"It seems you had quite a fruitful trip to the temple to see the bronze bells?" Inside the hotel room, Archmaester Marwyn was writing something when he saw Lynd enter from outside and asked curiously.
The reason for his question was that Lynd's face currently showed a very obvious expression of excitement.
"Is it that obvious?" Lynd rubbed his face, making his smile recede.
It was no wonder he was so happy, because just now, the magic runes on the three bronze bells triggered a part of the hidden knowledge contained within the Nameless King Rune. This hidden knowledge was the method for crafting a magic bell called the Cloudtop Bell.
This Cloudtop Bell, rather than being called a magical item, would be more accurately described as an artifact. The Cloudtop Bell has only one function: to disperse and gather clouds. To control the Cloudtop Bell is equivalent to controlling the weather. Lynd wouldn't even need to mobilize too much of the Nameless King's runic power to control the weather and become a true storm god.
However, this was not the reason for Lynd's outward display of emotion. The real reason he appeared so excited and happy was that all the raw materials for crafting the Cloudtop Bell were precious, but still obtainable, rare metal ores, unlike Valyrian steel, which is scarce and special.
This meant Lynd could create more magical items. Ever since he acquired the Nameless King's knowledge, Lynd had a large number of manufacturing methods for magical weapons and items in his mind.
Many of these magical items could also be used by ordinary people, such as Dragon Rune necklaces, but due to material reasons, most of them could not be produced.
Now, with the appearance of this new magical metal, this gap has undoubtedly been filled, which will be a significant improvement for the overall strength of Lynd's forces.
Archmaester Marwyn asked curiously, "Lord Linde, do those three bronze bells really contain magic?"
Lynd nodded.
Archmaester Marwyn thought for a moment and said, "Legend has it that these three bronze bells were forged by the Bearded Monks. Doesn't that mean the Bearded Monks also wielded the power of magic?"
"Impossible," Lynd shook his head and said, "Those three bronze bells are very ancient and should be the product of some ancient civilization. Perhaps the Bearded Monks obtained the three bronze bells from an unknown ancient civilization's ruins, and then… "
As the two were talking, there was a sudden knock on the door, followed by a voice from outside saying, "Lord Linde Terra, Archmaester Marwyn, I am Quinan Tassis, the second son of the Tashi Family. I hope you will allow my visit."
Hearing the voice, Lynd and Archmaester Marwyn looked at each other, then Lynd said, "Come in! Quinan Tassis."
Lynd was not surprised that the Tashi Family had discovered his whereabouts, because he was certain that the Tashi Family must have planted informants in Kevira's Water Fortress. The fate of Uda U's group of cannibal river pirates should also be relayed to Norvos by this informant.
Anyone not particularly foolish should be able to guess that the demise of Uda U's group of river pirates was likely related to Lynd, especially since Lynd had directly revealed his identity and made an agreement in front of Kevira, with some of Kevira's so-called loyal subordinates present at the time.
Among these subordinates of Kevira, there must have been informants of the Tashi Family hidden, and they would also immediately relay the news of his cooperation with Kevira back to Norvos.
When Lynd entered the city earlier, he brought over a thousand horses, most of which were Dothraki warhorses. This would undoubtedly cause some stir within Norvos. As long as the people of the Tashi Family were not blind or deaf, it should not be difficult to deduce that Lynd had entered the city based on these movements.
After hearing Lynd's permission, the person outside the door pushed it open and entered.
Like all Norvos men in the city, Quinan Tassis had only two mustaches on his upper lip, unkempt and messy. His appearance was also that of a standard Norvosian, with a prominent brow bone, high cheekbones, and a straight nose.
After he entered, he bowed to Lynd and, in very standard common tongue of Westeros, said, "Welcome, Godsworn."
Lynd smiled upon hearing this and said, "Welcome? You should know why I am here. Do you still welcome me even so?"
Quinan Tassis said in a deep voice, "The matter of Ge Dohe was merely an accident. In fact, there is no animosity between us, don't you think, Lord Linde?"
"Is this your thought, or the thought of your Tashi Family?" Lynd asked with a smile.
Quinan replied, "It is both my thought and the Tashi Family's thought."
Lynd asked again, "So you have already given up on Ge Dohe?"
