Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1873 - 450: Russell’s Frustration

Although it seems there are many secrets, they do not affect him for the moment, so Hill chose to quietly observe.

In this scheme, neither side can be regarded as good... Even if the Red Dragon’s current stance is temporarily aligned with Hill, it definitely doesn’t mean Hill finds him agreeable.

Honestly, if he could perish together with Fengo, Hill would consider that the truly good ending.

Unfortunately, in the Fantasy World, killing countless and harming many, there has never been any cause-and-effect retribution.

The truly frightening thing is only doing what one shouldn’t and provoking people one shouldn’t... but Chromatic Dragons committing evil deeds have never been considered wrong.

Therefore, Hill knows he has actually changed a lot and is becoming increasingly adapted to the real world.

He even calmly assesses when things happen, whether this matter will cause a shift in factions... When the opponent hasn’t violated certain baseline rules, even knowing how evil they are, he can still calmly communicate.

When he left Teraxil, Hill couldn’t do this yet... Although at that time, he wouldn’t be indignant over others’ life and death, he definitely wouldn’t engage with those people.

Back then, Hill had a quite strong sense of cleanliness in his demeanor.

But during the most unexpected period, he was swept into the most terrifying danger in Toril’s Path of Destiny, which changed him significantly in this aspect.

Luckily, his temperament always has an unchangeable characteristic: his previous life’s soul gives him a slight estrangement towards everything in this life.

Aside from himself and the family and friends who enter his cold protective layer, other existences always carry an indescribable sense of dislocation.

After understanding where his existence in the world comes from, even if it’s confirmed as a real world, he cannot remove the so-called ’sense of having entered a book.’

Even later in repeated deductions and torments, figuring out he is a real living person, and that the world he is in is a real realm... even the appearance of the Undead Tribe confirmed much for him.

Yet, this indescribable torture truly enables him to abandon anything outside of those he cares about.

Therefore, many observing Hill feel he is very contradictory... so contradictory it’s hard for people to approach.

Clearly, his point of view is of the Kind Alignment.

However, from his interpersonal dealings and attitude towards situations, only the style of the Neutral Faction can be seen.

Thus, some entities that could be called ’existence’ observing Hill from Toril, after confirming his pleasant interaction with Lansendel, completely abandoned their desire to start from him.

In this world, that world, and all worlds, the most frightening element calling for kindness and enthusiasm in neutrality is Lansendel.

Although it seems unclear if Hill is truly insane, the slightest possibility prevents those harboring ulterior motives from provoking him.

The Undead Tribe is not really that scary; existences on the same level as AO can refuse their entry.

The scary thing would be if Hill truly had half of Lansendel’s style, then what?

Therefore, the only real threats to Hill now are those named and prominent Demon Lords in the Bottomless Abyss, and those few powerful Grand Dukes in the nine layers of hell.

Only they are unafraid to kill him.

Hill pressed his lips and tilted his head in thought, deciding that his disdain for the Red Dragon is not enough to waste his blessing, so he restrained himself from speaking and continued to bury himself in his Magic Book.

If the Styx’s aura grows heavier, some Shaping Spells and Enchantment spells might truly become unusable.

Whether to direct these spells towards Styx or to transform them purely into the Universal Series... which, though less powerful, can be slightly used in any world... he needs to carefully consider this.

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Carpenter, feeling a bit lost while touching his Magic Book, asked: "Brother Russell, why are all the spells our teacher creates somewhat different from... um, those in the faction spellbook?"

"These are the results of him modifying them after researching the Standard Runes," Russell explained calmly. "So, only First Ring and Second Circle are available. The rest you will have to wait until the teacher is available to learn."

"Just let me see the First Ring," Carpenter promptly spoke.

"Don’t be ungrateful." Russell tapped her head, "The reason the teacher made sure to organize these spells for us before his seclusion is because there are many connections between First Ring and Second Circle spells.

Especially for the Illusion Technique you excel at, studying them in comparison—even though spiritual power may not enable you to learn higher-level spells—the descriptions of those runes can help you understand them more easily."

Carpenter slapped his hand away, turning to look at him seriously: "Brother Russell, are you speaking human language seriously?

