Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Capítulo 1249: Chapter 1040: Elaströ’s Resolve

Elaströ had long understood that ever since Mystra transformed from Black Eye into Midnight, she could no longer be the Supreme Lady who knew everything and could do everything.

Yet, this was the first time she felt so lost… In the past, even if her choices weren’t perfect, they were never the most disastrous; at worst, she could ensure her own status and power… But now, at some crucial points, she has chosen wrongly.

If she hadn’t been tightly holding onto the line of the Kind Alignment, without making a grave mistake alongside Kelben, who was favored by the deities, Elaströ felt that she might have died even earlier than Kelben.

After all, she could do more, could drag more people into the water, than Kelben could.

She silently closed her eyes, slowly reviewing everything in the past, estimating whether this time, with her sisters’ participation, they could conclude it all.

If not… what should she do then?

And then there was Kui Lu, their most innocent and pitiable little sister… Her two Main Gods were closely tied to the Weave, yet her Zholar identity prevented her from ever participating in a Path of Destiny.

However, Kui Lu happened to be the most pure-hearted among her sisters, so much like Elisui who gave her life… Elaströ simply couldn’t rest her mind.

Her sisters stood silently by her side, just like in the past, waiting for the smartest among them to make the final decision.

Even if Elaströ led them down the wrong path, they accepted it… For the past 1000 years, the Northern Seven Sisters could thrive on the Ferun continent because, regardless of what they did, their direction was always aligned.

Even though there have been fierce fights among them in the past, they understood clearly that when Black Eye acknowledged their identity and made them Electors together, the Seven Sisters had only the path of unity.

When Midnight ascended, they could no longer have any conflicts… Although that one was somewhat fair in action, they had previously lived under bias.

Kelben was the actual norm of an electors’ daily life.

Laila leaned gently against a big tree, her expression indifferent… Their sisters, although compared to before, had suppressed themselves considerably, yet in truth, still lacked a thorough understanding of reality.

Until this Path of Destiny began.

Once those hints and silent guidance from the Weave disappeared completely, even the always calm and composed Elaströ got a bit flustered… This was the first time they couldn’t see where the road ahead led at all.

But what could she say?

All of Elaströ’s wrong choices stemmed from Kelben… And all of this was because she dragged Kelben to save her sister!

Why didn’t she go by herself back then? It wasn’t like she couldn’t do it!

Laila thought with a bit of sorrow… Because she wanted her capable sister to see what a good man she had chosen!

She wanted Elaströ to know that love isn’t just about passion; long-lasting commitment is also a form of beauty.

She wanted Elaströ to see that she, Laila, could find happiness even if she didn’t live like Elaströ or Black Eye!

Happiness?

Over the years, Kelben had indeed given her sincere and passionate love, a carefree life… But… No matter who it is, no matter how calm and self-controlled they were once, once ambitions stir up greed, abandoning family ties to abandoning love all happens in just a short ten years.

Fate!

Laila sneered slightly… Yet, with their sisters’ pride, how could they possibly appreciate men who weren’t ambitious and only wanted to enjoy life?

Life is just like that, moving from one river to another… When you insist on heading upstream into a larger river than before, even entering the vast ocean, if your boat capsizes in the storm, you can only blame your stubbornness.

Elaströ finally opened her eyes, looking at her sisters gathered around her, calmly saying: “We cannot go to Agleya, there are three powerful Divine Powers there, the deities’ sight will surely never stray far.

A single wrong word, and we’re doomed!

This time, our goal is not to gain benefits from the Path of Destiny… But to engage as much as possible without getting completely entangled, while not affecting Hillen!

You must also remember, you can help those with Soul Shards in life and death moments, but don’t do more than that.

Only do what is required as a Mistrala Elector, and never dive in just because you think someone has a chance of winning for future benefits!

We are now no different from anyone else! The revelation that Numia might receive could be more accurate than ours!

No one can bear the consequences of choosing the wrong person… If because of your mistake, you kill other sisters as well, who among you can bear this outcome?

This time, if we die, even if we can resurrect, the price is one we cannot afford!”

Looking at her nodding sisters, Elaströ gently lowered her voice: “Before, when the God of Prophecy hadn’t returned, the insight I received from the Weave was… When I don’t know where the road ahead leads, it’s best to wait for that unknown outcome at Candlekeep.

