Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 917: Chapter 713: Warming Up Before the Battle

Laila looked at the dozens of Agleya City Guards standing by the gate of the city hall, smiling as she gestured to them: ”Welcome to Luskan, everyone. I hope we can have a pleasant time together while you’re in Luskan. My colleagues and I will definitely provide the most enthusiastic service.”

Her compliments towards the elves were actually a bit late.

Perhaps it was because the Elven City Guards behaved in a very orderly manner, even staying calm after hearing some things that made them uncomfortable, that Laila and the Luskan officials forgot that these city guards were originally Crusaders.

The last thing they fear is discussing whether elves are strong or not with people.

Hill’s eyelids drooped slightly, avoiding the strange expressions of mockery and disdain from the elves as he silently turned in his chair. Such theatrical expressions... no... villainous expressions, these guys get along well with the Undead Tribe!

Although their squad leader was very steady, it didn’t affect his subordinates playing with anyone they wanted to.

Despite the presence of steady yet cheerful Holy Knights of Agleya and Tyr, the Elven City Guards often hung out with the Undead Tribe in their off time.

The only one who got along well with the Tyr Paladins was the Elven City Guard’s Defense Officer, Oste... Every day he would seek out those level 20 and above Paladins to train, hoping for a chance to advance under that kind of intense pressure.

The other elves, perhaps because they didn’t see much hope of improvement in the long run, preferred to enjoy life, but Oste was different. He pursued further progress in swordsmanship, and in terms of flexibility, he found fewer opportunities to improve. That would have to wait until he reached the Legendary level to possibly make another breakthrough, so now he hoped every day to find new direction under the pressure of heavy weapons.

For him... a fight he would never pass up... even if it meant crushing weaklings.

After all, the Elven City Guards had grown up together, fighting from bastinado moves to the present, and there was no longer any sense of achievement in sparring... They knew each other so well that they could tell what the next move was just by the angle the other’s arm was raised.

This was great when facing external threats, but during training, there was simply no fun in it.

Now, even if that Luskan Guardian Officer had given up on trying to make a presence with the elves, the Agleya City Guards had no intention of letting them go.

Captain Oste quickly stepped forward, this stern Shine Sword Master grabbed the arm of the Guardian Officer: ”The Agleya City Guards haven’t battled anyone in a long time either, and are worried about being a burden in war!

Just as well, you also want to know how capable you are.”

The Guardian Officer moved, seeming to want to struggle free from the firm grip, but it was of no use: Shine Sword Masters are representatives of pursuing the limits of swordsmanship, and all aim to hone their strength, not to mention Oste is of the Chosen class.

Except that because the deity he serves, the Sword Singer, is only a demigod, Oste didn’t appear that powerful.

But as long as he stepped into the spotlight, those with real insight could see the difference in Oste’s identity.

Laila, of course, noticed the peculiarity in Oste that resonated with her.

The gift of divinity always brings some extraordinary display... Just like the sisters of the Silver Hand, whenever they appear, people always notice their presence at first sight.

Laila’s blue-violet eyes suddenly widened, then she sharply turned to look at Hill, her eyes glimmering, wanting to speak but holding back.

Hill wasn’t playing coy but decided to first address the needs of the city guards: even though he sensed that the Guardian Officer was probably being used because of insufficient intelligence... Otherwise, someone considering the threat elves pose wouldn’t ignore the crisis of Hill never asking his name until now.

Hill silently propped his chin as he watched the little commotion over there. Although the Guardian Officer was somewhat foolish, his subordinates seemed to respect him quite a bit, and several were rushing over to try to rescue him from Oste’s grip now.

Besides the Guardian Officer, only four squad leaders were qualified to enter the great hall, and three of them rushed over to help.

Hill caught sight of another one peripherally... who, while maintaining composure on the surface, actually chose an advantageous position to block any elves coming to help their captain.

At least, this Guardian Officer wasn’t a problem, Hill glanced at Laila, who, though having many small schemes, still conducted things fairly transparently.

Hill stood up with a smile: ”How about this! I remember the Teraxil Elves across the water also love to battle, but the square isn’t the best place for it.

Just right, the stretch of island resembling the terrace on Purwell’s back is still vacant, so let it become the arena for the warriors.”

He slowly walked out of the great hall, flew up to the sky, and cast down an oval stadium.

