Surviving The Fourth Calamity

’Snow Cloud Peak’ observed very closely, so, of course, he didn’t miss that Zhu Meili who was taking advantage of the situation.

But that’s the normal him... If he ever doesn’t indulge in such mischievousness, that’s when something big is going to happen.

This guy is viewed as even more devious than the Road Eunuch, and not without reason.

After all, Chief Steward Lu only meddles in things that concern himself, whereas this guy is a madman who even kicks a dog sleeping by the roadside.

But if you say he’s a bad person... Look, despite being so mean, he’s honestly served as an aide for all those years, entirely without the notion of betraying ’End of the World Romance’, that fool.

If it were ’Snow Cloud Peak’, he absolutely couldn’t work for such an idiot for over a decade.

He believes ’Lu Huayu’ wouldn’t do it either.

But then again, only someone as despicable as Zhu Meili can serve a boss who’s as rotten to the core as ’End of the World Romance’.

This could also be considered a mutual endeavor?

But after observing for so long, ’Snow Cloud Peak’ hasn’t noticed any sign of resentment in Zhu Meili towards being callously abandoned by ’End of the World Romance’.

He seems like a strategist who has made a fortune and then retired... Of course, Zhu Meili’s retirement is quite different from that of normal people.

However, even though his antics in Aesces were unbelievably despicable, they also prove that Zhu Meili had no intention of making a major comeback.

For instance, raising a power that could rival Proud Sky Alliance.

When Night Butterflies filled the sky, Zhu Meili essentially severed the Underground City’s route into his family.

What he wanted were just companions who could dance with him... In a sense, this is indeed a retirement clan.

’Snow Cloud Peak’ can’t quite fathom what Zhu Meili is up to.

He doesn’t actually mind Zhu Meili launching a surprise attack on them, the Proud Sky Alliance, when he’s idle.

If it’s just this level of harm, it’s actually beneficial for the Proud Sky Alliance... When there are no external enemies, the greatest enemy is your ally, this phrase is useful everywhere.

Even though the major families supporting Proud Sky Alliance basically have no more ambition, conflicts still arise.

Not wanting to be king doesn’t mean you can tolerate the neighbor crapping on your head... Sometimes, such a mindset is the source of conflict.

It might just be that someone from the neighboring family accidentally dug up grass on their territory.

’Snow Cloud Peak’, having been a force in the game for many years, understands the importance of leaving himself a few enemies.

Zhu Meili and the Road Eunuch understand this too.

So, despite the fact that the Road Eunuch’s end-of-days often seems cooperative in some places, he has steadfastly maintained the surface coldness and secret antagonism between End of the World and Proud Sky Alliance.

’Lu Huayu’ clearly understands that if End of the World is not a thorn in Proud Sky Alliance’s side, it would be harmful to their future... A strong enemy sometimes is a testament to one’s own strength.

The fact that a mercenary family like End of the World can let their boss play so ostentatiously is entirely due to their foil, Proud Sky Alliance.

Thus, even if ’Lu Huayu’ sometimes doesn’t detest the people of Proud Sky Alliance, his attitude won’t be too good, yet he can’t go too far as to provoke the Proud Sky Alliance into a real war with him... Chief Steward Lu truly deserves his reputation for maneuvering this delicate balance.

There’s no need to even bring up Zhu Meili.

Aside from another equally powerful force, the kind of family that can annoy a large power is Zhu Meili’s ragtag bunch—insidious, malevolent, experts in ambushes.

The resilient ones are always the most irritating.

’Snow Cloud Peak’ is actually quite content with these two enemies.

But he won’t take their current behavior as a reason not to stay vigilant in the future.

’Lu Huayu’ is alright, as long as he maintains this close relationship with Ambori, he absolutely won’t play with fire excessively.

He’s witnessed firsthand what Hill went through back in the day.

And the current Ambori doesn’t have Hill’s status, nor will anyone be outraged by her misfortune.

’Snow Cloud Peak’ understands why the Road Eunuch feels compelled to help Ambori forge good relations with the big dragons and shift his primary influence that way... The Undead Tribe is a powder keg.

Only now, thanks to the existing storyline quests and with part of the friction dissipated through Aesces’ war, no civil war has erupted in Toril.

But who knows when, for some inexplicable reason, they’ll start fighting?

Just like this recent backdoor battle... Many belligerents have long since grown restless.

The Undead Tribe always needs a battlefield to engage in combat.

Aesces could have been that, but... Zhu Meili, the meddler, rendered that battlefield meaningless in an instant.

It’s fine if he doesn’t have anything to play himself, but he insists on making sure no one else has a place to play either.