Quinan adopted a very humble posture and said, "Since we never obtained it, how can we say we gave it up? Ge Dohe, falling into your hands, Lord Linde, will surely prosper again."
Quinan's attitude surprised Lynd a little, because before coming to Norvos, Lynd had already learned about the Tashi Family from Archmaester Marwyn, knowing that this family had always been known for its toughness in Norvos. The battle with Volantis at Dagger Lake back then was led by the Tashi Family, and in recent years, the Tashi Family has always been the representative of the hardliners in Norvos.
Therefore, before entering the city, Lynd had already prepared for a fight, but now Quinan Tassis, as the representative of the Tashi Family, was acting so humbly, completely in a posture of surrender and begging for mercy. This made Lynd, who was ready for a big fight, momentarily unsure how to respond.
At this moment, Archmaester Marwyn suddenly asked, "I am very curious why your Tashi Family suddenly became interested in Ge Dohe. Could you elaborate?"
Upon hearing Archmaester Marwyn's question, Quinan Tassis hesitated slightly, as if he had some unspeakable difficulty.
"Is it because of the Loisne golden treasure?" Archmaester Marwyn asked again.
Quinan Tassis's face registered surprise, and he looked at Archmaester Marwyn in astonishment. Although he still said nothing, his expression clearly revealed his thoughts.
Lynd asked, puzzled, "So many years have passed, and countless people have searched for ancient treasures in the ruins of Loisne's city-states, including Ge Dohe, but they have never found them. By what right do you, the Tashi Family, believe you can find those treasures?"
Quinan did not immediately answer Lynd's question. Instead, he lowered his head, thought for a moment, and said, "Since you, Lord Linde, have become the de facto controller of Ge Dohe, then we can cooperate with you, Lord Linde, to search for the golden treasure. We can split any found treasure equally."
Hearing the other party's words, Lynd looked at Quinan Tassis thoughtfully and speculated, "Could it be that your Tashi Family has already found the golden treasure in Ge Dohe?"
Quinan fell silent again, only offering a faint smile.
Lynd looked at Quinan's expression, couldn't help but smile, nodded, and said, "Alright, I agree to cooperate with your Tashi Family to search for the treasure of Ge Dohe, but on the condition that my people complete the reconstruction of Ge Dohe first."
"That's certainly no problem." Seeing Lynd agree to his proposal, Quinan Tassis's face lit up with joy, and he quickly responded.
Seeing that the objective had been achieved, Quinan Tassis invited Lynd to the Tashi Family to discuss more detailed cooperation specifics, but Lynd declined. Lynd stated that he would entrust this matter to the Governor of Ge Dohe, and then the Tashi Family could discuss it with the Governor of Ge Dohe.
Although Quinan Tassis seemed quite reluctant about Lynd's arrangement, he did not object. After asking Lynd for a token, he left the hotel.
After Quinan Tassis left, Archmaester Marwyn said thoughtfully, "It seems there really is a golden treasure in Ge Dohe, and the Tashi Family must have obtained concrete evidence, otherwise, the Tashi Family would not be so persistent about the treasure."
Lynd also nodded in agreement and speculated, "The golden treasure is likely not within the ruins of Ge Dohe, because when I mentioned the reconstruction of Ge Dohe just now, he didn't show any unusual emotions. However, the golden treasure should be near the ruins, in an unexpected place. Even if the entire ruins of Ge Dohe are reconstructed, this treasure will not be discovered."
"You are right, it should indeed be near the ruins." Archmaester Marwyn agreed, then chuckled, "Knowing the exact location of the treasure, yet not daring to take it without permission, and instead wanting to cooperate with you and give you half the treasure, it seems your methods have truly frightened them."
Lynd smiled and said nothing.
The matter in Norvos was resolved in this way, which was both reasonable and unexpected.
With the powerful strength Lynd displayed, even the Sea Lord of Braavos would have to bow and yield, let alone an influential family in Norvos. The unexpected part was how quickly the Tashi Family surrendered, so fast that it caught Lynd somewhat off guard.
Regardless, the outcome was still good. Lynd's next step was to arrange for people to settle in Ge Dohe.
