Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill couldn't help but laugh, "My wine-making skills are quite good, and it's rare for me to fail. Are you thinking of buying some for those soldiers?"

Although he was a sheriff, Lynn didn't need to charge into battle himself; his main role was to provide buffs.

As a magical profession, a bard wouldn't likely have many injuries on him.

As for his tavern, Lynn would never casually sell Elf Wine, even if Hill's fruit wines could fill his storeroom, Lynn wouldn't easily sell them.

Elf Wine isn't all that precious to elves or even some half-elves, but for those unable to enter the Forest of the Elves to pick fruit, it's something unaffordable.

No elf has ever shattered the illusion of the scarcity and rarity of Elf Wine.

It is a means of livelihood for some peasant elves, and Hill certainly can't sell it in large quantities just because he has enough fruit.

As for Lynn, with his eager and hospitable nature towards unfamiliar kin, he's even less likely to do that.

Lynn understood perfectly why Hill had a feigned smile on his face; his family's elven elders were among the rare few naturally inept at wine-making, yet they had a particular fondness for alcohol.

The reason he opened this tavern was to compensate for years of frustration: if I can't brew it myself, why can't I drink a few more types anyway?

"These soldiers have had rigorous training," Lynn said, glancing at Hill. "They come from common families, and becoming town soldiers is their best option. So, they train very hard, and many have to sacrifice their talents and future to advance in rank.

I have a Gold Elf bloodline, and I've never thought Elf Wine was anything special. When I left the forest, I only brought two bottles with me.

My only desire was to taste the wines of the outside world.

Yet now, occasionally, I look back and regret not bringing a few more bottles."

"Are you still on your Trial Period?" Hill couldn't help but ask.

Otherwise, he could easily return to the forest to trade with a few of his kin.

But if it were an elf or half-elf on their Trial Period, without completing the designated time or tasks, they were not allowed to return.

In truth, it wasn't that they couldn't go back, but if they did, they would utterly fail their Trial Period, and they might lose the chance to inherit the name they desire.

Elven names are lengthy, but some carry titles that can only be added to one's name with family approval.

Lynn nodded grimly, "Mine is a time-based task."

He didn't say how long, but it looked to be a lengthy period. This half-elf's family must be one that dislikes having idle children around.

"How much do you want?" Hill asked with a smile, "I can't give away Elf Wine for free; that's the rule. But by the outside world's pricing, we'd both feel uncomfortable. It just so happens I'd like to check out the Silvermoon Alliance's herbal medicines and various functional plants. You can trade those with me!

I don't need those particularly rare herbs; the forest is not lacking in those."

Lynn nodded agreeably, "Deal. Just give me one pot for now; I have a subordinate who urgently needs something to heal their body."

Hill handed a silver pot to Lynn and received an eyeroll in response, "You're giving me the wine in a pure silver pot?"

All Hill could do was remain silent.

Lynn quickly realized, "Damn it, don't you have any tin or copper pots?"

He took out a small copper wine pot from his waist bag and poured the wine with a 'thud thud thud' into it before tossing the silver wine pot back to Hill, "Come with me to the grocery store and buy some normal everyday items.

I know you're a high-level mage and aren't afraid of being robbed, but outside the forest, even a silver coin is valuable.

Giving away silver items will only make people think you're squandering your wealth."

Hill felt like Lynn was swallowing back words like 'big-headed fool' or 'easily duped simpleton.'

He nodded with a smile, "Alright, I'll try to take a look at what common people use. See, haven't you already adapted well?"

For a clan of Gold Elves, even the commoners probably got used to using decorations made of gold and silver.

Hill felt that when Lynn looked at him, it was like he was seeing himself from many years ago.

"It's completely different, alright?" Lynn said with a scoff, "What I use is gold-plated and silver-mounted, not all that much pure stuff!"

"But I'm a mage who can refine gold and silver myself!" Hill retorted, "I can't just deliberately lower the purity."

Lynn rolled his eyes again.

But he was aware that Gold Elf territories aren't short on gold and silver mines; it's just that the ore's purity is low and requires mage refinement.

Copper and tin mines are rarer, requiring the purchase of finished goods from other places, but how many could afford mages of their own?

Elves have mostly grown accustomed to buying copper products from outside and then finding ways to decorate them with gold and silver thread themselves.

For a self-sufficient mage like Hill, it was indeed unnecessary to spend that money.

"We're here." Lynn led Hill to a stop in front of a boutique, not one of those grocery stores aimed at the general populace.

"There might not be many Quel'wa People, but there's still a few above 9th level professionals." He turned to look at Hill, "They earn money more easily, of course, they'll buy finer things.

