Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1453: Chapter 31: Does Mr. 18 Know Ellie?

”Stelter!” Delgado roared.

”Ah~” Count Stelter greeted him with a pleasant expression, ”It’s a pity, but this is reality, isn’t it? Esteemed Sage Delgado.

Next time... you must bring more money... ah no, perhaps you should recruit a few more good students?”

Joyful laughter echoed through the hall.

Even Mr. No. 18, who had been sitting there with a calm face, struggled to emit an audible sound from under the mask covering his entire face.

His head moved back and forth so noticeably that a few short strands of golden hair flew out from his tightly pressed high hat.

Hill glanced curiously a couple of times... maybe because there is a storm season every year on the coast, people in Basia City rarely wear brimmed hats like this, even the nobles mostly wear thin or long or short or full-body or half-body hooded cloaks.

So even though Count Stelter hadn’t returned for long, he could still judge this as an outside guest.

Delgado snorted angrily, sweeping the room with immense pressure, and left with a cold smile as the venue fell silent.

”Hm?” Hill tilted his head.

Perhaps out of consideration to leave some dignity for the sage, Count Stelter did not stop his outburst.

But Hill noticed a peculiar magic aura had clung to the hem of Mr. No. 18’s shoe.

To be able to quickly react at this moment and find a spot the opponent might touch even if replaced... and skillfully avoid skin contact that could trigger the opponent’s sensitive response.

This Archmage Delgado seems quite experienced!

Hill leaned on his chin and scrutinized No. 18 below, who seemed completely oblivious... yet someone who dares to compete with notorious shameless fellows like Delgado must be thoroughly prepared, right?

It’s hard to know in the end who can outsmart whom... but as for him, his ears have been itching a bit during this period, probably because Ellie’s parents have been nagging about him.

So, has the Stelter Family decided what method to employ for his help?

As long as the conditions offered are reasonable, Hill is sure to agree!

Ellie should have received his hint by now... and only knowledge holds value to him, right?

Regarding this family likely to hold a crucial position in this societal transformation, Hill is indeed quite interested and keenly wants to observe closely.

Primarily, ever since arriving in this world, Hill has had a subtle feeling... if Teraxil develops as it does now, sooner or later there’ll be such a day:

Old and new forces intertwining, none weak enough to be easily suppressed by the other, newcomers unwilling to remain silent, the old guard unwilling to exit, will inevitably weave a battle of blood and fire... even if unlike that previous world, a meat grinder-like battlefield with gore flying around does not appear, the undertow below still silently devours innumerable lives.

Of course, Hill knows, even if he returns to Teraxil by that time or goes back to living in his little valley, no one will have the capability to drag him into the mess, let alone target him politically.

But, he still has people he cares about in Teraxil!

He hopes in Aesces to find someone completely untouched by worldly affairs and learn how the person remains so completely uncontaminated, to share the findings with Adrian when he returns.

After all, the entanglements with the Saral Royal Family are hard to say.

Maybe after several iterations of the throne, Adrian and his students will gradually distance themselves from politics, but it’s also possible that an Ismael will emerge among his students.

Back then, both Fran and he didn’t foresee William leaving the throne so early to return to his Divine Kingdom, both thought this king would stay on the throne for a few hundred years!

Yet, things are always uncertain, who would’ve thought William nearly got trapped by the poison of belief?

Now this new King Belter has ties too close with Adrian... they’ve mingled together in Central City for so long!

William’s choice to cultivate Belter vigorously wasn’t surprising, after all, the only junior closest related by blood was Edward’s descendants.

But even if William isn’t the real William, it can be seen from his attitude towards Young William and Princess Spencer, he certainly wouldn’t give Edward’s descendants any chance.

If Edward wasn’t already dead, his son probably wouldn’t even have the current slightly more relaxed environment.

William doesn’t directly cause him trouble, but doesn’t mean some who want to please William won’t try.

And as for the other one, Charles... well, forget it!

With the example of even not being able to outcompete someone like Edward, even Charles himself never considered this possibility.

When the Second Prince found out William intended to find an heir, he wisely declared he only pursued true power, aiming to reach the highest pinnacle a knight could, uninterested in taking a wife and having children.

