Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 885: Chapter 681: A Plotline Takes a Drastic Turn

Hill frowned, his judgment seemed to be wrong.

Was that purple-robed female mage really Elaströ’s daughter? He remembered Scarlsen, the mayor overthrown by warlords, after all, he was the backdrop of Elaströ’s great legend.

There was definitely no Mystra bloodline in him.

But... that girl’s eyes, he was sure he didn’t get it wrong.

Hill took out his painting materials and quietly copied a Black Eye portrait, even though it was only half a face.

But those large eyes that left a deep impression on Hill were drawn extremely vividly.

No illusion technique could fool Hill’s eyes; he wouldn’t be swayed by the distracting spells on the oil painting that confused people into forgetting the true face of Black Eye.

And now, no one can stop him from painting half a face, as Mystra is still asleep!

Hill again tried hard to recall that little girl’s face, trying to paint her lifelike.

...When the two paintings were placed together, those two pairs of eyes looked even more alike.

He tilted his head, quite some time had passed, and it seemed Lynn hadn’t left the castle yet.

Hill walked to the balcony and saw Lynn under the big tree in the front yard, teasing a group of white-throated birds.

The bard smiled while holding a special bird feed, and on the branches above stood over a dozen white-throated birds at varying heights. Only those who matched the person’s name, spell aura, and portrait could get the feed as a reward.

For the white-throated birds, this special feed containing the bard’s mana and knowledge was their only way to advance into messenger birds with magic, so they were all very enthusiastic.

Lynn seemed to be training new messengers.

Hill couldn’t help but laugh, it seems Lynn was already aware that his friend Emile Oxan was a bit unreliable.

Hill estimated Lynn would choose to ask this poet because the famous bard was more familiar with court figures of Elaströ, not because Emile Oxan and Lynn had an unbreakable relationship.

But at least they used to be good friends, otherwise, they wouldn’t have exchanged messenger auras.

This aura refers to a person’s mana fluctuation, not information that can be casually given to others.

When Lynn sent a note inquiring of this friend, he hadn’t realized how serious this matter was. After all, the Silver Palace of Elaströ had long been producing all sorts of intriguing and scandalous stories, which people from the Silvermoon Alliance were used to.

This bard told vivid and true stories, but didn’t mention a word about the lurking threats, or why Elaströ was slow to react, or why Thern could keep the position of head of Enchantment Academy.

Seeing such a reply, Lynn must have felt uneasy.

Lynn forgot that he was no longer a member of the Silvermoon Alliance, and the current Agleya City had become an object of vigilance for Silvermoon City.

One could say Emile Oxan still felt Silvermoon City was more important, so he chose loyalty over friendship, and Lynn was no longer someone he could talk to without reservations.

Lynn starting to retrain messengers was probably because he finally realized that past relationships had lost their meaning; some friends might no longer be friends, so he planned to rebuild his own information network.

Previously he didn’t feel this need because Miliel was constantly online and very willing to convey messages, which meant Lynn didn’t have to explore for information himself.

Hill silently watched Lynn, but there was one thing he had to ask his friend, and he could only interrupt his training plan: ”Lynn, there is something I want to ask you.”

”The content of this letter is true, but it probably only tells half the story.” Lynn sent off those little birds and quickly ran and jumped onto the balcony.

He said somewhat awkwardly, ”I... was a bit overconfident this time. I should have realized, the day Agleya University Town was established, my friends left in Silvermoon City might change.”

Seeing the trace of disappointment on Lynn’s face, Hill smiled to comfort him, ”It’s nothing much, just different stances. No matter how good the friends are, sometimes it can’t surpass their respective positions, being able to smile and chat about harmless gossip when meeting is already good enough.

Don’t overthink it.”

He patted Lynn’s shoulder, ”At least our positions can’t possibly conflict; our friendship will remain evergreen.”

Besides Miliel, Lynn probably believed in Coron, after all, he grew up in the Star Mountain Range.

And Hill, recognized as Coron’s descendant, unless he did something extremely heinous... no, even that wouldn’t result in being abandoned; it should be said that unless he was a fool like that son of the Dark Elf who wanted to kill Coron, there was no chance of angering Coron.

Lynn shook his head helplessly, ”In just a hundred years, the friendship between Elves and Humans is slipping from friendly to distant!”

Hill couldn’t help but laugh, ”What a joke! Unless Elves are always weaker or always stronger than Humans, how could these two races possibly always be harmonious.”

They both understood that if it were only Agleya, human forces wouldn’t display such vigilance, but with Elves emerging from Eternity Island, it was enough to stir up a storm in the North.

