Surviving The Fourth Calamity

The more Hill understood, the more he felt that Toril was truly a terrifying place.

The God of Nobility from Teraxil, who could be considered a villainous character, might not even survive three days over there.

After all, even the most disgusting deeds done by the Goddess of the Spring in Teraxil were purposeful... jealousy was also a reason.

Of course, the obstacles on one’s path were life-and-death enemies.

But such reasons are understandable to people.

Toril is different.

If they want to scheme against someone, it could be simply because they happened to see them, or because it’s more convenient.

That’s the whole reason.

The person being wronged won’t even ask why, as retaliation is enough.

Unlike in Teraxil, where they would collectively judge the sins of the Spring... that would mean nothing in Toril!

Thus, upon leaving Toril, Hill was truly transformed.

This silent probing, acting with ease under the watchful eyes of those who are aware... is something he couldn’t have managed in the past.

Alas, he wasn’t exactly fond of musing... mainly because the dialogues between Asmodeus and the God of Order were insanely dull.

Who among those capable of seeing all this doesn’t already know your background?

What meaning is there in repeating it?

Truly, it’s frustrating.

However, he understood that if Asmodeus didn’t have ulterior motives or traps at hand, he wouldn’t waste so many words.

And for the God of Order who has stood atop the Heavenly Mountain for so many years, facing a direct confrontation might be troubling, but who are they afraid of when it comes to underhanded tactics?

Think of AO~ that old guy chose to leave himself when he’s unhappy rather than expel others, indicating there are even harsher Old Silver Coins within the Order Gods.

Moreover, although AO is immensely powerful, he thrives on behind-the-scenes manipulations... when it comes to battles, doesn’t he let others fight?

In the tens of thousands of years of battle between Shaer and Celene, he merely stood at the top, observing from above.

Yet compared to the non-departing Order Gods on the Heavenly Mountain, AO was more fearsome... after all, a great Divine Power who could leave at any time, no one could withstand his revenge.

Using their unified combination, the Order Gods created an arena that looked immensely powerful, and their sole weakness is... they could be ambushed but absolutely not broken through directly.

If so, they would become targets for all.

The joint army from Hell and the Abyss is indeed very powerful, but... it’s not as if there is no existence within the Multiverse capable of challenging them.

Especially, residing inside the Positive Energy Plane, one can gradually increase their strength, even maintaining eternal youth, Heavenly Mountain.

For example, the Positive Energy Plane where Tyr is from.

The reason Tyr heard the prayers for justice from Toril was because he ventured out from his home, seeking to see the world beyond.

Put simply, that Positive Energy Plane could no longer provide the energy to make Tyr stronger anymore.

He wasn’t the strongest Divine King, yet he possessed strength that could rival the opposition.

As a deity of justice and courage, he couldn’t rebel for such a reason... thus, he had to see if there were better places in the outside world.

In the end, he plunged headfirst into the deep pit of Toril.

But from Tyr’s performance, who ventured alone, it’s apparent his plane is skilled at combat.

Additionally, the 200 god attendants around Tyr once fought against tens of thousands of troops.

Though it sounds incredible, the Positive Energy Plane most easily births a strong army.

If not for the meddling of that group of Order Gods, the King of Battle Angels, Asmodeus, who may have had another identity, could have been highly adept at warfare too.

Thus, Hill could deeply understand the nervousness when facing Asmodeus and the bizarre Devils and Demons behind him, the Order Gods hadn’t fought for tens of thousands, even millions of years... this group could launch an attack then retreat, but if not handled well, they’d seize the mountain and rule.

Who asked, within the entire Multiverse, they can only be considered as mountain overlords, never having obtained the Land Deed!

Other Positive Energy Planes could completely come over to rectify the chaos.

Therefore, the Order Gods stayed put, reminiscing past glory with Asmodeus, not even glancing away... just to leave this Lord of Hell with a chance to stage a surprise attack.

They chose disgrace over losing their home.

Yet, Hill couldn’t help but chuckle coldly... even he could see through the insecurities of these Order Gods!

Hill hardly believed he was capable enough to be compared to those strategists.

”Why does Asmodeus need to cooperate with that group of old blind birds?” Celene was equally puzzled, so she turned to Shaer, whom she considered the most adept at such things.

But at the very least, what Hill saw, she noticed too.

Hill sighed lightly in his heart... his current level is merely Celene.

