Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Of course, Lansendel noticed Hill’s confusion, but he just chuckled twice and flew out of the Magic Tower... Hill will never fully comprehend the complex relationships among the Toril Gods.

Although he wasn’t entirely pure, he wouldn’t comprehend the Darkness either.

In Toril, ignorance of Darkness only leads to being consumed by Darkness.

And Shaer is the one waiting in the Darkness for everything... Sometimes, the spider’s palpable presence in Toril isn’t without reason.

Yet Shaer is merely dark, not tainted darkness... Compared to most deities, Shaer is much more pure.

Lansendel was hardly surprised that she would be attracted to someone like William, but she wasn’t very fond of Tyr.

In both worlds, the God of Justice seems righteous, but in essence, they differ greatly.

But for Toril, which is crooked at its core, having a dignified God of Justice like Tyr is already quite impressive.

Who could compare to William?

So, Hill is alright as is; he doesn’t need to truly understand those hidden intrigues of Shaer.

Lansendel spread his wings and soared.

The beautiful Sun Peacock drew radiant lines across the sky, which finally condensed into several Chains of Light, linking Hill’s mountain with Magnet Mountain.

A giant rainbow arose above the plants Hill had just planted.

One end rested on Hill’s slope, the other at the peak of Magnet Mountain.

Despite the differing heights, the rainbow was so colossal that its lower half penetrated deep into Magnet Mountain, turning it into a rather interesting Rainbow Bridge.

The bridge’s opposite side is sufficiently curved and short, enhancing its danger.

Meanwhile, the end connected to Hill’s Magic Tower resembles a massive slide... although it’s also dangerous, Hill’s moss plants cushioning the slide mean that those who descend might feel dizzy but not mortal peril.

However!

Moss brings success but can also be downfall.

If one focuses too much on the slide and doesn’t react quickly enough on the descent... the magnificent blooming flowers offer no resistance.

Remember, if ice water doesn’t stick to stone, it resides between leaves and petals... becoming even slipperier.

Life or Death hinges upon a mere thought.

But Hill believes no Undead Tribe would resist playing this game.

Lansendel addressed his final vulnerability here: should the Undead Tribe be so cunning as to slowly crawl down from here, then circle around to Magnet Mountain and fly up along the peak... it may waste time.

Yet, they all came to play games.

When Hill played games, he never encountered players who didn’t fly, didn’t run, didn’t return to town, and leisurely rode the slowest old horse.

Tasks others completed in a day, they might take half a month.

Of course, Lansendel’s limited designs could significantly deter such people’s emergence... but the creation of the phrase ’going south but heading north’ is the greatest proof that their race inherently loves playing contrary games.

But with this Rainbow Slide’s appearance... Hill believes it minimizes the likelihood of such people existing.

Completely eliminating them is impossible.

Moreover, looking at the giant rainbow, which could accommodate over ten thousand people standing, Lansendel incidentally provided the Undead Tribe with an excellent performance venue.

While tricking the Undead Tribe, he also tricked me, his good friend – indeed, it’s something the Great Peacock would do.

Furthermore, this venue allows Hill to directly snag the culprit when he wants to vent... after all, other Undead are merely accompanying the choir, only those who diligently rehearsed would stand out.

Doesn’t Hill love sending Undead Tribe away with twelve Storms?

One storm now suffices... capturing everyone from start to finish.

Having grasped the Great Peacock’s mind, Hill’s thoughts echo one phrase: for him to envision all this, what experiences did he go through these years!

Shaer slowly approached Hill, asking seriously, ”Do you want to practice your skills first? Don’t let them benefit someone then.”

Hill abruptly turned to look at the Goddess of the Night.

Of course, if anyone truly understands what tricks the Undead Tribe is up to, it’s William!

Hill also believes William, that rascal, will inevitably share those joyous moments with Shaer... so, Shaer somewhat spoke the truth, didn’t she?

Though she has more crucial matters, she genuinely wants to witness Hill’s encounter with the Undead Tribe.

What in the world are those folks scheming?

-----------------

Russell is unaware of what exactly his teacher encountered.

As Josh rested well and began discussing the construction mode of their respective magic towers with them, Teacher Hill suddenly threw them all to List and Lansendel, while he threw himself headlong into the slope beneath the Magic Tower.

Although Russell couldn’t figure out what was within those holes, at least he could see those filled with a lot of water.

