Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1251: Chapter 1042: Oghma’s Faithful About to Walk a Tightrope

Candlekeep, as its legend says, is indeed magnificent and luxurious.

Following the arcane scholar guiding them through the beautiful garden, Edna glanced around as they approached the white Great Library in the center… Beyond the tall trees at the end of the garden, faintly visible were a circle of buildings and the outer hexagonal walls, as well as the mage tower.

The temple dedicated to the God of Knowledge, Oghma, and his lesser gods on the right side is connected by a white marble road.

Edna smiled gently.

Black Eye truly has a sharp approach, managing to turn this renowned library originally composed of Oghma’s believers into a place shared equally by Weave followers and knowledge scholars.

Although the Weave followers can only live in the Great Library and the underground fortress… the true magic defense center of Candlekeep is that underground fortress.

And that famous mirror image library… was originally exclusive to a lesser dimension of the God of Knowledge… is now also connected to the library of Josse Garden.

And to gain these benefits, Black Eye’s only cost was the Encyclopedia of Magics by Azuth, which even Oghma’s high priests can access.

After all, Azuth doesn’t mind his achievements being shared. He enjoys sharing the latest spells with those who appreciate them… Azuth became the Deity of Mages not because of Black Eye, but by being powerful enough and truly enjoying teaching.

Countless junior mages found their future paths through him.

If it weren’t for his beloved Archmage, who turned out to be a Goddess of Magic, the path he chose would only be like Elminster’s.

Edna slightly furrowed her brow, as the current person in charge of Candlekeep, Scroll Guardian Ullant… the whole Ferun Great Land knows what an arrogant and proud Prophecy Mage he is, yet now he surprisingly isn’t sitting in his study waiting for visitors, but stands at the entrance of the Great Library.

Edna tilted her head in thought… Scroll Mages rely on many aspects of Azuth’s Encyclopedia of Magics, so Ullant, who took up this profession, coming out

organizes her thoughts in her mind and is startled to find that the other party only gave Devis and them a cold and contemptuous glance, nodding coolly at Leonard, and gave her a reserved and indifferent smile: “Welcome to Candlekeep, I hope you find elegance and joy in the books.”

Then he slowly walked towards the entrance.

“Ah, such a wordless, insincere greeting… fortunately, Edna’s identity is quite intimidating!” Nasir said cynically, “Otherwise, would we get kicked out even after paying?”

“Didn’t they say that after getting a reading pass, you could stay in Candlekeep for ten days?” Leonard asked softly.

“Not more than ten days.” Nasir chuckled coldly twice, “If that Scroll Guardian doesn’t like you, your visit could end instantly.

Of course, if you throw in 10,000 gold coins at once, he definitely won’t dislike you.

In the past! This Great Library valued books over lives, claiming that anyone who destroyed knowledge, whether with ink, fire, or sword, was doomed.

Now! Gold is more important than books.

As long as the money is sufficient, even their original values could be sold!”

“Oghma… doesn’t care at all?” Luca asked a bit heartbroken.

Nasir looked at him in surprise: “You don’t know? Since the previous Mistra took half of Candlekeep’s management from Oghma, Oghma doesn’t really handle things here anymore.

Haven’t you noticed the number of Scroll Scholars in Silvermoon City dwindling?

Although Oghma accepts defeat, he certainly wouldn’t do more for Candlekeep… Initially, if Black Eye were still around, she might have her own way to win back the God of Knowledge, wasn’t Miliel her close friend?

With this Singer there, Black Eye could always come up with ways to keep Oghma from getting angry.

As a result, she fell before that happened.

After that, this place became somewhat neglected by both sides.

And now, she~ it’s way too easy to exploit her gaps.

Otherwise, how would a Scroll Guardian without any transcendent power hold such high authority?”

Edna looked up, squinting her eyes slightly: “Ah, today’s sunshine is really splendid.”

The lobby where they stood had an open view from the ground floor to the top of the castle, and the arc-shaped crystal glass windows seemed to be enchanted to concentrate light. Some people were sitting on scattered benches in the lobby, engrossed in reading.

“Ah… this… a place like Candlekeep, where visitors aren’t allowed to write in the library, why build such a reading hall?” Devis asked somewhat puzzled, “Didn’t they used to look under magic candlelight?”

“Hmm…” The leading arcane mage, who had been silent, spoke softly, “I recall you’re from Agleya?”

“That’s right~” ‘Snow Cloud Peak’ cheerfully walked forward, “What’s up?”

“The Lord of Agleya transcribed almost half of Candlekeep’s collection.” The arcane mage answered gently, “During that period, everyone was driven mad from copying, their eyes tired under candlelight.

