Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1257: Chapter 1048: The Key Figure ’Jason

”Ullant is a Prophecy Mage, right?” Nasir asked, somewhat confused, ”He couldn’t possibly be unaware of such minor actions!”

”He doesn’t care if others are listening.” Mirimum’s tone was full of disdain, ”As long as you comply when he needs you to.

But if there’s no compliance at all, the unlucky ones he invites as guests might find themselves directly shown out of Candlekeep.

However, he never does that to those much stronger than himself... like those who could kill him before Candlekeep’s Defensive Magic Array could react.

If it were an ordinary Extraordinary Mage, they’d probably just have to go home feeling humiliated by a Ninth Ring Mage... who would blame him since he’s the person in charge of Candlekeep?

Mystra probably initially just wanted him to be temporary for a few years... She couldn’t have missed what a sycophantic and two-faced fraud he is... But such a person could never command respect, so whenever she found a suitable replacement, she could swap him out at any time.”

Too bad, she probably didn’t anticipate, after scheming so much, dying such a foolish death.

After all, she did this during the Era of the Saint, and there are probably no records in Josse Garden... the current Mystra hasn’t managed these affairs here, and Oghma has lost interest, barely responding to prayers from the Great Sage at the monastery... Ullant has held his position till now.

Tsk tsk, Candlekeep used to have many mages coming to pay homage every day, but now... they merely stop by for a glance before leaving satisfied.

If it weren’t for the Lord of Agleya nearby, earning Candlekeep enough money to sustain itself, it’s likely that even the followers of the Oghma Monastery would have left a long time ago, not to mention those Scroll Mages.

Having a mere thirty people remain in Candlekeep is quite fortunate.”

Edna was meditating... She searched through her memories and realized, Midnight wasn’t unaware of the Magic Net Followers here... But since the dominant mages here are Prophecy Mages, she handed it over to Safras, who actively applied.

Recalling the Archmage of the Black Staff from Deepwater City, who often visited Candlekeep... Edna placed her left hand in front of her mouth, pinching the sides of her lips lightly with her thumb and index finger... she worried her twitching mouth corners might become too obvious.

Alas... Midnight’s thoughts were simple, dividing the Mage faith into parts... This way, not every mage would pray to Azuth.

She used this method to indirectly lessen Azuth’s divine power.

Edna understood, though Midnight didn’t like Azuth, she didn’t plan on letting him die... Besides being her aide, Kelben would likely take a share of specific mages, much like Safras, perhaps those in potion and strange object creation.

This wasn’t much of a mistake... Wanting to sideline a predecessor’s aide and finding a replacement isn’t wrong for anyone.

However, being overly eager only resulted in them choosing those who, apart from scheming minds, were no better than Azuth.

But that’s quite alright... Edna quickly lowered her fingers, realizing that because of Candlekeep’s nature and the backing of Safras, whether Edna followed the Path of Destiny or not, this place wouldn’t end well.

It inevitably becomes Deepwater City, or in a worse case, Neverwinter.

After all, they’re all doomed, and none can mock the other.

She relaxed into the soft, fluffy white cloud sofa, saying with a hint of delight, ”Manks is provoking! Those at Quel Senta seem ready to respond.

I wonder what magic they inherited from Mystra’s Soul Shard.

If they could unite and cast spells, even if the highest among them are only Fifth Circle, unless Manks shows some real ability, he might end up unfortunate.”

”Isn’t Jason there too?” Nasir asked, ”Look how closely he’s following~”

No one saw that Cyric deity from the start, but everyone knew he was here.

”How much effort Jason can muster to protect Manks is still unknown.” Edna smiled, ”Unless Manks has the ability to persuade Bane or produce something Jason can’t refuse.”

”Isn’t that guy one of Milko’s followers? Why didn’t he follow the current Grim Reaper and chose Bane instead?” Mirimum tilted his head, ”He’s still wearing that bone badge!”

”Kranvo doesn’t like evil-aligned death priests.” Edna said flatly, ”He doesn’t care for the followers, but those within his church cannot be evil.

Jason looks like a typical Milko follower, believing death is always accompanied by fear and doom, a pathological loner who enjoys terrifying others or relishing in power.

His alliance with Bane isn’t necessarily out of agreement with his ideology but to have Kranvo acknowledge Milko’s beliefs.

Otherwise, Bane wouldn’t treat him this way.

Not to mention, it’s quite malicious of Bane to let such a solitude-loving necromancer stay behind a group of brightly dressed, charm-exuding women.”

”So, if necessary, he doesn’t have to listen to Bane, right?” Mirimum asked thoughtfully.

”Yes,” Nasir laughed, ”he’s the kind of wandering believer who can switch his master at any time.”