Therefore, Candlekeep… will be our only opportunity.”

Her sisters solemnly nodded… At this point, they all understood clearly that the one who could use the power of the Weave to deceive a Mistrala Elector was only that God of Prophecy.

No matter if Kelben took action first or not, Safras’s approach was utterly malicious… Azuth has always been quite magnanimous, generally friendly towards those electors like her with some connection to Black Eye, otherwise, Elaströ wouldn’t have chosen to offend his children in the first place.

What can I say… Azuth would not harbor hatred towards her over such a trivial matter, but Midnight might indeed take action due to Elaströ’s lack of loyalty.

Elaströ, of course, knew that her actions were shameless, but at that time, Midnight was already somewhat insane, and she truly dared not provoke her.

But Safras… was not only dealing with Kelben, he aimed to wipe them all out… Damn fellow, if they ever get the chance, they will surely take revenge!

“I…” Laila hesitated.

“You as well!” Elaströ stared at her and said, “Your husband and your children are all in the prophecy.

Your crisis… is not less severe than mine.

Those two children are still young; if something happens to you, won’t the mayor’s position in Luskan have to change hands?”

“I once asked Lynn,” Laila replied softly, “He answered very straightforwardly… The reason he let me reclaim Luskan is because of my identity… I was once the Queen of Luskan, and now taking that city under my control is only right and proper.

If it had been the Lord of Agleya himself seeking revenge, he would have chosen to abandon Luskan and let the Toril people handle it.”

“That Lord Hill has a firm willingness to leave Toril!” Xinbu remarked with keen interest, “It seems the outside world is already on high alert about our world.

Plus, there’s the huge lesson from Tyr!”

Laila shook her head: “Xinbu! Don’t stir things up!

Refrain from saying such things. If you anger that one, and truly get sent to Talos as a Lesser God, would you be happy?

Lynn means that unless my heirs willingly give up the municipal officer position in Luskan, it will surely remain with me, and no one, not even with strong Divine Power, can make the Lord of Agleya concede.

Besides… who, with such capability, would come to seize Luskan, a place that battles half-orcs every year?

Anyhow, most of the daily management is done by that Tower Spirit, only significant matters require my decision.

Luskan has just over 30 officials… all under my control.

The Righteous Knights have taken over defense matters, and the city guard… mostly just stands at posts, showing directions in daily duties.”

She finally said lightly, “Compared to Deepwater City, I would rather have my children take over Luskan.

Danilo, in fact, is quite alright.”

Elaströ quietly gazed at Laila, whose calm tone was filled with determination: Her sister, right now, must have sunk into utter regret… because Kelben dragged her into the muddy waters.

So, Laila has made up her mind that if she encounters a life-and-death crisis, she’ll take the lead herself.

Elaströ shook her head gently, not planning to discuss such issues with Laila… How could the Path of Destiny allow them to substitute another, leaving such powerful Magic Electors so helpless?

Besides, even if Elaströ were selfish, she wouldn’t let her sister die for her.

She would struggle till the end but would not abandon her rationality and bottom line just because of the fear of death.

Elaströ knew she was not exactly a good person… But how well can good people live in Toril?

Dove’s husband was indeed a good person, and the result was sacrificing himself to protect others… Reluctant to be involved in the power struggles of the knight’s corps, Dove could ultimately only hide under the elves’ protection to raise her children.

Otherwise, there would always be someone wanting Dove to speak… without people saying, don’t disturb the Hawk-handed’s wife, he died for us.

But she wouldn’t be like Kelben, so eager for quick success… Elminster indeed had a good life, and she was envious.

But is that something to be envied?

The gaps in talent are there.

Without the blessing of the Goddess of Magic, becoming an Extraordinary Mage was already Elaströ’s limit… If she didn’t clearly know her upper limits, why wouldn’t she take advantage of her close relationship with Mystra and continue down the path of magic?

Among their sisters, the one most gifted in magic was Xinbu… Yet Xinbu was overly reliant on the talents of a Magician, and only after being with Elminster did she start returning to the world of magic… and it was already too late.

The Weave gave them everything, but… not including freedom.

Elaströ quietly looked at the sky: Now, they can only pray that when Mystra appears, they have already met the minimum requirements of the Weave, and don’t have to step out to block the shots for the goddess.

As for benefits, Elaströ didn’t even dare to think about them anymore.