The reason Celene often missed the bigger picture was that nothing truly stayed with her, so omissions happened during analysis.

Whereas Hill remembers every detail clearly.

Sadly, lacking the necessary wit.

Alas~

Forget thinking about such things... if he manages to live tens of thousands of years, he might become better than Celene.

Shaer hesitated for a moment before softly asking Celene, ”Did the old man say anything to you?”

”What could he say to me?” Celene ... had already realized she was being used by the old man again ... said with a cold, resentful face, ”All he needs is to put a ring on my nose and drag me along. Why bother telling me why we are going that way?”

This guy sure has seen a lot of drama ... everyone knows about the bull’s nose ring.

Toril doesn’t have such a thing.

Whether it’s Journey to the West or Seven Fairies, anyway, in her understanding, whatever’s on a bull’s nose isn’t good stuff.

”You don’t need to act like knowing the reason would stop you from following along,” Shaer sneered, ”Even if there’s a nose ring, you cooperated in putting it on.

Stop playing dumb.”

”Can we talk about something serious?” Lansendel interrupted the usual sisterly confrontation bluntly, ”I say, Shaer, switching topics isn’t necessary.

Just say what you can say~

Don’t turn a little issue into a fight, okay?

This isn’t the old Floating Castle where you two could mess around openly.

Hill’s Magic Tower wasn’t easy to build, was it?”

Actually, it was quite easy.

Though he remained silent, Hill muttered to himself ... although he wanted to know some insider information, he didn’t wish to be pulled out as an extinguisher.

Anyway, just wait a while and it’ll be revealed.

Hill also touched the little statue in his sleeve ... Lansendel seemed off too.

That bit of Dark Fire inside of him was getting hard to suppress.

Actually, after understanding Apollo’s situation, and further discussion with Amanata, this guy’s been somewhat sarcastic.

Surely, he figured out quite a bit.

Initially, he clearly intended to trap Amanata, but immediately changed to thoughtfully advising the deceived Sun God.

While Amanata’s trust initially wavered, it suddenly turned into the logic of accepting advice for one’s benefit ... naturally because he found something amiss.

So Hill wasn’t surprised by Lansendel’s sneaky behavior upon returning to his Magic Tower.

After all, not to mention Shaer, even Celene was easy to manipulate into conversation.

And the reply Celene gave Shaer—was it meant for Shaer, or Lansendel ... Hill couldn’t confirm.

Hill was somewhat worried.

How to put it ... AO surely knows Lansendel and Shaer are with Celene.

Thinking too much and too thoroughly can sometimes cause trouble.

”Hill, what’s that thing in your sleeve?”

This time, Lansendel finally noticed the golden flash at Hill’s wide cuff.

Then, he instantly shifted his focus.

Even in a foul mood and eager for more insider information ... a gorgeous, brilliant artwork, even if glimpsed only superficially, would catch his attention.

Anyway, those other troublesome matters aren’t necessarily urgent.

Hill paused for a moment before pulling out the glittering Sun Peacock statue from his sleeve.

”This is me!” Lansendel blinked next to Hill, crouched half down.

His eyes were gleaming.

His hair was shining.

His hands were poised.

Hill looked down at the large white claws already on the Sun Peacock and sighed helplessly, ”It’s you, it’s you, it’s all you.”

”Let me see.” Lansendel’s eyes shone with golden light, ”How could it be made so lifelike?

Even my master sculptor Chosen couldn’t craft this!”

”When they see you, you are the great Lord of Dawn, God of Dawn,” Shaer chuckled scornfully, ”Of course, they go for grandiosity.

Hill sees merely Lansendel.

Naturally, it would resemble you more.

Which of your followers dares to put such a rogue expression on your bird face?”

Lansendel tilted his head at her, ”Shaer, I’m very familiar with the way of speaking of the Undead Tribe.”

Saying ’bird face’ is insulting with double meaning; how could he not know?

”If you weren’t aware, I wouldn’t say it like that,” Shaer’s lips barely twitched into a smile, ”An insult that others don’t understand holds no significance.

I’m not worried you’ll get it and kill me.”

Lansendel slightly furrowed his brow and raised the Sun Peacock to trigger it with his Divine Power ... he knew quite a bit about Strange Objects and soon understood its functionality.

The beautiful Sun Peacock transformed into a three-meter-long Great Peacock, its tail feathers dazzling and blinding.