Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill didn't pay attention to those who ran out of the inn and pointed at him above, crossing his arms as he doubted the meaning of life.

He definitely couldn't let the people from the Silver Shield Paladin Legion run this shopping street, meaning he would have to provide several shop cores and dedicated puppets for the stores and contemplate what goods to fill the shops with.

Although his purpose was to simplify things, he always ended up complicating matters due to overthinking.

Dissatisfied, Hill clicked his tongue before finally deciding to leave the matter to List, managing a Floating Castle was somewhat an underutilization of his talents.

He raised his hand and constructed a broad avenue in front of the shopping street that led straight to the labyrinth at the end, using long, narrow flower beds to separate the pedestrian paths.

Then he built three-story shops all around the perimeter.

As for residential houses, naturally, they were behind those shops.

Near the main road were several rows of one-and-a-half-story low houses with a small road partitioned in the middle, the rear part consisting of two-and-a-half-story buildings.

After thinking it through, he removed the shops in front of the alley and erected a large iron gate.

This was strictly a measure of caution against petty crooks rather than honorable men, but Hill truly relied on the Water Element Puzzle Lock.

He simply wished not to punish without teaching.

If someone still caused trouble after Hill had made such an obvious separation, they no longer had the right to complain to Hill.

Hill was entirely indifferent. He wouldn't mind if Tyr's priests or paladins held court in his domain.

That was sufficient. Hill had no desire to help others reestablish their life's aspirations. It was better to leave such matters to those who prided themselves as judges.

Though he built the simplest types of white stone houses found in Silvermoon City, they actually looked quite nice arranged in rows.

Hill nodded satisfactorily and turned back to the castle.

Terry crouched on the rooftop of the inn, watching the splendid display of magic.

Of course, as he slowly walked back to the tavern, he couldn't help thinking that these rudimentary stone houses were merely practice for Hill compared to the temples and Hill's Floating Castle.

Yet, for the people of Ferun Great Land, this was almost no different from a miracle.

He entered the tavern and saw a group of patrons who hesitated to speak to him, nonchalantly sitting behind the high stool at the bar.

Suddenly, Terry felt that revealing he was a dragon might not be so bad; the local lord wouldn't trouble him here, which was far better than being constantly questioned by a crowd.

These folks had never been so polite before, always probing about Hill's background and who was behind him, not understanding that some people could roam freely across the entire Ferun Great Land by their own power.

He just didn't know what those tin cans from Tyr were up to. Terry thought morosely, noting that Hill seemed to have a good relationship with them; he even welcomed those rigid-minded iron fists into his home.

If they started coming regularly, would his tavern go bankrupt?

Though Hill covered the costs, the thought of financial loss still pained Terry greatly.

A traditionally dressed ranger approached Terry, "Terry, that Nature Mage seems to be in good standing with the Justice Knights. Will it affect you here?"

Terry glanced at the emblem on the ranger's chest before slowly rising.

The Harpist's people, no wonder he dared to ask directly.

"Don't worry," Terry said slowly, "as long as you don't stir up trouble, Hill won't let the paladins set up Alignment Detection in the tavern.

And the folks from Tyr are only zealous, not insane. They're well aware of the situation here in The North. I suspect they're here for the Bhaal Temple relic.

Previously, with no one staying here, there wouldn't be any problems. Now, with so many people around, it's easy for some to be swayed by Baal, what would happen if the same thing as in Baldur's Gate occurs?

Anyway, Hill and I will not bother with those who foolishly seek their own deaths."

"Are you saying that Mr. Hill will allow Tyr's people into his territory?" The ranger tilted his head and asked again, "Can we Harpists come too?"

"What are you coming here for?" Terry, resting his chin in hand, said lazily. "Hill doesn't intend to build a force or make enemies, ah, except for Ambori of course.

If Ambori is smart enough not to attack Agleya, Hill might not even act against her."

The ranger put on a fake smile.

They both understood, with Ambori's intelligence, she would definitely come.

The divine light of Agleya was merely a Faint Divine Power; Ambori would never consider herself inferior to this New God.

But the locals here, who frequented the Holy Water, knew they weren't in the same league.

"This is a nice place," the ranger said earnestly, "and we think that he wouldn't dislike the followers of Merikay."

"Nonsense, Hill is a Nature Mage," Terry rolled his eyes. "You mean to say, the followers of Merikay won't cause trouble here, right?

What's the matter? In Neverwinter or Deepwater, did you guys start fighting over tree-cutting again?"

