Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1449: Chapter 27: What Hill Wants Always Comes

Little Ellie obviously dislikes the Alchemist Association and isn’t fond of Young Master of the Ismael Family either.

The previous part wasn’t exactly wrong; Hill could sense that the Finch Family was indeed their enemy—a truly terrifying one...but this was merely a matter of stance, nothing worth discussing.

The Stelter Family, it seems, represents the military nobles, aiming to enhance the military’s overall strength.

On the other hand, they’re naturally inclined to safeguard the territories the traditional nobles have cultivated for hundreds or even thousands of years; there’s no way they’d back down.

But the stance of the Ismael Family is not as certain.

The young and error-prone Miss Ellie wouldn’t receive any hints, so as long as she knows better than to provoke the people of the Ismael Family, that’s enough.

Hill tilted his head curiously...that Finch, since he has the ability to subdue the fairly adept Count Stelter to such an extent that he has no choice but to utilize his beloved daughter, does he know about the issues with the Ismael Family?

He couldn’t help but smile...his joyful expression caught Ellie’s attention, making her glance back twice.

However, by this time, Delgado couldn’t contain his emotions any longer and stood up, clenching his fists as he shouted out an offer of 5 million...compared to the calm 200,000 at the beginning, it left a significant impression.

The snickering from the neighboring booths was particularly conspicuous...Basia City’s local powers, even those not on harmonious terms with Count Stelter, wouldn’t appreciate seeing the capital’s foreign dragon humiliating their city’s apparent leader to such an extent.

Thus, many people turned off the soundproof arrays, and even...in one booth where the array wasn’t shut down, the blatant mockery distinctly emanated from its amplifier.

And no one knew who had seized the microphone from the attendant.

Delgado’s face was a mix of iron gray and a hint of blush...it’s unclear whether it was from hate or resentment.

But he now realized, he had officially made enemies, so he couldn’t expect the Stelter Family to cover for him any longer...some might find the money in his pocket to be a bit precarious!

Delgado’s gaze directly shifted to the farthest left opposite him—that represented his greatest competitor, one of the hundreds of kids from the Finch old beast.

The Little Finch, who could come to a port city like Basia City, wouldn’t lack in power or capability. Besides, to ensure these children get the best resources...these branches would remit almost only one-tenth of their revenue back to the main association!

This thought made Delgado gnash his teeth in hatred!

In the past, with the kids being young, their numbers didn’t bother him, he even thought Finch might be terminally ill...having so many kids and nurturing them all into Alchemists, not even a Golden Mountain could bear such extravagance!

But now...these kids had all become presidents, big or small, of various cities!

The Alchemist Association’s income has plummeted, yet the Finch Family has become unbelievably wealthy!

At first, Delgado sought to rally other families to oppose Finch’s approach, but later he discovered, there was nobody else, just himself!

Those people probably already looked unfavorably upon him, content with taking a significant chunk from the Alchemist Association without lifting a finger, likely having long since teamed up with Finch.

Which family hasn’t a few juniors?

If they can’t become presidents, they can be sent to Finch as deputies! Naturally, they can extract funds from the branch.

As a result...only he suffered tremendous losses!

If it were ten years ago, he wouldn’t be so conflicted over a piece of Mithril!

”Go!” he quietly instructed the female apprentice sitting beside him, ”Bring Yanos!”

The female apprentice hesitated before saying, ”He probably doesn’t have much money, right? Besides, how could he possibly be willing to spend money? He’s...”

Having been tormented by Delgado to the point where he could only watch the carriage waiting for them to leave, Yanos would have surely left had he had any money!

”Ha~ maybe it’s just 100,000 short!” Delgado sneered, ”Tell him, as long as he helps me this time, I’ll issue him a certificate of mentorship, allowing him to work at the Alchemist Association!”

The female apprentice stared at Delgado with a mix of astonishment and fear...you’re already planning to empty his savings, yet you’re not even offering some benefits, merely sweeping him out the door?

Making him leave, while also expecting him to pay for the ticket out?

This...despite her usual disregard for her reputation, of course, if she cared, she wouldn’t appear so disreputable in public...but who told this old man to prefer such wild antics?

But this time...such words felt filthy even coming from her mouth!

Even the most shameless would rather not spew filth, right?

Tch~

The female apprentice hesitated reluctantly before finally opening the door and stepping out.

”Someone’s leaving!” Count Stelter chuckled, nudging Joshua’s chair at the side: ”Are your arrangements there all set?

