Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill took Terry to the farm outside the city early the next morning.

They spent half a day there.

Mainly because Terry discovered that Hill had planted many fruits and nuts not found in The North, and he became a little greedy.

Fortunately, Hill's main focus was still on staple foods, so even though Terry devoured most of the fruits while squatting on a tree, Hill didn't mind at all.

After all, Terry hadn't eaten many fruits and nuts from The North, and with these things at hand, the roadside inn Hill was preparing could start operating.

As long as people stayed, they would become interested in the Temple of Agleya.

In a place like Ferun, as long as it's not an Evil God, most people would show respect to any Deities they came across, even those they had never seen before.

But there are simply too many Deities in this world, and most people dare not guarantee that they recognize all of them.

In the afternoon when he returned home, Hill received many invitations in his mailbox.

He picked up a thick stack of letters and returned to the study with Terry.

Terry looked at the tall bookshelves on three sides in surprise, scratching his head, "Do you like reading so much? I brought some books with me this time. Except for the Dragon Spell Magic, I can copy the rest for you."

Hill nodded readily, "That would be the best. I've bought almost all the books available in Silvermoon City, except for those antique books."

"Human antique books are indeed of little use," Terry spread his hands, "unless they are made of gold."

Hill knew that Terry not only wanted to repay him for saving his life but also for the future Dragon Nest.

Therefore, he readily accepted everything from Terry; otherwise, for Terry, Hill's favor was too heavy.

Even as friends, one cannot owe the other too much. The pressure could make one feel they can no longer face their friend.

Seeing Hill accept so readily, Terry indeed seemed more at ease.

He leaned in to look at the invitations in Hill's hand, "Who is this from?"

"From the auction house," Hill smiled, "Harvest season is upon us, and they're holding a big autumn auction, inviting me to attend."

"Are you going?" Terry asked with interest, "What are they selling?"

"In autumn, of course, it's mainly specialties from various places," Hill dropped the invitation, "especially all kinds of spices that are worth more than gold."

Terry was stunned for a moment, then immediately lost interest as he had just come from Hill's farm and knew what was there.

Hill then came across several more invitations, all from Archmages who had been invited by Black Staff.

These were generally a wide net being cast, inviting any famous Archmages in Silvermoon City to a banquet, essentially announcing their presence in a new place and, of course, hoping to win over some people.

Although the main force of this exploration would definitely be the Archmages of Deepwater City, there were also many from Silvermoon City.

Hill directly tossed those invitations aside.

"Why didn't Black Staff invite you?" Terry asked curiously, "You're much stronger than these guys, aren't you?"

"The city they plan to explore must be related to Elves," Hill said with a cold laugh, "How dare they invite me? A Gold Elf with an obvious Elven Bloodline who is clearly a Nature Mage?

Everyone knows that Gold Elves who come out for trials will definitely have Protectors following them."

"You don't need protection, do you?" Terry asked straightforwardly, "Even your parents might not be as strong as you!"

Hill couldn't help but laugh, "There are still those stronger than me, elders from either side."

Terry was stunned, then immediately thought of his own parents, "That's true, your bloodline is obviously strong.

But you don't need protection for a Legendary! Just give you a means of escape."

It seems that this is how Giant Dragons treat their children.

Hill shook his head, "Elves are different, especially Gold Elves. If the younger generation is strong, they will send a Protector of a different Profession.

It doesn't necessarily have to be stronger than me but must be skilled at aiding an escape or quickly notifying the family for help.

With my level, who could kill me outright?

I could always hold out until help arrives.

Elves' methods of concealment are not necessarily fewer than those of the Shadow Walkers. As long as there is greenery, my Protector might be hiding there.

So the stronger I am, the more worried they become.

If I stayed any longer, Black Staff would likely come knocking on my door himself, as he understands Elf traditions very well."

In the last part, Hill spoke with deep implications. The father of Black Staff Kaelborn was a Half-Elf, but the branch he came from had fallen completely, making Kaelborn almost the sole heir.

So he is very aware that behind every traveling Gold Elf, there will be one or even several Protectors, the difference being only the family's capabilities.

Even though Hill did not have any, Black Staff wouldn't believe that.

As for Elaströ, she wouldn't tell anyone about Hill's true origins.

While Kaelborn is her brother-in-law, he is also a competitor of Silvermoon City, the City Lord of Deepwater City.

Hill's identity wasn't a matter of life and death, and that lady with many schemes wouldn't share it lightly. Besides, she wouldn't want someone to wrong Hill too grievously.

It may seem like he lacks support, but this mage's own abilities are very strong.

