Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill didn't understand why Lynn seemed to be having difficulty breathing.

He was quite serious about thinking that the pearl suited Lynn.

In the Silvermoon Alliance's prolonged winter, having water that didn't need to be thawed for drinking would definitely be very useful to a tavern.

Hill even specifically told List not to bring out the highest quality ones!

Such medium-sized pearls should be quite common in the many port cities of Ferun, right?

"Do you know how much a pearl of this size is worth in gold coins?

Just one is worth 500 Gold!"

And that's just the asking price; finding one for that price wouldn't be so easy.

"These pearls that can condense the purest water aren't something you can buy just because you want to!" Lynn said weakly, pinching the bridge of his nose, "And you just brought out so many of them at once!"

Hill blinked, finally realizing that in a place like Ferun, where magic was rampant, there could be a devotee of an evil god causing trouble anywhere.

Anyone with a bit of money would treat pure water as their most important resource reserve.

"Isn't this place close to Deepwater Harbor?" Hill asked curiously, "Aren't these pearls still a far cry from being considered treasures?"

Lynn sighed, "So you've already seen treasure-class pearls, huh? Those things, even in Silvermoon City, might belong only to the top few in the hierarchy.

Though I don't know which family's child you are, even if you are an Archmage of level 14, you shouldn't be flaunting your wealth like this."

Hill pondered why Lynn thought he was a level 14 Mage. Was there some event happening over at Silvermoon City?

He didn't pursue the topic, knowing that he would find out once he got to Silvermoon City.

Hill spoke earnestly, "I have many pearls, and they are indeed about as valuable to me as the goods I purchased from you.

The notion that something is priceless is just something conjured up by merchants.

Otherwise, the price of pearls would surely rise, instead of being fixed at 500."

After pondering for a moment, Lynn abruptly accepted, "Indeed, this is exactly what I want. We're close to both the desert and Naser Mountain Range, always some inexplicable trouble cropping up.

Having a source of pure water could save everyone's lives in Quelva at some point.

Let me take advantage of this opportunity! My services will be free for you while you're in Quelva."

Hill 'ah'ed, asking belatedly, "You are?"

"Quelva doesn't have a mayor, just a five-member council. Besides running a tavern and looking after the peace, the others are all around here," Lynn said with a smile, "They're less willing than me to step forward and do something!

Apart from when Quelva is under attack, they usually stay in their own territories and don't get involved with anything else."

Hill didn't need to think to know that the chapel jointly dedicated to the God of Knowledge, Oghma, and the God of Singing, Miliel, must be managed by a priest of Oghma.

It was of little significance for Lynn to stay there, not to mention his priest profession of only level 3 wasn't really meaningful either.

Although called a sheriff, Lynn probably managed all the town's miscellaneous affairs.

"Bring some more gold and silver for me, and I'll exchange them for Ferun's common currency. I'll get you a bit of each type," Lynn said.

Hill took out another small silk bag, "How much can I get?"

"There are many places in Silvermoon City where you can exchange money!" Lynn said irritably, "Do you think Quelva looks like it has that much spare cash? Just get enough to use until you reach Silvermoon City."

Hill 'oh'ed and pulled out two fist-sized gold nuggets, hesitated, then added a brick-sized silver nugget.

Seeing Hill was about to rummage through his bag again, Lynn growled, "That's enough!"

Hill, embarrassed, started to chuckle, watching Lynn take the gold and silver from his hand and head straight for the library.

He knew that the mage in charge of the library must have some money.

For a mage, it was normal to keep some gold and silver on hand, otherwise, certain spells might not be usable.

Those who directly use gold coins as spellcasting materials either have no other materials left and are forced into a corner, or they are disciples of the Temple of Wealth.

Even the wealthiest mage wouldn't so wastefully spend like that.

Hill wasn't trying to show off his wealth intentionally; it was just that he felt uneasy as soon as the number of gold coins in his possession dwindled.

When Lynn came back, he was followed by an old mage in a white robe.

"Good day, esteemed mage from afar, I am level 10 Mage George Hughes from Silvermoon City," the Old Mage said with a stiff smile, attempting to speak kindly and gently to Hill.

Hill nodded, "Good day. Sorry to disturb you."

Lynn, trailing behind, wore a puzzled expression again. This way of speaking, wasn't it typically how a lower rank mage addressed a higher rank one?

"Your gold and silver, did you refine them yourself? They are very pure indeed!" Mage Hughes exclaimed sincerely, "At first glance, I knew they were the work of a powerful alchemist. I just had to come and say hello."

Hill nodded at him silently without saying much.

