But compared to these internal conflicts, the most urgent task right now is to comprehensively enhance the influence of the goddess, so that she can be promoted from a weak divine power to a medium divine power.

As for the sectarian struggle, we will have to wait until later.

Obviously, Zuo Si was surprised by Yvette's overall view.

But after the brief surprise, he quickly returned to his usual almost indifferent attitude, and said with an indifferent expression: "Don't bother me with this kind of thing in the future, just make your own decisions. Also, the gift you promised

What? Why haven’t I seen it until now?”

"Please wait!"

Yvette immediately walked to the huge statue, bent down and carefully picked up a scepter enshrined in front of the statue, and then held it in front of Zuo Si with both hands.

"Your Excellency, this is a weapon commissioned by the church and made by a gray dwarf forging master. I and other high-ranking priests blessed it with powerful magic, and finally the goddess personally gave it a blessing. Except for you

, no one can pick it up or use it."

"You mean, this is a divine weapon?"

Zuo Si raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

Yvette nodded with a solemn expression: "That's right! The name of this scepter is [Talona's Favor]. It is a weapon specially prepared by the goddess for her only chosen one. As for the specific effect, you should feel it yourself.

."

"Exclusive weapons..."

Zuo Si showed a puzzled expression, completely confused as to what the goddess of poison and plague was doing.

But considering that the other party could not harm him, he still reached out and grabbed this very gorgeous and beautiful scepter.

The next second...

All the abilities of this weapon suddenly popped into my mind.

【Talona's Favor】

Second artifact

6 scepter

It can add an additional seven, eight, and nine-ring divine spell slots to the wearer.

You can release [Implosion Technique] and [Energy Absorbing Technique] once a day.

When hitting the target, there is a 25% probability of releasing [Blade Guard], a 20% probability of releasing [Ashes to Ashes], and a 5% probability of releasing [Soul Binding Technique] on the target.

When the target soul is successfully captured and imprisoned by the scepter, the holder will obtain all the professional levels, special skills and spell-like abilities the soul had during his lifetime, and can use them at will as if he possessed these powers.

The scepter can only capture and hold one soul at a time. If you want to replace it, you must release or destroy the previously imprisoned soul.

The scepter has the ability to transform and can be transformed into any weapon that the holder is good at, including swords, halberds, war hammers, axes, spears, maces, etc.

Attention!

This scepter is a weapon given by Talona, ​​the goddess of poison and disease, to her only chosen one, so no one else can use it.

Otherwise, his soul will be captured instantly and imprisoned in the scepter.

After reading the entire introduction about this weapon in his mind, Zuo Si was stunned.

Although he has long known that Talona has an unreasonable obsession with him, which can be seen from the large number of electorate abilities given last time.

But I never expected that this goddess would spend so much money.

Although minor artifacts are not strictly speaking artifacts, many legendary spellcasters theoretically have the ability to create them.

But the problem is, the one in front of me is "exclusively customized", and it is given for free without any additional conditions!

There is even a relief at the end of the scepter of Talona kissing Zuo Si and giving him power...

Just look at the envy, jealousy and hatred in the eyes of the high-ranking priests around you and you will know how amazing the power and value of this scepter is.

It's a pity that no matter how envious and jealous they are, they dare not think anything wrong about this weapon.

"[Talona's Favor] is truly worthy of its name..."

Zuo Si tried to wave it, and found that the scepter seemed to have no weight.

But when he gently smashed it against the wall next to him, the hard stone wall was immediately like tofu, with a layer of debris being scraped off easily.

There was no obstacle at all during the whole process.

You don't need to ask to know that the hardness of this artifact is probably far greater than that of fine gold, and it should be made of another unknown strengthened magic alloy.

And unlike most scepters with fancy front-end designs, its front-end is completely designed in the style of a mace.

If someone gets hit, their whole head will inevitably explode even if they are wearing a helmet.

"Your Excellency the elector, have you felt the selfless love of the great goddess? She has loved you beyond all else. Of all the elects in the history of Faerun, there are few who can compare with you." Yvette

He said with an enthusiastic look.

Because this old woman has already noticed the changes that the young man in front of her has brought to the entire church and even Talona's faith in the material world.

You must know that in the past, believers of the goddess of poison and disease often had no choice but to act in a low-key manner, and even recruited believers in secret.

But now?

Not only did he successfully build a majestic temple in the gold coin capital of Askatra!

At the same time, it has been endorsed by the government and officials, and can be held openly anywhere in Amn!

So Yvette's real hope is that Zuo Si can abandon that slightly disgusting attitude and contribute to Talona like other chosen gods.

