Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1576: Chapter 154: Ditte’s Curiosity

Ditte frowned and glanced at the softly smiling ’Lu Huayu’.

This guy... He turned to Lind: ”There are so many in the Undead Tribe, why did you have to find someone so similar to yourself?”

’Lu Huayu’ suddenly tilted his head back... Wow! So direct?

Has this guy been spending too much time with that fool Thunder?

Lind woke up: ”Ah, I wondered why I always felt so familiar when I saw Mr. Lu Huayu, it turns out the scent... is quite familiar!”

He shook his head: ”But I can understand his actions. Brother Ditte, you should understand this feeling, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have the best relationship with Thunder, yet be able to have exchanges with that guy named Sui Chen.

Conducting fair transactions while maintaining mutual boundaries, with no one owing anyone, meeting each other’s needs is the most normal thing for me.

If someone is especially good to me, I... Brother Ditte, even parents can’t unconditionally tolerate me... Besides you, who else can I trust?

That’s what’s normal.”

Ditte frowned, pondering for a moment: ”Paying rent in advance benefits you, but what about him?”

”They would also, um, certainly worry that I gained some leverage and might suddenly flip the table!” Lind said nonchalantly.

Ditte scratched his head: ”Oh, yeah, you’d definitely do that, makes sense, and they need to be on guard with you a bit more.”

Lind couldn’t help but give his dear brother a massive eye roll: ”Brother, how can you say that about me?”

”Ah, because I understand you!” Ditte said calmly, ”It’s because you’re my own little brother whom I’ve watched grow up that I find your bit of selfish cunning a cute flaw.”

He turned and glanced at ’Snow Cloud Peak’ who was watching them with great interest: ”Mr. Snow Cloud Peak indeed is an outstanding military strategist, really knows what kind of person needs what kind of opposition.

However, this attitude of balance does put me at ease a bit.

Though you all intend to use Lind to achieve some goal, at least, there’s no plan to completely ruin him.

If it were swapped with... well... someone like Thunder on the outside but Lu Huayu on the inside, I definitely wouldn’t be so assured.”

”But you agreed instantly at the start!” ’Lu Huayu’ suddenly chimed in.

”How could I refuse such a thing? Although there’s danger, with Aesces in charge, at most Lind would suffer a bit at the start, but he could always find a way to bounce back later.” Ditte smirked, ”But what’s most important for Lind right now is a safe Baron’s domain.”

’Snow Cloud Peak’ raised a brow... It seems Ditte doesn’t have high hopes for the future of Basia City.

”Basia City won’t collapse.” ’Snow Cloud Peak’ said calmly, ”At most, it’ll just be a bit chaotic.”

”Hah~ Because of Ellie, who knows how many random people will come here in the future!” Ditte reached out and ruffled Lind’s hair, ”This kid will surely be a target for many.

Although my father gave me the title, the family power isn’t going to fall into my hands anytime soon, no matter how cautious I am. Lind, who’s already become a branch family, will surely have holes all around him.

The most important thing is, his personality is inherently like a sieve.

Rather than always guarding against him being led astray by some nasty piece of work, it’s better for him to live well under your protection.

Right now, I don’t even know if the people around me are gods or ghosts, demons or monsters.

For all I know, I might find myself tangled in some problems too.

Hah~ In the end, perhaps only Lind will carry on the Stelter Family!”

Lind grabbed Ditte’s large hand in return: ”Then brother... you first inherit the Earl’s position, and if things start to seem off, by that time my domain will surely have been established, you can bring your people to me.

After all, Basia City won’t be completely destroyed, whether you’re there or not doesn’t matter, as long as you secure the title!

Brother, even though I’m not exactly a good person, I’m genuinely willing to support you!”

Ditte pried his hand off, holding Lind’s head between his hands and ruffling it: ”Silly kid, saying dumb things, if I could abandon our parents and family, how could I be good to you?”

He turned to ’Snow Cloud Peak’: ”Lind can sign the contract with you all immediately. I will try to make him an official mage before reaching the new domain... he’s actually very close. Some of the spiritual power training he did due to being a magical swordsman made his progress during his apprentice days very fast.

All that’s left is memory of the spells, and solidifying his spiritual power.

We’ve tried the potion and as long as Lind takes 10 more bottles, there’s hope for him to advance to mage.

If he becomes a baron with a mage identity, your minds will be more at ease, right?

So, is it possible to have Lind’s baronial document sent over before the Earl’s document reaches Basia?

From what I understand about those in the Capital, they won’t deliver the documents in less than a month.”

