Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill flew directly to Terry's dragon nest.

Although the structure's pointed apex was already prone to attracting lightning, he still hoped to add some enhancements.

It would be best if all the thunder in his territory could be drawn here, what his land needed now was stability.

Of course, if he could also attract the thunder from the south, that would be even better.

He installed the assembled 'lightning rod' at the top of the triangular roof, using a metal alloy mixed with Thunder Crystal Powder, the material most prone to attracting lightning.

When he first built this metal structure, Hill had already installed a grounding device with a downline box, but he had not anticipated how useful it would be this particular year.

Unless it was an endless storm, the thunder near the swamp would mostly be drawn to this highest peak.

But as a miracle caused by the Nine-Faced Dragon God Eo, this year's super lightning days would only increase.

Hill did not want his territory to witness battles between the Egg Seekers and the Giant Dragons, which would be painful for Terry.

Even if the dragons were Chromatic Dragons.

Hill could not understand why those people thought that a Golden Dragon wouldn't protect the eggs of a Chromatic Dragon, or even allow them to be sold.

Could humans really feel it normal when they see children of another race being sold by others?

Even the most villainous person might show mercy for the sake of their young, let alone inherently kind beings.

Hill looked at the long metal rod he had assembled on the triangular roof, and turned to the tall man who appeared behind him.

"Mr. Hill, nice to meet you for the first time," said the handsome man dressed in metal armor and dressed like a Swordsman with a smile, "I am Terry's father, Diszedroten Silverywing. I've actually been wanting to meet you, but unfortunately Terry thinks I should not be seen." "He sure is having fun every day, but I just have to stay here and tidy up his room."

Hill had always known there was a dragon in Terry's house, but he hadn't expected Silverywing to come himself.

"Hello, Mr. Silverywing, I've heard much about you. If it's you, of course you can move freely in the territory," Hill smiled, "Terry must be worried..."

"Worried that I would figure out how much money he makes in a day!" said the Silver Dragon with a cold sneer that carried a hint of disdain, "It would take him another few hundred years of saving his liquor money to interest me."

Hill wouldn't seriously argue with a Giant Dragon about this, as he preferred to remain silent, especially given Silverywing's tone, suggesting that if Terry really saved up the money, he might be inclined to take interest.

"Mr. Hill, I think you know why I've come out," Silverywing quickly got to the point, "Terry notified me and his mother that his house attracts a lot of thunder, obtaining several dragon eggs in one go.

So, both Vila and I came to see for ourselves.

It must be the pure metal spires attracting the lightning, right?

Vila has already informed our kindred to equip their nests with metal spires too.

Even in ordinary years, there's quite a lot of thunder here in the Undead Swamp.

Situated right between Neverwinter and Deepwater City.

If there are as many dragon eggs next time, Terry won't have the capability to keep them safe.

It wouldn't be appropriate to leave the responsibility of guarding the dragon eggs to Mr. Hill, as that would be a disgrace for the Giant Dragons."

Hill saw a smile on Silverywing's face, but his expression was serious.

The Giant Dragons, seemed to have finally awakened from their once invincible state, understanding why the Platinum Dragon God had sought a compromise with the deities of the Forces of Justice.

Although it indeed resulted in some newborn dragons becoming the future mounts of paladins, at least the Metal Dragons' youngsters were safe.

However greedy the humans were, the eggs of Metal Dragons would not end up on auction blocks, which would be a provocation to the deities of the Kind Alignment committed to protect their descendants under divine decrees.

No temple, no matter its allegiance, would want to confront the zealots fighting for the dignity of their deities.

Given the lifespan of a Giant Dragon, if their accompanying Paladin wasn't capable enough, they would be free in a few hundred years anyway.

If the follower could ascend to a rank higher than a Demigod, what would a thousand or even ten thousand years matter? Many Dragon might long for that!

Certainly better than the Chromatic Dragons.

They can hardly manage their own eggs, let alone protect such celestial gifts.

Even if they felt disgraced, it's the Chromatic Dragons of Deepwater City who couldn't show their faces.

Dragons from other places would probably mock them.

After all, except for the powerful Lord of the Black Staff in Deepwater City, no other place would have such a powerful being disfavoring Giant Dragons.

Actions behind closed doors are another matter entirely.

Just like the Blue and Green Dragons who had no choice but to leave quietly in the past, both were Ancient Dragons, yet they had to watch helplessly.

They didn't even have the courage to act.

The Black Staff could truly kill them.

