Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1252: Chapter 1043: The Specter Dragon in Candlekeep

She stood at the entrance of the Mage’s Hall, turned back and said in a very serious tone, “Truly, Rose is too ruthless, I really… can’t compare to her.”

I am very sure, Ambori, is the limit I can tolerate.

In the past, comparing to Rose was fine, at least she was a genuine deity, in Toril, character is less important than ability.

Most gods in Toril, especially those in the Evil Faction, have never cared about collaborating with notorious people… but Rose actually made us realize that even they have their limits.

Guess why that Jason always follows behind Manks?

Normally, for a capable believer like him, Bane would immediately give him a new identity once his cover is blown and then continue his business.

But… in order to prevent suspicion of any further conspiracy with Rose, he actually let Jason just follow along.

It’s actually his declaration of giving up on further schemes.

I think you understand, after all, we still have a Nasir here.

This could be considered a small consensus among Toril Gods!

Look at how Bane, who dares to reach out for the Tablets of Fate for greater power, actually gave up the idea of stirring up trouble on the Path of Destiny… you can imagine Rose’s power.

To be honest, what I want to know most now, is how Coron is feeling.

It must be interesting.”

Edna raised her eyebrows, smiled, and said before pushing open the door: “It’s silent inside the Mage’s Hall, so feel free, everyone~”

Bringing out Bane and Coron as scapegoats, Edna had no other choice.

During this period, Edna thought a lot… the only thing she is grateful for is that Rose, having offended Shaer and Celene, got the title of ‘Poop God’.

But Rose, an evil god who has been in the Abyss for so long, doesn’t care about reputation anymore… the Abyssal Lords vary in form, and there are very few who look as decent as Six Fingers.

In a way, a two-headed gorilla could be considered decent-looking among those lords.

However, when she first transformed from Aroshi to Rose, in order to grow stronger, the targets she mixed with went from uglier Great Demons upwards, one by one.

Just that she swallowed a God of Latrines who admired her, the Spider Queen wouldn’t care at all.

Rose is quiet now only because she is too wounded… Shaer has already severed all the large spider’s claws that reached into Toril, if she wants to cause trouble again, she’ll have to wait until Toril reopens the World Gate.

However, her allies seem to care a lot… though all of Toril knows, Bane has other interests, such as cherishing the Goblin Chief God… no one would think he has anything ambiguous with Rose.

Why is he so agitated?

Is it the more you don’t have, the more you care?

But one Bane is not enough to attract attention, adding a Coron is almost there.

At least, when she returns to Josse Garden, the many tales outside shouldn’t only involve her, Edna!

Fortunately, she can pretend to be the fourth generation Goddess of Magic… as long as her skin is thick, it’s better than having no face at all.

In this regard, Edna believes she is absolutely fine… having mixed with the Undead Tribe for so long, her skin can already compare to Elvia’s dragon skin!

She slowly walked to a shelf with very strong protective Aura, lightly took down a book, wanting to see what level of book Candlekeep could defend so tightly.

However… Edna blinked, what is this?

“Hell or Destruction! The Fastest Way to Aphernas”?

Edna confirmed again.

She indeed did not see wrongly, this is a magic book with its spine, corner decorations, and clasps all made of Abyssal Iron, with a title outlined in Infernal Fire veins that emit a faint light within a 5-foot range!

Why is such a book, where if one’s spiritual power isn’t resistant enough they could die after reading it, and their soul would directly enter the Styx to become a Lesser Fiend, so openly placed in an easily accessible spot?

Edna steadied herself, no wonder there are always scholar mages who enter Candlekeep and disappear… if someone really ignores the obvious infernal materials and insists on verifying its authenticity, no one will be responsible if they die.

Candlekeep is indeed as it promotes, always only welcoming those with true talent and learning.

Wait!

Edna quickly peeked at those Undead Tribe members… then discovered that when they tried to pick up some books, they couldn’t open them at all.

Huh… Teraxil’s William always does things so thoroughly!

Edna switched to another thick round book nearby, glanced casually… then she was shocked again.

On what basis does Candlekeep organize books?

Why is “Book of Hell” placed next to “Book of Prophecy”?

Edna couldn’t resist the impulse to open the book… only to discover that this seemingly endless book actually only prophesies what will happen in the next five to ten seconds.

Scrolling on the pages was a sequence of: you’re flipping the book, you’re in a daze, you bumped into a bookshelf, you bumped into someone.

However, for several minutes, Edna did nothing.