Don’t let everything go to waste in the end.”

”Relax.” Joshua handed Lind a freshly peeled apple without turning his head, saying, ”It’s Ditte under the border military, just completed 10 years of service, first appearance inland after adulthood.

Heh~

His current family doesn’t even know what he looks like!”

”Then why doesn’t he come home? Don’t his mom and dad miss him?

Mom thinks about my big brother every day!” Lind took a bite of his apple, curiously asking.

”Lind~” Joshua smiled and patted his back, ”The world is complex, not all parents love their children, ah, or love all their children equally.”

”But doesn’t mom favor me the most?” Lind retorted, ”But Ditte still really likes mom, and likes me too!”

Joshua helplessly laughed: ”It’s just that you’re the most spoiled! Young lad.

The love given to your brothers and sisters, however, is not different.”

A trace of melancholy appeared between his brows: The reason why Lind received all his parents’ love, even as he’s about to become adult, maintaining a cute and innocent air, is paid for with the sacrifice of his future.

His brothers and sisters are not fools, they know, even if everything Helena owned was given to this younger brother it can’t make up for the more promising future Lind had to give up.

Though Lind’s potential isn’t as good as Ellie’s, it isn’t so poor that he can’t advance to become a Mage.

Let alone the Stelter Family has so many resources... once he becomes a Mage, reaching intermediate level is just a matter of time.

Otherwise, Count Stelter wouldn’t think that Ellie staying in Basia was the best outcome... whether for the family or Ellie herself.

But, the Stelter Family’s current situation is very dangerous.

Count Stelter, either actively or passively, stood in the center of a shabby house with a floor filled with crystalline explosives beneath... they must tread carefully with each step, dare not make a single mistake, not a single extra move.

Ellie’s talents are indeed exceptional, thus she can be placed on stage to test the depth of traditional nobles’ hostility towards the Stelter Family.

But if Lind were also to turn to the Mage Profession, then... that might likely cross the opponent’s bottom line directly.

And as for the army... since Count Stelter wants to transition from military merit nobility to local nobility, how can he, after reluctantly sending the heir and eldest son, also send the beloved youngest son in?

Besides, the various backhands left by the Count in the military are indeed only enough for Ditte alone.

When Lind started learning from his mother under the foundation of a Magical Swordsman, it was already decided that he could only lead a carefree life.

So, the Count has always been tolerant of the youngest son’s innocence... even as he is on the verge of adulthood, still saying such unaware words of people’s hardships.

They could only hope that Lind could live so carefree forever.

They just hope that in their generation, when they are still here, this helpless deadlock situation can improve, then... Lind would still have a chance to switch to magic, after all, even Magical Swordsmen have to come into contact with Magical Energy from childhood.

If they lose... Helena’s constant attempts to marry Ellie off could be immediately completed, and no matter who she marries, ensuring a naive, innocent child, who knows nothing, would still be possible.

But for Lind, afterwards, he might never be able to smile again... once the enemy wins, they definitely won’t give the Steltler Family a chance to rise again.

As for Ditte... If they succeed, Ditte would naturally gain the most, his future would be the brightest, so, if they fail, he would have to bear the negative consequences together with them.

But sometimes, dying could actually be a happier outcome.

Joshua lightly patted Lind’s back: ”You will understand in the future~

True favoritism doesn’t allow other children to feel loved too.

People!

Are very complex creatures, most adept at deceiving themselves.

But actually, once there is partiality, the favoritism and affection distributed to others would all be forgotten.”

Lind obediently gnawed at his apple and said, without understanding: ”Then why have other kids? If you don’t have them, there wouldn’t be this problem, right?”

Joshua smiled wryly.

The Count glanced over there, instantly feeling a more terrifying force on his waist, could only twitch his lips and whisper: ”That Mr. Belfran, seems to be not quite bound by the implicit agreements of those like Mage Danboro.

I’m planning to take a look first... let him teach Ellie some basic Alchemy knowledge, for now, to see if the gentleman’s attitude would loosen.”

”How would he teach?” Helena used her fan to cover her mouth, speaking through gritted teeth, ”The legacy of an Alchemist isn’t something that easy to learn?

Yanos... if such a thing happens to Ellie, I will fight to the death with you!”

”Not to mention that Mr. Belfran’s personality is relatively generous...” Count Stelter’s voice grew smaller under his wife’s glare, ”I happened to receive some ancient Alchemical Notes, the runes are very ancient... perhaps he will agree to teach Ellie the contents after reading it.”