Surviving The Fourth Calamity

A woman dressed very seriously walked toward the paintbrush in the corner.

Hill couldn’t help but blink.

Unlike most girls who prefer to dress either sexily, cutely, or ethereally, this woman wore a very traditional mage robe... the kind that Hill had long abandoned in favor of the comfortable, wide-sleeved, drafty old-style robes favored by the Undead Tribe.

When mages of Teraxil gradually abandoned the style learned from Elf Mages, which was expanded upon by Noble Mages who always hoped to distinguish themselves from mortals, yet found no better alternative than wasting fabric, there came those among the Undead Tribe wearing such garments!

Of course, the Undead Tribe certainly didn’t care about how cumbersome layers of clothing were; they could simply dress themselves directly in the virtual wardrobe... though many girls actually prefer the feeling of dressing piece by piece.

But one must consider those with peculiar preferences; some young individuals only want to see how beautiful another self might be, not step into another world and change even their heart.

Thus, the hassle isn’t the main issue; ugliness is.

After all, that style which turns even a belt into two awful bags has always made Hill feel at ease only when learning at home.

Truthfully, many mages in Teraxil harbor deep resentment toward that ragged robe... yet the God of Nobility is really annoying, always insisting on those inexplicable broken traditions.

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many mages who couldn’t resist cursing him.

Later, Hill also guessed a bit about why the God of Nobility insisted so much on those past styles... his precarious will solely relied on his preservation of the human race.

Although those tangled minds of the nobles hindered him, no one wanted their race to go extinct, nor did anyone wish for the noble class to disappear.

The means they use to maintain their authority and status cannot be entirely considered evil.

There are also quite a few mages who like to use similar means to maintain their status.

Only those with simpler mindsets, who solely study spells without considering status or position, fail to understand why mages find meaning in the existence of that ragged robe.

This group was also the fastest to change their robes after the arrival of the Undead Tribe, as the God of Nobility could no longer meddle much.

The remaining mages, realizing the game was up, also quickly changed their clothes... indicating they actually didn’t like them either.

Traditional attire from Teraxil is still worn by some Undead Tribe... those fluffy ceremonial dresses, even simple cake skirts, are always desired by some young girls.

But Hill truly saw someone wearing this for the first time, although she added a belt like a corset... it seemed a bit nicer.

Yet ironically, the style was more, how to put it... binding.

Hill looked up and pondered; those skeleton-like dresses worn by the girls sent by the God of Nobility to his territory back then seemed, really, to have a kind of ugly similarity with this outfit in front of him.

No, Hill shook his head; he never paid much attention to girls’ clothing or was that judgmental.

The reason he felt particularly uncomfortable, always finding it ugly, was likely due to the similar atmosphere these people exuded... stubbornness and rigidity.

This is someone who encased herself in certain rules, not feeling sad, only hoping everyone would accompany her in being bound.

Completely opposite to Hill, who worships nature and freedom.

Having figured out his inexplicable dislike for this woman, Hill quickly calmed his mood and reminded himself not to make similar mistakes in the future... he can dislike this person, but cannot label them enemies just because of discomfort.

He must distinguish these subtle differences clearly.

Fortunately, this person is an Undead; otherwise, if he excessively relied on his intuition without thinking, similar people might be categorized as enemies.

It’s easy for the Child of Nature to run into issues, which is also related to these.

Many people cannot clarify that those whose personalities they dislike aren’t truly villains.

Relying on intuition to strike, yet abandoned by nature, knowing the truth, few can persist on the path of redemption without falling.

Having lived in smooth days for too long, those who don’t know what bitterness tastes like find it extremely difficult to persevere.

Hill can constantly reflect on himself because he has a past life.

No matter how happy, he was someone who studied hard from a young age. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

He silently sighed... feeling a bit unhappy, wondering why Gaia hasn’t emerged yet.

Truly planning to wait until everyone from Eden is dead before acting?

The line cutting their retreat currently involves the most powerful combatants in the Proud Sky Alliance—members of the Black Rose Family; the last wave from the Eden Alliance has already been cleaned up.

If that big young master from Eden didn’t wish to lose face in front of the Princess of Danboro, they would have rushed into the passageway behind like that group of Scattered Ones long ago.

Hmm... it really suits their character, most seeing a suddenly appearing small path on the side of the main road rush in without hesitation, not considering their teammates at all.

