Aozaki Aoko Case File [489] (Patreon)

With Edgin’s family gone, Aoko’s mansion quickly grew quiet.

Since she was adept at magic, she hadn’t hired any servants to manage the household, leaving it all to Unseen Servants.

If not for Simon and Doric occasionally coming into the city from the Emerald Enclave in Neverwinter Forest to shop, Aoko would have been living alone in that big house.

But she was not the type to fear loneliness. In fact, ever since arriving in Faerûn, she’d been constantly engaged with boisterous adventuring parties, which had somewhat delayed her own magical research.

Simon, besides doting on Doric, still had some desire for self-improvement. Every visit to Aoko’s place, he’d bring his spellbook and notes to consult her about magic.

Thanks to her teaching, Simon’s wizard level rose from 1 to 3. Considering his warlock prowess was already considerable, Simon was now a competent spellcaster in every sense.

Simon’s warlock spells tended toward illusion, enchantment, and protection, but his wizard talent lay in transmutation.

Under Aoko’s guidance, he learned several 1st-level transmutation spells—like Animate Rope, Enlarge/Reduce, Grease, Feather Fall, and Cure Minor Wounds—as well as some signature 2nd-level spells, including the zoo set.

Aoko wasn’t sure how spellcasters in Faerûn generally learned spells, but Simon’s speed with her was impressive.

His original Intelligence was about 16, but after multiclassing to level 3 wizard, it had risen to around 18, at least judging by his spellcasting performance.

He could probably wander the Underdark now without being ignored by mind flayers—his brain had become quite tasty, even zombies would approve.

Aoko herself finished learning the remaining spells from Sofina’s book: Finger of Death, Greater Bestow Curse, Meteor Swarm, and so on.

Instead of learning Sofina’s modified 8-meteor version, she stuck to the standard 4-meteor Meteor Swarm.

Although Aoko now had three 9th-level spells, she only had one 9th-level spell slot, so she prepared Time Stop every day, not Mordenkainen’s Disjunction or Meteor Swarm.

Judging from the duel with Sofina, Sofina must have had two 9th-level slots as an 18th-level wizard—one level higher than Aoko, but with a less versatile spell list.

Aoko always wanted to learn Contingency, the 9th-level version of Trigger Spell. A wizard with Contingency and one without are worlds apart.

Unfortunately, Mystra hadn’t taught her that spell, and she hadn’t found it in the Weave yet. So she’d have to travel and seek knowledge in various cities.

Luckily, she did know the 6th-level Trigger Spell, so in a pinch, she could try to develop the 9th-level version herself, although that would take a lot of time and effort.

Thus, Aoko decided to head to Baldur’s Gate to try her luck. Besides the artifact staff Markoheshkir, which she was determined to obtain, she was also interested in the books stored in Ramazith’s Tower.

However, Baldur’s Gate had always been the wild stage of the Sword Coast. Since the days of its founder, Bhaalspawn Bhaal, it had never been a peaceful place.

For Aoko, the trouble an ordinary person might encounter came from groups like the Flaming Fist—semi-official mercenaries with a foot in the underworld. But someone at her level, if she didn’t keep a low profile, would attract much higher-level attention.

She’d already found some things from the Baldur’s Gate 3 storyline. If the city was under Gortash’s rule, things would only get more complicated.

Not that she couldn’t get what she wanted, but it would require a lot more maneuvering.

If it was just Gortash, it’d be fine—he played by the rules. But if Bhaal’s Chosen, Orin, was also around, she might have to deal with that lunatic.

“Orin? Gortash? Who are they?” Simon asked, puzzled. “The Baldur’s Gate intel you got from the other world must be on a different timeline. I’ve never heard of them.”

“So who’s famous in Baldur’s Gate right now?” Aoko asked.

“Uh, probably Duke Belynne of the Stelmane family,” Simon replied after thinking. “Last I heard, she’s a hotshot noble there, with very capable people under her.”

Aoko recognized the name and looked thoughtful.

If Duke Belynne was active, then perhaps the city’s founder, Bhaalspawn Bhaal, was also around—and if he’d already become an illithid...

It seemed everything would have to be settled quickly. The most valuable things were always in the most dangerous places, but Aoko had no interest in Bhaal’s schemes. She just wanted the magic knowledge and that artifact staff.

“I’ll be heading to Baldur’s Gate soon,” Aoko told Simon and Doric. “What about you two? Should I leave you a key to the mansion?”

“Doric wants to visit Edgin’s hometown,” Simon said, scratching his hair. “I kinda miss those guys too, so we’ll probably get ready and take a ship to Luskan first.”

“Got it,” Aoko nodded. “It’s autumn now—after I’m done in Baldur’s Gate, I’ll probably visit Ten-Towns. I’m curious about some magic phenomena and legends in Icewind Dale.”

“Then we’ll see you in Ten-Towns,” Doric smiled, shaking Aoko’s hand in farewell. “Looks like our party will meet again in Targos. I feel like new adventures are waiting for us.”

And so, Simon and Doric left Neverwinter by boat for Luskan—after all, everyone was wealthy now.

Speaking of money, the treasure recovered from Forge was entrusted to Xenk as promised. He and the Harpers distributed most of it to the citizens of Neverwinter, but every party member still got a share.

With the bounty from the old lord of Neverwinter, everyone except the already-wealthy Aoko now enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle.

Aoko left her house in the care of the Arcane Tower Guardian Bernard, who still had three perfectly functioning sub-guardians under his command—plenty for one mansion.

The day after Simon left, Aoko also bought a luxury cruise ticket at the Neverwinter docks and set off for Baldur’s Gate.

The sky was clear and sunny, the sea a deep blue. Seeing the calm water, Aoko’s spirits lifted as well.