Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Capítulo 1329: Chapter 1120: Truth Revealed Beneath the Starry Sky

No matter how difficult Anmur’s current situation is, the sky remains the same.

Even though dusk has arrived, the sky is slowly filled with stars, and the silver moon almost seems to rest against the edge of the White Cloud Palace, yet the people above appear quite at ease.

Though Leonard and his group are not as ostentatious as the Undead Tribe, they are gradually exploring this enormous castle.

The Undead Tribe is scurrying around the castle, while Elvia remains sulking in the rooftop hall, asleep… her application for battle was ruthlessly rejected by ‘Snow Cloud Peak.’

The White Dragon Queen’s image is too conspicuous, and the commander of the Undead Tribe said he temporarily does not want Edna’s position to be exposed.

Although Edna does not know what she has that the Snow Old Dog could exploit, she has no opinions… matters in Anmur are, in fact, not much related to her.

She stood on the large balcony, looking around, and quickly discovered the target she was searching for.

The ‘Old Age Striking King’ was sitting at the edge of the Cloud House, earnestly recording the sneaky relocation routes of the Anmur merchants below.

Edna floated over curiously, “Why are you staying in this corner alone? They have all left Anmur, is there any point in recording this?”

“You must understand, sometimes we from the Undead Tribe have to abide by the rules.” The ‘Old Age Striking King’ continued drawing on the tablet without looking up, “Even knowing these people are damned slave traders, the principle on Toril is to never chase a cornered enemy… especially those who have fled to other nations’ territories, all we can do is watch them.”

The Female Priest then scoffed twice, “But Abert doesn’t need to… she also has many rules to follow, but they definitely do not include refraining from highway robbery or accepting jobs to kill.

Though this time, many of the assassination invitations have low prices, they do add up!

Abert seems to have even accepted those few copper coin jobs.”

Edna blinked, “Her aim is simply the rational killing of those slave merchants, right?”

For Night Cloak, as long as there is an assassination invitation, then it’s reasonable work.

But actively striking evil slave traders is a bit much… if mortals develop respect instead of fear for Shaer, Abert would have to consider whether she could withstand the Goddess’s fury.

Shaer never favors mortals on Toril, all she needs is their fear.

“A wise child is one who sees through things but doesn’t break them.” The ‘Old Age Striking King’ looked up at her, “Didn’t Shaer tacitly approve?

By the way, William said you couldn’t put up a giant screen or broadcast from your Cloud House, why?

Ningbrow Astrolabe’s blockade ability is strong, but not strong enough to prevent our Temporal Artifact from projecting images.

Tsk~ Soundproof spell?

Now that no one else is around you have cast a soundproof spell, are you planning to tell me?

Your little secret with Elvia?”

“Ah… I suppose it’s because, I’m actually Mystra…” Edna revealed a seemingly carefree yet almost tearful smile.

The ‘Old Age Striking King’ put down the tablet, looking seriously at the young girl in front… being a typical Westerner, Edna actually looked quite mature.

If not for being raised by elves, surrounded by a light and natural aura, Edna’s appearance is actually quite striking.

But she didn’t feel Edna resembled a goddess at all… still just that mocked Goddess of Magic.

“I recall you’re a descendant of the prior Goddess of Magic?” The ‘Old Age Striking King’ couldn’t help but ask, “I remember our dog… William once said, you were the least likely to be the current Mystra!”

“Sometimes, the most unexpected is the most possible, isn’t it?” Edna slightly curved her lips, showing a cold smile, “To create an extraordinary play, one naturally has to be unexpected.”

“Alright… dogs will be dogs.” The ‘Old Age Striking King’ patted the tablet, “When they speak ivory, most of the time it’s with dentures.”

She rolled up from the lawn, stood on tiptoe, gently touching the accommodating crouching Edna’s little head, “Life! Most things will not go according to plan.

So learn to reconcile with yourself, don’t strain over past events.

Think of the past only to recall the beautiful and warm moments, don’t heed those who constantly preach to remember past lessons.

Like us, Edna, so clever, those so-called pains and lessons are actually engraved in your soul, you surely will be alert upon encountering them, no need to dwell constantly.

Besides, deities never forget, right?

Then don’t recall, focus more on what to do in the future.

If mistakes are made, so be it, who could hold your past against you?

With such a long future ahead, who can live only by reason and pain?

