Surviving The Fourth Calamity

The auction that followed went smoothly.

The people of Deepwater City also quickly took that piece of land into their own hands.

Neverwinter's folks seemed to know that they held the other half, and at one point tried to stir some trouble, but after the merchant of Deepwater delayed the bidding several times, they outright let go.

Apart from this merchant of Deepwater City, no one else showed any interest in the land, not even the desire to bid.

Merchants are in the business of making money, and normal people don't hold onto inventory for a hundred years.

Many suspect that this merchant guild from Deepwater might be under the employ of some dragon, as only they would have an interest in any land, regardless of the location, and also wouldn't care how long it takes to turn a profit.

Hill took another look at the opposition, their profound intent to kill and hostility made his usually keen senses slightly uncomfortable.

That follower of Valkin, although he had not spoken out again, was indeed watching Hill all along.

Hill sneered coldly, Elaströ would not grant a pass to Valkin's people, if they dare to make a move in Silvermoon City, Hill was confident he could bury them all underground to fertilize the flowers.

This time Valkin's collaboration with the Evil Dragon has nearly offended all the deities of Toril.

Indeed, she was not the main culprit, but many gods had lent a hand at her initial return from the Bottomless Abyss, even stabilizing her Divine Kingdom thereafter.

It's true they didn't care to continue to be embarrassed by her, but even some from the Evil Faction pitched in to help.

Yet, she just watched that Evil Dragon use the gods as pawns and jokes for a little Divine Power!

If it weren't for Coron's intervention, disposing of the disruptive humans, those False Gods representing the will of All Gods would have become sustenance for the Little Dragon's growth!

At this moment, Valkin has become utterly loathsome to both gods and demons alike.

Otherwise, the usually tender-hearted Goddess of Joy would not have released the news, clearly indicating an end to their friendship.

Hill knew why Valkin's Follower insisted on staying under the scornful gaze of so many, till the very end - isn't it just to see who Hill is and where he lives?

Those Mages could find out where Hill's invitations came from, but he couldn't.

Hill couldn't care less if his dwelling was discovered, they "Golden Oak," had no skill to get in; at most they could only guard his newly purchased house.

As for hiring Shadow Walkers, Hill almost laughed at the thought.

Assassins who could pose a threat to him were only the God's Chosen of Mask, God of Thievery, and Prince of Lies, Cyric.

But those two, right now, might be blockading the entrance to Valkin's Divine Kingdom!

The best thing about those two is their pettiness and relentless vengefulness that lasts from dawn till dusk.

Which God's Chosen would risk getting their heads blown off by their Main God, to help Valkin's people? No amount of money is more important than life.

Moreover, Hill had a Divine Artifact that prevents direct lethal attacks, so if someone really dares to come to him, Hill wouldn't mind adding a bit more soil to the plants and trees of Silvermoon City.

There came a gentle knock on the door, and Bilao quickly went to open it.

The manager from the auction house had arrived with the people from Deepwater City.

As soon as Hill pays up and signs the exchange Contract, today's affairs could come to an end.

Hill glanced at the blank Contract Paper; it was provided by the auction house, embossed with the mark of the Sun God Lansendel, and it even bore the seals of the Goddess of Magic and Melike.

This was the most binding Contract Paper that could be offered in Ferun.

The Deepwater City merchant, dressed in a luxurious robe, respectfully requested Hill to personally draft the Contract.

For them, being able to see a Mage who was brimming with a natural aura after entering was like having just kissed the hem of the Goddess of Luck, Tymora.

Hill decisively took out his Sun Gold Pen: This pen, infused with the power of the sun god, was specially refined using Sunflower for the purpose of writing Divine Scrolls.

Although the pen was particularly useful when writing Divine Arts, its ink could only be made from Sunflower Leaves, and it must never be used to write lies or curse others with malevolent words.

Hill rarely used it because he was quite reluctant to consume the ink; Sunflowers were somewhat troublesome for Hill to cultivate.

But now, he felt he could use it freely.

The merchant from Deepwater City, upon seeing the pen and ink, quietly sighed in relief, by Tymora, what great luck!

Hill first settled the account with the auction house.

Watching Hill pour out a small mountain of Gold Bricks from his ring, the bystanders couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

The auction house staff had thought Hill would pay with other Magic Gemstone or such, which is why the manager had brought several Appraisers with him.

They couldn't help but look at Hill with awe, wondering about the terrifying power that must stand behind a person who could keep such a fortune!

"Respected client," the manager hesitated for a while before asking, unable to contain his curiosity, "Do you have any Mithril? Silvermoon City has been in need of it lately.

Our ladies have even turned to our allies for assistance."

Hill turned to glance at him, "I have no need for Gold Coins."