Even she wouldn't directly confront a deity, having seen the divine power of the saints in their saintly mode.

In the face of the mighty divine power in the starry sky, saints are indeed weak, but to them, it's still very strong.

She remembered the Goddess of Magic saying that her saintly form and faint divine power were about the same in strength.

That is to say, Hill's abilities are at least on par with a saint's, which is why he was so arrogant towards Valkin.

The most troublesome thing is that he is a half-elf, and that's the best reason for Coron to act.

The North used to belong to the elves, who knows if the Elven Pantheon won't intervene reluctantly.

Hill pondered for a long time why Elaströ acted as if he was non-existent. It was only later that he slowly unraveled these complexities.

He didn't lack understanding, but it took him a long time to comprehend.

Someone like Elaströ, however, would have set their attitude and arrangements for Hill almost as soon as they saw him.

Terry collapsed onto the floor in dismay, "That won't do, it'd be a shame if, after all our efforts, that crafty guy gets all the benefits."

Hill nodded and began to write a letter to Lynn, notifying him that he would soon head to the Undead Swamp and would send a message after getting settled.

Hill felt that, with his abilities, he should be able to establish a foothold in the Undead Swamp quickly; afterward, places like post offices would naturally be willing to come.

As long as the area is safe, these places wouldn't miss the chance to make money.

After some thought, Hill decided to go shop for another round of wine and fresh meat. It was only after getting things organized that he set off with Terry from Silvermoon City at dawn on the third day.

Hill made no attempt to hide his departure. Once outside the south of the city, he brought out his Alchemy Carriage.

Terry was very fond of the carriage and almost wanted to revert to his dragon form inside, but Hill decisively rejected the idea.

Hill planned to avoid traveling by water. Although he indeed had boats, they were all influenced by the Undead Tribe and were too unique for this world.

He decided to build a traditional multi-masted sailing ship once he reached the Undead Swamp.

The distance from Silvermoon City to the Undead Swamp was not short, and although Hill's carriage was fast, it was already dusk when he reached the main road that bordered the swamp.

"Eh?" Terry, who jumped out of the carriage first, said in surprise, "These undead are quite weak! Why are so many people afraid?"

"But there are a lot of them..." Hill stepped down from the carriage, also looking towards the swamp sea on the west side of the road.

It was not an evil entity, but still full of desolation and hatred.

The wind that blew carried their malice.

"What's your plan for dealing with this?" asked Terry, somewhat at a loss, "You can't completely obliterate them! They're also victims, and they haven't left their own territory.

Even if these undead and beasts are ugly and frightening, if they don't intend to harm you, you can't let their souls be destroyed!

If so many wronged spirits disperse, Ferun Great Land will curse you."

Hill smiled and nodded, "Don't worry! I'm not thinking of reclaiming this area right away.

We have plenty of time."

Hill didn't plan to intervene much; he chose the site for his camp on the east side of the road.

As evening approached, Hill and Terry found a suitable clearing and Hill activated the Maze Forest Array outright.

Terry looked curiously at the forest and stone maze walls that appeared instantly. He was somewhat eager to try.

Hill gave him a pass ring, "Wear it. This ring can automatically grow and shrink, and will hang on your claw when you transform into a dragon.

Don't challenge the maze. If you like, I'll construct a bigger one outside your chosen nest later, so you can play in it every day.

I still have tasks tonight."

Terry's gaze shifted, "I didn't intend to play. But now that you mention it, I might actually be interested."

Hill glanced at him, then looked up at the fog spreading from the west side of the road and frowned. He simply raised his hand and cast the Water Maze Lock toward that side.

The thick fog covered the road, and after a thought, Hill directed the Maze Lock to clear the space above the road.

He originally thought to modify the settings to allow people to enter from one side and then be sent directly to the other by the Maze Lock, making it easier for everyone.

But on second thought, he realized it might scare the passersby.

After all, this was the Undead Swamp.

"Yay, yay, yay?" After careful observation, Terry asked in astonishment, "Is this a Maze Lock? How did you manage that? No one has been able to make one since the fall of Mystrian!"

Hill raised the ring on his left hand, "With this, and my deep understanding of magic arrays...".

Terry looked at the plain silver ring, then with a delayed reaction replied, "Is that Mystrian's ring? But it doesn't feel like his power. I thought it was a Space Ring you made yourself!"

Hill was momentarily taken aback, then suddenly made use of the Luxury Mansion Art, gesturing for Terry to come inside, "First, let's rest inside. We'll check the specifics of the surroundings tomorrow morning."