Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1434: Chapter 12: The Alchemist Who Arrived Just in Time

Joshua, of course, knew that the High Sorcerer could not possibly have come to attend the promotion feast of their City Lord’s eldest daughter.

But he had to say it.

At least he needed to make this Great Magician understand that there would be many foreign mages appearing in Basia City recently, likely resulting in various activities... And the fact that Count Stelter of Basia City celebrated so grandly for his eldest daughter becoming an official mage only proved that this family had few magic-based professionals.

So, if any mage without foresight offends Mr. Belfran, then please... do not penalize Basia City.

Moreover, if they could pique the interest of the High Sorcerer in their eldest daughter... Of course, not in a romantic sense!

A warlock above Level 10! Who knows how many years this old monster has lived, and how many beauties they’ve seen, Joshua would not harbor such expectations.

But, what if, this person thinks their eldest daughter is worth cultivating?

Even if they casually offered some benefits, especially in terms of spell knowledge, it would be their greatest fortune!

The Danboro Kingdom which Basia belongs to has existed for thousands of years, with the most profound spell knowledge long controlled by the royal family and those great nobility with a long heritage.

The Stelter Family is a small noble family that gained its title due to war decades ago, which indeed is quite weak in this regard.

The eldest daughter was able to advance as a mage due to her exceptional talent and Count Stelter’s willingness to spend money.

But the road ahead will be even harder unless the eldest daughter marries into a mage nobility family.

Otherwise, she must join the military or court to serve the King.

Count Stelter hesitated, hence he widely issued invitations... and the eldest daughter’s renowned talent also attracted many mages to come and see if her ability was worth their attention.

Even the military has people showing up!

But no matter who came, the highest was only a Level Six mage, and in front of the High Sorcerer present, they could only bow and salute.

Joshua worked hard to encourage himself inwardly, trying to maintain a calm tone: ”Indeed, such a coincidence.

Basia City is quite lively recently, I hope you have a pleasant time.

Then... Mr. Belfran, would you like me to guide you?”

Hill lightly chuckled: ”Certainly, if it’s not too much trouble... Ah, I don’t need to go to a hotel, is there a place where my carriage can park?

Preferably somewhere quiet.”

Joshua immediately replied earnestly, urging his horse to lead the way.

Although he remained calm, he couldn’t help but look back from time to time... That black horse was indeed magnificent, but it was still just a mortal horse!

At most, it had some magic horse bloodline.

So, how did that warlock manage to let it know when to walk, when to stop, and even follow three meters behind him without any command?

Inside the carriage, the Otherworldly Whale Purwell was meticulously using his ultrasound to control the black horse back and forth.

Although this carriage was far different from what he initially imagined, Purwell knew that having this would lead to better things later.

He needed to adapt early and also learn how to make a stable and elegant carriage.

Joshua, though he claimed to be the Captain of the Guard at the east gate, in fact... Basia City has only two gates, the other gate in the west.

The south is the harbor, and the north is the Basia Mountain Range.

Hill actually came from the other side of these mountains.

And the reason Basia City was built at this location is not only because there was a river flowing from the mountains, but also because the slope was just right for building a castle.

So maybe there are underground passages in the north, but there is definitely no gate... only the towering and majestic Stelter Castle stationed on the mountain guarding the water source, overlooking the entire city.

The position of Stelter Castle on the mountain range leans more toward the east, so Joshua, who guards this gate, is actually the sheriff of the whole city.

Yet Joshua never addressed himself that way in front of people of higher status... The position of Captain of the Guard doesn’t sound big enough and is often treated dismissively by displeased nobles.

But a sheriff, ha~ Isn’t it the case that you can ask the one in charge of law and order about any major or minor matters in the city?

The King and nobles of Aesces have always appeared as one big family in name, but underneath there are hidden currents.

And the military nobility, like Count Stelter, is very obviously on the king’s side... Although the king who enfeoffed the previous Count Stelter is also now a former king, and the current king does not favor the current Count Stelter who is striving to make his lifestyle more in line with that of the great nobles.

But unless the king does something to make Count Stelter outright hostile, their Battel City still belongs to the king’s faction.

The noble society of Aesces has always had nothing happening unless a king suddenly jumps out to want to monopolize power... The rest is just the tiresome and trivial quarreling between the king and the nobles for the sake of interest, a poor and tasteless life.

Fortunately, although the current king has some personal ambitions, his goal is still to gain more power rather than establish a dictatorship.

