Surviving The Fourth Calamity

When Hill was knocking on the door outside, Agleya had just plunged into the sea.

This mansion's waterfront villa actually had two underwater rooms.

And it even had sea monster-like underwater servants.

"Hill!" Lynn was greeted by Marsha and seemed very happy, his eyebrows dancing as he greeted him, "I really owe you one this time, you saved me a lot of money."

"Shouldn't the town have funded those rewards?" Hill was a bit puzzled, wondering why it sounded like he had paid for them himself.

"If it were up to the town's income alone, how could we keep so many people!" Lynn shook his head and laughed, settling into a couch that looked comfortable, "Basically, the town paid half, and we, the residents, covered the other half."

Hill nodded silently, understanding now why their status in the town was so high.

"Mainly because there aren't many wealthy people in the town," Lynn remarked, "Those shops you see, to tell the truth, all have connections to a few of us.

If Quel'var Town were attacked by thieves, we would suffer the most if something happened. If we didn't contribute this much money, those Ranger Warriors wouldn't have fought so desperately!

For Professionals, where can't they live? Only a hometown where one can survive is truly a home.

Moreover, Quel'var Town might look small, but it's highly regarded; otherwise, it wouldn't have so many churches.

For such a small town with just under two thousand people, it attracts quite a lot of attention."

Lynn had a disapproving expression, "As leaders, they absolutely can't let this town decline on their watch.

Just this time, the Lady of the Forest almost got killed by her own devotees – they leaked the timing of her Holy Song ceremony!

Unavoidably, these branches must hold a ceremony each month to awaken a Treant or Tree Spirit.

She had already been cautious, choosing different times for the ceremonies, but the fir clusters exposed it to someone from the Monastery while out gathering materials.

How could anyone like such a dangerous woman?

Maybe there was some other motive involved.

So I'd rather be a Sheriff; a Bard just isn't suited for staying in the church – it's too complicated."

Quel'var Town may seem like just an ordinary forest town, but to the south lies the Supreme Forest, to the east the Desert, and to the northeast the Naish Mountains.

It's actually a border city of the Silvermoon Alliance, just not that obvious.

After all, Silvermoon City doesn't need the town to fend off high-level adversaries, just to prevent the ingress of large numbers of low-rank creatures into the Alliance.

The residents of Silvermoon City are indeed very powerful, but they can't be expected to come out and kill Goblins.

Hill nodded: "If you don't like it, don't get involved; maintaining respect for the Deities is enough. I remember the requirements for Priests by Singers aren't many."

"Exactly~ as long as we walk on the right path, our Lord doesn't care what we do," Lynn could not help but stretch, "Ah, this couch is so comfortable! What's this made of?"

"Fish skin." Hill laughed, "This villa is entirely made with materials from the Deep Sea."

"Stuff from Deepwater City is indeed pretty good," Lynn's thoughts quickly drifted to the largest port city in The North, "You could go visit in the future, although it harbors a few Dragons, they all abide by the rules.

You've got money, you can buy some really good services."

It seems in The North here, when talking about the sea, it's about Deepwater City.

The other seaports of The North, although also not bad, don't quite match the prosperity of Deepwater City.

"I need to spend some time at the university in Silvermoon City first." Hill smiled, "There's a lot of new knowledge I haven't learned yet."

"Ah, a Mage~" Lynn sighed.

Hill knew why he sighed; generally, Half-Elves who chose to be Bards were completely unsuccessful at absorbing their studies.

Otherwise, with talents in the Magical System, they would definitely attempt to become a Mage first.

As for any love for the Bard profession, it's just hearsay.

Don't think Elf parents would let their children choose their own futures just like that; those are excuses from being unmanageable.

Even a Giant Dragon would swing a claw to discipline their kid if they refused to learn Dragon Spell Magic.

Lynn took out a beautifully crafted card from his pocket: "This is from the guy at the library, a visitor's pass for Silvermoon City's university.

With this, you can enter the university to attend classes."

Hill blinked, "Isn't this very expensive? I can pay for the tuition myself."

"This is Silvermoon City's reward for the Mages stationed outside, everyone gets one of these each year.

Hughes had always sold his; otherwise, just relying on those scrolls in the library, he would go broke.

Don't worry, these are just basic courses, worth 500 Gold Coins. It was Priest Soyel from next door who paid the bulk of it."

Seeing Hill's puzzled face, he couldn't help but laugh, "He also used some rare herbs to offset Hughes' account.

