Hill, who understood their conversation, frowned.
If Long Saddle Town really explodes, it would have a significant impact on his territory as well.
"List," Hill softly summoned his Tower Spirit, "issue a task to the Undead Tribe, everyone near Heart Lake must evacuate, warn all passersby near Long Saddle Town that the next earthquake is likely to happen there, it’s best to take a detour."
"By doing this, the Haber Family in Long Saddle Town might also get a chance to escape, right? They’re bound to hear the news, at least some of them might still have the sense, after all, your reputation is so good, you wouldn’t randomly play tricks on passersby." Celene asked curiously, "I just noticed... you truly despise their disgusting behavior.
Why lend them a hand?
Hill, I thought you only respected Tyr, but not like him."
"I respect Tyr, but I could never be as virtuous and magnanimous as him." Hill replied without hesitation, "However, I won’t watch innocent people die, even if it means some enemies might escape.
The evil ones must be executed, but I won’t personally harm the innocent... Yet I also won’t allow any Haber Family members to seek shelter in my territory, including that seemingly clueless Marko.
If any deeply sinful person gets away, I won’t hesitate to spend money, a bounty is the simplest solution."
Hill let out a slight smile: "Just in time, it can compensate the Night Cloak for their losses due to concessions made to Agleya."
Shaer let out a cold laugh, "Don’t use your brain, which weighs less than two ounces, to think about the actions of a Neutral Faction Archmage who is sharp and calm."
Celene still didn’t quite understand, to her, it’s better if those she loathes die, even if it involves innocent people... Who told them to pass by?
It just means it’s their fate, why struggle.
Of course, if that unfortunate soul happens to be one of her devoted followers, Celene would still lend a hand... perhaps by casting a moonlight to whisk them a thousand miles away.
As for whether that unlucky person is willing or not, the Maiden of the Moon doesn’t care... As long as their life is spared, right?
"Really can’t understand, why do decent people add so many bindings onto themselves?" Celene muttered, "I always thought Hill was somewhat like the Undead Tribe, but now it seems there’s quite a big difference.
Could it be because of frequent interactions with Teraxil, hence some similar thoughts?
Too bad it’s not entirely.
The conduct of the Undead Tribe is so interesting!"
Hill tugged at the corner of his mouth and let out a helpless smile.
Shaer was astonished, "In your heart, are the Lawful Neutral Undead Tribe more worthy of attention than Neutral Good Hill?
Didn’t you notice how much they adhere to order?"
"Who are you trying to fool?" Celene mumbled, "The Undead Tribe itself must be chaotic, it’s just that William’s binding is strong... For some fun, they follow the rules for a certain time, I could do that too!
If the control of the Undead Tribe was in Coron’s hands, do you think they’d still be so orderly?
The Zholar would bow down."
Hill had to sit upright in the chair, not blinking while watching the giant screen... What Celene saw was only the side of the Undead Tribe that resonated with her.
She was being unreasonable.
The conduct of the Undead Tribe gives a sense that their soul’s homeland must strictly abide by order.
True chaos, even under the guidance of the Order Faction, couldn’t possibly have millions follow a single person’s command... especially when that commander is not particularly strong.
This is something even the most regulated military camps in Toril find difficult to achieve.
Even in those high-pressure camps styled like Sparta, soldiers become hard to govern as soon as they grow stronger than their commanding officer.
After all, Toril still values individual capabilities highly, making it impossible for an elephant in his mind to obey an ant in his eyes.
"Why do you always say things even you don’t believe?" Shaer couldn’t help but interject, truly unable to understand where Celene learned this self-deceptive way of speaking.
"Because it’s fun~" Celene replied with a mischievous smile, "Instead of getting to the bottom of things, it’s more enjoyable to just say what I want to hear."
Hill blinked in confusion... Wait, what did the Maiden of the Moon say? Did he hear wrong?
Did Celene really say... she just says what she wants to hear?
Is it that the Chaotic Faction is just so willful, or is Celene particularly unique?
Shaer fell into silence, unsure whether the Lady of the Night, like Hill, couldn’t believe her ears, or if she was utterly desperate with her sister.
Fortunately, the rumbling from the east of Agleya freed Hill from his dilemma.
He swiftly stood up, walked to the east side of the Sky Garden, and gazed into the distance while holding onto the railing.
From the soaring black-red flames, it was clear that the Haber Family had long prepared for mutual destruction.