Hughes quickly bade farewell and left.

Lin Sen frowned and asked, "Is he harboring some ill intentions? I told him you were my kin!"

"Nothing of the sort, he just wanted to haggle and take some of my gold and silver," Hill shook his head, "He's just looking to make some money, don't mind him."

"Did I compensate too much?" Lynn asked discontentedly as he tossed the small leather pouch to Hill, "There are only 10 platinum coins, the rest are gold and silver coins, and I brought you 100 copper coins to round up the number, though I reckon you won't have much use for them.

As for the gold and silver coins, ah, you mages call them alloy coins, right? I only took one of those to see what they look like now.

Mages can tell the amount of gold in those coins, but we can't, it's easy to get cheated.

Most people just use them as silver coins."

Without counting, Hill promptly stored them in his pendant, "If there was a loss, he wouldn't have come looking for me."

It was only then that Lynn smiled at him contentedly, "Compared to other temples, I guess you still prefer the forest."

With a play on words, Lynn led Hill to a forest clearing near the Merikay Temple, "I've already spoken with everyone, you can stay here as you wish.

Go to Silvermoon City when you feel like it, and if you're not comfortable there, you can always come back.

Quelva will welcome you anytime."

It seemed that Lynn had indeed vouched for him.

Hill had guessed as much when this bard had brought him here, otherwise, he wouldn't have produced the pearl.

Hill stretched out his hand and first released a defensive magic array that resembled a puzzle lock with illusion techniques on the clearing, then cast the Luxury Mansion Art right away.

He said goodbye to Lynn politely and only after watching him leave did he step into the dimensional space.

When Hill used this dimensional spell, he deliberately used some water materials in addition to the gold and silver, so he was not surprised to find a villa dotted with fountains.

Hill first took out the little box containing the Masha Core and let her take command of the servants that had been summoned.

As for List, his level was too high to come out easily, unless Hill planned to settle down somewhere for more than a year. Otherwise, even he couldn't afford to burn that many crystal stones.

Agleya, once released, joyfully circled the three-story villa.

The misty dimensional space made her feel comfortable. She picked up the hem of her long gown and asked Hill happily, "Can I stay with Dad until this avatar dissipates?

If I don't exert myself, I can last ten years!"

"After I've learned a bit in Silvermoon City for 75 years, we'll head to the seaside," Hill patted her head, "Let's see if we can spread your divine name here."

Agleya's clear blue eyes lit up at once, "Really? Isn't there already a Goddess of the Sea in this world?"

"She only governs the coastal waters, and she's of an evil faction," Hill said lightly, "Her power is relatively weak; we might not be able to eradicate her, but it shouldn't be a problem to occupy a territory."

Agleya said happily, "Once we have established a foothold, we'll figure out a way to kill her!"

Hill made no comment, keeping silent. If he had the power, of course it was worth a fight.

There were plenty of foreign deities in Ferun; they were used to a new god appearing every now and then.

If a kind-hearted lower-rank Sea God surfaced without any apocalyptic ambitions, few would bother to interfere.

"Have we notified the people in Teraxil that we're safe?" Hill asked Agleya.

His pendant could directly connect to the Elemental Realm, and even if Ferun was far from Teraxil, contacting the core essence was still within Agleya's ability, especially with the Ice Crystal communicator in her Divine Kingdom.

"I told Haiweirsen directly," Agleya blinked, "We can't have Grandpa worrying!"

Hill smiled helplessly, "Remember to tell him we're in Ferun. I'm going to study mage knowledge in earnest and won't be leaving any time soon."

Agleya nodded happily, then took another look around the dimensional space.

"Dad!" she asked curiously, "With this spell, you actually don't have to hurry to find a half-plane, do you?"

"This spell only lasts 15 days each time I use it," Hill shook his head, "That's only because I used better materials and my mage level is high enough to achieve this.

Besides, a half-plane really depends on chance. I've only just left Teraxil for a short while, so there's not much hope.

We'll talk about it when we go to outer space later! There's hardly any hope here in Ferun; I bet these mages have scoured all the outer planes already."

Agleya nodded, "It's just a half-plane, Dad will get one sooner or later."

Hill laughed, "I think so too. But first, let's rest! Agleya, go pick a room for yourself. These water villas all have underwater rooms, see if you like them."

Agleya twirled around lightly and darted into the villa to choose her room. Although no one was competing with her, it was part of the fun.

Hill smiled and followed behind her; he too needed a good rest.

Even though it had only been two days, Hill felt like a long time had passed, perhaps because he seldom got this tired!