I can hardly understand First Ring spells, to me, Second Circle runes are just a burden, okay?"

"It’s always good to read more." Russell remained unchanged in expression, "You never know which rune might resonate with you!"

Carpenter bowed her head and thought for a moment, "If I promise never to get close to the tunnel entrance without your permission, can I get a pardon?"

"Hmm... so you plan to read through it first, right?" Russell squinted his eyes and smiled, "Alright then~

Here are all the First Circle Spells, a month from now, I hope you’ll have finished reading and have a deeper understanding of a particular spell.

Especially illusions.

By the way, you should have already learned the Disguise Spell and Silent Shadow directly, right?

And the Ventriloquism... right?"

"Yes." Carpenter helplessly tugged on the lock of long hair on her chest... Russell was too aware of her learning progress and knew exactly what aspects of her mixed magic were useful.

She couldn’t hide anything, even if she wanted to.

Actually, Carpenter didn’t plan to hide from Russell... but she was a bit worried about whether she could learn new spells in a short time, so she was a bit, um, hesitant.

"Then work hard~" Russell gave her a nudge on the back, "My dear Carpenter, I really hope that when we meet again, you’ll give me some good news that cheers people up."

Carpenter lifted a table full of books, asking in a slightly confused tone, "What kind of news would satisfy you so much?"

"Of course, news that the Illusion Element, Universal Series, and Energy Shaping School have some new tricks." Russell replied with a smile.

"My Brother Russell, how much have you learned by now?"

"All of the Protection System and Universal Series, half of the Energy Shaping School, and a third of the prophecy system; not so good in that one.

As for the others... only learned two in the Enchantment Department, haven’t started on the Illusion Element and Transmutation Series." Russell said honestly, "I know I’m a bit biased, so lately I’ve been trying to perceive the Transmutation Series.

For illusions... I guess Prismatic Spray is easier for me, a chance of success, so I’m not too anxious."

Carpenter straightened her body and said softly, "I shouldn’t have asked, really..."

"What?" Russell didn’t quite catch it... for some reasons, his perspective on his progress had slightly deviated from the normal ones in this world.

"I will study hard." But Carpenter was still a normal person, so she merely thought her brother was urging her to study.

Though it was rare to have communication barriers with his sister, the result was what he wanted... Russell didn’t say more, smiling as he watched his sister disappear down the corridor.

He really wasn’t as relaxed as he appeared.

Although, because of Gilbert’s silence, this brawl that Hainarson initiated but had no qualifying words in, ultimately excluded their family completely... if the encirclement of Prutt and Rolando were successful, naturally some benefits would trickle to the participants.

Gilbert’s disappearance at this time became the reason why the Hainarson Clan was excluded... since he made no sound, no one would bring his family to the spoils-sharing meeting.

Though the Hainarson Clan wasn’t genuinely wounded, what remained after this chaos was a mess.

There’s always someone fond of playing the ’we should have known’ game, especially among those of noble birth.

They may not truly be unaware of their choices, but they will invariably shout ’why didn’t we...’ once everything settles.

Russell felt slightly embarrassed that his family was among them.

He could somewhat understand what those uncles were thinking... there were a few who betrayed the family this time, some were former Elders.

All of whom were those who once offended Gilbert.

But they had the ability to hinder Gilbert, naturally because they had both power and influence, so their departure, though leaving the family dishonored... the only ones possibly unfazed or even pleased would be those in Ulrich’s faction; others wouldn’t feel the same.

Family infighting is something those who like to keep family unity on their lips believe shouldn’t become public.

So even knowing there was a covert struggle between Ulrich and those people, the remaining unrelated power holders continued to feign ignorance... acting along with ordinary family members.

Unfortunately, this chaos made everything unhideable, everyone who needed to leave, left.

Yet, some would think that if Ulrich hadn’t turned into a mage, if he hadn’t been resolute in his refusal to forgive... those people might still have been salvageable.

So, they showed an attitude of not wanting Ulrich’s faction to take over those vacant powers.

The Wise Ones wouldn’t heed such foolish thoughts, but there’s always someone acting foolishly.

Russell just didn’t expect that someone in his own family could be so dumb.