictions. Prerequisite: Must join the House of Black and White. Currently unavailable.]
[Valyrian Sorcery System. Prerequisite: Bloodline of the Valyrian Dragonlords. Currently unavailable.]
[Asshai'i Shadowbinding System. No bloodline restrictions. Prerequisite: Must enter the city of Asshai. Currently unavailable.]
[Note: Provided all prerequisites are met, players can learn multiple types of magic through the 'Basic Skill Scroll of Choice'.]
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