This statue is more than ten meters tall. It is the image of a tall man. His face cannot be seen clearly because he is wearing a red turban and mask, and there is a red cloak raised high behind him.
This is another unique feature of this statue. Whether it is his red turban or cloak, they are not painted red with paint, but the color of the material used to carve the statue, while other parts are normal blue-gray.
I just don’t know whether this stone is naturally formed, or whether it is the result of someone using stone shaping techniques.
"Anka Manor!" The first time he saw the statue, he recognized the identity of this place. This statue was the founder and sole owner of the manor, Anka Balisk.
If we were to rank the ghost manor in Battle Valley, all the people in Battle Valley would give this manor their first vote without hesitation.
It's not because of how ferocious the ghosts in this manor are, but because it has important representative significance for Battle Valley.
If we talk about the individual closest to the High King of the Valley in the history of the Valley, he is the one in front of him, Anka, the Lord of the Battle Valley and the Cloak King.
Not only every Battle Valley person has heard of his story, but most Valley people know it very well. This is their childhood bedtime story. Countless Valley people parents teach their children that even if they cannot create Anka, We must become a person like him - humble, tireless, long-suffering, able to fail, but never allowed to lie on the ground full of complaints and never get up again, regain strength and rebuild confidence, and support justice. Instead of rhetoric.
I'm afraid you'll have to knock me down first.
This is a favorite phrase of all the warriors of the Vale, for it was once the mantra of the Cloak King Ankh.
Ankh Balisk himself is a pure-blooded Battle Valley man, but he is an abandoned baby. He was raised in an elven community. He learned the knowledge of caring for the forest from the elves. , military skills, wisdom, and patience and compassion for others, and did not resent the human group because of their abandonment.
When he was young, like most young people in the valley, he was influenced by the wealth from the Kingdom of Sambia and went there to seek development. He and his brothers formed a mercenary group called the Armored Cloaks.
Under the leadership of Ankh, the caped warriors have achieved extremely brilliant achievements as mercenaries, serving one Sembian employer after another.
In the process, they inevitably got involved with the dark secrets of those employers - extracting every benefit and value from the valley people by any means necessary, and after draining them completely, they even sold them to Ser as slaves. Or further afield.
When those Sambian businessmen discovered that the caped warriors were unwilling to join in the conspiracy, they abandoned them mercilessly and offered high bounties on them, asking their colleagues to eliminate them. They were forced to leave Sambia and return to to the battle valley.
Here, Anka and his companions discovered that many local businessmen colluded with Sambian businessmen to exploit the people who used the Battle Valley by manipulating the market, lending usury, and hiring armed thugs. Cows and horses work just as hard, and the output from the land is like running oil, but they are still heavily in debt and starved of food.
They decided not to escape, but led the good people of the Battle Valley to rise up in resistance and drove this group of evil profiteers away from the land. Amid cheers, Anka became the lord of the Battle Valley.
After becoming a lord, Ankh remained diligent and committed to promoting the safety and prosperity of his people, just like a diligent farmer tending his livestock. The cloaked warriors settled here and patrolled the safety of the entire Battle Valley.
In less than ten years, Anka managed to make the Battle Valley peaceful, prosperous and powerful. However, businessmen from other valleys brought him news that life in other valleys was still in dire straits. They were not only harassed and invaded by monsters. , but also endured the dual exploitation by tyrannical rulers and evil businessmen of Sambia.
In 1038, Ankar decided to declare himself the king of the valley. He first persuaded the residents of Shadow Valley and Taser Valley to cooperate with Battle Valley and join his rule. Then he broke out like a rage and swept other valleys. , quickly defeating his enemies and appointing those he trusted as cloaked warriors as Lords or Sword Masters of each Vale.
In just one year, the banners of the Cloak King spread throughout all the valleys except Bow Valley and High Valley. In just two years, the people of the valley began to support and love their king because his rule was fair and incorruptible.
It's just that his approach touched the interests of countless people. Not only did he have to fight numerous monsters and robbers, but he also had to deal with the pressing pressure from Sambia. When he was fighting an evil mage, he was killed. A curse.
From then on, he was plagued by a rotten disease that could not be completely eliminated, and various parts of his body began to slowly fester. In order to maintain his image in front of the people of the valley, he had to cover his body with a red turban, mask and red cloak. Most of the people he ruled For a long time, he always showed himself in this image, so he was called the King of Cloaks.
In 1044, at the Quadrennial Shield Festival, a powerful evil mage summoned a terrifying dracolich and launched an attack on Anka. Countless innocent valley folk gathered at Anka Manor, letting Anka There was no way to escape the battle, even though he knew the disparity in strength, he had to fight to the death, and finally dragged the evil mage and his dracolich to death in the fire in the lord's mansion.
