Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 929: Chapter 725: What Is William Planning?

Hill didn’t even know if the Temporal Artifact would choose to stop those bone-diggers.

Previously, Hill might have thought that aiding Mirabar wasn’t as important as stopping Bane’s followers, but after realizing why the Temporal Artifact valued those dwarves so much, Hill changed his mind.

Although the necromancers regarded Mirabar as bait to attract Luskan’s defensive forces, to the Undead Tribe and Hill, this bait was what they truly desired.

Even if letting those necromancers escape didn’t matter.

So before the Undead Tribe became Mirabar’s saviors, they couldn’t take out the necromancers here first... otherwise, the threats to Mirabar’s safety would just flee directly, wouldn’t they?

Hill didn’t even mind letting them dig into the veins...

The Undead Tribe soon launched a second wave of frenzied attacks, and of course, there were some taking advantage of the situation to get online.

The half-orcs weren’t unprepared, but their goal was to make Luskan split its armies... so they feebly blocked, and the half-orcs on the mountains came down a bit too slowly, creating another vacuum on the battlefield.

However, this time, the attacking Undead Tribe circled around the city and soon returned from the Ice City on the eastern side... At some point, the Undead Tribe had opened a large door in the city wall made of solid ice.

The undead who took advantage of the situation didn’t return, but if they weren’t discovered, people would think all the departed undead had returned.

The half-orcs were a bit confused, so they stood watching from the mountains for a while.

This made it easy for the Undead Tribe to escort over a hundred dwarves into Luskan: except for a dozen female dwarves dressed as warriors and priests, the rest were all young children.

It seemed the young and female Mirabar Dwarves stayed to fight over there... That Crystal Dragon could probably still hold on, the dwarves hadn’t reached their limit yet.

Mirabar, a place full of tunnels, is just so defensible!

One dragon guards, and no army can pass.

The half-orcs realized a bit too late that a massive gap had appeared on Luskan’s solid city wall... This time, they couldn’t hold back any longer and quickly charged down from the tall mountains toward the Ice City to the east.

The undead who had escorted the dwarves into Luskan didn’t return to the city but formed an army outside, ready to engage the half-orcs in a head-on battle.

It seemed like they didn’t intend to repair this section of the city wall... Paladins on both sides were a bit restless, seemingly wanting to join the fight, but were blocked by the priestess girls holding hands and using their bodies to prevent them.

The undead on the city wall didn’t move, but those in the changing defense areas rushed eastward in large numbers, with some even jumping off the wall and running to the outside of the eastern wall, tidying their formations under the cover of already-positioned companions.

Is the Temporal Artifact planning to use Luskan as a cover for the battle over in Mirabar?

Hill glanced at the more intelligent half-orcs on the mountain... Seeing the sudden opportunity, these idle individuals seemed like they couldn’t hold back anymore.

The intelligence of half-orcs is normal, which doesn’t mean it’s adequate... just a bit more rational compared to those alchemical creations with no intellect at all... But that doesn’t mean they’re not impulsive or hotheaded.

So Hill noticed, there was movement among the high-level half-orcs sitting around the bonfire... The first wave of half-orcs entering Luskan could grab enough food and money; some half-orcs couldn’t resist such temptation.

They’re not overly impulsive, but clearly understand that this moment, before the Teraxil Elves have positioned, might be their only chance to rush into Luskan.

For these half-orcs, they don’t need to capture this city in front of them; as long as the alchemical half-orcs can make a gap in the Ice City’s defensive force, they can seize the opportunity, grab some loot, and run. In such a wealthy human city, even if they can’t make humans into reserve food, they should at least get enough food for these high-level half-orcs!

As for those alchemical creations under them... not even considered people, dragging the corpses of some peers before leaving would be enough food for them all winter.

It’s better than stupidly waiting here.

Standing in the air, looking at this impending massive battle, Hill couldn’t quite understand what the Temporal Artifact intended to do, suspecting that William might be commanding now... otherwise, the Artifact’s choices would always be the optimal solution, rather than this erratic behavior that lacked any discernible logic...

Hill pursed his lips; he didn’t want to admit his decision-making process was similar to the Temporal Artifact, so he turned his attention inside the city.

The little dwarves were directly arranged to stay in a mushroom house next to the Alchemy Hall.