Metal Dragons might work together, and may give their lives to protect their descendants, but doing so to guard a Chromatic Dragon's Dragon Egg is virtually impossible.

Thus, the Silvermoon Dragon Queen could only secretly take a glance.

In the world of Toril, there are too many madmen.

Those who speak reasonably often end up at a disadvantage.

Of course, if you have enough strength to knock down your opponent first and then speak reasonably with him, then there's no problem.

Hill could feel the suppressed anger within Silverywing's heart.

Indeed, he was one of the friendliest giant dragons toward humans. Velara Malendith had him stay with Hill to prevent him from following the old path of despair due to his friendship with humans like the Silver Dragons had.

Long ago, there was an odd prophecy claiming that this 'Benevolent Dragon' of the North, through his selfless loyalty to his Dragon Queen and the friendships formed with humans in the North, would bring himself misfortune in the end.

Of course, that was Elminster's saying.

But upon hearing the prophecy, Silverywing felt that falling while striking evil and protecting his most precious existence was a proud destiny.

However, he probably hadn't anticipated that before that, he first needed to scrutinize his own friendship with his human friends.

Hill smiled at the mighty Silver Dragon, "Silverywing."

"Actually, I am also Terry." Silverywing interjected, "It's a pity that name was used by that foolish child. By the time he grows up and discovers his true name, that name can still be given to his son."

Hill fell silent for a second. He surely couldn't call Silverywing 'Old Terry', could he? He didn't want their friendship to morph into hostility.

"So, Silverywing," it seems this Silver Dragon dislikes being called 'Mister', "this is something I and some outsiders from my original world learned when they had a bit of disharmony with a Thunder Element Deity, and specially created this to avert lightning."

"Avert... lightning?" Silverywing was puzzled at first, then soon had an epiphany, quickly understanding why a lightning averter had become a lightning attractor.

"I've also found more suitable materials, although they are a bit expensive, but at least they can keep my territory trouble-free. If it's too troublesome, pure steel also works well.

If you like, you can make one yourself. The structure is actually quite simple," Hill explained.

This thing is easy to learn, but the materials depend on who is willing to spare them and who isn't.

But even if just made of pure iron rods, if the place isn't too large, it's enough for these giant dragons.

Silverywing's eyes glowed brightly.

He apologized to Hill and then, very interestedly, jumped onto the roof to observe the long metal rod.

Based on Terry's daily behavior, Hill could tell that letting dragons chase after thunder every day would likely drive them insane in a few months.

Hill greeted Silverywing, who was about to press his face against the 'Lightning Rod', cautioning him not to stand on the roof when the lightning was drawn down, and then went home.

The structure of the Lightning Rod was simple, and Silverywing, being a master at creating magical items, could easily understand it without Hill's explanation.

What was now concerning him were the mages from Neverwinter flying in.

Mages of various levels kept flying in from Neverwinter, whereas not even trade caravans had appeared from Deepwater City.

News really travels fast!

Hill stood on the terrace, looking towards where the Harpists were stationed.

These guys truly lived up to their reputation as the most responsive group in the North, and they transmitted messages quickly.

They certainly could see whom Hill was targeting, so they promptly notified the mages of Neverwinter.

When Black Staff Kelben wanted to leave Harpists and even tarnished the leaders of Harpists by claiming that they were more unfair, he probably never expected that one day, he would face such retaliation.

Indeed, everyone had to consider the face of the Goddess of Magic, the bonds formed in the past, and even Elaströ's face. They wouldn't hold a grudge against you, Kelben.

But if it's just a few words, adding a little trouble, who wouldn't be tempted to do it?

Before Kelben left, those Harpist scouts, mainly Bards and Rangers, had always concealed their identities, being one of the best spy organizations in Toril.

Only after the Archmage set up his 'Moonstars' organization, and even cooperated with the Church of Bane, did these exposed Harpists become somewhat of an organization known to the public.

Especially many of the Harper Masters, everything they learned was for gathering information, but now they could only use those skills for news reporting.

Sometimes, Hill could understand why the current Mystra ended up so unlucky.

Just a Black Staff was enough to alienate her allies.

The other deities of the Harper Alliance, due to this ambitious Mage Lord, also had some dissatisfaction with her.

But she was completely oblivious.

She seemed to think that as long as she remained in the Forces of Justice, no one would think she was the mastermind behind all of Black Staff's actions.

Hill thought her naiveté was frightening.

The child of Black Staff and Laila, naturally her follower, was deemed the future Lord of the North. Who else would think she was really so innocent?

Of course, it wasn't until her real fall that everyone realized, she truly was silly.