Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill understood Lynn's thoughts; if all elves were like these guys, it would be better not to leave Eternity Island at all.

Otherwise, people like Black Staff, who completely look down on elves, would only become more numerous.

"You can take a look at the Crusaders who came out of Eternity Island," the landlady also understood but chose to throw cold water on the conversation, "you probably haven't been back home for about 100 years, have you? When you go back, you'll discover what it means to spoil someone into idiocy.

Elves have had a declining birth rate over the last hundred years; not even the stupidest child is spared a beating, creating a bunch of useless people."

Hill raised his hand, "Would I have the honor of sharing a drink with the beautiful lady?"

"Yaleni Ebaris." The tall and beautiful female shopkeeper sat down promptly, "I know you, Hill, the lord of Undead Swamp, right? And the other gentleman must be Sheriff Lynn from Quelva?"

"Yes," Hill waved over a female shop assistant who had been sneakily watching them, "What would the lady like to drink?"

"Just a glass of Eternity Spring Water would be fine, I don't like alcohol. And you don't need to treat me; this is my place anyway." Ebaris gestured to the shop assistant with a nod of her chin, and the moon elf girl immediately sprang away like a little deer.

She turned to glance at a few elves sneaking out, "The elves of Deepwater City are not like those from Silvermoon City; only these good-for-nothings who loaf around survive well.

In truth, they're just full of nonsense and dare not do anything else, they merely make your ears uncomfortable.

However, I also don't entertain beastmen or some of the rougher humans," said Ebaris, proudly tilting her chin, "It's my shop, I can certainly choose my customers."

Hill had long realized that this female elf, too, looked down on others based on status.

If she truly took issue with those elves' behavior, with her ability to move freely under Hill's magical pressure, she wouldn't allow them to act so recklessly.

Although the pressure from the fairy dragon helped her share some of the burden, she must be above level 17.

Elves are capricious, and Ebaris was aware of the issues with her and those elves' behavior, but she simply refused to change. Clearly, she despises Black Staff.

Probably, among those elves driven away by Black Staff, there were her old friends.

Hill soon stood up and bid her farewell, with Lynn silently following him.

After leaving the tavern, Lynn started walking briskly, and Hill could only keep up with his pace amidst the meanderings behind the Elf Stone Tavern.

The twisted alleys of Deepwater City were numerous, this one was particularly deep, and it had distinctly evident magical fluctuations. Hill followed behind Lynn, looking around cautiously.

This place seemed to be where many mages tested their spells; there were many peculiar magical scents and even some hidden small mechanisms.

Every so often, Hill had to reach out to reset the magical traps triggered by Lynn, incidentally gaining a level.

If any thieves or elves following them accidentally touched one, there could be a spectacular firework display.

Yes, despite knowing who Hill was— the moon elf landlady had made it clear without lowering her voice—still some of the elves had followed them.

Perhaps they thought the traps here were their own masterpieces, which is why they were so bold?

Hill did not know what they intended to do but decided to teach them a lesson first.

"Hill," Lynn finally calmed down and turned to look at Hill, "She didn't tell any truths, did she? She discriminates against humans and half-elves too; otherwise, those elves wouldn't be so skilled.

She recognized you! If she was capable, she should have expressed her disdain for half-elves! Why didn't she show her arrogance this time?

Her words are inconsistent, does she think we are fools?"

"The part about Black Staff was true," Hill smiled, "Considering her age, she probably grew up watching Black Staff. Being a bit stubborn is quite normal. Don't take it to heart with an old lady.

Clearly, for so long, including Black Staff himself, no one ever casually accused her of lying."

Lynn shook his head, "Although I have also lived outside for almost a hundred years, the crises encountered in Silvermoon City just required fighting hard, which is completely different from here in Deepwater.

They have too much drama here.

By the way, Hill. What is the Elf Forest in your world like? It must be wonderful! Given how outstanding you are!"

Hill was stunned; how should he respond? He only had an elven bloodline, he wasn't raised by elves.

Thank heavens, if he had lived in the Forest of the Elves, Hill would have run away long ago.

The entire saga of the Elven God King would be a joke when spoken aloud.

If the families in Ferun were blinded by past glory, the elves of Teraxil from top to bottom were barely reliable.

He gave an awkward smile, hesitatingly said, "Yes, it is indeed very powerful. But as for the Chaos System—you understand.

A life lived as one pleases, although it inevitably leads to severe beatings, it's still quite enjoyable at ordinary times.

Moreover, with Coron around, even the harshest beatings couldn't cause any dreadful consequences."

