Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1600: Chapter 178: The Impact of the Locust Plague

’Battlefield Lightening’ heavily slapped Ditte’s shoulder, the force was immense... I guess he finally understood what Ditte meant by ’like-minded’ earlier.

But he had long been used to people saying he doesn’t think... Ditte’s indirect words were meaningless to him, having a stronger force was enough revenge.

”There’s no point in discussing it now, we definitely won’t lose to such trash.” He said with a hearty smile, ”Let’s go! We’ll take you back, and there’s supplies to deliver too!”

Ditte scratched his head... Though he wanted to take them back himself, the storage tools on him weren’t that big.

”No need to feel embarrassed.” The ’Old Age Striking King’ had already found a more comfortable position on the bull’s back, and tied a sash securely to the saddle, ”We still have to help Lu Tai... Huayu deliver goods!

Are the shops in Basia City okay?”

”Good and bad, it’s all commercial tactics, I can’t do much.” Ditte turned his horse, and walked to the forefront of the two squads with ’Battlefield Lightening’... The knights he brought naturally inserted into the Battlefield Knights according to previous habits.

Even the bulls and horses found a harmonious rhythm as they skillfully sensed the familiar presence around them.

The rhythm of hooves was harmonious even during high-speed running.

”Don’t worry about it.” Having been prepared early, the ’Old Age Striking King’ spoke clearly, ”They never intended to make money immediately, merely planning to secure footing.

Otherwise, when everything calms down, could there be any bargains left to grab?”

Ditte remained silent, merely glanced back at his own knights... Seeing the confidence radiated by the Undead Tribe, if anyone chose to associate with Ellie for some unfathomable reason, even he, the head of the corps, couldn’t do anything... If one seeks their own demise, not even their own parents can intervene, what could he do?

On the battlefield, he would live and die with his knights, no matter if a mistake suddenly happened.

But, outside of that, if there was anyone who chose the path of death despite repeated admonitions, Ditte wouldn’t hesitate to let go... Let alone speak of threats, in times of trouble impacting personal safety, the first to seek help from a knights corps leader would be a knight’s professional ethics.

And as the leader of the knights corps, aiding his knights through challenges had always been an inherent duty, Ditte believed he had done well all these years, never failing in this regard.

However, sometimes, there could be external manipulation, if it was like that... Ditte decided to buy some Concentration Potion for his knights.

With Lind’s past as a lesson, they used Holy Water as a daily drink.

Adding Concentration Potion, then, it shouldn’t be external influence anymore.

He hadn’t expected that after nearly ten years of saving money on the battlefield, he’d return home for less than a year and spend most of it; what would he do afterward?

Ditte looked ahead, suddenly feeling a strange sensation... Had all his discomfort been caused by his most doted younger sister?

How did Ellie manage to tarnish family affection and warmth into resentment in such a short time?

Now,

”Thunder...” Ditte lowered his voice, asking his friend, ”Is there anywhere to earn money?”

”You could mine.” The ’Old Age Striking King’ instantly figured, Ditte likely had spent all his money... Ha, feeling great when spending on Lind, but now it was getting tough, though not surprising; Ditte should have plenty of high-level ores but nowhere to sell them now.

He wouldn’t go to Hall of Abundance, but anywhere else... would definitely result in selling at a loss, Ditte wouldn’t do that.

What concerned him were the prolonged days ahead with insufficient funds, though not reaching dire straits yet.

Still, she knew how to ensure Ditte could live on and live well: ”It’s where you’re staying now, the cliff; Hill once said there’s a mixed mine below, including Gold and Silver and Energy Ore.

Hmm... Let me think, forget it, best you start from the edge of the labyrinth and dig down, if at the cliffside you can’t hide it from Ellie.”

Hill had said during their chat that there were originally several small veins below, good in purity but not large, lacking in mining value, so he mixed them and pressed them to the bottom of the cliff.

But ’Snow Cloud Peak’ didn’t take Hill’s word entirely at face value.

After thoroughly investigating, he decided before leaving, they’d choose a suitable owner for this place... It mustn’t fall to Ellie and Eden’s people.

Ditte froze for a moment: ”Ah, Great Sage Belfran, seems to be truly wealthy, huh!”

”Just call him Hill, Belfran is merely an alias, he himself finds it unfamiliar. And no need for many titles; genuine respect in your heart far outweighs verbally adding a heap of honorifics, Hill would be happier.” ’Old Age Striking King’ quickly answered, ”Our Hill’s wealth level is enough to make the Goddess of Wealth envious, fearsome enough to tempt even a Giant Dragon to rob, hehe~

Your World Master probably isn’t as rich as him!”

