Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1489: Chapter 67: Count Stelter’s Shattered Faith

The Countess Stelter’s carriage suddenly stopped before it reached the foot of the mountain.

”What’s happening?” Helena placed her hand on the sword at her waist, and the housekeeper immediately appeared at the door with two daggers in her hands.

”Madam, it’s Ted.”

Helena frowned slightly and gestured for the housekeeper, who had already hidden the daggers completely, to open the carriage door.

Ted approached solemnly.

”Ted? Why... Ah, it seems that the people from the Alchemist Association are indeed panicking, did they go to the port to find Prince Alexis?

Did you hear the whole story and become worried that the Earl would allow Great Sage Ismael to summon the Moon Clan directly in Basia City?” Helena quickly realized what the housekeeper was concerned about.

Compared to her, Ted, who is ten years older than the Earl and has almost watched him grow up, understands better the man’s admiration for Great Sage Ismael.

”Yes, Lady Helena.” Ted’s voice was strained with a toothache-like sound, as if his throat had become hoarse due to the sudden rise of anger, ”Even knowing these Moon Clan might bring considerable trouble, the Earl would probably agree, perhaps he will certainly agree.

Even if it costs the family dearly.”

”Why?” Helena raised her chin slightly, ”I’ve always been a bit puzzled, he...”

”The Earl, as a child, received quite a bit of ’affection’ from the previous King, and during times when the former Earl went to battle, he would even be kept in the Royal Palace, back when Great Sage Ismael’s ties with the Royal Family were closer...” Then Ted glanced out of the window, sighed, ”The internal struggles within the Danboro Royal Family have always been fierce, and the Earl wasn’t always safe back then.

The King’s affection is sometimes a double-edged sword, especially for young children... The plotters would certainly try to use anyone regardless of life or death.

And Great Sage Ismael, despite many unfathomable quirks, was indeed kind-hearted.

He might not remember which family the Earl’s child belonged to, yet he saved the Earl from traps twice, and due to that, furiously berated those reckless madmen within the Royal Family... I think Madam knows, Great Sage Ismael’s words have always been inspiring.

The savior, coupled with the lofty proclamation of ’Every life is precious’ and ’Everyone has the right to pursue a happy life,’ made the Earl, from that moment, deeply admire Great Sage Ismael.

Even though, upon growing up, he understood reality is ultimately dictated by power, the Sage must also abide by some underlying rules.

Yet he always believed Great Sage Ismael would one day bring some difference to this world... Like a world where everyone could learn any profession they wished.

Moreover, Miss Ellie’s enlightenment teacher, Great Sage Ismael did indeed lend a helping hand.

Ha～

With the Earl’s usual penchant for winning against odds, perhaps he will gamble on this anomaly!”

”No wonder...” Helena shook her head, ”He would tolerate that little madman from the Ismael Family.”

Ted shook his head, ”Not entirely... The major difference between Lucimar and the other children of the Ismael Family’s Sage, outsiders might scarcely know.

Since the Earl happened to be at the Royal Palace back then, he knows the truth.

Now given the situation, there’s no necessity for secrecy... Madam remembers the fiancée who stood by Great Sage Ismael back then?

She was gravely injured saving the pursued Sage, and remained sealed in an ice coffin, sleeping until waking fifty years ago.

How should I say... Great Sage Ismael, despite claiming eternal love for her, had his Magic Manor filled with beautiful ladies and their children.

She awoke with great excitement, fulfilled the marital promise with him, only to discover... the Sage’s eldest son was already older than her.

She immediately flipped out.

Thus, Great Sage Ismael expended considerable effort winning back his fiancée... Of course, it could also be she finally found she had no other choice.

As a result, their child is about the same age as the Earl.”

”My God...” Helena murmured, ”That Sage didn’t have a public marriage contract with other lovers, so if something happened to him, or if he went to the Heavenly Realm, the Ismael Family, according to rules, would belong to Lucimar, right?

But I remember, he has several brothers already surpassing Level 10!

He’s... If not mad, then he’s bound to go mad!”

”Though the Earl greatly admires Great Sage Ismael’s fairness declaration, he is ultimately a true noble, believing Lucimar to be the real Ismael and that the future Ismael Family will solely belong to him.” the housekeeper shook his head, ”However, the Ismael Family has remained silent regarding Mr. Lucimar’s identity, and the Sage has never publicly indicated anything.

Thus, the Earl cannot do anything... only grant him the dignity befitting a heir of Great Nobility.”

Helena nodded, ”Indeed, that’s what a proper person should do.”

Ted smiled wryly.

Helena pressed her lips together, ”You truly should inform me about this.