Back then, ’Snow Cloud Peak’ genuinely planned a lot in Aesces, even smiling at Rose... But in the end, it was all in vain.

It’s so damn desolate.

”Snow Cloud Peak” had high hopes for Ink Brush, but they’ve been dispirited lately... However, Snow Old Dog didn’t know how to comfort the fellow unlucky enough to face Zhu Meili head-on.

Although the Young Master isn’t exactly a clean freak, that doesn’t mean he can console himself after falling into a pit of dung.

Didn’t you notice, even Black and White Path didn’t react much when coming to this ’Twin Stars’ world!

Although one reason might be that the followers of Elisui in Deepwater City stirred, planning to ask Black and White Path to help build an underground city for them.

But normally, who would easily give up on participating in world missions?

What great price could Kui Lu offer!

It was only because Villon’s masked followers also joined in that the Zholar finally had something in their hands.

He won’t let Zhu Meili off just like that.

As long as he thinks of a way to restrain that damned Night Butterfly, he’ll definitely make that creepy fellow pay the price!

”Snow Cloud Peak” clenched his fist, secretly swearing.

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

”Speaking of which, Hill, did you know?” Lansendel, who was engrossed in observing the Undead Tribe’s movements, suddenly turned to Hill and said, ”The Mad Mage under Deepwater City moved house.”

”Huh?” Hill asked in surprise, ”Archmage Halaster? Why?”

”Why?” Shaer joined the topic with interest, ”Maybe it’s because his underground maze in Deepwater City is even better for hide and seek than your Puzzle Lock?”

Hill opened and closed his mouth slightly, somewhat at a loss for words... He could understand why the Undead Tribe would be interested in the underground world of Deepwater City, but he didn’t think the harassment from the Undead Tribe would drive Halaster to choose to move.

”Don’t listen to Shaer’s nonsense.” Lansendel sneered, ”Of course, the constant visits from the Undead Tribe day after day are one reason, especially since they come in tens of thousands.

But the most important reason is that Halaster doesn’t want to be too close to Edna.”

Hill was genuinely surprised this time: ”Huh? Edna shouldn’t meddle in his affairs, right?

Last time in the battle of Deepwater City, it didn’t seem like he was targeting Edna’s Path of Destiny.”

”Where Edna resides, the Weave’s control becomes very strong.” Shaer answered casually, ”Halaster would rather maintain his mad state than be made lucid by the Weave.”

Hill tried to translate her words in his mind... The truly terrifying aspect of Halaster lies in his double-mad state during battle.

However, the Weave controlled by Edna can suppress this state, preventing Halaster from exploiting ’Loss of Sanity’ to do things he clearly wants to do.

Hence, even if his underground maze can detach him from the Weave’s control, Halaster doesn’t want to sacrifice his invincible status on the surface.

Hmm... As expected, the Undead Tribe is just an excuse.

After all, having studied the Puzzle Lock for many years, this super Archmage, Halaster, can certainly make it so that the Undead Tribe can’t find their way in his seemingly endless underground maze.

And Halaster has seven such maze levels.

Shaer always likes to state an apparent reason first... But if you have the brains to determine that this reason doesn’t quite cut it, she’s straightforward in giving a second one.

Whether the second one is true, or if it’s the final and most core reason, depends on your judgment.

”Oh~” Lansendel nodded, ”No wonder the Undead Tribe said Black and White Path and Kui Lu are going to build a twin city under Deepwater City.”

”Twin? Are both the followers of Elisui and Villon here?” Hill asked perceptively.

”Yes.” Lansendel nodded.

Hill couldn’t help but shake his head: ”Seems like Halaster’s maze can’t stop Villon’s followers, right?”

Although some matters are left unspoken, Villon is actually the one among the Zholar Divine most skilled in utilizing shadows and masks.

Halaster has no choice but to move... Villon’s followers are adept at using others’ wealth to complete their own tasks.

And near Deepwater City, the greatest wealth easily within their grasp is the gold and silver treasures Halaster placed in his maze to lure greedy mages and adventurers.

If he doesn’t move soon, the underground city being built above him will probably be entirely funded by his money.

Zholar Elves, even those with neutral and good attributes, don’t quite fit ’common sense.’

Their candor is sometimes incomprehensible to humans... For example, using the money from Halaster’s maze to build their home is something they definitely wouldn’t feel they’re wrong about.

In fact, if you look at it from the surface, there’s nothing wrong with their mindset... Halaster left it in the maze, so naturally, he didn’t want it, right?

But when you consider that the Archmage also places his prized treasures in the deepest parts of the maze, you realize he’s not that generous.

Bait doesn’t necessarily need to be fed to the fish.

”Toril is really bustling now.” Hill hesitated for a few seconds and finally said with a smile.