Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Lansendel felt that Hill’s heart wasn’t much better than his own.

Although it seemed like the area leading to the Magic Tower’s entrance was large, in truth, there was only a narrow path one could take.

Couple that with the slippery steps, mixed with icy water... if the Undead Tribe wanted to bypass to the front of the tower, they’d have to tread very carefully.

If they moved too eagerly, they might just end up diving into the sea.

Unless the Undead Tribe could work together harmoniously, without making things difficult for each other or desperately snatching tasks... but, how likely was that?

Even if it were just a brick and someone was competing with them for it, the Undead Tribe would rather fall head over heels—literally face-first into the mud—just to be faster by a second than others.

No need to mention if it involved seizing tasks.

A single extra copper coin over others signified his victory.

Such Undead Tribe... Lansendel could already foresee a future strewn with their corpses.

Then he quietly stepped back two steps and suddenly realized why Hill could be so ruthless... all thanks to Lansendel’s earlier beautiful speech.

Everyone knew the Undead Tribe was preparing a grand welcome party for themselves, so how could Hill just let them have it easy?

Moreover, this place was initially a temporary campsite before the Dawn Tower was built... with the nature of the Undead Tribe, there was no way they would form lasting enmities, and thus the tasks here would end.

As for knowing the Undead Tribe, no one was more knowledgeable than Hill, who had been dealing with them from the very beginning.

The ’Young Master’ was so confident last time, right?

However, even knowing that Hill would certainly retaliate against them, the Undead Tribe seemed unwilling to give up on their wonderful idea?

Hill likely wasn’t unaware of this... so, it was definitely not due to a slip of the tongue!

At most, Hill merely upgraded the prepared means of retaliation.

The Magic Tower lightly quaked and settled atop the mountain peak.

From its base, over a meter high stone foundation, countless fine black-brown lines as thin as cowhair extended deep into the mountain.

It looked as if countless tiny holes were drilled into the mountain and the Magic Tower was securely tethered with silk threads, but in essence, they were Earth-based energy lines.

Although these silk lines integrated the Magic Tower with the mountain, when Hill eventually left, severing these energy lines would instead render the mountain even more solid and firm.

Hill’s Magic Tower would never do anything harmful to the earth.

Lansendel leaned by the floor-to-ceiling window, leaning out to look: ”Hill, this method of connecting with the earth, seems quite good!

Also, it doesn’t appear to consume much... is this spell difficult?”

”Um... it shouldn’t be difficult, right?” Hill felt a bit dazed.

For him, adding such Magic Arrays inside the Magic Tower was just a matter of a thought.

”Sometimes I truly wonder, how did you ever come up with those powerful arrays, Lansendel?” Shaer crossed her legs, stretching out her body, ”How many can manage the energy consumption from Hill’s Earth Arrays?

And, have you forgotten? The crucial point is, Hill doesn’t mind gifting this energy to the land beneath his feet, but that doesn’t mean others wouldn’t mind.

Most people, if it’s theirs, wouldn’t even lend a needle to others.

Let alone so much magical energy!

It’s another matter if they waste it themselves.”

Lansendel looked at her inexplicably: ”Why should I care what others think?

I think my Dawn Tower could do the same, so it will be!”

Hill gently bent his eyes.

Of course, Shaer wasn’t wrong.

But, Lansendel would never see it from those perspectives... he only thought it would be better this way, so why not?

So, Hill always felt that the emergence of that incredibly responsible Goddess of Agriculture was due absolutely to Lansendel’s nature.

Even though that rare truly kind and farmer-concerned goddess would not appear again, Hill didn’t feel it was unfortunate.

Not getting entangled with Shantia, not letting his children and Marla become ’siblings,’ was good for Lansendel.

For the Agriculture Goddess who was kind yet had to tolerate Marla’s wanton behavior due to her mother’s past—they couldn’t avenge their followers as they watched them get slain—it was also good.

That girl, truly, only genuinely smiled on the day she was born.

Hill still hoped the newly emerging Goddess of Agriculture could have a more wonderful life, not trapped in the snare of birth... a merciless existence wouldn’t dwell on whether their birth resulted from a scheme, but a kind heart would always be hurt by such.

Glancing at the enthusiastic Great Peacock, Hill’s eyebrows and eyes couldn’t help but become a bit softer... and as for Lansendel, also due to the Agriculture Goddess’s constant turmoil, he had to take on the ’father’ role himself.

Whenever Hill thought of the current Great Peacock transforming into the future serious, earnest, resolute, and courageous middle-aged man like Tyr, he couldn’t help but feel that this Lansendel, who’s lively and bickering with Shaer, was especially wonderful.

