Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 424: Chapter 223: Limited Time Decision, Money or Life?

Hill tugged at the corner of his mouth. It seemed the Undead Tribe who were in charge of delivering messages and assisting with sea monsters had all come to know about their intention to sneakily open his chest.

Latterly, Hill no longer allowed them to carry messages; instead, he switched to Uncle Adrian delivering goods. They probably all laughed about it for ages on the forum.

Speaking of which, Adrian now frequently had to visit that Crystal Palace to trade with the sea monsters.

Thus, his friendship with Young Master grew closer and closer.

Fran had even memorized what Young Master’s face looked like.

It wasn’t that there were no other Mages who went to trade with the sea monsters.

But although those crab Demigods might have a good relationship with Young Master, any Mage from this world who went there often got violently beaten up.

They would rather deal with Adrian, who had earned the recognition of the Demigod Sea Turtle, and ignore everyone else.

Of course, this was also because the ordinary items that the Undead Tribe provided were already enough.

And these were all fair trades. The first time the sea monsters saw the price list provided by the Undead Tribe, they were almost infuriated.

They wouldn’t care less about what ”rare goods are precious” means, or what ”slave trade” implies.

They understood why Adrian’s goods were expensive, but the prices for those low-rank products were almost as high as Adrian’s quotations for high-level Alchemical Utensils. To these sea monsters, it seemed as if they were being swindled.

So nowadays when the sea monsters needed anything, they had that group of crabs contact their good friend, Young Master and if Young Master couldn’t resolve it, they turned to Adrian.

Although Hill saw Adrian’s helpless smile, he could only watch expressionlessly, listening to the Perfect Bald speak blatant truths.

For the Undead Tribe, not tampering with the delivery packages was practically a monumental kindness to NPCs.

”These seeds are for Alice. I’ll also get her some everyday items,” Hill said as he took out a packet of seeds, placing it into the small chest in front of Baldy.

These were seeds of small shrubs and fruit trees, which were among the more successful of his experimental products.

Hill had thought of Alice when he decided to bring them out for experimentation.

With these seeds, Alice could enjoy her favorite fruits anytime and anywhere.

Then he thought for a moment and added some Emerald Butterfly seeds as well.

Considering Alice and Merkel would be active in the Dwarf Kingdom for a long time, it was best to be prepared.

He then put some items that would make Alice’s life more comfortable into the box, and Hill closed the small chest, satisfied.

In the past, unless there was something Alice particularly liked, her supplies were frequently updated.

But this time when she left, she only took those commonly used items with her.

Hill knew, in reality, this wasn’t a big deal; after all, those were Alchemy Products, which could be used for a very long time.

But he was just not happy about it.

Why should my mistress have to start from scratch and strive alongside a destitute king who doesn’t even have his own country?

Hmph, just thinking about it is annoying. I’ll go make a panther target when I get back.

Perfect Bald cheerfully walked away.

Adrian had already begun reviewing his City Lord controller.

Although he had let subordinates post the task, the fact that the Undead had seen it so quickly meant there was definitely no review process; it must have been directly taken over by William.

”The task was posted so quickly!” Adrian turned and looked at Hill, ”It seems our His Majesty the King understands very well how much this move will hurt the Dwarves! Indeed, the sooner, the better.”

Hill took the tablet, and William had added two more mines to it.

But Hill didn’t think the main purpose was the seeds at the end; rather, it was the raid at the beginning.

The two largest and most famous gold mines of the Dwarf Kingdom.

Hill blinked, realizing something.

William was using these two mines to divert the Dwarves’ attention.

Seeing whether the Dwarves would choose to protect the gold mines first or the copper iron mines.

Such a strategic deep strike!

If one did not know Hill’s upcoming move, most would protect the gold mines first, right?

They might even think the main targets of the Undead were these two large gold mines while other areas were just a smokescreen.

After all, the Undead’s pursuit of wealth was well-known.

In the future, as minerals become scarcer, these Dwarves, remembering this incident, will endlessly regret.

Choosing money over the ore that is the foundation of Dwarven survival, they would truly deserve a slap to their own faces.

And the hot-tempered Dwarf, prone to useless bickering among themselves, would inevitably end up fighting.

Hill awaited the day they would turn on each other.

Especially if the lower-class Dwarves start a rebellion, he would be even more delighted.

Fran curiously asked Hill, ”How did Alice know? Did she eavesdrop on the conversation of the Undead? Can she keep it hidden?”

”If the Spirit of Nature doesn’t want to be discovered, it won’t be, and the same goes for the Undead Tribe.” Hill replied indifferently, ”When Uncle Adrian caught her, it was because she was willing, probably because life was too tiring and she wanted a human to take care of her.”

”The Spirit of Nature usually only appears in legends. Apart from you, no one else would understand.” Adrian interjected, ”You don’t have the idea of letting people know about the various abilities of the Spirit of Nature, do you, Hill?”