The Tree Spirits in the forest help Soyel gather herbs; after all, most of the Tree Spirits in this forest were awakened by him.

So, he has a lot of herbs, he just usually doesn't like selling them to Mages.

This time you really helped him out, if that High Priest from the Monastery had made a move, Quel'var would have only him to counter it.

But Soyel had just conducted an awakening ceremony, making a move would have wasted one Divine Grace.

Compared to the favor of the Goddess, what's a little money worth?"

So he is truly grateful to you.

He had wanted to visit you in person, but I stopped him.

Most elves don't like strangers visiting their homes, and I see you are no different."

Hill nodded silently.

If it were a priest like this, who had always stayed in the Temple and entered a dimensional space, Hill would have no choice but to send Agleya into the pendant.

They are more sensitive to divinity.

Although Lynn is a priest, he is only third-level and has no intention of advancing further.

Hill suspected that he took on the profession of a Priest of the God of Singing just to enhance his singing abilities.

Third-level is just enough to learn two divine arts that enhance vocal charm and amplify the sound of musical instruments, which are very suitable for a few bard skills.

"Anyway, consider this a thank-you gift from a member of the Quel'va Council." Lynn said, spreading his hands, "It's better for them to clear the debt with money rather than owe you a favor.

If you were just a passing mage, that would be different, but my friend, others will be more cautious.

It's better to spend more money than to owe you a favor."

Hill could only smile helplessly—how few people it took to create such intrigue.

He picked up the card and looked at it, "With this, I can spend my own money to attend other courses, right?"

"Exactly~" Lynn said nonchalantly, "You can even turn it into a pink little card if you want, which can get you a direct audience with the Supreme Lady~"

Hill couldn't help but roll his eyes, "I don't think that's taking advantage."

Lynn laughed, "Don't worry. If anyone ever asks about it, just say you haven't held your coming-of-age ceremony.

You haven't, have you?"

Hill replied stiffly, "Not on the elf side, no."

Lynn, remembering Hill had once mentioned he came from a noble background, smiled sympathetically, "Did you used to live in a noble's castle?

That must have been tough, brother.

The days of having to mature early must have been really hard.

No wonder you can keep such a cool head, being such a high level before leaving the forest to the outside.

Those of us who grew up in the forest got out early because life was just too boring."

Lynn furrowed his brow and continued, "If someone comes looking for you and you don't like interaction, just ignore them.

I've already acted like your agent, so anyone who still comes directly to you either wants to buy something from you without letting me know or seeks to take advantage of you.

In either case, don't bother with them.

If you really want to sell something, take it to the auctions in Silvermoon City or Deepwater City.

Especially, don't sell high-level scrolls privately to strangers.

The Silvermoon Alliance may look harmonious, but there's actually a lot of disorder within.

You better not get involved.

Especially with Silvermoon City; a big issue will arise sooner or later."

Hill nodded, understanding that in the eyes of some discerning individuals in The North, Silvermoon City was bound to face problems if it couldn't balance the positions and power of its upper echelons.

Although Elaströ had abdicated, she hadn't relinquished control of Silvermoon City, but the new Lord of Silvermoon might not always obey her.

Even if Elaströ's influence was great enough to replace any City Lord who didn't listen to her, a day would come when her control would slip.

But that would be a problem for the far future; what Hill had not expected was that, just a few years after Elaströ's abdication, signs were already apparent.

Lynn had enjoyed a traditional elf lunch at Hill's before departing cheerfully.

He had always hated these lunches of fruit with bread in the forest, thinking it was just something lazy parents whipped up to fool their children.

But after so long, he had actually started to miss it.

Hill escorted Lynn out of the dimensional space, only to be surprised to find that the first snow of winter had quietly fallen.

Lynn pulled his cloak tight behind him and said a bit morosely, "Damn it, winter has come early. The town's preparations for winter are still not complete.

All those divine temples predicted winter would be half a month away!

How could they be so off!

Every time the weather goes haywire, there's bound to be trouble. Don't let it come our way!"

Hill calmly looked at Lynn; maybe this world had quietly warned us that something dreadful was about to happen.

"Hill, I won't be coming to see you for at least half a month," Lynn sighed. "Actually, Quel'var needs a Mayor, not me as Sheriff handling all these messes.

But we can't afford someone capable, and those who aren't up to it simply can't handle the Professionals."

Hill glanced at Lynn: What does he mean we can't afford someone capable—it's that nobody is willing to deal with so much nonsense overhead.

You want to play father yet expect extraordinary ability. Aren't you dreaming?