Then he gracefully strolled toward the window as well, lightly tapping his fingers and stomping his foot.

In the Magic Tower, a mass of soil suddenly flew out, layering upon the gentle slopes facing inland.

”Hill?” Lansendel turned back in surprise.

”Although this world is a bit chaotic, the earth isn’t so heartless either,” Hill said with a smile, ”Don’t worry. I brought these soils from Sia Tower.

If they can do it there, then surely I can do it here without a problem.”

Even though, due to Magnet Mountain, tall plants couldn’t be grown, Hill still had plenty of seeds for creeping plants that grow along the ground.

And, basically, they were all obtained from this world’s Magic Garden.

Though Sia Tower is shameless, they’ve preserved quite a number of these items.

Of course, Hill also strengthened them a bit.

The original habitat for creeping organisms is mainly drainage... after all, they primarily grow amid rocks.

Yet Hill slightly enhanced their floating root capabilities, making them not only stronger in grip but also more resistant to water.

Though mostly they are mosses and wandering yellow... a mass of yellow and green plants, there are also creeping thyme and phlox subulata, plants that bloom with small purple or red flowers.

No matter where he goes, Hill hopes the area he’s in doesn’t feel unlike the earth.

A gust of wind blew by, and the seeds in Hill’s hand spread out over the entire slope.

Then came a sun shower, gently tapping on the mountain peak.

On the ground interwoven with green and yellow, clusters of small purple flowers bloomed deeply and shallowly.

”Ah~ Child of Nature,” Lansendel couldn’t help but exclaim, ”You make it seem so effortless, it really makes one wonder if it’s such an easy thing to accomplish.”

Hill shook his head: ”You should say, even I can only achieve this much, this world’s earth truly resents humans.”

He sighed lightly: ”I actually wanted to plant some small fruit-bearing shrubs here, but alas, the earth is unwilling, my spring must end here.”

Lansendel tilted his head: ”Even if it’s somewhere humans of this world can hardly reach, it’s still not feasible?”

”Yes,” Hill nodded, ”It hopes that the only food humans can obtain from nature is Black Taro.

The Magic Tower is beyond its control.

Yet on the earth, its resentment remains unalleviated.

I too wouldn’t go against its wishes.

So these flowers and herbs are all there is.”

”Actually, Celene is okay too, don’t you think? Shaer.” After pondering for a while, Lansendel suddenly spoke nonsensical words to the Lady of the Night.

”You overestimate Celene, such ambitious and planned action, she wouldn’t conceive even if given two brains,” Shaer replied slowly, ”Celene gave up Silvermoon of this world so easily, do you really think it’s because of her Dual Core?

She’s not like me.

But she discovered a lot in that Silvermoon’s mind... Even in Celene’s worst times, she never believed that after dancing with the devil, she would be the winner.

Ambition surpassing ability is naturally a path to destruction.

Celene initially wanted Aislin to become the new Silvermoon... But in the end, she felt that soul couldn’t dare to have any chance to live.

Not even a glimpse.

No need to look at me like that.

Even though I certainly wouldn’t think there’s anything wrong with sacrificing the entire world for one’s own sake, she’s too foolish and self-righteous, not knowing what to do.

Idiots are bound not to live, self-righteous ones... Heh, dying thoroughly is beneficial to all.”

Shaer pointed to the abundance of plants over the mountain: ”Hill, there’s another reason you haven’t mentioned, right?”

She tilted her head, staring at the smiling Archmage: ”These plants... If one day, the Sun of this world truly turned to a black day, and the whole world became part of Styx, then, they could survive in Styx too, correct?”

”Creeping plants naturally have the trait of adapting to environments,” Hill replied carelessly.

Although this possibility is very low, he can’t afford not to prepare.

But Shaer, Hill didn’t quite understand why she pinpointed his back-up plan.

”No need to doubt, Hill,” Lansendel chuckled, ”Shaer’s way of speaking has a purpose.

However, it’s not aimed at you, but at me.

Shaer, no need to probe, Hill is a true friend to me.

Though I have a bad temper, quick to turn faces, I won’t think my friend is mistrustful for considering things thoroughly.

Moreover, did you not notice?

After planting these plants, the roads turned silky... even the leverage cracks in the rocks can’t be seen.

I understand Hill’s true intentions much clearer than you do.

He’s nothing like your sinister imaginations!”

Hill couldn’t comprehend what this meant... Shaer’s view of Lansendel seemed more extreme and less kind.