”Of course,” Hill laughed, ”I can still imagine how evil humans can be. I don’t need to wager on the goodness or badness of human nature.”

”How did the Undead Tribe manage to capture your appearance at my Magic Tower?” Fran asked, perplexed, ”It was just for one second.”

”Weren’t they always watching from a distance?” Hill informed his grandfather, ”Though distant, their tablet could capture it. And generally, people who specifically go to record videos can manage to stay around the Magic Tower all day without leaving.”

”That’s like 5000 meters away!” Fran shook his head, ”The nearest few, I remember their tablet couldn’t capture from that far.”

”Didn’t you notice those little birds, Grandfather? They might be useless, but they are Magical Beasts!” Hill exclaimed with wide eyes, ”They must be Animal Friends specifically used for filming videos, always perching on that big tree about 1000 meters from the Magic Tower! They are also high-level Magical Beasts, capable of learning to use tablets.”

”I’ll remember to be more observant next time,” Fran paused for a moment, ”Nowadays, regardless of whether they are useful or not, Magical Beasts are not necessarily masterless, the Undead Tribe really has diverse tastes.”

In this world, no Professional would seek out those small red birds as animal companions for anything other than their agility and fast escape speeds.

Yet for the Undead Tribe, they are perfect.

Compared to purely combative Magical Beasts, many who prefer a more leisurely style enjoy such birds, which know only how to flee.

For them, the lives of these Magical Beasts are far more important than their own.

Not risking the lives of their pets due to a momentary oversight is truly ideal.

”They don’t need Magical Beasts to fight desperately for them,” Hill smiled cheerfully, ”Otherwise, why would Magical Beasts be so willing to sign Contracts with the Undead? They are not unintelligent and they possess keen instincts. Whether the people seeking Contracts with them genuinely want companionship, or merely want a fighter or a scapegoat, these creatures can feel it.”

Fran and Adrian understood Hill’s point, but it was an unsolvable issue that no one could resolve.

It’s not about race, to step forward and protect others, sacrificing oneself first, that’s heroism, even divine!

For the Undead Tribe, it’s a racial advantage, and no one can do anything about it.

Fran and Adrian exchanged glances, realizing they would have to be wary of all sorts of odd little Magical Beasts in the future, as the Undead Tribe might not necessarily bring back any Magical Beast they contract.

The variety of Magical Beasts in Hill Valley is countless, known only to Hill himself.

It wasn’t because Hill had a way to recognize whether those little red birds 1000 meters away had contracts or not. It was because he could detect the scent of his valley on the Magical Beasts that had stayed there. Hill’s perception was high enough to recognize this naturally.

This scent is a natural gift, telling others, which even Hill could not see, but Magical Beasts from the valley could sense.

”There’s nothing more here, let’s head back,” Fran said, glancing at Adrian, ”You don’t need to spare those nobles any face. They dare to probe because you’re too soft. Can’t kill them, but can’t you make them lie in bed for a few more years?

Just losing face means nothing. There are hardly any nobles who really care about face.”

Adrian pressed his lips together, struggling to suppress his laughter.

His teacher, rarely initiating trouble, was an exception.

”Don’t worry, teacher,” Adrian said with a smile in his eyes, ”The Young Master’s family promised to help me keep an eye on them. There will be plenty of opportunities to deal with those fellows. After all, I’ve just become the City Lord, and it’s best if everything is justified.”

Fran nodded in satisfaction, and with Hill trying to hold back his laughter, they quickly left.

Hill felt like he was being escorted out.

Fran solemnly escorted him straight back to the Magic Tower, not even letting Hill go to the town.

After ordering Hill not to leave for a short period, Fran quickly flew back home.

He still had many books to read!

This was the reward Draculus had given him for sending him off.

After seeing off his grandfather, Hill helplessly wandered around the valley, listening to List report recent conditions, and greeting various Magical Plants.

Though Magical Plants like to cluster, sometimes it’s too much of a hassle.

So he quickly packed the new sprouts into his pendant.

Hill specifically transplanted several fruit trees from the valley into his pendant.

He didn’t know when he would be called to the wilderness.

But he might as well prepare first!

In that place, apart from cedar trees, there were no other plants.

Hill had prepared some shade-loving plant seeds, but none of them were edible, or rather, they were not tasty.

Hill thought he might just grow some mushrooms.

Who could eat mushrooms as a regular snack!

Even if the bears liked to nibble on them, Hill couldn’t stand it.

”Spiral Pearls have been reacting strongly lately,” List reported at the end of his summary of recent territorial incomes.

”I haven’t done anything recently, have I?” Hill stood contemplating for a moment. He hadn’t done anything related to the Water Element recently, had he?

”Sir, these Spiral Pearls are only being fostered by you, they’re not that closely related to you,” List gently said.