Lynn's lips twitched uncontrollably; this kind of talk, after hearing it, was utterly disheartening!

How is this any different from here in Ferun?

"Weren't the elves just badly beaten?"

"The two worlds are quite different," Hill thought before replying, "In our place, someone of Kelben's level wouldn't get a chance to slap an elf."

Contrary to this world, on the ground, humans and elves might get along well, but the deities in the starry sky could easily start fighting.

After all, with the Undead Tribe existing on the ground, neither humans nor elves had the inclination to stir trouble—it was too easy to get burned.

Suddenly, an explosion sounded from behind. Hill calmly turned to look.

"What did you do? Who was it?" Lynn asked sharply.

"This alley is probably frequented by mages; there are a lot of peculiar little traps," Hill said with a smile. "However, the damage isn't much, it's only prank-level.

I just added a little something; it might cause some serious injuries.

As for who, I'm not sure, whether elf or thief, it depends on who got too handsy."

"Let's leave Deepwater City sooner rather than later!" Lynn took a deep breath. "This place is no good for normal people."

Hill nodded, "We'll leave first thing tomorrow. Tonight, let's go see a play."

"Does Siren Theatre have any good plays?" Lynn perked up instantly.

"I caught a few lines yesterday at the auction; it seems to be the Goddess of Joy Lyril's traveling dance troupe." Hill used the Guide Technique and started leading the way.

"That's worth watching." Lynn was completely cheered up. "Siren Theatre usually has those private little plays put up by the nobles, which no decent person would go to watch.

And those occasional plays that satirize reality, honestly, humans enjoy those more. Sometimes we don't understand where the conflict lies."

Rather than worrying about the future of elves, he loved music more.

Hill felt that only at such times could one see the heartlessly carefree side of Lynn, which stemmed from his elven nature.

On the way to the theatre, Hill bought a lot of items. Lynn didn't understand why he acted like a tourist who loved shopping, but he could only accompany him in buying memorabilia everywhere.

The dinner was indeed delightful. Although it was just a small tavern, the beef roasted with sweet and sour sauce served with big slabs of white bread was delicious. When served, brandy was poured over the meat and set aflame; the flaming dish was brought to their table.

And it was inexpensive. Lynn adamantly refused to go back to those upscale restaurants.

At that small establishment, the two of them had a full meal for just five Gold Coins.

Lynn also dragged Hill to buy two sets of formal elven attire.

Although the two outfits totaled over a hundred Gold Coins, he insisted on paying the bill himself.

Hill smiled, accepting Lynn's implicit apology.

Even though Hill had retaliated, as the one who took him to the Elf Stone Tavern to dine, Lynn didn't feel great about it.

The dance troupe, made up of followers of the Goddess of Joy Lyril, and the conductors and musicians from the Deepwater City Music Association, put on a spectacular performance.

Though the dancers' attire was a bit Egyptian in style, the excellence of the dance was undeniable.

Every lift of a hand, every lift of a foot spoke of their love for life.

Hill sincerely wrote a letter of invitation from a lord to them; he truly hoped Agleya could see such passionate dancing.

The next morning, as Hill was checking out, the innkeeper's surprised and slightly flustered actions made Lynn frown.

It was only after they both got into a carriage and left Deepwater City that he quietly asked, "Was there something wrong with that innkeeper? Did I pick the wrong inn?"

"All the inns in Deepwater City are the same," Hill said indifferently. "As long as Kelben hasn't lost power, he'll find ways to watch us.

If it weren't for the thought that he might get in trouble later, Deepwater City would certainly be overturned, and many interesting things might disappear. I wouldn't choose this time to come to Deepwater.

Don't worry about it, whether it's Kelben or those who see the future clearly, none would ignore a powerful neighbor like me."

Finally understanding that Hill simply wanted to shop during the busiest time in Deepwater City, Lynn nodded and said, "I'll be staying with you for a while. The rangers in Quelva are now out in the wilderness waiting to pick up dragon eggs, and I'm certainly not going to run the inn and wait for trouble.

This dragon egg auction will definitely stir up the big players."

He looked up at Hill, "But, I want to stay in the inn below.

Your floating castle is fine for occasional stays, but being in mid-air for a long time, not in contact with the ground,

I feel I would definitely become uneasy."

"You're not a Druid," Hill couldn't help but retort.

But he knew that having Lynn, a bard like him, stay away from people, living in isolation for a long time, was indeed intolerable.

Hill readily agreed, but he also had a little request.