Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill held the crystal cup in his hand, sipping his juice slowly.

Although Celene also leaked quite a bit of information, it was all analyzed by Hill himself.

The only thing she willingly divulged was Shantia.

But, clearly, Artemis, who could deal with Shantia, was definitely not AO’s main target.

Even Apollo, who was likely meant to fill the void left by the God of Destiny after being devoured by Asmodeus, was not the most urgently needed.

Only Athena, who supplemented the space of sea faith, was the most important.

However, her presence affected the Undead Tribe and those entities allied with them... So Celene didn’t mention this matter at all.

Though she couldn’t hide it secretly, she understood well that this matter should best not be brought up in front of Hill.

Thus, even if Celene’s mind was not as quick as her tongue, she still clearly knew where she stood.

It was this awareness that made AO favor Celene over Shaer.

Shaer, though selfish and cold, had emotional inclinations, it was just her heart was too small.

Celene, pure and friendly... Yet she was completely unaffected emotionally, perhaps her heart was too vast?

Love and hate, with greater intensity, belonged to Shaer.

Immovable like a mountain, that was Celene.

Therefore, building a relationship with Celene was completely unnecessary.

The moment she left your side, she had already put everything behind her.

The only things that could move her thoughts were Toril, AO, and Shaer.

And among these three, the first one she would abandon would certainly be Shaer.

But, if it were the old Shaer, the last to be abandoned would be Celene.

It wasn’t just because Celene disregarded her wishes that Shaer could never forgive her eternal flame... She also realized the imbalance of emotions invested between them as sisters.

It was having William as a tether that kept Shaer from becoming utterly resolute:

After AO removed the Shadow Weave that allowed her to monitor all of Toril and seeing Celene gracefully return to power, instantly surpassing her, Shaer, who had crafted Mystra’s Path of Destiny, fell into deeper, more vicious hatred... Otherwise, she wouldn’t have chosen to take back the God of Thievery, who absorbed the dirtiest parts of the Rules of the Shadows, as one of her aspects, even though she had caught Mask once or twice before.

Shaer actually disliked these somewhat sordid rules and the shadow thieves attracted by Mask... Though she was unscrupulous, she still had a certain style.

Think about her Chosen~ Even if they were outliers, they were the most attractive among outliers.

She was the Lady of the Night, the Primordial God of Toril... In her eyes, all creatures of Toril were normal beings, hence she wouldn’t just see beauty in human forms.

But those thieves of Mask were mostly scum.

In Shaer’s eyes, those shadow thieves were even worse than Cyric’s Dark Sun assassins.

Yet, without enough sources of information or quick reflexes, Shaer would fall into unease... The existence of the Shadow Weave was her reliance for rapidly controlling various situations in Toril.

In those times, the message channels established by shadow thieves had significance for Shaer.

Although Shaer was proud and picky, she would abandon unnecessary struggles when in need.

Thus, she would unhesitatingly reclaim Mask... even if it made her fuse more closely with Primordial Darkness, losing almost all emotions didn’t matter.

Shaer always knew what she wanted most... even if it meant sacrifice.

Then Toril plunged into its most chaotic phase: the Night Cloaks had to show their intentions to reassure their continually questioning master.

The simplest method was to fill all lands beneath them with slaughter and betrayal.

But the current Shaer, was still the one with ruthless means, yet always leaving a chance for survival in certain places.

She still retained her feelings, for example, a curiosity that could be compared with Celene’s.

The lively camera on the grand screen proved everything.

If Shaer wasn’t personally manipulating it, how could Cyric fail to notice such a gleeful shadow creature?

Even without life aura, it was always moving in the nearby shadows, that thing was indeed in motion!

It’s unclear whether Shaer was learning the acting skills of these few, but she paid special attention to their expressions.

Especially that one, with a resolute and determined face, who clearly had strong auxiliary functions from the Book of Wisdom, yet didn’t add any buffs for herself, relying on the shield and sword to stand at the rear — Athena.

This Goddess of Wisdom, to avoid being compelled by promises to rescue Zeus, preferred bearing the black flames that still burned on her body.

The Dark Sun’s flame, quite fitting Cyric’s usual style... would amplify the sensory nerves of the ignited individual.