”Have you seen the jewelry on the old man’s body?” ’Battlefield Lightening’ slowly began, ”Pretty, aren’t they? 300,000 Gold Coins a set, Hill’s creations~

New styles monthly, consistently sold out, guess how many years these wealthy women have been buying?”

”You fool!” ’Old Age Striking King’ scornfully remarked, ”Still don’t get it? The least valuable thing in Hill’s possession is Gold! He’s simply collaborating with William to get rid of our Gold Coins!”

”Huh?” Ditte asked perplexedly, ”Collaborating for what?”

”Oh, our Main God doesn’t like us talking about privacy, so he won’t let you listen.” The ’Old Age Striking King’ smirked, ”Serves him right for marrying the fiercest woman in the Multiverse.”

”Compared to you...” Ditte quickly regained control, showing a polite smile, ”No wonder Mr. Hill doesn’t care about minerals, that sure benefits me!

What a relief.

Thank you for reminding me to claim a good spot.

Sigh... As long as I can get through this period, I don’t know, this disaster will... ah... damn!”

He was still a bit confused, but now his face fell.

In the distant sky, a sudden yellow cloud rapidly approached them at high speed.

It was locusts, flooding in from the inland, covering the skies and fields.

”Raise the Shield!” ’Battlefield Lightning’ shouted amidst the alert and loud mooing of the Battle Ox beneath him, ”Full defense mode!

Elderly! Increase intelligence and physical strength!

Protective Shield for the mounts, prioritize Ditte and the others!”

The Battle Ox of the Battlefield Family are Innate Demon Beasts, even if a few locusts accidentally breach the defense circle, their tough hide won’t be easily bitten through. They’ve been outfitted in Toril with full body armor and saddles, leg guards, and hoof armor... The arrays on them are mainly for protection, to prevent lethal blows and reduce weight.

Although other capabilities can be added, that would cost a lot more, and most knights don’t request so much, isn’t there also the Priests and Paladins to rely on!

Speaking of which, the Undead Tribe, primarily composed of Knight Corps, have the greatest appreciation for Toril’s prevention of lethal blow arrays... This way, they can bring their favorite mounts to battle without fearing they’ll collapse and cry on the battlefield.

While Lightning hasn’t purchased any jewelry worth 300,000 gold, the cumulative value of the armor for his mounts isn’t less than 300,000.

Ditte cooperated with Lightning to lift his shield, his low words filled with sorrow, ”Danboro, is it going to end?”

”Not necessarily, right?” The ’Old Age Striking King’ replied amidst his busyness, ”If the poor don’t starve, the nation won’t perish.”

Ditte glanced at her thoughtfully, quickly shook his head, dismissing any fantasies of the Undead Tribe’s world.

”It’s different.” He said sadly, ”No matter what, Danboro was once a country, even if internally split, in name it was still the Danboro people.

When doing things, speaking, it was still under the Danboro Royal Family’s name.

But, in the future, it seems it will be nominally dead.

Unless, at this moment, the Danboro Royal Family can relinquish their safety, deploy the army and high-ranking forces for disaster relief.

Otherwise...”

”Hm?” ’Battlefield Lightning’ asked puzzled, ”Our Undead Tribe won’t just watch people die, we’re definitely engaged in rescue operations!”

”The Danboro Royal Family can no longer collect any taxes.” Ditte explained further, ”Moreover, if the local army refuses to deliver supplies this time, then... the better outcome is them becoming followers of the local Temple.

The worse outcome would depend on whether the army or local government has stronger fists.

Can the army maintain combat strength by eating coarse bread?

This problem will inevitably arise!

Damn! Why are there so many, they haven’t passed yet?

In Basia City, they wouldn’t have even eaten all the fish, would they!”

The fish in the sea are safe, after all, the sea monsters near the shore are still ferocious, even unhesitatingly submerging underwater to drown and devour the locusts daring to fall on them.

The locusts soon stopped heading towards the sea... were it not for the lowering sea level and reduced moisture, they wouldn’t have been foolish enough to fall.

But the city was desolate and bleak.

Especially in the slums, even the seaweed mats on the houses were gnawed away.

Not to mention the garden in Stelter Castle, which originally relied barely on magic to survive.

Although the former Count Stelter timely activated the castle’s arrays, they wouldn’t waste luxury protecting the gardens outside.

This time, Stelter Castle has become a thorough black fortress.