Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 392: Chapter 191 The Peach Blossom’s Lament, Grieving the Loss of a Beloved Cat

Merkel had spent this time accompanying Alice around the camp, exploring everywhere.

There were many things that the leopard from the countryside had never understood before.

Even with a powerful legacy and outstanding intelligence, without having seen the real world, Merkel realized there was indeed much he did not understand.

Just like how he used to think that people from the Noble Temple should be extremely cautious in Saral’s camp.

Not to mention the enmity between the God of Time and Space and the God of Nobility, even the current Pope of the Noble Church initially wanted more than just William’s throne; he wanted his life.

Yet they managed to coexist quite peacefully.

Though they were not friends, they weren’t at each other’s throats either.

And, no matter how you looked at it, at least half of the Noble Temple’s devout followers had turned into demons.

Shouldn’t humans despise them?

But whether it was Pope Dionysio, the Cardinals, or even their subordinates, all had the freedom to move about the camp, to come and go as they pleased, even to visit William’s King’s Ship without issue.

Even Hill, Nature’s Darling, never stopped these people who were almost led astray by evil from resting within his Forest Array.

After much contemplation, Merkel finally understood. To humans, the God of Nobility had already paid a heavy price for his mistakes.

In the eyes of humans, the past mistakes of the God of Nobility, though significant, were somehow forgivable.

Even though he also brought so much suffering to humans, even though the beast tides that had claimed countless lives over the years were related to him, humans still remembered the contributions of the God of Nobility.

Or perhaps, in the eyes of humans, magical beasts were inherently enemies.

They just needed an excuse to expand their territories, and would have to battle magical beasts sooner or later.

The lands of humans were built upon the sacrifice of magical beasts who had to reluctantly give up their homes.

Just like Fran, if he wanted his territory, Merkel would only have to withdraw.

But in Merkel’s view, if a powerful magical beast came knocking, he would probably lose his life as well, so he never cared about such things.

Merkel looked up at the Tiny Divine Kingdom of the God of Nobility in the starry sky.

Probably after accommodating those unlucky dead followers, there wasn’t much space left.

Thus, the Divine Kingdom of the Goddess of Love was almost connected to what once was the Divine Kingdom of the God of Nobility.

It was likely helping to support it.

Merkel finally understood why Silver Wolf, upon ascending to the starry sky, showed such indifference to humans.

To humans, the fault of the God of Nobility was not in failing to control the situation that allowed the spring water to pull demons into this world, but not in killing the Wolf God.

Merkel asked Hill quietly, ”If I too reach the stage of the Wolf God, and find myself ensnared by their schemes like this, would you just stand by and watch indifferently? No matter how good our relationship is.”

Alice instantly became tense, looking back and forth between Merkel and Hill.

Without hesitation, Hill said, ”The Wolf God, back then, longed for a world where magical beasts reigned supreme.

He dreamed that after ascending to godhood, he would unify the wilderness and then conquer the entire world.

So, even the elves and the dwarves didn’t spare him.

Let alone humans, who were the direct targets.

His fate was determinate from the start.

No one expected that the spring water would bring demons directly into the whole world.

The last stand of the Wolf God and his subordinates was indeed tragic and magnificent.

But if they had succeeded, imagine the fate of humans. You’re so intelligent, Merkel, you should be able to guess.

So!

If Merkel establishes a Beast Kingdom intent on eliminating all human nations, not actively seeking to kill you would be my final tribute to our friendship.

But I will never come to save you.

The moment you decide to annihilate humans, our relationship ends because you have given it up.”

Listening to Hill’s candid words, looking into his resolute eyes,

Merkel nodded and made a promise, ”At least, as long as Hill is in this world, my kingdom will not harbor hostility towards humans.

I’m different from Silver Wolf; I hold no grudge against humans.

The victor becoming king is a principle upheld by magical beasts.

But if any human seeks to intrude upon my territory and kill magical beasts,

I will not let them off.

It’s out of the question to act like humans and attempt expulsion.”

Hill said unconcernedly, ”Every race has its fools. What’s wrong with retaliation? As long as you keep to your word, Merkel, we will be friends forever.”

Alice, gripping her claws and sounding grieving, said, ”Is Merkel going to leave?”

”My soul tells me I can’t keep living idly like this.

Alice, I have my mission.

My blood has already ignited; if I don’t start now, it’ll be too late.

The Great Earth Beast does not wish to lose to those of the Silvermoon System again.”

He glanced at Hill, ”I’ve always been puzzled over what that impulsive feeling in my soul wants me to do.

I’ve always felt that there’s no rush for magical beasts to flaunt their strength while humans are so powerful.

Let humans fight amongst themselves first!

