Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1239: Chapter 1030: The God of Battle’s Doubts and Joys

The treasure-hunting frenzy in Icewind Valley lasted for a full seven days.

But besides having the wealthy of the towns buy out all the stock at high prices... the Northerners, who grew up in the icy and snowy regions, were very clear-headed. They’re accustomed to using force and are not interested in a Naish scroll that brings nothing but trouble.

After all, not many Northerners are literate, let alone understand a mage’s exclusive divine artifact.

Of course, anywhere there’s greed overcoming reason, but while the Undead Tribe would not easily deal with an ordinary person, the caravans from the South and the high-level mages who flew over from the Ferun Great Land had no such patience.

They wouldn’t rob anyone by force, but they have countless ways to make these people open their doors willingly.

If it wasn’t clear that the Undead Tribe dislikes bandit behavior, and with the War God’s family on the nearby mountains, these newcomers wouldn’t behave so well.

But in the obvious absence of the Naish scroll, even if they arrived late and found fewer good items, they could tolerate it.

After all, as long as the Undead Tribe identified something as a strange object after they bought it, they’d mark up the price outside to sell... These elves seem to be able to appraise items, although their level is not high, and their judgments on the value of these strange objects are rather rough.

Yet, their way of selling things is also strange and leaves no room for bargaining.

But... even though the prices are high, there is basically no profit margin. At most, it covers travel expenses when resold.

For most people, especially those caravans... having come all the way here, it’s only right to leave with something that’s sure to sell, and most strange objects are small enough to carry in your arms.

This means less danger on the road.

Mages care even less; useful items are purchased anywhere regardless, and there’s rarely anything cheap anyhow.

They’re just always curious whether the Undead Tribe could see the value of these warehouse leftovers before buying them... It seems like a racial talent rather than a skill learned later.

After all... there are so many tin-can stalls selling things!

The Undead Tribe didn’t realize they were being led on, and William, that guy, wouldn’t let them use appraisal magic on things that weren’t theirs.

They are also playing blind boxes, okay?

But... blind boxes are really fun! Just too few of them.

Such large towns of the Ten Cities, the public and private warehouses didn’t even last half a day!

William, that guy, always loves playing these limited-time tricks. Just when it gets exciting, it ends.

What a pity... if anyone could pick something of high enough value, it would cause a sensation worldwide!

Something bought for 10 gold and finally sold to an NPC for thousands or even tens of thousands of gold; who wouldn’t want to play such an exciting game?

It’s all about the observation skills on a variety of items, isn’t it?

Competent people picking about 10 items, even if they can’t make a big profit, wouldn’t lose money!

Damned William, curse him to marry Shaer and have a daughter like Celene!

Fortunately, some people dug around mouse holes and found some strange little things... A small ring that helps with climbing and jumping~ A junior dimension bag measuring 1 cubic meter in size, with a weight of 15 pounds and can hold up to 250 pounds of content~ They seem to be things those specific professions, easily killed people, hid inside.

Although they’re of no use to the Undead Tribe, since theirs are better, they could surely sell for at least 2,000 gold! Clean and undamaged ones could even go for 2,200 gold!

It’s a business with no cost... truly thrilling!

Most of the Undead Tribe think that those white dragons... as long as their feet hit the ground, they always want to collect a toll, and this mindset is understandable, hehe~

Moreover, with the prices measured by the system’s recycling value and backed by Hill’s shop, of course, the Undead Tribe is confident... They made them sacrifice playtime to set up stalls, so there has to be a satisfactory price!

Otherwise, they might as well throw everything to Hill’s place!

Instead, those natives of Ten Towns of Icewind, who always looked at them like madmen, have now also started digging mouse holes like the Undead Tribe.

Sadly... hehe, they can only try their luck on the Ice Plain outside.

Heh heh~ The Undead Tribe sets out, leaving no grass behind!

Watching with pride as the Northerners dig nearly to Tampas’s feet, the Undead Tribe, though a bit disappointed for not finding the very valuable Naish scroll... The Old Dog’s ideas were recognized by those NPCs!

Especially seeing young Edna, who grew up before their eyes, discussing with the Snow Old Dog why they didn’t place the library in Hidden Town... After all, mages who can afford reading fees can fly, so there’s no need to consider transportation for them.

Tampas stands high on the mountain, arms crossed, observing the little girl named Edna.

He considers Luskan and Hidden Town as his neighboring mountains, and he’s quite familiar with this little girl... Of course, the previous focus was on the mage master recognized by the White Dragon Queen Elvia.

