Surviving The Fourth Calamity

The long-awaited quiet days of Sword Bay ultimately ended due to the upheaval in the Hidden Town.

The anticipated two years by Hill lasted only a year and a half, as the almost-of-age Edna was tempted by a group of young adventurers into desiring a short journey nearby before coming of age.

The Mithril Elf leader, Kessexili, who was always indulgent towards children, believed that around Sword Bay, there couldn't possibly be an enemy that the Lord of Agleya couldn't defeat.

Even if Edna caused some trouble, as long as the lord was willing to back her, there would be no problem... It's just perfect for minors!

Who would really hold a grudge against a child?

All the mistakes that needed to be made were already done, so she would cause less trouble when she travels as an adult.

Those little ones who tempted Edna seemed a bit off, but Kessexili was well aware of who Edna's parents were, and she was unsure if she should inform that lady in Luskan... The Mithril Elves had no affection for her, given the close distance, yet she never even visited her own daughter.

No matter how broad-minded, you should only let the child live independently after teaching her survival skills! Even with the White Dragon Queen around, she's a companion, not a mother!

The only thing that lady did properly was sending Edna thirty thousand gold coins and some jewelry.

In the eyes of Toril Nobles, this was considered a decent dowry... But what does it mean to a mage?

Yet Kessexili also understood that humans and elves are different, and after contemplating for several days, she finally made a decision.

Hill, looking at the letter in his hand and at Lynn sitting in front of him with a sort-of-smiling expression, could only grumble to himself, as it seemed indeed every troublesome kid had a troublesome parent.

Being very clear about Edna's identity and aware of the impending threat in the neighboring neighbor, Lynn had to inquire about this matter with Hill: "Should we let her go out? Just with the White Dragon Queen, and that group of little ones entering Long Saddle Town?"

"What's the story of that team?" Hill propped his chin and asked, "Where did this adventuring team come from, and how could they all be around Level 10, whether minors or just adults?"

"The leader among them is a Scroll Mage." Lynn happily responded, "The other party hasn't intended to hide their identity, holding a magic book identical to Edna's."

"Are they students then?"

"Not Edna's brother.

Hill, Elaströ is unique... Normally, it's not so easy for high-level mages to have children.

The lady is astonishing in many aspects.

It's estimated that the father of Edna took on a student after returning to his own territory. This one isn't weak; otherwise, they wouldn't have left the Ferun Great Land so smoothly at the beginning." Lynn smiled gleefully, "These kids come from Simba City in Quel Senta and Moduken City; although the main members are four mages, each of them has brought two to three battle professional followers, but they aren't very old either."

"Including Edna, is it just five people?" Hill muttered.

"What?" Lynn asked, puzzled, "What's with the five people?"

"A sign that someone is going to have bad luck." Hill replied expressionlessly.

"I don't know what you're thinking." Lynn was a bit speechless, as Hill sometimes said things hard to comprehend, probably from spending too much time with the Undead Tribe.

"How did they get here?" Hill asked curiously, "From Kalinsan or Yinbutu?"

Quel Senta and Yinbutu are separated by the Starfall Ocean, but they could also reach Kalinsan from the Vehon Seas, with Simba City hosting the Main Temple of Azuth, and Moduken City serving as another magical center dedicated to the Deity of Mages.

Though Hill didn't know where Edna's father was hiding, it was clear he had returned to the Ferun Great Land.

Also, if Azuth had the misfortune to die in Hell, he would naturally have to wander on other continents, but with a living dad, who can stop him from coming home?

It's already quite something to obediently comply with the ruling and leave the continent for so long, all for Azuth to save face for the Main God... After all, Edna's father indeed got caught for embezzlement and corruption.

"Kalinsan, they have a decent magic ship, comparable to the Sun Elves' warships." Lynn laughed, "The coastal area near Sword Bay should be considered the safest waterway in Toril; once past the Starfall Ocean and Vehon Seas, there shouldn't be any problems.

Neither pirates nor the blue death storm exists.

These junior mages came over with a Quel Senta merchant fleet, but that fleet returned home upon reaching Deepwater City, while they went straight to the Hidden Town.

Even a sluggish person like Kessexili could tell something was wrong and sent you a letter, solely because they went over from Luskan with an empty ship rather than a returning one.

In a short time, no merchant fleet from Yinbutu dares to take that route, as the Goblin Chief God is either in Giant Valley or Damara.