Ullant worried about a writing strike, so he specially invited someone to transform the lobby into what you see now… This allowed him to complete all his orders within three years.

Thanks to your lord, everyone’s life is quite good now.

It’s still early, so no one’s out yet; mornings are for personal spell time.

After lunch, people start floating their private desks and chairs over to find a spot.”

Edna looked at him bewildered… then realized that only those tables engraved with magic arrays could use ink.

As for whether Hill might spend millions or even tens of millions of Gold Coins at Candlekeep, what’s the problem with that?

That’s not a problem at all.

Edna fully understands just how wealthy the Lord of Agleya is… that’s someone who earns at least half a million Gold a day!

If Hill weren’t so conservative in his ways, tsk, buying up Candlekeep wouldn’t be an issue.

The Undead Tribe isn’t surprised either, the transcription prices here at Candlekeep are no big deal to them at all.

What they are more curious about is… “So… what’s Mr. Ullant up to?”

“Who knows.” The Arcane Mage replied indifferently, “Anyway, it’s probably something big coming, so he simply went to wait at the entrance.

Last night, nobody knows who came to Candlekeep, but even Mirimum came out.

Ullant was in communication with them until dawn, showing great excitement throughout.”

“Huh?” Luca figured it out… now in Sword Bay, the only thing that could get someone in control of Candlekeep so excited is just one thing, “Wouldn’t Oghma go crazy?”

“If it’s only Ullant, then probably not.” Nasir said gently, “The reason this guy could rise is that he multitasked as a mage, a prophet, and a scholar.

Just right for two factions.

So if he wants to participate, it’s normal. After all, the reason he can suppress that genuine Scroll Scholar is because he leans toward the Weave, isn’t it?

If it involves the First Reader… the sage who controls the Oghma Monastery, only then would Oghma be furious.”

“The God System of Knowledge clearly doesn’t want to be involved in this troublesome matter.” Leonard said quietly, otherwise, his brother would be the best point of entry.

The Arcane mage leading the way turned to them: “Were you talking about the Path of Destiny?”

“The person possessing Shards of Mistra’s Soul is following us.” Edna said with a chuckle, “A larger shard with a group of smaller bits is about to enter Candlekeep.”

“Ahead are the inner rooms where high-level Magic Books are kept.” The Arcane Mage felt his feet had a mind of their own and didn’t want to move any further… he was honestly a bit panicked, “You all carry Great Reader badges; you can freely access most areas of the Great Library, except a few secret rooms which require Ullant’s permission.

I… have some matters to attend to, sorry, I must excuse myself.”

He nodded apologetically at Edna’s group and quickly disappeared down the corridor… doesn’t everyone have a few friends? Time to alert them; those who need to run should run quickly.

Deepwater City now can’t even be called a ruin!

If something happens here, they’d be worse off than those in Deepwater City, at least those people had packed up and left ages ago!

Damn it! Is his Dimension Bag too small?

“There sure are a lot of mechanisms in Candlekeep.” Nasir noted thoughtfully, looking at the spot where the mage disappeared, “Getting in will be quite troublesome!”

“Control your professional habits, it’s easy to cause misunderstandings.” Edna calmly reminded, “Let’s read first! Find what you desire most… I suppose time… is pretty tight.

Make sure to use your time wisely, read as much as possible.”

“You guys should go to the inner Mage Embassy!” ‘Perfect Bald’ said somewhat sulkily, “Ever since I earned my certification, I swore never to read books about any profession again.

We few who are not studious will just check out the picture books outside.”

‘Snow Cloud Peak’ struggled for a while, but didn’t give up his responsibilities: “Those in Magic-based professions should go inside; there may be special rewards, including for Priests.

The rest, do as you wish… just be careful not to cause trouble.

Of course, if anyone picks a fight, then report your identity… if they still don’t behave, request to open battle.

As long as it’s legal retaliation, William won’t refuse!

However! It must be legal! Got it?”

“No problem~ we understand~” ‘Hard Wind’ happily replied, leading the charge.

“I think what he heard and what I heard might not be the same thing.” Devis gently asked ‘Snow Cloud Peak’, “Or was it different from the start?”

“People! They need to know how to adapt.” ‘Snow Cloud Peak’ said with a smile, “When you’re fond of someone, anyone can be cute Edna.

When you’re not, aren’t they just Rose?

No one wants to step in a cesspool, but if it explodes, it explodes, right?”

“I… don’t quite like this analogy.” Edna walking at the front, turned back to criticize unhappily.