”Snow Cloud Peak” raised an eyebrow: ”You should understand that we would only maximize our interests when delivered later, right?

Lind also wouldn’t mind us using this matter to slap the Stelter Family.

And you, in this matter, won’t suffer too much loss... you might even take over real power from your father sooner!”

”I don’t need it.” Ditte shook his head, ”My father is an outstanding military officer skilled in combat, treating his subordinates fairly, which is why he is so revered... but using the same method to handle family disputes is a bit... I left home too early, really not knowing he applied the law of the strong over the weak even in family matters.

Of course, it’s not impossible to do it, but at the very least, let Lind know what benefits Ellie taking the position would have for his future... make him willingly accept that inequality.

Lind, if you knew that once Ellie becomes an Alchemist Master, she would take your child as a disciple, would you put aside your selfishness for the time being?”

Lind blinked: ”Brother, I’m the type who only cares about myself.”

Ditte helplessly pouted amidst the surrounding chuckles and reached out to mess up Lind’s freshly combed hair: ”You rascal, now that you have some nerve, you dare say anything!”

He turned to look at ”Snow Cloud Peak”: ”My father is proud and although he’s made mistakes, it’s not that severe... a lot of things were simply linked accidents resulting in today’s situation.

Just let him know Lind’s choice, and he will understand by himself where he went wrong.

But if... I don’t hope, Lind wouldn’t hope for father to live without his faith, right?”

Lind softly curved his lips... He has been abandoned, eh!

Yet Ditte had already spent a potion worth 20,000 gold... and even before had spent nearly that much... buying his silence.

”The Undead Tribe isn’t short on money.” ”Snow Cloud Peak” said calmly.

”But you haven’t completely given up on Basia City, have you?” Ditte asked seriously, ”I don’t believe you willingly gave it to those who betrayed you.

No matter how many schemes you have, if you can have my cooperation as the new Count Stelter, wouldn’t it be much easier?”

”Snow Cloud Peak” couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and ask: ”Do you know what you’re saying?

Are you choosing us over the Undead Tribe staying here and those traveling afar?”

”I am a soldier.” Ditte answered off-topic, ”What soldiers hate most are traitors.

We can never trust those who stab their comrades in the back.”

Then he revealed a knowing smile: ”Besides, with you having me mingle with Thunder for so long, do your enemies really feel at ease with me?

You’ve left Basia City with an unstable rear, why go to the extreme?”

”Snow Cloud Peak” laughed: ”Seeing that you also look down on them, I’ll make a slight concession this time.

Qiuqiu, show the agreement we drafted to Mr. Lind.

Of course, Mr. Ditte, you’re welcome to take a look as well.”

’Qiuqiu’ took out a stack of papers and casually handed them to Lind.

”So many...” Lind glanced down and muttered softly.

”Qiuqiu, did you take the void ones too?” ”Snow Cloud Peak” said softly, ”Could you be more careful?”

’Qiuqiu’ deftly walked over, flipped a few times, and pulled out half from the bottom: ”Ah, sorry, this one is not for you.”

Lind’s eyelids slightly twitched... the Undead Tribe initially prepared for several Knight’s Fiefs.

Perhaps the Undead Tribe wanted to remind him that if he went against agreements, they could always find replacements. But it also slightly reassured Lind... at least these people didn’t begin plotting against him the moment they arrived in Aesces.

’Lu Huayu’ glanced at Lind’s expression which became a bit more relaxed, secretly gave ”Snow Cloud Peak” a look... He knew it, people like Lind absolutely shouldn’t be given the illusion of ”it was him all along,” otherwise in his heart, he wouldn’t know how many plots will arise!

”Once you’ve confirmed the territories, bring the map to the Magic Tower.” Hill’s voice quietly sounded, ”I’ll move first, after all, some animals might come with me.”

He’s raised deer, horses, cattle, rabbits so long and wouldn’t let those people slaughter them as experience pack.

”Okay~” ”Snow Cloud Peak” turned to look at Windbell Grass and cheerfully asked, ”Do you need help? Elder still has plenty of cages for transporting large animals!”

Hill couldn’t help but question curiously: ”Are you trying to scare them, making the meat tasty?”

That’s a cage for transporting White Dragons! The might of dragons, even White Dragons, is no small thing!

”Ah...” ”Snow Cloud Peak” scratched his head and laughed, ”Sorry, I really forgot.”

Ditte, head-to-head with Lind studying the contract papers couldn’t help but be curious and glanced at ”Snow Cloud Peak”: His curiosity about dragons really just keeps growing!