Hill rested his chin on his hand, watching as the Temporal Artifact methodically arranged for a group of lovely little Loli Priests to enter the Mushroom House. It seemed like they intended to use the smiles and divine arts of their peers to comfort the frightened little dwarves.

No... no, this is more likely to let those dwarf women know that while dwarf priests could no longer use divine arts... the Teraxil Elves could still perform healing as usual.

And what the Mirabar Dwarves needed most was the power of strong healing.

The injury sustained by the Crystal Dragon during the Dragon Madness was not easy to heal: the gap between her and the Ancient Red Dragon, Klaus, was significant... not to mention Klaus was insane at that time.

With just a few priests from Mirabar, it was basically impossible to heal her injuries within a few years. They couldn’t even afford the metals and gemstones required to aid Celine Delagrost in her self-recovery.

And this time, defending the city while injured, Celine Delagrost’s injuries would undoubtedly be more severe.

For the Mirabar Dwarves, as long as the Lady of the Crystal Dragon was unharmed, even if they lost half of their number, it didn’t matter... their children could still live well under ”Dragon Mom’s” protection.

But if something happened to Celine Delagrost, or if she fell into a long slumber, it would be an unbearable burden for these dwarves.

They would be willing to pay any price to help the Lady of the Crystal Dragon recover her health.

The Temporal Artifact, or rather William, probably planned to wait for the Mirabar Dwarves to come seeking aid, rather than showing themselves as if they were requesting help from them.

Fortunately, most of them are little dwarves, and there’s nothing surprising about the Teraxil Elves showing concern for them... Elves naturally like younglings, even those of other races, and are willing to offer goodwill.

Hill knew that during this period, it was best not to appear in Luskan City... According to Toril’s traditions, as long as he showed up, all glory and merit would concentrate on him.

The Mirabar Dwarves would only see Hill as the benefactor, not the Teraxil Elves.

Hill did not intend to become the lifesaving benefactor of this group of dwarves... Dwarves are not really those simple and kind-hearted figures from legends, just a bit stubborn good Samaritans; they are very cunning.

Compared to the Teraxil Elves, who might leave at any time, they would certainly prefer to place the owed gratitude on Hill... even if this Archmage leaves Toril, his two territories won’t disappear, and one mayor is a well-connected Half-Elf named Lynn with the Mulan Elves, while the other is the famous Laila... and she can be associated with almost all the powerful forces in the North.

As long as they are connected to these two territories, even if it’s a debt of gratitude, it is advantageous... not everyone qualifies to offer tributes to Hill.

Hill had always been very indifferent, not intending to integrate his territories into Northern Ferun’s ecological environment. While he always repays enmity, he also doesn’t accept anyone’s goodwill.

The friendly relations initially established with Silvermoon City turned cold because Elaströ must align with Kelben in certain areas.

This is also why the Harpists are dissatisfied with the Supreme Lady... This organization that’s been around for thousands of years, still keeping its united appearance, owes much to Mystra being assassinated at a critical time.

The connection between the Harpists and the gods became less clear, leaving many Harpists at a loss, so they either went underground or temporarily followed their nominal leader: Storm Silverhand, one of the Northern Seven Sisters.

This lady, although also a Chosen of Mystra, does not readily compromise on many matters, being very averse to Kelben’s approach. But she couldn’t publicly oppose her Main God, so for years, she stayed introvertedly hidden in Shadow Valley.

In past years, these individuals would more likely listen to Elaströ’s will instead of directly returning to Storm... Though the Storm Lady is passionate and kind, a perfect mentor and inspirer, she stands more with the common people... and for rulers, the Storm Lady poses many challenges.

But in Toril, where civilians can only rely on protection from the powerful, most wise people opt for the more reasonable rulers.

Though the Storm Lady assassinated or violently subdued many tyrannical rulers... when she returned to Shadow Valley, the lives of civilians in those nations might improve only slightly on the surface.

Not to say that the lady did anything wrong, at least in the North, where most rulers would not drive civilians to utter desperation... and as long as civilians can live, they would not seek that terrifying lady in Shadow Valley for help.

However, due to these characteristics of the Storm Lady, most Harpists are more inclined to follow Elaströ, for her choices are more peaceful... and the gods who established the Harpist Alliance never intended to make their relations with human rulers so adversarial.

They still need faith.