Not to mention the Teraxil Elves’ numbers and strength, along with their high demands for justice, made everyone aware of their deeds extremely cautious and fearful.

Although there were many Half-Elves in Silvermoon City... they absolutely wouldn’t want to see Elves rise again.

The Silvermoon Alliance under Elaströ’s leadership was the most powerful force in the North; if Elves wanted to re-establish their empire, their most direct competitor would be them.

Lynn sighed, then perked up to ask, ”So what do you want to know?”

Hill took out his copied Black Eye oil painting, ”Do you think these black eyes look like that little girl’s?”

Lynn looked carefully, then furrowed his brows in recollection, ”They do look very similar.”

Hill took out the portrait of the little girl again and placed the two oil paintings together: ”These two people, they obviously have a blood relationship, right?”

Lynn nodded dazedly: ”But... Sharol definitely doesn’t have the bloodline of Mystra.”

”So, who is the husband she chose?” Hill asked, resting his chin on his hand, ”Could it be that an Enchantment Master is willing to be a secret lover just for that bit of resource?

No... She might be after resources, but definitely not just for resources.

At the very least, this man must have something that attracts her besides resources. Otherwise, there are plenty of men capable of supporting her everywhere!

Someone like Xinenheim, a wise person, certainly knew what kind of person Sharol was, yet he still boldly went after her.

This makes me certain that, for this lady with deep scheming, this is a choice worth offending Elaströ.”

Lynn bowed his head and thought for a moment: ”I remember, his name is... Leopold Maxwell, a handsome Archmage with black hair and black eyes. Although he took over the auction house, he still doesn’t like dealing with outsiders.

Though he has a good business mind, he always issues commands, leaving it to those in charge to handle things.

He himself stays in his Magic Tower most of the year.

You should remember, it’s the spire next to the auction house in the Silvermoon City market.”

”The one close to the Tower of Sagacity?” Hill murmured, ”It’s where all the crest studies, genealogies, and maps of The North are stored, right?

I recall the Archmage in charge there is a follower of the Deity of Mages.”

”Though he’s black-eyed... he doesn’t resemble the one in the portrait,” Lynn replied evasively.

Hill sighed and said, ”Perhaps his surname should be Azuth?”

Lynn’s mouth twitched: ”The Deity of Mages has always been outstanding in strategy...

He always acts meticulously, capable of foreseeing decades ahead.

Enough... There’s no need to speak of him so highly.

Azuth is truly formidable!

I even thought he actually accepted being sidelined!”

During the period when the former Mystra was a Black Eye Mage, if genuinely willing to have a child with someone, it would only be Azuth.

Both were mere mortals then, and any child they bore wouldn’t be a Demigod.

Though their souls were strong, they remained human.

However, with their genes... their child would surely be an outstanding Arcanist.

It’s just unknown how many generations this lineage has continued.

From the appearance of this Archmage Maxwell, when Kelben began his turmoil due to the prophecy and Midnight’s favor, Azuth’s preparations were already set.

Truly a cunning strategist, capable of making rivals into his subordinates!

Lynn couldn’t help but shiver.

Hill regretfully said, ”Too bad, fate is not on Azuth.”

Lynn nodded: Who knew, Sharol gave birth to a daughter with eyes identical to the Black Eyes!

Quite a few in Silvermoon City have seen those eyes.

Elaströ certainly won’t do anything to this father and daughter duo; her ties with the former Mystra were profoundly deep, and she was also good friends with Azuth.

But others might not see it the same way.

Judging by the eruption of this incident, before being taken down by Cyric, Midnight was making efforts to suppress Azuth!

”No wonder Sharol plans to leave the Ferun Great Land with her daughter,” Lynn pondered aloud, ”Does Kelben know about this?”

The two shared a glance; Kelben, as Midnight’s top vanguard, surely wouldn’t be unaware.

Even those making moves might have been under his command, such as those delaying Elaströ’s return to handle the situation... likely Kelben’s doing.

There are very few in The North who can cause hesitation in the Supreme Lady, even fewer who can oppose her.

This certainly makes things more interesting!

Do the Tablets of Fate know what kind of body they chose for Midnight?

It’s known that Midnight’s memory wouldn’t recover so soon, and if Mage Maxwell informed his daughter of some matters before leaving Silvermoon City, then this girl would surely be filled with hatred.

She’d hardly be inclined to consider romance with Kelben’s family!

Could it be that this darn tablet desires a grand drama of intricate animosity?