Those who followed were somewhat surprised, as the building had an interesting exterior, looking a bit like a bird’s nest... but they weren’t sure, many thought it might look more like a Dragon’s Nest.

Hill’s constructions always lean towards elven styles, intricate yet full of natural elements, which was somewhat wild in the eyes of Toril Nobles, leaving viewers a bit stunned.

It wasn’t until they heard the Undead Tribe on the side discussing how Hill surprisingly liked William’s architectural style that the puzzled people understood, it was the famous architecture of this Archmage’s past world.

This is understandable; many legendary masters who leave their homeland often choose to incorporate some essence of their home when crafting strange objects.

Hill, who was completely misunderstood as being homesick, looked at the Bird’s Nest and sighed softly, finally realizing the use of this thing.

Such large alchemy space buildings that are of little use... he made three of them!

Even if it’s for the Undead Tribe, few would spend a large sum to buy a sports stadium to take back. Not to mention others; generally speaking, those who buy alchemy space buildings are mages... no mage would choose a building similar to an arena or coliseum.

Although he tried to suppress it, as long as he thought that William had already done it first anyway... and it wouldn’t expose his existence, Hill couldn’t suppress his inner civil engineer.

This is the Bird’s Nest! The steel structure that once obsessed him to the point of no return!

Hill pondered, planning to put another one next to the Alchemy Hall when he returns to Agleya, just so the Undead Tribe can have their battles elsewhere instead of hanging around the plaza every day and leading his citizens astray... the expressions of those Elves leave him still feeling a lump in his throat.

Elves, with their peculiar temperament, truly find it hard to learn good and easy to learn bad.

He glanced at Oste, who was still holding onto that Guardian Officer, and maintained a calm expression: ”Oste, do you want to live next to this arena?

Of course, choosing to return to live in Purwell is also an option.”

”Here is fine! It’s more convenient,” Oste said resolutely.

Looks like if they don’t have this fight, it’s likely they’ll be stifled to death.

Hill could only choose to slightly improve the mood of his loyal subordinates. He waved his hand and placed a tower-shaped building on the last corner of the semicircular island: ”From now on, this will belong to your City Guard. Go hold the doorknob, count to ten in your heart, and when we get back, remember to pack up on your own.

The rest, you handle it yourselves! Remember to greet the Teraxil divine artifact in the Alchemy Hall opposite.

Don’t get so busy with other things that you forget... don’t even end up unable to stand on the city walls then.”

Oste quickly nodded: ”Of course, I’ll promptly send the vice-captain.”

Hill casually smiled at Laila: ”Does Luskan have other matters? If it’s already reported, no need to repeat. I’ve read Ms. Laila’s report and was very satisfied.”

Laila immediately beamed: ”Then there’s nothing else. The large caravans from the Hidden Forest side may not appear until spring, but Silvermoon City has already confirmed that they will send people over.

Currently, Luskan’s only focus is the winter defense battle. I will strive to ensure the city remains unscathed.

But this Captain Oste is remarkably strong! I wonder if he has received favor from any deity?”

This lady, although quite cunning, has a rather pleasant style of doing things. Hill now can confirm that the one who encouraged the Guardian Officer to stand out wasn’t Laila.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t wholly disregard that poor fellow dragged into the arena. She probably just knew about it but didn’t plan to intervene herself, as she also has some doubt about the Elven side.

Hill can actually understand this. These officials, though appointed by Laila, were not brought by her. Without having established collegial ties, Laila wouldn’t bother with the life or death of these people.

If they make mistakes, she can replace them later. If they can resolve some of her doubts before being ousted, that’s even better utilization, much more worthwhile.

Hill observed for a while and found those few people behind Laila, smiling yet always sneaking glances at the arena, quite suspicious.

But he didn’t plan to interfere. For this city, he actually hopes it is managed in the style of Toril.

The existence of the Undead Tribe wouldn’t affect the internal conflicts among them. Hill is quite curious to see how these officials would maneuver their skills under such stringent surveillance.

Hill glanced again at the arena and said to Laila, whose face was barely concealing her impatience: ”Oste, uh! The Sword Singers quite like him.”

Laila’s eyes first showed a hint of confusion, then she had a sudden look of realization.

Hill doesn’t find her confusion surprising. The Sword Singers are somewhat known only because Rose’s lineage persistently hunted him down. Otherwise, most of the deities in the Elf Deity System don’t really have much presence among humans.

After all, to humans, they are beings entirely beyond hope.