Where there's demand, there will be profiteers, and although it can't be said to be particularly good stuff, you should pick out something that at least catches your eye.

Next time you need to entertain, remember to use these items."

Hill looked at Lynn, who was boasting at the entrance of someone else's shop, and finally saw the authority of the sheriff; after all, the shop owner was standing at the door but could only listen with a smile on his face.

Following Lynn inside, Hill understood what he meant; the items here had just graduated from being bulky and unsophisticated by a few levels.

But they were still made of copper and tin, at most adorned with some patterns.

In Saral, items that ordinary people could use were, in Ferun, reserved for the highest tier among low-level professionals.

He silently raised the value of gold and silver in this world in his heart by several notches.

Hill bought some fairly well-crafted copper pots and tin cans, spending only a dozen silver coins.

When he paid, Lynn's emphatic tone made it clear that it was better to pay with silver coins, rather than using 1 gold coin for 10 silver coins.

After leaving the shop, Hill asked why.

"Gold coins are of the highest value," Lynn said without hesitation. "Although the small difference doesn't matter to you, you need to know. Paying for everything with gold coins will only make people think you are a fool.

You wouldn't want to spend money and be called an idiot, would you?"

As Hill listened to his resentful words, he could only nod along behind him.

After escorting Hill to the door, Lynn advised, "It's been a bit chaotic recently, probably because winter is coming, and some creatures from the Naser Mountain Range are coming down. I know you're not afraid of the Dark Ones, but ordinary people are.

You're still a stranger after all, try not to go out and bring trouble back."

Hill nodded, "I've seen a lot of new books at the library; I won't go out until I've finished them."

"I'll have them pick some herbs during their patrols. I'll come to trade for elf wine in a couple of days," Lynn said with a smile as he said goodbye to Hill and turned to head towards the tavern.

Hill watched him leave before returning to the dimensional space.

"Sir, you seem to like this half-elf quite a bit," Marsha, floating by the door to welcome him home, couldn't help asking.

Agleya, splashing in the fountain, also looked over curiously.

They could both sense that Hill's attitude towards Lynn was very friendly.

"He reminds me of Uncle Adrian," Hill said with a smile.

Having spent a bit more time with Adrian, Marsha immediately agreed, "Indeed, they're very similar in their nagging."

Hill watched Agleya turn back to play with the water, knowing she was missing the ocean.

But Hill knew that this incarnation had nearly used up half of Agleya's divine power.

If this incarnation dissipated in Ferun, before the Star Gate was rebuilt, it would be difficult for Agleya to reclaim that power.

It might even lose half of it.

Hill would not let that happen.

"Agleya," Hill called gently, "come take a look at this material."

"Eh?" Agleya looked at the long strands in Hill's hand with curiosity, "This water element thread has reached demigod level? There's so much! Hill's Dad, is this from the crystal flower family's parent material?"

"That's right," Hill laughed, "She gave me a lot. Agleya, do you want to try knitting a long dress for yourself?"

"Ah?" Energized, Agleya exclaimed, "Yeah! If I use my divine power to weave it, I can make a dress that changes shape according to my will!

Hill's Dad, I need to think carefully about how to weave it!"

"Marsha has a good understanding of women's fashion and is proficient in various weaving methods," Hill said with a smile. "You can ask her at any time."

"Is Hill's Dad going into seclusion again?" Agleya asked sharply.

"Yes," Hill admitted, "I need to make a magic book essential for mages in this world. It might take some time."

Agleya cheerfully took the long threads from Hill's hand, "Don't worry! Hill's Dad, this dress will keep me busy enough."

Hill nodded, "I'll just be in the study, Agleya can still find me directly."

As Agleya saw Hill hand over a bunch of copper pots and tin cans to Marsha, she couldn't help asking, "Is Hill's Dad going bankrupt? I have a lot of large pearls here."

"Don't worry, this world uses gold and silver," Hill replied thoughtfully. "Lynn thinks I'm too extravagant, you can't serve all visitors with silver pots and bowls. That would make guests of higher status uncomfortable."

"But such guests, don't they use crystal or jade utensils?" Agleya couldn't help asking.

"The ones that come between those in gold and silver?" Hill said hesitantly.

"Sir," Marsha sighed, "A 16-level mage already does well to use gold utensils daily; usually, it's silver ware.

Don't you want to hide your level?"

Looking at Marsha, Hill tugged at his own long hair and said helplessly, "Then, Marsha, handle it yourself! I'll try not to use my own utensils in front of strangers."

Hill went off to work on his magic book, feeling somewhat indignant. Why is Ferun so poor?