In other words, this book is assuming the worst-case scenario within ten seconds.

Edna couldn’t help but close the book heavily… what she hated most now were prophecies that liked to concoct stories!

Moving her gaze away from the “Great Book of Fuzor Cheberi’s Curse” on the other side, Edna squeezed her eyes shut; she might understand what this arrangement signifies: Bane on the left, prophecy on the right, both leading to the hell in the middle!

Forget it, she should learn from that bald fake loli, look at some picture albums, and relax… luckily she chose to exchange books for jewelry; otherwise, she might have blown up this library.

As Edna chose to cleanse her eyes and soul with an elf picture album, the undead tribe in the big hall outside indeed encountered a small trouble.

A specter dragon sought out ‘Hard Wind’.

“You have the scent of a white dragon on you.” The lady specter dragon appeared with half her head on the wall where ‘Hard Wind’ was leaning, saying seriously, “But why do I also smell mercury dragon and golden dragon on you?

White dragon… and not just one; it seems there are hatchlings as well?

Are you raising dragons?

When did someone in this world manage to raise both chromatic dragons and metal dragons together?”

“Ah…” ‘Hard Wind’, startled, put down the “Sending Little Elves to Sleep!”… this book targets elf parents who can’t effectively cast a sleep spell on their offspring resisting sleep spells.

As a good dad who wants to tell bedtime stories to his child, he’s easily drawn to such books.

Especially books about how to lull a child to sleep using rocking motions, he’s very interested: his little princess is indeed very much like her mom, always bringing sweet little troubles.

‘Hard Wind’ shook his head to regain focus; as one of the two great commanders of the Black Rose, he certainly checked the local NPCs before coming to Candlekeep.

After all, no one knows when an NPC might turn into a big boss, being prepared is his way of working.

‘Hard Wind’ smiled gently: “Hello, Lady Mirimum, glad to meet you.”

“Hello, strangely scented elf.” Lady Silver Dragon replied cheerfully.

“I come from Agleya, where there are many giant dragons.” ‘Hard Wind’ thought for a moment and asked, “I heard that Agleya has a good relationship with Candlekeep, yes? Logically speaking…”

“I don’t like talking to people in Candlekeep.” Mirimum said gently, “You know, after all, I’m already a ghost, it’s easy for me to go mad due to some terrible memories.

Only outsiders can make me forget that loving Candlekeep and its books was actually forced upon me.

I only know that the Lord of Agleya is very rich, other than that… I know nothing.”

‘Hard Wind’ raised an eyebrow, showing a slight smile: “If you don’t mind, we can find a place to talk slowly.”

A door suddenly opened on the smooth wall.

‘Hard Wind’ walked in without hesitation, but before that, he lightly tapped several times on his shoulder guard.

It was a very elegantly moving dragon; although transparent, four paws were stepping on white clouds.

She looked at ‘Hard Wind’, letting out a cheerful laugh: “Since I turned into a ghost, many think I’ve gone crazy and cannot communicate.

Few people accept my invitation so straightforwardly!

Welcome to my underworld.”

‘Hard Wind’ smiled carelessly: “We Teraxil Elves are resurrected in our temple once we die, so we’re very adventurous.”

“You are honest.” Mirimum said mildly, walking down the corridor.

“I never tell unnecessary lies.” ‘Hard Wind’ observed the surroundings curiously and asked, “Are we in Candlekeep’s famous underground maze now?”

The maze where those who tell lies are said to be cast into a volcano…

“Yes, but follow me, it’s just an ordinary path.” Mirimum led him around a few turns, entering a completely white room… with a cloud-maker-like device constantly spewing clouds, making the whole floor seem above the clouds.

Like the favorite dwelling of the Silver Dragon… the Cloud Platform.

It seems that although this Silver Dragon was forced to become a specter dragon by being bound to that Great Magician’s coffin, she never gave up her passion for the depths of the white clouds.

‘Hard Wind’ lowered his eyes; he didn’t want this dragon to see his sympathy, that was not a good thing… but he indeed felt a bit of sympathy for this Ancient Silver Dragon who loved white clouds yet could only stay underground.

“Please sit, find a spot yourself! I… have no idea where’s suitable, let’s just be casual.” Mirimum found a comfortable position to lie in the clouds.

In this hall decorated like a cloud palace, there were plenty of hardened white cloud furniture; ‘Hard Wind’ found a conveniently high bench and sat down with a smile.

On the ground, ‘Snow Cloud Peak’ found Edna who was flipping a book, showing her its tablet.