"Love? Maybe." Zuo Si smiled meaningfully and shook his head. "I do plan to talk to the goddess, but not now. Okay, continue to do your work, I have one step ahead."

Immediately afterwards, he completely ignored the surprised eyes in the temple, turned around and walked out without stopping at all.

As for Ilze, who had received permission to form a new sect, he stood there as if he was stupid and at a loss.

But after a while, Yvette, who was the officiant, took him to another room for a confidential conversation that lasted three or four hours.

By the time the conversation was over, twelve trainee pastors who had recently joined the church were all assigned to his command.

In order to better spread and consolidate the faith to the common people and poor people, the new church's stronghold was established in a private house between the slum area and the Bridge area, which is quite close to Zuo Si's mage tower.

You don’t need to ask to know that Yvette wants to use the deterrence of voters to ensure that the new sect will not be strangled by other hostile forces at the beginning of its establishment.

After all, the security situation in Ascatra is really not optimistic.

In particular, the overt and covert fighting between the various rival gods and churches has reached the point of incompatibility.

Fortunately, Zuo Si had just obtained an amazingly powerful secondary artifact, so he was in a good mood and didn't mind the other party's little thoughts.

After returning to the mage tower, he first sent a group of goblin skeletons and zombies to the Emerald Guild gem mine controlled by Reine and Dracolich to increase the mining intensity of the mine, and then began to concentrate on learning arcane magic.

, and at the same time help two new core members to make phylacteries and complete the complex lich transformation ritual.

At the same time, I also took the time to go to Chelimba Swamp, and cooperated with the black dragons that had been lurking there for a long time. They captured and sealed two mature black dragons in one go, and took all the treasures in their lairs for themselves.

While Zuo Si was digesting the magic knowledge he had collected some time ago and enjoying the fun of being the "Pokémon Master" of Faerûn, Baldur's Gate in the far north was in a huge crisis.

To be precise, it was a planned and premeditated large-scale revenge action.

Since Vanessa gave the order to the Nelanthel Islands Fleet, more than half of the main force has been transferred to the southern waters of the Sword Coast, and normal protection fees have been levied on merchant ships sailing to or from Baldur's Gate.

After three times, severe trade shrinkage and economic depression will inevitably occur here.

Moreover, those merchants who had to take this route did not hesitate to pass on the losses they suffered directly to the chamber of commerce, nobles and civilians in the city.

Whether it is food, steel, salt and other daily necessities, although the prices have dropped somewhat compared to the previous negotiations with Amn, they still make life difficult for many civilians who are not so wealthy.

In addition, large-scale chambers of commerce organizations such as the "Seven Suns Merchant Alliance" and the "Hongshang Alliance" have begun to use various means to put pressure on the dukes, asking them to come up with solutions as soon as possible.

As for the "Iron Throne"...

Sorry, the Iron Throne has already been bribed by Sir Crispian under the advice of Zuo Si and the conditions offered by Sir Crispian, and has become the "rebel" placed by Amn inside Baldur's Gate.

They will rely on their influence to continuously disrupt and divide the merchant class of Baldur's Gate from within, making it impossible for them to unite as a team to deal with foreign enemies.

In return, the Iron Throne can obtain high-quality iron ore from Naxikai at an extremely favorable price, and then sell it to the West Heartland region, including Baldur's Gate, at a high price.

Based on this alone, you can earn very considerable profits every year.

What's more, the caravans and merchant ships under Rita, the leader of the Iron Throne, can also enjoy the preferential tax treatment of Amn merchants in Amn.

That's why he doesn't care about the lives of the dukes and other merchants in Baldur's Gate.

"What? The lords of Waterdeep actually rejected my proposal to jointly send troops? Why?"

After listening to the reply given by the envoy who had just returned from the north, Duke Iltan suddenly stood up from his chair, with an expression of shock and disbelief on his face.

You must know that in order to fight against the fierce competition from Amn in the south, Baldur's Gate has always been closer to Waterdeep.

Not only are the two cities important members of the "Northland Lords Alliance", they also jointly sent troops to annihilate the hobgoblin chief entrenched in Dragonspear Castle two years ago.

In Duke Iltan's opinion, dealing with a group of pirates from the Nelanser Islands who are extorting merchants at sea should be in the common interests of both parties.

The messenger explained with a wry smile: "Because in the eyes of the lords of Waterdeep City, those guys who are collecting protection fees can no longer be regarded as pirates.

Because they are not simply plundering wealth, but also providing corresponding services and protection.

This situation that ends the chaotic situation from Sword Coast to Sword Sea is a change that Waterdeep and even Neverwinter are very happy to see.
To be continued...