Mirimum paced back and forth in their own hall, then stopped in front of a cloud: ”I say, with such a devout follower of Milko, why are you hiding here with me?

Given the current situation, by the time it comes to it, I can only look out for myself to escape... As for the elves... I remember last time you were complaining about the Teraxil Elves being nosy and having sticky fingers, weren’t you?”

The Undead Tribe looked in astonishment at the Specter Dragon and the cloud in front of her... Silver circlets, each inlaid with a black diamond, manifested into view... Four bone-like spikes extended out from the circlet, with the black diamond shining with an unusual light.

”The Horned Crown of Milko?” Nasir exclaimed in surprise.

”Now... up there are those mixed with Cyric’s believers and Bane’s followers, some unknown entity with Mystra’s shard, and inexplicable participants in the Path of Destiny, also with Mystra’s shard — who are you thinking to mess with?” This was Edna’s first reaction on seeing this Milko’s divine artifact.

Although Milko was slain by Midnight, who inherited Mystra’s divinity, as his last remaining divine residue... the Horned Crown has always been keen on assaulting and destroying Cyric’s churches and followers, yet it would do its utmost to avoid Mystra’s Chosen and temples.

One reason is his memory of the true demise was too vivid, another is that Milko has always been clear about his grudges... He was the one who went to kill Midnight, so being killed was the consequence he deserved.

But the one who deceived him into doing the foolish act was Cyric... He will forever remember this hatred, even if all that’s left is a shred of spiritual sense.

The Horned Crown hesitated while floating in the air... It had been staying with Mirimum for a while now... Though this neutral Ghost Silver Dragon was very tolerant of it, the strange look in her eyes was indeed uncomfortable... but more than being appraised by a dragon, it hated people trying to use its stance against the current Grim Reaper.

The Toril people don’t even know what madness they’re up to... What’s so shocking about Mystra’s demise, isn’t this the third time?

What’s the mentality behind wanting to take advantage of an opportunity against the Grim Reaper? Jacob doesn’t even plan to take action against Kranvo.

Whether it’s the Goddess of Magic or the Grim Reaper, what’s there to haggle over?

As long as AO and Jacob are dissatisfied, changing a few is normal.

Milko wasn’t resentful of dying by Midnight’s hand, wasn’t it just because he saw that woman as a tool?

At that time, Milko sympathized with Mystra’s status... They were alike, appearing powerful but could be replaced at any time.

The Horned Crown moved places several times before finally choosing the territory of this half-crazy Specter Dragon to hide... though once worn, it could control the unfortunate one, but... it also has the pride of a divine artifact, you know?

Too foolish a person would tarnish it.

But... the Horned Crown took another circle around... It had finally been enjoying a good life in the Underdark... only to be ruined by these inexplicable elves!

The most important thing was, they weren’t even coming for it!

Being wiped out easily like that, what an outright disgrace!

”What are you brooding over?” Mirimum asked impatiently, ”It’s the elves encountering Milko, those who don’t act have something wrong with them.

Still, can you bear to watch Milko’s past followers, standing with Cyric’s people and working together?”

The Horned Crown bounced up and down, the black diamond emitting bizarre gray-black dotted lines towards Mirimum.

Yet the Undead Tribe had just stood up in alert when they heard the Specter Dragon unkindly curse: ”Fool! What good is cursing me? Did I say anything wrong?”

”The communication between necromancers... is pretty intense!” ’Snow Cloud Peak’ commented in a peculiar tone.

The Horned Crown ultimately chose to confront Cyric... The Prince of Lies is always different; his reason for voluntarily sending people is the opposite of usual Toril deities.

From that follower’s transcendent level and that deliberately mysterious style, filled with the Dark Sun theme, all informed the observers... Cyric was very much interested in Manks’s interference in the Path of Destiny.

Mirimum was not at all surprised by the Horned Crown’s choice, she lowered her head to ask the white-robed mage who clearly appeared to be in charge: ”That guy still carries Milko’s badge even now, surely he’d be quite willing to trade for a Horned Crown with us?

Do you have anything... you need him to do?”

’Snow Cloud Peak’ glanced at Jason, whose expression was almost getting out of control on the large screen, and then turned to examine the various blind spots in Candlekeep he had marked on the tablet, showing a very delighted smile: ”That... there’s plenty.

Hard Wind, Elder, you two come over, let’s first study how we can put him to more use in a matter.”

Jason, a beautiful man with a hint of melancholy leaning against the only wall in the Sunshine Hall that didn’t get sunlight, shivered lightly under the glances thrown over now and then from those Quel Senta women. He looked absentmindedly out the window at the sunlight... What’s with this eerie feeling?

Could it be that Shuni and Amanata have joined forces?