Hill quietly lowered his gaze, hesitating whether the people from the Black Rose entering from the outside could find these folks, and what resistance they could still offer... an epic battle scene with one against a thousand doesn’t fall on their shoulders.

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

The people on Eden’s side surely understand their predicament; their first reaction is defense.

The paintbrush called ’Ji Lanyuan’ to his side because he didn’t want the only group of his own to die in vain.

"I feel something’s off, Paintbrush." ’Ji Lanyuan’ tilted his head to look at the passage moving inward, "Black Rose seemed prepared long ago.

The reason the princess followed us, isn’t it to check for any infiltration?

If she detected nothing, Black Rose must have prepared for a long time, meaning our little activity today... Snow Old Dog has already known about it.

There’s surely more trouble inside the passage.

Paintbrush, don’t forget, Hill has loved playing with mazes since long ago.

Moreover... on the ground, he’s practically no different from the deities, right?"

"How could Hill possibly help them?" Paintbrush frowned, completely puzzled, "He has always stayed out of the wars among our Undead Tribe!

Even when Doomsday treated him like that before, he didn’t directly join the battle!

Wait a minute...

That woman?"

"You don’t know?" ’Ji Lanyuan’ couldn’t help but raise his voice, "Do you really believe that the Princess of Danboro came just to assist us in attacking Cain Valley?

Do we have that kind of status?

Are you so lost in your romance that your brain has stopped working?

I thought you knew and had accepted it!"

"Of course I didn’t know!" Paintbrush’s eyebrows raised, "I warned Ivan, no matter how we fight against Proud Sky Alliance, we mustn’t affect Hill’s side!"

"Are you really stupid?" ’Ji Lanyuan’ said, his serious face full of mockery, "Ever since Hill’s Lily of the Valley came out to save Snow Old Dog’s life during that sneak attack in Basia, those young masters of Eden have hated Hill!

They’re afraid to make a move directly against Hill, so they pretend not to know anything and cooperate tacitly!

You don’t think these guys in Eden would use their own money to pay the living expenses for these people, do you?

You know... they even want to earn the brokerage fee from exchanging Gold Coins for cash in the game!

People who pluck feathers from passing geese wouldn’t give away the goose they have."

"I thought it was gold earned in Basia City." Paintbrush’s expression grew more serious.

’Ji Lanyuan’ shook his head: "Paintbrush, stop deceiving yourself.

I supported you during the Ink Brush incident because I found you pitiful yet admirable.

This time, I am helping you because girls should help girls.

Ha~

But that young master from Eden, his style... he would hire a spaceship to deliver water for his own thirst but would never casually give a loaf of bread to a beggar on the roadside unless a journalist is filming.

I don’t believe you haven’t seen through their nature yet.

You’ve always been smart!

As soon as I heard that almost everyone got a big red envelope, I knew the money must have come from Gaia’s side.

She’s an Evil God!

How could she spend her money and efforts helping people who don’t benefit her at all?

Do you take them for Proud Sky Alliance?"

"I thought you looked down on Proud Sky Alliance!" Ivan slowly walked over... while these two were talking, they didn’t avoid the people around.

Although he knew Paintbrush would see through it sooner or later, Ivan didn’t want this matter to be spoken by outsiders.

Especially this arrogant woman who deeply despises them... after interacting with her, he truly believed she just wants to deal with Proud Sky Alliance and not to join Eden.

She really is that kind of egalitarian Holy Mother!

Walterfa!

This has made him much more cautious in his actions.

’Ji Lanyuan’ rolled his eyes: "I never deny the strength of Proud Sky Alliance.

Unfortunately, they have placed their hopes on the wrong people.

Without the ability to deal with Proud Sky Alliance, they’ve reached out to NPCs.

As for the Doomsday outcome, I don’t believe Paintbrush didn’t warn you.

You guys are..."

"We didn’t do anything." Ivan said cheerfully, "We just accepted the help of a kind-hearted person, does that have anything to do with us?

We haven’t openly plotted against that gentleman at all.

Even the Space-Time Company can’t deny our innocence."

Paintbrush looked at him coldly: "You think you’re so clever, right?"

Ivan spread his hands: "In this game, we can’t possibly receive any official bias!"

"But he gave you fairness." Paintbrush frowned, "Why do you think fairness isn’t enough?"