I believe... following this summoning of the Moon Clan, regardless of the outcome, Great Sage Ismael won’t be able to remain in Danboro.

We can’t get involved in the Ismael Family’s infighting.”

”Then, we must ensure that the Earl does not act impulsively.” Ted spoke calmly, ”At the very least, do not turn our place into an Alchemist Master’s laboratory.

Mr. Yanos, alone, has already produced explosions that are frightening enough.

”I can’t imagine the spectacle of ten thousand experimental products exploding simultaneously.”

Helena forced a smile: ”When will Diet be home?”

”At least three days.” Ted shook his head, ”Young Master Diet is carrying a lot of precious resources, so he can only travel stealthily. I don’t even know where he is now; I can only deduce from the messages sent a few days ago.

As agreed, the message was sent two days after their departure.”

”Then we can only rely on ourselves... Lucimar is indeed the best starting point.” Helena closed her eyes for a moment... Ted didn’t mention Lucimar for nothing. She couldn’t help but sigh, ”Telling him not to be reckless or take risks is pointless.

Luckily, the Stelter Family has always valued inheritance and tradition.”

She then softly instructed: ”Accelerate the carriage, we must arrive before Finch leaves... The Earl would never make a decision that breaks the rules in front of political enemies.”

Count Stelter indeed couldn’t speak improper words under the gaze of Finch and several Grand Priests... Yet his expression showed a hint of bewilderment: ”Could the children of the Ismael Family really be that heartless and unrighteous?

Even though Lucimar is the first heir, over the past few hundred years, they’ve gained much from the Great Sage...”

”Hmm?” Finch couldn’t help but laugh, ”Why don’t you turn around and look at your adorable little son?

Interesting, where does your rose-tinted glasses for that Great Sage come from?”

”What is the Moon Clan? Has our lord... been contaminated?” Austin was completely indifferent to their conversation, squatting to the side in deep confusion.

Tote couldn’t help but slap her on the back: ”What nonsense are you spouting?

This is obviously the will of Aesces!

Our lord probably can’t escape either... Fortunately, Basia is far enough from the Capital.”

The Earl paused for a moment; he noticed that no one thought the arrival of the Moon Clan was a good thing... They had only heard a brief introduction!

”Why... why don’t you all agree with the Great Sage Ismael’s decision?” he couldn’t help but ask.

”Indeed, strong limbs, simple mind.” The Sun Priest leaned against the wall with an indifferent face, ”Even the Grand Knight, skilled in combat, is the same.

When hearing the Great Sage summoned everyone back to the Magic Tower to redefine the rules, you should understand... How could he have summoned people directly to the Danboro Capital without taking any precautions?

This is only the first day!

You’ve served as a soldier for so many years; would you dare let soldiers who don’t even understand military regulations out?

Is that fighting the enemy?

In the best-case scenario, you wouldn’t be able to distinguish friend from foe, and everyone would suffer together!

Not to mention, it’s at your own main base!”

Count Stelter hesitantly said: ”Maybe it’s just an occasional oversight... Adventurers tend to have issues anyway, wouldn’t it be solved by keeping them in check?

Alchemical Tools all have an on/off switch:

Just turn them off, right?”

Finch stared at him: ”Do you think Ismael has the authority to shut down ten thousand devices with a single button?

Heh heh~

Repair would exhaust him to death!”

”So... if these Moon Clan members are still imperfect, why did he bring ten thousand directly?” Tote asked, bewildered, ”Shouldn’t he test them bit by bit?

Is this a common occurrence in his original world?

But how could Aesces... agree to it?”

”Maybe similar things have happened in other worlds?” Finch pondered for a moment before replying, ”Aesces used to have many visitors from Otherworld; the world only shut itself off after Triton’s invasion.

The Alchemist Association has some ten-thousand-year-old information that I’ve seen.”

”Never mind the reason, he’s already done it!

One hundred thousand people, that’s his own choice.” The Grand Rune Priest calmly spoke, ”And if these obviously uncontrolled ten thousand were to appear in Basia, we’d probably all have to seek refuge at your house.”

Helena quickly spoke up, requesting these few for assistance in renovating the castle, preferably to clear out some unnecessary things.

”That’s not a problem.” Finch couldn’t help but glance at Count Stelter, lost in thought, ”Yet, it might not be something you can’t make use of.”

”No matter how precious, it’s not more important than the lives of our family members.” The Earl didn’t hesitate at all.

Hill, who had been observing the situation, quickly discovered the grand project on the northern mountaintop... He had no interest in the giant stone mysteriously moved away by people from the Alchemist Association, but he was very fond of those construction tools.

Various alchemical tools were sent up the mountain... Especially a multifunctional vehicle that almost captivated his entire attention.