The steward immediately perked up with excitement, "Could you please wait a moment? I will send someone to get the treasure booklet right away. Everything on it can be exchanged!"

"If there's still no interest, we can find other places to look!"

Hill knew what he meant—the three underground vaults of Silvermoon City. Accumulated by several generations of the city's rulers, indeed there would be good things there.

He turned to look at the Deepwater City merchants who had been waiting respectfully the whole time, quickly wrote out the contract, and then pressed his seal on it: a blurry large tree that one glance revealed the name Hill, with the shape of a bear claw on the trunk.

This was a unique symbol he planned to use exclusively in Ferun.

The leading merchant hurried over; not only did he press the seal of his merchant guild, he also dipped his finger in golden ink to make a fingerprint.

Hill glanced at it without saying anything.

The golden ink made from sunflower petals would protect him from being tainted by evil auras for a year.

Like the contract that the merchant held as if it was a precious treasure, the radiant power emanating from it was enough to ensure his safety as he passed through places like the Undead Swamp.

As Hill put away the ink and pen, both the people from the auction house and from Deepwater City couldn't help but fixate on Hill's movements.

For merchants who traveled far and wide, this item was really attractive—obviously more long-lasting than holy water.

But no one dared to ask.

This was the deterrent power of Lansendel, the Sun God. No matter how friendly or enthusiastic he appeared, his formidable church was enough to silence most people.

His followers had no dedicated priests, only paladins who served as part-time priests and were very brave in battle, often causing as much chaos as the Evil Faction.

So it didn't matter how friendly and enthusiastic Lansendel appeared; many deities were wary of him.

Hill glanced sideways again.

Immediately, the steward of the auction house spoke up, "Would the guest like to leave first? We can deliver the treasure booklet to your residence."

Hill sneered, "No, let's finish up here! If he wants to wait, then let him wait."

Even if Valkin possessed him, Hill could kill him.

The people from Deepwater City presented the land deed and respectfully took their leave.

When Hill held the proofs in his hand, the two documents merged into one.

Hill looked at it with surprise, then noticed that almost every nation, city, and even temple of worship on the Northern Continent, had stamped their seal on it.

After the two became one, a large swath of land, from the Undead Swamp to the easternmost side of Sword Peak, was all included.

"This was a surprise suggested by Aslaxo when we decided to sell the land. If indeed someone had the courage to rebuild a city or even a state there, all powers of the Northern Continent would recognize it from the beginning.

It wouldn't be right to let someone go to the trouble of purifying the Undead Swamp for nothing.

However, we never expected that in the end, it would end up in the hands of a guest like you—your luck is really not bad," said a lady who walked in gracefully.

Hill simply nodded and didn't plan to say much, collecting the land deed without emotion on his face.

He treated the Female Mage as if she were the auction house steward, not intending to get involved with the messy affairs of Silvermoon City.

"My name is Xinen Haihe." The beautiful female mage frowned slightly before quickly displaying a smile, "Respected guest, I came for the mithril.

Upon learning there was some here, I got overly excited and came over myself.

I'm sorry if I have disturbed the guest. As compensation, on behalf of the auction house, I can have those uninvited guests expelled directly."

Hill displayed a polite yet distant smile, "In the auction house, as long as my security and privacy are ensured, that'll suffice."

He furrowed his brows and looked at the Female Mage, who hadn't moved while holding the treasure booklet, "Is there something else?"

Xinen Haihe handed the booklet to the steward with some stiffness, "Please make sure the guest is well taken care of. I will take my leave now."

Hill had no intention of retaining the somewhat aggrieved-looking lady; he simply gestured for Bilao to close the door after her graceful figure had left through the entrance.

The high-ranking ladies of Silvermoon City, accustomed to being pursued in various ways had no humility, their means much inferior to those of noblewomen.

When Xinen Haihe announced her name, Hill knew that she was the dean of the Enchantment Department Academy at Mage University, but what of it?

Did she really expect Hill to give her some valuable mithril for nothing?

Even Elaströ wouldn't dream such a pleasant dream.

Hill didn't want to get involved in the affairs of Silvermoon City, of course, unless it was Macerama Alasserme, the Supreme Commander of the Silvermoon Alliance, in which case Hill might have been a bit more cordial.

After all, not only was she the future leader of Silvermoon City, but also a half-elf mage with Gold Elf lineage.

According to the traditions of this world, that would make her Hill's kin.

But he only needed to be a bit friendlier, as no kind souls made it to high positions.

Hill casually listened to the continuing auction downstairs while absentmindedly directing the steward and Bilao to sit down on the hardwood chairs at the back of the box, before lowering his head to flip through the treasure booklet.