Athena endured pain far exceeding that of a person engulfed in flames.

Yet when she uttered spells from the Psychokinesis-enhanced Book of Wisdom, her voice remained as resolute.

The expression on her face showed pain, but... it didn’t seem that painful.

Shaer really valued this Athena highly.

Hill controlled the urge to turn his head to look at her... Even something he could understand, how could Shaer not?

This AO intends to bring back to Toril a goddess to counter the presence of the Undead Tribe, which is definitely a huge threat.

Even though she clearly knows that her William doesn’t care whether the Undead Tribe can contend with the local navy and adventurers backed by this Athena, Shaer, who never likes the word ’lose’, still recorded everything about Athena very seriously.

It doesn’t matter if William doesn’t use it, but in case... he suddenly changes his mind?

Hill feels he can see Shaer’s true heart from that bouncing lens!

But, it’s precisely because of this, he can be certain that William absolutely won’t intervene in this matter.

After all, whether they earn or not, what does it matter to the Undead Tribe?

Moreover, having someone compete with them is actually a great thing for them.

William definitely won’t make things difficult for Shaer... This Lady of the Night, although she speaks fiercely, in reality, she will adhere to AO’s rules.

She just knows which rules are as useful as toilet paper, and which must be followed.

The true power in Toril always lies in AO’s hands, which is the only rule this Lady of the Night truly follows.

She hasn’t said, ’Willing to do anything for love’, but she acts accordingly.

Hill believes William can also see the heavy sincerity that Shaer has offered.

So, he... at least for now, will choose to cherish it and completely avoid those entangling matters of Toril, not letting Shaer fall into a dilemma.

Just by understanding even slightly about this Lady of the Night, one can realize how... awkward she is.

Hill couldn’t help but want to laugh: Although she kills and burns, destroys nations and worlds, Shaer, is truly a good girl.

Though only for William.

Of course, Hill feels this way because all her malice is directed toward Toril... Outside this universe, Shaer’s harm is actually very little.

As long as it doesn’t harm one’s interests, people can appreciate the occasional human light in the neighboring villain.

The Toril people probably don’t think this way.

But, the Toril people probably also hope that the love between William and Shaer lasts forever... Shaer, not having gone mad even after losing the Shadow Demon Network, is naturally because she exposed part of her influence openly.

Chult has already become her Chult.

Followers of the Night should know whom to report their recent work progress to if they’re not foolish.

Not understanding even that point, being abandoned is simply his own doing.

Hill, upon seeing Shaer place Nasir in Chult, understood her intention... For now, she can tolerate the noise of Toril’s existence.

However, the dignity of the Lady of the Night is not to be underestimated, nor can she let the Toril people think she has lost that kind of deterrence.

Therefore, she needs someone who is not too extreme, can engage well with surrounding forces, and yet remains unyielding and awe-inspiring in the Evil Faction.

The previous ones were insufficient... Either mere brutes or killers and schemers accustomed to working in the dark.

Hill suddenly realized... being prohibited from chatting has made him think more comprehensively and meticulously!

Sure enough, not wanting to think is one thing, but being forced to shut up is something unwilling.

He used to never focus so much on Toril before.

Indeed, the rebellious spirit of the Earth Bear is worn like a badge; the more prohibited, the more one wants to do those things.

Hill rolled his eyes and decided to suppress this little bit of rebelliousness.

After all, the Master of Destiny hasn’t left him without another option... Involving too much with destiny, the law lines encircle him, leading him to a spiritual predicament.

Prophecy Mages go mad by their own choice... Only by shedding these spiritual bounds will they fall away.

But Hill doesn’t need to do this; when he can’t hold on, he can just ask the Master of Destiny to bring him into the river of destiny, floating in it like his peers.

Whenever Hill thinks of this result, that rebellious spirit immediately cools down... Although he could witness all the fun in the multiverse there, what’s the point in watching alone?

Besides, he’s still young!

He can’t let go of friendship and family.

So, Hill knows he must curb his curiosity... Even if he speculates some things, he has to remain silent.

”Eh?” Celene suddenly looked towards another giant screen that they had ignored for a long time... After Amanata stopped Kashus, it became a live exchange meeting, raising little interest.

After all, Amanata’s way of speaking is too bureaucratic.