He really didn’t feel Edna had any resemblance to Midnight... except for a high talent in spells and somewhat stubborn character.

But, that’s nothing special, given that it’s normal for the descendants of Azuth and Black Eye to have high talent.

As for stubbornness... how many mages aren’t stubborn?

He glanced into the distance, the carriage of Manks arrived only half a day later than Edna’s. The black-haired junior mage was strolling among the short and sparse bushes and pine trees of the small town.

It seems... at least this one knows that the Nyscroll can be hidden as tree branches.

But, Tampas still felt, that if there really was a Mystra between these two, it could only be Edna.

By the nature of that Lady Midnight, even if she lost most of her soul, she would not cooperate with evil forces... that hatred stems from a deep-rooted aversion to the Three Gods of Death and Cyric.

This is also why she cannot accept the evil mage.

Tampas felt that she blamed all the misfortunes of her life on evil... actually, it’s not entirely wrong because the turmoil during the Years of Turmoil was because evil dominated Toril.

Did Milko, that madman, grow so powerful because mortals were overly fearful of death that might come at any time?

People fear most not what they cannot see.

But seeing it clearly and choosing not to change, knowing they must compromise, yet entirely refusing to do so.

Gambling one’s life with a cunning old fox like AO... tsk tsk, did you lose the gamble?

Tampas shook his head, brushing away that uncomfortable feeling. He always had a good sense of self-awareness and would never risk his life carelessly.

So, upon realizing what AO wanted, he promptly and proactively brought his children along... who knows how much effort Karagos, that waste, exerted to think of cooperating with Talos!

After all, it’s not easy for his followers to mix into the higher echelons of that little wretched temple of Karagos. He must be careful, not to expose those loyal children.

He glanced again at Edna surrounded by the Undead Tribe... that little girl was fantasizing about how prosperous her future Hidden Town with a great Nyscroll library would be... tsk, still doesn’t seem right.

Then why were Shaer, Celene, and also Lansendel so focused on her?

Tampas didn’t think there was anything worthwhile enough for those three to gather together to watch... except for Mystra.

Tampas always felt something was off with Edna, but he couldn’t figure it out for the moment.

A little bit of a head-scratcher!

”Father,” the Red Knight asked curiously behind him, ”what’s bothering you?”

”Nothing! I’m watching the Undead Tribe; it’s really interesting.” Tampas didn’t want his daughter to overly concern herself with the Path of Destiny... the strategically minded Red Knight loved solving mysteries.

But such matters get problematic the more you get involved.

Let someone like Usga, with thick skin, be. They won’t fall completely too easily, and after a few hundred years, they’ll return anyway. As long as he’s around, barbarian followers wouldn’t abandon Usga too soon.

My pretty and adorable daughter can’t be unlucky... although I’ll definitely strive to resurrect her, but floating around the murky Stellar Realm for several years would be uncomfortable!

The War God, completely unaware of how much of a double standard his thoughts were, smiled at his precious daughter and said, ”Isn’t it fun to fight with them?”

”Yes!” the Red Knight said happily, ”They are very good at collectif cooperation and know how to coordinate, not even one stood in front of me when I was using divine arts!”

”That’s good.” Tampas looked down the mountain, ”I plan to invite them to find a place in Icewind Valley to build that translatable temple hall.”

”Father?” the Red Knight asked puzzled, ”But they... won’t change their beliefs, right?”

”They are not very respectful toward faith, much like those initial elves... but AO tolerated them.” Tampas said softly, ”This is no small matter... the era of the elves has long passed.

There are some things I need to observe carefully for a while.

You too, my daughter, with your sharp and cool mind, take a good look at these elves, find out why AO sees them differently.

Anything he does might affect Toril’s fate for hundreds of years to come.

Our ability to stay neutral until today is because I never opposed AO’s will... and it shall remain so.

Go! Like Edna, go among the Undead Tribe.

If they look favorably upon that mage girl, they’ll surely like you too.”

The Red Knight nodded, her black long braid swung, summoning her beloved horse and war hound, she headed down the mountain.

”And you!” Tampas turned to see Usga standing behind a large stone, ”Tell those hot-tempered and disobedient followers of yours not to provoke the Undead Tribe! Understood?”

”Barbarians do not fear battle!” Usga said in a muffled voice.

”And then the entire tribe falls, and the foundation of your faith crumbles completely?” Tampas resisted the urge to curse... this fellow is also a son you recognized for yourself! No matter how dislikeable, you can’t just discard him!