It's very tense in those two countries now, as they neither want the goblin numbers to grow too large nor dare to eliminate them aggressively."

Hill nodded: "I understand. Never thought he wouldn't come over himself. He is indeed very cautious about the Silvermoon Alliance here!

Looks like, although he doesn't know who is targeting him, he clearly understands that his sudden arrest isn't merely because Kelben wants to create trouble.

Indeed, mages aren't truly foolish.

But, is he really comfortable letting his daughter go on an adventure with a group of over Level Ten youngsters?"

Lynn suddenly chuckled.

Hill gave him a bewildered glance: "What's up?"

"It's said those four mages are quite talented and rather handsome, each with a unique style. Edna's father is really something," Lynn said with a playful smile.

Hill almost rolled his eyes. Matchmaking for minors?

Why is it that in every world, there are always elders who like playing matchmaker?

Is Edna's dad too old, or does he just not understand young people anymore?

"Are those few mages all willing participants?" Hill found it hard to believe they would volunteer; gifted mages over Level Ten and not yet adults, how could they agree to be sent for a girl to pick and choose?

"You're overthinking it." Lynn couldn't help but laugh, "Edna's dad probably just wanted to give both sides a chance to meet, but simply won't allow anyone he disapproves of to get close to Edna.

As for those four mages, two have especially handsome battle professional bodyguards, one has an exceptionally ordinary ones, in every aspect. The other uses the same magic book as Edna's, and clearly ignored the appearance of their followers, only choosing based on skills, even including barbarians."

Hill nodded in understanding: "Let Kessexili know about this. If she feels she can't fathom human behavior, then let her inform the White Dragon Queen and the two Undead who have a good relationship with Edna."

Just a few kids stirring up court-like intrigue, Toril people are truly baffling.

Why feel wronged before seeing the girl's abilities and appearance?

According to Lynn, her dad didn't even plan for them to get involved with Edna!

Probably due to outstanding talents, they're very popular in Quel Senta? Without meeting the Archmage's daughter, they seem sure she'd fancy them, hence all the preparations.

Hill smiled helplessly: "Apparently they don't really know what their mentor is up to, but they do know who Edna's mother is."

Lynn nodded in agreement: "Even returning to his father's territory, he remains cautious. Understandable, though he doesn't possess any remaining divinity, before becoming deities, Azuth and Black Eye's mage talents were top-notch.

Their descendants, if there's a glimmer of hope to inherit their ancestral talents, would definitely be well-received."

Hill nodded with a smile: "Otherwise, why would Elaströ turn a blind eye while her daughter marries him? I really don't consider the Supreme Lady so easily deceived."

Sitting on the sofa, Lynn stretched his back: "So should we just let them handle this however they wish?"

Hill propped his chin and thought for a moment: "Let's issue a mission to those Undead with the White Dragon, to secretly protect the runaway little princess."

Lynn looked at him puzzled: "Why are you suddenly getting involved?"

"How do I put it..." Hill pondered, "Mainly because the Haber Family is too close to us. Even though I've been strengthening Agleya's underground in the past two years, I'm still worried—if the farmland is destroyed, it's bearable, but what if Agleya City gets affected?

Instead of passive defense, better to actively participate... At least if something really happens, we can still manage to relocate citizens to a safe place."

Lynn stared at Hill for a couple of seconds, unsure whether Hill had a heightened sense of crisis or really foresaw something.

But since he suggested it, it's merely a matter of some money, so let's follow through! Being prepared never hurts... Thanks to the Sword Bay channel relations, in recent years, Agleya City can now sustain itself financially.

Lynn has become much more generous.

However, Lynn's smile was abruptly cut short by a boisterous shout from a cousin Gaul who dashed in: "Lynn! Quickly go take a look, your brother somehow ended up in Hidden Town!

Quickly get him out of there, don't let him get mixed up with those unlucky bunch!

What will you do if he implicates you?"

Though both were cousins, naturally those without shared childhood connections were not as significant.

The Elves, despite not knowing Edna's true identity, were completely aware she's a participant in this fate's meticulously designed plot.

The neighboring Haber Family, in the elves' eyes, are living with an apocalypse countdown.

They couldn't imagine that Lynn's brother, who had been a homebody in the Supreme Forest, would start exploring this world at such a time.

Must every Toril grand adventure include all racial bloodlines?