Since the matter had been resolved and he had gained unexpected benefits from the bronze bells in Norvos, Lynd had no intention of staying in the city any longer. After spending one night at the hotel with Archmaester Marwyn, he prepared to leave.
He planned to take the Valyrian Road directly to the Zoid family's mine north of the Kohor forest, first to find the fallen knight armor, and then to Kohor to settle accounts with the Zoid family.
As he left the hotel, Quinan Tassis was already waiting at the entrance. He seemed to have anticipated Lynd's departure, so he waited outside the hotel in advance.
Quinan Tassis openly displayed a humble posture and said, "I apologize for not being able to properly host Lord Linde. This is a gift from the Tashi Family, and I hope you will like it."
Although Quinan Tassis was not a prominent figure in Norvos, the Tashi Family was a large family. Several of its members resided in the temple and held seats on the Council of Governors. Because of the Tashi Family, Quinan Tassis also had some renown in Norvos, and many people recognized him.
And now, Quinan Tassis, who was usually arrogant, was acting like a servant in front of a foreigner. This shocked those who knew Quinan Tassis and also made them curious about Lynd's identity.
Lynd took the gift from the Tashi Family, opened it directly, and found several shop deeds located in Pentos.
"What does your Tashi Family want? Speak plainly." Lynd put the items back into the box and then asked.
Quinan Tassis hesitated slightly and said, "We hope to obtain a portion of the sales rights for Summerhall's special products."
Lynd handed the items back to Quinan Tassis, then gave him a special Godsworn gold dragon, saying, "Send these to the Miracle Merchant Guild in Pentos and discuss with the branch head there the establishment of a Miracle Merchant Guild branch in Norvos. Once the Miracle Merchant Guild branch is established in Norvos, you will receive a portion of the sales rights for the special products."
Having said that, Lynd no longer paid attention to Quinan Tassis. He also did not need to wait for the Tashi Family's response, because the Tashi Family would certainly agree to this request.
After passing through a section of the city, the two arrived at the small dock and took a small boat to the opposite bank.
The Valyrian Road crosses the Naen River. Originally, there was a bridge here, but it was washed away by a great flood and has not yet been repaired. People from the two city areas can only rely on small boats to ferry between them.
When the two arrived at the large dock on the opposite side by boat, a great commotion suddenly erupted from that side of the large dock, attracting many people. The two were also curious about the sudden disturbance, so they moved closer to see what was happening.
They saw several flat-bottomed warships docked at the pier. These warships had more or less some damage on their surfaces, and some of the people on board were injured. Everyone looked very dejected. Some Bearded Monks gathered on the pier, asking something of several people who appeared to be ship captains.
"What happened here?" At Lynd's signal, Archmaester Marwyn asked a Norvosian bystander in pure local Norvosian language.
"They went to crusade against the Old Man of the River, and they failed." The Norvosian seemed reluctant to talk to Archmaester Marwyn, responding with very brief words before turning and leaving.
Archmaester Marwyn then asked several more people and finally got the answer he wanted.
It turned out that a giant unicorn turtle, suspected to be the Old Man of the River, had appeared at Na Sa Star, at the confluence of the Lorne River and the Naen River. This giant turtle, as if mad, attacked all boats attempting to pass through Na Sa Star.
For Norvos, the importance of the Lorne River and the Naen River was self-evident. With the river blocked, supplies from the south could not be transported to Norvos, and Norvos's special products could not be smoothly transported to the south. As for taking the Valyrian Road, both cost and time would increase exponentially. Therefore, they wanted to send people to crusade against the Old Man of the River.
Although the Old Man of the River is a very ancient belief, and even now many people who live by fishing along the Lorne River still worship the Old Man of the River, these beliefs are not the beliefs of the Norvosians. They had no psychological pressure whatsoever about crusading against the Old Man of the River. In their eyes, the so-called Old Man of the River was nothing more than a slightly larger turtle. To ensure absolute safety, they even moved the city's only few ballistas onto the ships.
As a result, forty flat-bottomed warships and pole boats left Norvos, and ultimately only these few ships returned. Out of over a thousand people, fewer than a hundred remained. In one battle, Norvos's naval power was directly halved.
"I want to go to Na Sa Star and take a look." Lynd said after understanding the situation.
"Me too." Archmaester Marwyn also said with an excited expression.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"