So, all being collateral lines, William, in choosing, would only look at character and ability, and whether they could harmoniously interact with the Undead Tribe... they need not be sociable, but at least have the correct attitude.

The years spent by Belter in Central City, following behind Adrian, he learned a lot, while the Saral Family members assigned elsewhere could never compare to him.

But... this also led to a most troublesome result.

Adrian can’t just sever ties with his friend because he became King, can he?

Moreover, he can’t possibly foresee things so far into the future.

Right now, the Saral Royal Family looks like it could last forever!

Hill really hopes Adrian can have a good conversation with Mage Holmes, who once guarded Saral for a thousand years. A thousand years can instantly turn the lovely cousin’s child into a wastrel like Edward!

Don’t go through life with rose-colored glasses, or you’ll meet a tragic end.

He decided to thoroughly analyze where the chaos at Aesces began and precisely at what point it ends... if only there were a brilliant person caught in the storm yet able to position themselves perfectly in the calmest area!

Hill is well aware that even in the most chaotic environments, he can find the most suitable path for himself... but that’s not because of his analysis of human nature or his sensitivity to situations, rather his choices are always correct.

This is not something you can take back to discuss with others.

Besides, he’s not naturally that cunning. Anyone with a bit of smarts can deduce from results.

But to rely solely on one’s brainstorming to find the safest and most suitable path from the start is something Hill’s straightforward manner can’t achieve.

Actually, Adrian is slightly better at this than him.

Up ahead, Count Stelter has begun giving his closing remarks for the auction. From his jubilant voice, you can tell how delighted the Count is to have sold his valued item to a stranger.

Hill turned to Ellie: ”I’m heading back now. Today has indeed been quite fulfilling.”

In just a few short hours, it was almost clear how tense the relationships between the various factions in Danboro are.

As for the gentleman in position 18 below, even though Hill didn’t know who he was, he was certain that this was someone here to stir trouble.

Either hoping for chaos in Danboro, or... not wanting Delgado to have anything to do with the Stelter Family.

And you can tell he’s extremely confident from his complete disregard for Delgado’s anger.

So, he’s either a foreign guest, or... someone elusive from the Danboro Royal Family?

Hill glanced at Ellie, who seemed a bit lost.

Miss Stelter’s behavior was slightly off; does she know this number 18 gentleman?

Without disturbing the perturbed Ellie, Hill deftly slipped out the open back door of the box... Most solo mages looking to auction off popular items opt to pay for a box room for this very reason: the door opens to a randomly appearing portal in various corners of Basia City.

Count Stelter clearly detests the Alchemist Association, yet he can only tolerate them threatening his daughter on his own turf because... Even setting up an auction requires their permission, doesn’t it?

However, the hall itself lacks this convenient feature, forcing one to use the main entrance.

Hill used to choose to walk out normally, but today, isn’t Delgado inevitably going to be waiting at the front of the Hall of Abundance for people to come out?

Hill doesn’t want to be shoved out to shield others from disaster.

At this moment, Delgado must also resent Hill... If not for his appearance, how would the Stelter Family dare to act so defiantly?

They’re all sages, and his reputation is more prominent. Delgado would certainly dare to act against Hill under the influence of mere provocations from others.

Although Hill wouldn’t possibly be afraid of him, even if that certainly provocateur Little Finch joined in, it would only take a wave of his hand to handle.

However, why should he when he’s more interested in watching the drama unfold?

If he were to suddenly eliminate Delgado, what would happen to the upcoming play?

Wouldn’t changing actors mean changing the tune?

Hill wasted so much time finally figuring out the actors’ lineup. If they change, then he’d have to familiarize himself all over again!

Exiting through the closing portal after he left, Hill turned to look at his surroundings... How did he end up at the harbor?

Hmm?

He glanced at the harbor with several particularly luxurious ships... Among them, a ship flying the Danboro royal flag slowly gliding to a berth.

Even though there was a sizable gap among the others, this ship chose another somewhat secluded but less crowded new berth.

Then Hill noticed those grand ships came from Scaret... The flags flying aboard depicted a golden-haired warrior, foot on a shark, with a trident pointing skyward.