"Neverwinter." A merchant nearby chuckled and added, "Don't they love planting flowers? Some merchants cut down old flower trees that were almost useless and planned to plant more valuable ones, but just then, a druid from Merikay Temple happened to see it and nearly went mad.

In Neverwinter, not even Tyr could help him; he was directly expelled.

The Harpists don't want that guy coming here, do they? We better not; our goods include wood."

Terry's expression turned serious all of a sudden.

Just kidding, for many merchants in Neverwinter, Merikay's zealots are more troublesome than Tyr's.

They transport wood and fur from Luskan to the highway all year round; no one wants to face a crazy Merikay follower.

"No, of course not." The ranger frantically shook his head, "That guy was already ordered to stay in the Supreme Forest.

It's just his successor who is a bit problematic, and also not suitable to be sent to Neverwinter, and certainly not Deepwater City; we really fear major troubles.

It's the priests sent out by the Merikay Temple, always so unconventional."

"What person? A tree demon?" Terry slumped back in his high chair.

The people around looked at the ranger with excited eyes, if it were a tree demon, that'd be great; such creatures rarely appear outside the forests of Merikay Temple.

But with that refreshingly cool attire, beautiful pure appearance, and timid, pitiable character, many men of The North love these kinds because the real women raised in the icy, snowy landscape are all sufficiently tough and burly.

Just like the female warriors who are also drinking here, their sidelong, coldly sneering expressions and the huge axes beside them are enough to deter any man who'd attempt to flirt.

The female rangers are the same if you want to drink with them, you first have to get past the scimitars on the table.

Although just looking at a tree demon is all one can hope for, many people are willing, and some guys even claim to believe in Merikay just to gain entry into the temple and have a look.

The ranger knew very well what these people were thinking and flatly denied, "No, the tree demon is still okay since they won't leave the temple.

It's a female Wood Elf with a unicorn, who came out of the Supreme Forest, representing the Harpist Alliance."

"You guys are really in trouble! But why do we have to take on this big trouble? Just send her to Silvermoon City, right?" Terry finally understood what the Harpists were thinking; Hill's Gold Elves bloodline is very famous.

Even if he doesn't worship Merikay, he would still be more lenient towards a fellow elf.

"She is also one of those particularly devout followers, wanting to vie for believers for Merikay in a brand new parish," said the ranger, resignedly, "In our North, where do we have such a place?"

"Over here!" A bald Luskan giant yelled, "Luskan is always welcoming beauties."

"Don't cause trouble!" Terry scolded, then held back the enraged ranger. "Ignore him. The people from Tyr just came by, and they got scared, now they just want to vent their frustration.

I will ask Hill for you, but he may not agree.

Hill does not like trouble.

Moreover, although Agleya has settled down, she also needs believers!

If Hill disagrees, you guys can't blame us."

The ranger nodded in satisfaction, "I was really just seeing if Mr. Hill and the Just Knights could get along and wanted to ask.

Sigh!

Lately, there's been movement in all the major temples, God knows what's going to happen next."

Terry thought for a moment and felt that Hill probably also sensed something was going to happen, which is why he was so welcoming to the people from the Just Knights.

Then we might as well bring in more people. The more forces we have, the sturdier the lord's position, his mother was one to welcome anyone from the Kind Alignment into her domain to settle down.

The Kind God System also has competition, although not so evident, but most can manage not to embarrass their Main God in front of followers of other Deities.

Terry decided to ask Hill later that night, and also to finalize his own position at Dragon Nest. With outsiders coming, he had to stake out a good spot at Sword Mountain Range.

When he returned, he saw Hill lying indifferently on the sofa, talking to his Tower Spirit, List, while Agleya chipped in, giggling on the side.

"What's happened?" Terry asked curiously.

"Nothing," Hill sat up, "The shop next to the tavern, I've decided to open it myself. I have some very suitable store cores, similar to Tower Spirits, but more rigid."

Agleya added with a laugh, "List was discussing with Dad about what goods to place, Dad didn't want to deal with it, but unfortunately, he needed to make something."

Hill chuckled bitterly; List's suggestions reminded him that as a Nature Mage, of course, it made sense to sell medicines.

The third floor is a large library, but Alchemy Laboratory on the second floor could completely spare a space for an Alchemy Workshop.

But Hill must choose materials and techniques from the Toril World, it'd be best to use those he planted in Silvermoon City.

This is a big project, many places need remodeling.

Hill could only sigh; why did he always dig holes for himself!