Moreover, their teacher has recently been dressing too colorfully.

If not provoked by something, why would he be like this?

Their teacher clearly appreciated more fresh and elegant attire; bright red, big green, and large purple, even if harmoniously combined, would never compare to an all-black look in Teacher Hill’s eyes.

That’s a habit cultivated since childhood, and Russell didn’t think their teacher would change easily.

”Russell,” Carpenter lightly tugged at his sleeve.

”What’s up?”

”You haven’t seen the Teacher today, have you?” Carpenter asked cautiously.

”No... hmm?”

”Today, the Teacher is wearing a gold-red robe... even brighter than the Lord of Dawn’s tail feathers.” Carpenter spoke in practically a whisper.

Of course, both of them understood that inside this Magic Tower, no statement could escape their teacher’s ear.

But, usually, their teacher quite respects their privacy... secret conversations are rarely deliberately overheard.

Russell couldn’t help but press his forehead: ”The Lord of Dawn probably likes it, right?”

Since planting the Rainbow Bridge, he had been kicking Josh up the Magnet Mountain peak every day... making the Dawn Messenger personally smooth every stone until the mountaintop was as flat as a mirror.

Initially, Russell had some doubts whether he was mistaken, especially since on the first day Josh arrived, those divine and servant were rather affectionate, inseparable.

Lansendel spoke with hints that as long as Josh survived, everything was well.

But now this behavior seemed more like punishment for Josh.

It turned out the Dawn Messenger directly told them... it was indeed a punishment for not using his brain.

Lansendel actually still had some hope: after Hill’s Magic Tower was erected in this mountain range, those from the Defense Tower witnessing such dramatic changes might have a few individuals with the brains and courage to come over seeking Josh, vying for some chance.

But not a single one.

This only proved that someone had already unified these refugees without Josh’s knowledge... those truly skilled and wise had all found someone they wished to follow.

After all, everyone understood that as long as Hill’s flying Magic Tower remained so close atop the mountain, even if they formed their own groups, nothing could stop people from wanting to leave and join Josh.

Those capable of secretly pulling off something so significant were definitely not fools.

Let alone taking action, even stirring words... nobody would dare.

Those people might not grasp how powerful deities are, but they understood why they had been huddled in such a dire place, struggling to survive until now.

And Lansendel, able to suppress such strong foes to remain completely hidden, inevitably had his capabilities unquestioned.

Even if there were idiots, they wouldn’t realize or detect intelligent movements.

While Josh nearly cleared the Magnet Mountain peak by hand into a vast platform, that small encampment showed no signs of action.

Ah, admittedly not entirely inactive; they began sending people afar to seek suitable settlements.

This only verified the confidence they obtained from Josh: even if they tried this, the Lord of Dawn wouldn’t act against them.

Though such an ignoring of a savior is shamelessly unkind, Josh’s lack of intellect is equally glaring.

These mortals, every day facing the mountain with Hill’s Magic Tower, would bow, and even some knelt in prayer... Yet, they clearly regarded Lansendel as a respected deity, but not as their master.

Though the Lord of Dawn indeed didn’t mind this, Josh was certainly deserving of punishment for such a major oversight.

Russell understood all this and thought Lansendel’s heart was truly expansive, no wonder he could befriend their gentle teacher.

Although their teacher had quite strict academic demands, causing him and his sister a bit of grief, in daily life, he was genuinely gentle and considerate.

Moreover, he truly understood them.

Within their bedroom and some private spaces, they had full autonomy, each having their very own life golem.

Not to mention their immense, fully-stocked 200-square-meter wardrobe room... He and Carpenter even had exclusive fabric and gemstone storage, available should they desire to make something themselves.

The apprentice area where he and Carpenter lived also had a private kitchenette... with two puppet chefs ready to serve any time... Behind the kitchen, the refrigeration storage was teeming with countless ingredients and foods.

Whatever was in the storage would appear on the Crystal Plate in their living room; to eat what they wanted, they just needed to instruct their exclusive puppet.

Over time, Russell and Carpenter had completely overturned all previous plans and preparations for their Magic Tower... They needed deeper and more meticulous designs.

Initially, what they planned was their own creation.

But now, they had exceptionally effective puppets... those massive architectural puppets left Russell truly dazzled.

And all these, he could learn in the future.