Think more about happy things!

For example, won’t Elvia always have to accompany you in the future?”

Edna burst into laughter, “Arausato also signed a Dragon Covenant with me.”

“You see, even a White Dragon, born evil and with a cold personality, will eventually give up some things for love, right?” The ‘Old Age Striking King’ looked around, then sat down decisively on the lawn, gesturing to Edna, “This beautiful starlit lawn is meant for sitting, isn’t it? Come on~”

Edna laughed as she smoothed her long dress and quietly sat next to the Striking King.

“To me, your past is completely irrelevant.” The ‘Old Age Striking King’ tapped the young girl’s shoulder, “You are Edna, and the only Edna I know is the one in front of me.

Of course, it’s different for you, but there’s no need to think every day about how many mistakes that past life made.”

Edna nodded, then shook her head, “I just need to understand where exactly things began to go wrong.”

“Heh~” The ‘Old Age Striking King’ replied blandly, “Not being able to see through people is the biggest mistake.

As for other matters, strong power can basically solve more than half of them.

But I don’t believe that the young girl I raised would be unable to see through those flattering smiles to the ghosts and goblins beneath.”

Edna gently nodded.

Before, each time the Black Rose received a mission from Luskan, the ‘Old Age Striking King’ would take her along—perhaps initially to let Edna, who somewhat missed her mother, see Sharol in private. But after discovering that woman had fully turned her affections to her new family and child, the resilient Female Priest began teaching Edna how to judge people.

She would often mutter to Edna: parents can’t be chosen, but life can be directed by oneself.

Don’t listen to those saying that fate is capricious and life always miserable—it’s better to have even a little more control for yourself than handing your entire fate to others.

Sometimes, having one more Gold Coin could save your life.

So preparing a bit more for your future is better than doing nothing at all.

Before that Mithril Elf leader identified Edna as the successor, Edna had already seen all sorts of life variants with the ‘Old Age Striking King’.

Seemingly pitiful and wretched vagrants, yet behind the scenes, cruel and greedy enough to kill companions over a few copper coins.

Apparent honest and diligent porters, who coerced and kidnapped merchants and travelers outside the city in unseen places.

And some officials who appear upright and sincere facing Laila, smiling in front of the Undead Tribe, and even being polite and attentive to most commoners, but are the masterminds behind those porters.

On the other hand, those meticulous, nit-picking merchants left food and clothing for street children—albeit dry food that seemed stale and wrinkled clothes obviously second-hand, but they were all clean.

Most crucially, Sharol, who appeared deeply in love with her new husband, clandestinely maintained affairs with many lovers, some even old lovers coming all the way from Silvermoon City… This was what made Edna completely lose any idealization of her mother.

She always thought Sharol became the way she was because of the blow of betrayal by Edna’s father. So in facing Sharol, Edna always felt somewhat guilty, involuntarily stepping back a bit.

Yet, more and more realities told her that those things happening had nothing to do with any marital affections but only because Edna’s father was a descendant of Azuth.

And the relationship between Mystra and Azuth fractured.

Silvermoon City hesitated between Mystra and Azuth, but when Kelben finally lifted that veil, Elaströ chose to swear allegiance to Mystra.

Did Elaströ really not know if Kelben and the Haber Family suddenly scheming like that had any plot against Edna’s father?

On the surface, she claimed ignorance.

Even if Edna’s father indeed met some mishap due to his hurried escape, so what? She, who already sacrificed even her daughter, had nothing else to blame.

Sharol’s grief and animosity weren’t due to being betrayed by a beloved husband… but because she was abandoned by her own parents.

Then she abandoned her own daughter.

After Edna re-clarified those past events, she never appeared in front of Sharol again… She owed this woman nothing.

Even if she now understands she’s not that Edna, she still owes nothing.

“I am very clear-headed now, clearer than ever.” Edna’s long lashes trembled, but her tone was firm.

“That’s bullshit.” The ‘Old Age Striking King’ heavily slapped the ground, his previously upright position shifting uncomfortably before settling cross-legged; only then did he sternly speak, “Don’t keep thinking of yourself as some ‘Awakened in the Mortal World’!

When you think that way, you’re actually in a state of confusion!”

Edna stared in surprise at the ‘Old Age Striking King’, tilting her head in bewilderment, “Huh?”