I don't know if there was some kind of deviation in this process. The evil mage and his Dragon Lich never appeared in front of the world again, and the cloaked king Anka could not be resurrected.
The only thing the grieving Valley people can do is to repair Anka's lord's mansion, witness the glory that once belonged to him, and wait for the emergence of his successor-a group of loyal caped warriors who voluntarily transformed into the Anka after the death of Anka. As long as they do not try to destroy or steal items from Anka Manor, these earth-bound spirits will not disturb the people here.
But once someone desecrates Anka Manor, they will become the most terrifying existence.
All the people of the valley believe that when someone inherits Ankh's legacy, these cloaked warriors will be resurrected and follow the new king to fight to unify the valley again.
Information about this manor flashed rapidly in Gavin's mind, and a bold guess rolled in his mind. He suppressed it abruptly, pretending to be calm, looking at Regina and asking: "You What did you bring me here for?"
"Don't pretend to be confused while pretending to understand." Regina exposed Gavin unceremoniously, "With your careful thinking, how could you not guess it?"
Gavin chuckled, not feeling the embarrassment of being exposed at all, and guessed, "You guys don't want to take advantage of my unique power in immortality and want me to help recover Anka Manor, right?"
"Pretend, keep pretending, I haven't seen you for a few days, why are you so hypocritical?" Regina said with unconcealed disdain on her face, "If I want to borrow your power in this area, why wait until now? "
Gavin carefully guessed: "Are the legends about this place true? You don't want me to inherit the so-called Anka legacy, do you?"
"Correct answer, but no reward."
"This is something that no one in the entire valley has been able to do for three hundred years. How are you sure I can do it?"
"Sir, you are so presumptuous. Have you accomplished so few things in the valley that no one has accomplished in hundreds of years? Just an army of conquerors is a miracle that is rare even in the entire Faerûn."
"These are two completely different things and cannot be generalized. This thing happened a bit too suddenly. I don't have a clue right now."
"I'm here. Just follow me and do as I say."
While talking, Regina had already led Gavin deep into the Anka Manor. She was very familiar with this place, as if she had entered her own back garden.
She stopped playing riddles with Gavin and explained as she walked: "I believe you have heard about the legends about my father's origin. Now I can answer you clearly. Many legends are not pure legends.
In the more than three centuries since the death of the Cloak King Ankh, the successive lords of the Battle Valley were all descended from the former cloaked warrior families. They began to receive secret training and training since childhood to protect the Battle Valley and the mission they shouldered. Preparing for a sacred mission.
And we are accepting the first test of Anka's legacy. If we can't even get our approval, even if we turn Anka Manor over, we won't be able to find the key to the door. "
The implication of Regina's words is obvious. Anka's legacy is not only real, but the Lord of Battle Valley also holds crucial clues and is an important part of it.
"So, bringing Anka Manor to the Ghost Castle Auction is a trap you set up specifically for the businessmen of Sembia?" Gavin asked, "The legend about Anka's legacy has been around for a long time. Could it be that you are also behind it, adding fuel to the fire?"
"That's right." Regina Crescent Moon narrowed her eyes slightly and showed a proud smile, "The temporary passes of Anka Manor have been auctioned hundreds of times, and 80% of them are those young men from Sambia. They themselves They think they are superior to others and everything is prepared for them. However, what Anka hates most is their style, which has no possibility of success."
"You are a typical example of treating others the same way you treat them."
"What's the meaning?"
"That means you use profiteers' methods to deal with profiteers."
"That's right."
"Since you have this clue, why don't you try it yourself?"
"How do you know we haven't tried?"
"So, you all failed."
"If you don't fail, it won't be your turn, Sir."
"That's the same reason."
Regina stopped in front of the gate of Anka's mansion, looked at Gavin seriously and said, "Before we officially start, I need you to answer me an honest question. Do you want to become the king of the valley?"
"Everything I did in the valley was for this purpose." Gavin answered straightforwardly.
Sometimes this matter needs to be hidden, but sometimes, it must be said outright.
If you don't even express this, how can you inherit Anka's legacy?
Lord Ilmet and Regina's plan has become clear. They are now very optimistic about themselves and believe that they are qualified to inherit Anka's legacy.
As long as he can get Anka's approval, they can naturally swear allegiance to him and give up the position of lord of Battle Valley to themselves, because they are originally the guardians of Anka's legacy and manage the Battle Valley on their behalf.
Although even if he does not inherit Anka's legacy, as he continues to grow and develop in the Battle Valley, he will force Lord Ilmet to give up his identity as the lord of the Battle Valley. However, it is far from as simple and straightforward as it is now. Afterwards, Ilmet It is difficult to predict where Lord Te and the others will go.
There are pros and cons to carrying on Ankh's legacy.
There is no need to elaborate on the benefits. In addition to the above possibilities, it can also gain support from more people in the valley. After all, centuries of legends are still very popular, especially for those who grew up listening to these stories and still exist. young people with fantasies.