Hill frowned slightly, then leaped downward, landing on a breeze by Heart Lake outside Agleya City.
The hill where Long Saddle Town was located, along with the castles and Magic Towers continuously collapsing on the nearby mountain range, left no room for survival for those in the small town.
Hill now realizes that his decision not to covet the large open land on the other side of the Ferun Giant Road blessed by the Deities was wise... That area is unclaimed, and if allowed by him as Lord of Agleya, his subjects could use it to cultivate the land and claim it under Agleya.
However, Hill has always preferred avoiding trouble, and he doesn’t need to covet that food and territory, so he decisively stopped his subjects’ self-driven activities.
He even rewarded those proactive subjects increasing the lord’s lands with ten silver coins each!
This made things much easier for Hill now.
Even against deities’ wars, or clashes between Giant Dragons, the Ferun Giant Road, which has existed for hundreds of thousands of years, has never been destroyed.
All Gods, including the Evil Gods, blessed this road, allowing it to endure even amidst the spread of Magicplague.
The explosion at Long Saddle Town, which seemed to shake the heavens and the earth, couldn’t damage the Giant Road a single bit.
But its impact on the earth actually crossed this seemingly other-dimensional road and headed straight for Agleya.
Hill pressed his feet firmly on the ground to smooth out the great waves of vibration coming from the opposite side.
"Sir," List appeared beside him, "some merchant caravans passing through Long Saddle Town request temporary shelter in Agleya."
"Has the contract with Long Saddle Town been voided?" Hill asked softly.
"The contract was already voided when the Haber Family targeted Edna."
An answer that is hardly surprising. Google seaʀᴄh 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
"Evil Faction is only allowed to bypass outside the city," Hill said gently, "Have them take the road by White Dragon Mountain.
I permit them to rest at inns along the road."
"Sir might perhaps build a place by Heart Lake for merchant caravans to rest too," List suggested, "Many merchant caravans from Long Saddle Town intend to head east.
You surely wouldn’t want this trade route to eventually end up in Deepwater City, right?"
Hill glanced at his Tower Spirit and raised his brows: "Understood. Build it in line with the inn and warehouse over there."
Buildings once constructed are effortless for him, requiring no thought.
He gestured briefly with the Magic Book in hand, and even while suppressing the waves from the other side beneath his feet, a five-story lodge with warehouse and stables appeared at the Triangle Zone between Heart Lake and the Giant Road.
Thankfully, Hill had already completed various Magic Arrays when planning this land... of course, including magic patterns used by Tower Spirits like Marsha and List.
Marsha quickly appeared to swiftly take control of the new establishment.
"This place will be under Lynn’s management," Hill smiled and told her, "So for any needs, have Lynn himself seek them from the Strange Objects warehouse.
I’ve placed several copies of most everyday needed items in the municipal warehouse."
"Yes, Sir," Marsha acknowledged respectfully.
Feeling the final ripples dissipate, Hill informed the arriving Lynn: "I leave management here to you, is there anything else you require?"
Lynn glanced around and pointed towards the Dawn Tower, conspicuously due to nearby collapse: "If the followers of Dawn come down, how do I handle them?
With them nearby, the Elven City Guards likely won’t come to patrol.
Hill, the philosophies of the Lord of Dawn resonate very easily with young Elves, so we’ve learned from early on not to engage with his followers, if sighting Dawn Tower, it’s better to detour than to pass beneath it."
Hill couldn’t help but glance at his friend... Is this the final conclusion of orthodox Elves regarding the Dawn Calamity?
Lynn’s expression remained unchanged, merely urging: "You should build a barracks nearby.
Or have Tyr’s Paladins assign some personnel here, or have the Elven City Guards train a Human Defense Force; anyway, their requirement is merely to maintain order, daily tasks are coordinated with your Puppets.
Many Humans in Agleya City are Junior Apprentices, a formal army can be provided to you within three months."
Hill understood the implied meaning: Elves would rather work three more months than work near the Dawn Tower.
Even if the work is easy.
Hill reluctantly pulled a corner of his mouth... That damned Lansendel!
He waved his hand helplessly, and a slightly smaller barracks than the one in Agleya City stood beside Heart Lake, with large terraces stretching over the lake, enough for routine water training.
Then Hill turned to ask Lynn: "I recall Tyr’s Paladins can be hired to train the territory’s army?"