However, the noble councils that exist in every major city have become very active for this reason... In a new city like Basia, the identities of both the great and minor nobles are quite complex. Sometimes, even if Count Stelter were to personally intervene to protect someone, the penalty must still be endured!

On the battlefield, Joshua is fearless, but who would want to be criticized for saying the wrong thing?

Therefore, Joshua has always been willing to bow his head.

Sometimes he wonders if it’s his smooth nature that makes Count Stelter resolute in not allowing him to exchange his position with the castle guard... but considering that the Sheriff’s position is more lucrative, Joshua doesn’t plan to ask too many questions.

Why ask questions that are bound to hurt oneself?

It’s rare wisdom to remain in the dark.

He walked slowly ahead of the right side of the carriage, casting the sharpest gaze at all the curious onlookers emerging from various streets and alleys... especially those who enjoy playing dirty tricks.

Given Joshua’s status in this city, the respect and caution he displayed naturally conveyed his intentions to all the forces in Basia.

Until more news was obtained, not even a single Peeker appeared near Hill’s carriage.

Noticing this, Hill couldn’t help but glance at the sly captain of the guard.

To be able to make both allies and enemies trust his judgment without any acts of confirmation, Captain Joshua is certainly not as ordinary as he seems!

Hill carefully observed the four-story buildings they passed by.

The sewage system was quite evident, but there were no gas pipes or electrical wires.

Yet beneath the thick curtains, some lights could be seen.

Closing curtains and turning on lights during the day was not just a one-off occurrence; it only proved that the cost of lighting wasn’t high, likely akin to the electricity fees in his world... Most people would be prudent, while some wouldn’t care.

Hill grew increasingly interested in this world’s use of energy!

Joshua led Hill’s carriage on several routes through the city, quickly shifting from bustling commercial streets to a pleasantly scenic area full of gardens and green spaces. The streets were particularly wide, with exquisite little gardens filled with blooming flowers even between the luxurious shops spaced hundreds of meters apart.

Such a beautiful street, not far from the commercial district, with luxurious shops yet barely a soul in sight... Hill squinted and smiled slightly: As he had anticipated, facing a high-level magician of unknown identity unwilling to stay in an inn, the wise ones would only guide him to the mage district.

Only mages understand the disparity between levels, and know how to avoid provoking a High Sorcerer.

Yet, his straightforward actions also made Hill realize that there must definitely be a High Mage in Basia City, perhaps even a Temple of the God of Runes.

This is why Joshua was cautious yet unafraid... A mage capable of stopping Hill in his mind, and a Temple that could immediately confirm Hill’s identity, made Joshua feel confident that Hill’s bold entry signaled no trouble.

The World of Aesces had indeed been considerate by placing him outside Basia City.

Hill touched his Ring of Winter... It seemed he would indeed need to use it.

Joshua stopped in front of a green space... Hill observed this roughly 500-square-meter area, with the nearest neighbors at least a kilometer away, and they were all shops.

”Here... I think you can tell; this is the Magic Long Street.” Joshua said with a hint of hesitation, ”This area is the only part belonging to the Lord’s Mansion.

I can only arrange the area belonging to the Lord’s Mansion for your use.

What do you think... Can you accept it?”

His expression was determined, looking as though he would immediately seek out another mage for negotiation if Hill expressed dissatisfaction.

The Captain of the Guard’s excessive courtesy nearly stunned Hill.

He blinked... and suppressed the impulse for a mischievous act.

After all, Joshua’s exaggeration came from the anxiety of a small figure forced to protect himself.

Ultimately, Hill only slightly nodded his head: ”Thank you for showing the way.”

Two small pouches were thrown in front of Joshua, who hesitantly reached out to catch them, only to hear the cold words from the magician inside the carriage: ”The large one is the rental fee for the land, the small one is for you.”

The carriage then drove to the center of the grassland, and the reins of the horse were quickly retracted. Metal plates fell on all sides, embedding themselves into the grass.

Thick metal plates also unfolded from the top of the carriage, and thin steel plates continuously extended, eventually forming two small 30-square-meter rooms on either side of the carriage.

The black horse snorted and directly walked into the one on the right.

In front of the carriage, a metal canopy and a set of three-step stairs also appeared.

Joshua, somewhat bewildered by all of this, suddenly widened his eyes... This is an Alchemist!

Their earl, wasn’t he hoping that the young lady would learn Alchemy?