The disadvantage was that it was contrary to Gavin's original plan of building high walls, hoarding grain, and slowing down his claim to the throne, which made him even more fearful.
Then again, this disadvantage doesn't seem to have a particularly big impact. As long as he develops and grows in the valley, he will be targeted regardless of whether he shows ambitions in this area. This is determined by conflicts of interest.
"Very good, then face everything with this determination." Regina's voice began to become ethereal, and she didn't know when her figure had disappeared from Gavin's face.
Looking around, the fog rose in the sky. Not only Regina disappeared, but Anka Manor also disappeared.
Illusion?
Or has he entered the spiritual world?
Gavin remained calm and immediately checked his own status to see if his abilities were restricted.
The most troublesome thing about these special environments is not themselves, but that they are often integrated with various banning spells, putting the parties involved in an extremely unfavorable state.
For example, in the spirit world, there are a large number of spirits that need to be dealt with, but the ability to cast spells is blocked and they can only fight with swords. This will give everyone a headache, especially those who cast spells.
For another example, in illusion, it directly acts on your soul, which will automatically block all your equipment. Only the special abilities and spellcasting abilities you carry can take effect.
What Gavin is afraid of now is not the first type, but the second type. Eighty percent of his ability lies in equipment.
After the search was completed, Gavin became more confident and his condition was intact.
Thinking about it, listening to Regina's words, what she was about to face was clearly a test from Anka.
What this kind of test wants to see most is a person's true nature and true strength. Even if it does not provide corresponding bonus assistance, it will not deliberately provide obstacles.
There are also corresponding guarantees for safety. If the test fails, at most, I will not be able to obtain the Ankh inheritance without risking my life.
Gavin, confident in his heart, walked forward leisurely.
In this illusion-like environment without any identifying objects, it is the same no matter which direction you walk in. As long as the corresponding conditions are met, the corresponding reaction will be automatically triggered.
Sure enough, Gavin just took a few dozen steps forward, and a gate appeared directly in front of him.
He was familiar with this door. It was the exquisite solid wood door of Anka Mansion that he had seen before. The past four centuries had not left any traces of time on it.
Gavin checked the situation again, took a deep breath, and slowly opened the solid wood door in front of him. This was a multiple-choice question with only one choice. He could only follow the preset path.
The solid wood door is lighter than expected and opens with just one push.
"The lord has arrived."
"The Shield Festival has officially begun."
"Let us raise a toast to our common lord and common king. May the gods protect him and grant him a long life. May the gods grant us the valley and let us prosper and always be as united as we are today."
"Anka!"
"Anka!!"
"Anka!!!"
The moment Gavin opened the door and walked out, he was greeted by cheers like a mountain roar and a tsunami.
He, who was already ready for battle, could not help but freeze on the spot. Fortunately, he had good control and did not throw away his various combat abilities due to the sudden fright.
The only thing he could do was to do nothing, remain unchanged in response to changes, and observe everything around him without leaving a trace.
The fog had completely disappeared. The door Gavin had opened earlier did not enter the lord's mansion, but came out of it and found himself in the courtyard of Anka Manor.
This courtyard is no longer luxurious, but it is not popular at all.
On the contrary, Gavin was now at a grand banquet. Food and drinks were placed on bustling dining tables, placed directly in the open air in the courtyard. There were as many as a dozen tables arranged in rows, swaying with perfume and dishes. The aromas are mixed together and hit your face.
The huge courtyard was filled with people, including wealthy people in rich clothes and ordinary people in simple clothes. There were humans, halflings, half-elves, elves, dwarves, and even a lot of fey auras mixed in. in it.
Whether these people were poor or rich, no matter what race they were from, their faces were filled with the most sincere and contented smiles. The way they looked at him made Gavin feel like he was in the army of conquerors - in awe. Beloved.
This is role play.
Gavin, who had a lot of experience, instantly understood what was going on.
Even without looking in the mirror, he knew that the appearance he was wearing now did not belong to him, but to the cloaked king Anka.
This is a re-simulation of the scene four centuries ago using super-large illusions.
If Gavin guessed correctly, this banquet was the Shield Festival where King Anka of the Cloak was assassinated.
No matter how exquisitely designed the trial is, it will never be as simple as a simple question and answer, because it is possible to lie and cheat. Only the most instinctive choices made under tension can reveal one's true feelings. It is easier to create a tense atmosphere than exciting battles.
The trial hasn't started yet, but Gavin seems to have figured out the whole story.
Seeing that the entire banquet came to a standstill for a moment, and everyone's eyes fell on him, Gavin understood the situation, picked up a glass of wine from the waiter's plate next to him, and said loudly: "For the valley."
"For the valley." Everyone responded with thunderous cheers.
(End of chapter)