Humans certainly can’t remain united forever, they’re bound to turn on one another eventually.

That was the opportunity for me to go out and establish my power.

But the urgent behavior of the wolf pack during this time has inspired me.

This world needs strong magical beasts of the Earth System.

Even if they end up like the Wolf God, who failed, they are still useful to our land.

Then I must do it.

Even if I fail, I’ll be willing!

I am going to gather Earth System magical beasts that are willing to follow my command, and together we will attack the Dwarf Kingdom.

My soul tells me, this is the best path for me.”

He glanced at Alice and gently touched her head with one of his front paws, ”If you hadn’t awakened this special life-saving ability, even if it were legendary, I would not be saying this.

But now, can I invite Miss Alice to stay by my side forever?

Until my kingdom is secure,” Merkel said with a hint of shyness on his face, ”I hope you can become my Consort Queen.

I am willing to share all my glories with you.”

Hill, who got smacked in the face with the cold dog food, scooped up Alice without hesitation and held her tightly in his arms, ”No! Impossible! You go by yourself! Go, and the farther, the better!”

Alice, however, excitedly wrestled Hill’s arm away, stood on Hill’s knee, and her blue eyes seemed to twinkle with starlight, ”Really? Does Merkel really want to take me with him?

Even if I can’t do anything!

Even if I absolutely won’t, won’t hurt someone to help you!

You still want to take me?”

”Alice just needs to wait for my triumphant return!” Merkel exclaimed spiritedly, ”Seeing Alice, I’ll be happy no matter how badly I’m injured!”

”It’s alright, Hill will give me good things, I’ll use them for you!” Alice meowed happily.

”No! You! Can’t!” Hill shouted furiously, his voice echoing through the entire camp’s sky, drawing the attention of many in the endless night.

Fran already stood by the study window, his brow furrowed, looking up in this direction.

He did not know what had happened, but it was clear it wasn’t anything serious.

Hill was just emotionally agitated, but he did not start a fight.

Adrian quickly flew up.

”Hill? What’s the matter?” He landed hurriedly on the lawn, looking at Hill who was rarely so angry.

Hill said nothing, he didn’t want to voice the annoying matter himself.

Merkel quietly said, ”I proposed to Alice.

Alice accepted.”

Even as Hill looked furious, with his eyes seemingly ready to kill, Merkel’s voice still overflowed with joy.

Alice meowed in agreement, her happiness clearly evident.

Hill slumped to one side.

No amount of opposition could withstand Alice’s joy, which was so obvious, the silly cat nearly leaped onto Merkel.

Hill, filled with helplessness, let Alice go, watching the two cats cuddle up together, grooming each other’s fur.

The black leopard and the white cat, relying closely on each other, looked especially harmonious.

He still couldn’t help sighing deeply, covering his face.

Hill really always thought the two were just friends!

Cats and leopards, talking about love?

Oh right, Alice actually isn’t a cat.

Hill’s thoughts were chaotic from the thunderous revelation.

So, this is a story about a top student tutoring a dunce every day, and when the dunce succeeds, she’s taken back to the nest?

Merkel always had a plan in mind, but judging by Alice’s reaction, she, though naive to the point of being silly, had her own thoughts early on.

Only Hill, he hadn’t noticed anything!

If he had known earlier, why would Hill suffer the agony? He wouldn’t have made Alice work hard at her cultivation every day.

Had she not become legendary, Merkel wouldn’t have dared to ask Alice to go with him, no matter how courageous he was!

And why would Alice fancy a leopard who wanted to be a king?

Wouldn’t a son-in-law be better?

Adrian walked to the edge of the ship first, waving to his teacher who stood looking out the distant window, signaling that nothing was wrong.

Then he consoled his younger relative who was acting like an old father at such a young age, ”It’s inevitable, raising a girl, sooner or later she will run off with someone! As long as you can control the son-in-law, it’s fine.”

Adrian was a bit taken aback, the current scene felt somewhat like the past.

He couldn’t suppress the gossip bubbling up inside him and still said, ”Think of your grandfather, my poor teacher! He had it much worse than you back in the days! Compared to the Earl, Merkel hardly has any flaws.”

Hill, covering his face in misery, paused, peering out through his fingers, ”Uncle Adrian, have you become less busy recently? Grandfather couldn’t possibly not hear your words! I haven’t activated the Soundproof Array.”

He was just full of resentment, having raised such a well-cared-for cat, putting in so much effort, only for someone else to take her away.

Moreover, she behaved like a missy smitten with love, willing to start from scratch with a poor guy, and making Hill, the old father, pay a hefty dowry.

Hill hoped that Alice would know some shame.

But he didn’t expect Adrian to be unlucky for a few more months just to comfort him.