Surviving The Fourth Calamity
Chapter 398 - 197: Intricate and Confusing, Cutting the Gordian Knot

Chapter 398: Chapter 197: Intricate and Confusing, Cutting the Gordian Knot

William looked at Fran, who remained seated until the end, "Master Fran, is there anything else?"

"I also have a painting," Fran spoke calmly, "Although Hill gave it to me, I don’t really have any use for it; it’s just stored in the warehouse.

Apart from Hill himself, who would dare to misuse it?

Your Majesty, if you need it, I can bring it out first."

"No need," William shook his head, "You know, Hill has been messing with this thing for just a year. During this time, sunflowers were sufficient. Initially, I just didn’t want to give Hill’s thing to these fellows, were they even worthy?

However, dealing with demons is still most important, and for Hill as well.

The enmity between Hill and them, at most, is just meant to trouble them a bit.

But it seems the mages are rather unwilling to directly seek help from Hill."

Fran rarely smiled so happily, "Seeing those regretful faces is truly delightful. Initially, they thought they didn’t need to deal with nature warlocks and were jealous that Hill discovered the Wind Element Laws, not even one stopped that half-elf.

Why did the warlocks suddenly so determinedly sever ties with the Mage Association? It’s because of this matter, making them understand that although warlocks always consider themselves as mages with talented magic, the mages don’t think the same.

The president of the Mage Association is willing to keep warlocks forever in the ranks of mages because in his eyes, the warlocks’ talents can only support them to become legendary, but the chance of becoming a Legendary Law, is minuscule.

He doesn’t think legendary warlocks are that powerful.

Those who often go to the Elemental Realm to find paths, these Legendary Laws, are the same.

But in the eyes of ordinary mages, these people who can become legendary through their talents without much effort, are not really humans, let alone mages."

This way, it is indeed too good.

Initially, they showed such disdain for Hill, now it is so difficult for them to make amends.

They don’t even have the face to beg Hill.

They can only beat around the bush here with His Majesty.

However, Hill has always been willing to partake in dealing with demons, and it’s not like it’s given to them, so he surely wouldn’t mind."

William nodded, "I can understand the pride of mages, but being arrogant enough to think they can toy with demons, is truly inconceivable." He scoffed, "The Evil Gods of the Abyss, how powerful they are, haven’t we all seen it? Just one of their fingers is that strong! And yet, this is only one of the myriad Evil Gods of the Abyss."

Fran shook his head, "Those who have seen beyond the starry sky wouldn’t think that way. Only those whose eyes only see this world would believe they are invincibly powerful."

"High insights also mean a great temper." William leaned back in his chair, saying with relish, "Why did he ask me to help Mage Association borrow Hill’s demi-god artifact? Does he think that because I’m frugal, I’d push Hill out there?"

"Just a probe," Fran sneered, "Not just those who made moves, but Draculus as well. If Hill and the Mage Association were still amiable, why would they come to You paying a high price for a painting?

As a nature warlock, dealing with demons, isn’t it a matter of course?

Hill is young; even with my support, he might not be able to refuse outright.

If asked in person, even if he can’t lend that demi-god artifact painting, at the very least he could let those people visit.

But now, it’s clear that Hill, when encountering issues, first thinks of Your Majesty’s needs."

Hill doesn’t like getting involved; it’s something anyone can see, so if he changed his habit of thinking of His Majesty first, it would be a good thing for the Mage Association."

He just hoped, You would say something that Hill wouldn’t like.

If it doesn’t have an effect immediately, it’s not a problem.

Time can change everything."

William nodded, "Sometimes, I’m too honest, really can’t think of these crooked and cunning stratagems. Ah! Draculus, not sure what he’s up to now? The Mage Association, really needs to be properly managed."

Fran was stunned for a moment before realizing what William was talking about.

He really hadn’t expected that this king could say something so shameless with an unchanged expression.

Sometimes, thinking of the God of Nobility, and then looking at the one before him, it really made Fran doubt if a thick face is a key element to becoming a god.

Fran tried to keep his facial expression unchanged, bidding farewell to His Majesty the King with all due courtesy.

William watched as Fran left elegantly yet swiftly, and couldn’t help but sigh.

Fran probably thought his head was messed up, right?

He didn’t want to act as if his left cheek was stuck to his right, but there were matters at hand!

William quietly activated the mechanism next to the throne.

Soon, Spencer and that legendary female mage turned in from a secret door.

What was her name again? William hesitated for a while, Carol, right?

Before William could speak, the woman clad in a light purple robe, quickly said, "Your Majesty, Karula is grateful for your summons."

William quietly smiled, a very perceptive person indeed!

He quietly scrutinized Karula, who stood respectfully before him.

Completely different from the usual types that appeared before him, gentle, lovely, innocent, and kind girls.

Though also a rare beauty, her face was filled with shrewd competence.

The deep chestnut waves of her long hair cascaded down her back. Through the bangs on her forehead, one could see those eyes filled with stubbornness.

William’s eyes blinked slightly.

He smiled and nodded, "Spencer said you have something important to tell me?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Our president has been deceived again," Karula sighed softly, "The president is always away and does not care about the specific affairs of the Mage Association.

He always thought that the large half-plane provided by him was sufficient as long as he acquired the legendary rank Evil-Banishing Painting.

But that is not the case.

The half-demon thrown out was just a scapegoat.

In the Mage Association, there is a vice president who also has a small half-plane.

The demons there are the true culprits, the very demons that once tempted the Goddess of the Spring!"

William furrowed his brows, listening intently.

Karula took two eager steps forward, almost reaching the edge of the platform where William’s Throne was located.

William could even see her chest heaving dramatically under her voluminous robe due to her excited breathing.

Karula was a conservative Female Mage who still wore the old, roomy robes despite the current trend among the Undead Tribe of wearing seductively tight robes.

Yet, her figure was so graceful that the roomy clothing only served to accentuate her elegant and curvaceous shape.

The Female Mage spoke quickly and decisively, "The president, after dealing with this matter, will leave again. He usually doesn’t bother with us ordinary legends, and I can’t even speak to him.

Moreover, that vice president who conspired with the demons, has always been very attentive to our interactions with the president. It was only after some suspicion and careful observation that I discovered a bit of the insider details!

I had no choice but to take this opportunity of working alone to ask for Your Majesty’s help!"

"I never thought that there would be someone within the Mage Association with such a sense of justice," William said with a smile of approval, "I’ll consider it."

Karula embarrassingly tucked a strand of hair behind her slightly blushing ear, "It’s not about having a sense of justice. It’s just that if the Mage Association truly collapses, I’ll have no home left."

"I will do my part," William laughed, "But if it truly cannot be salvaged, Saral welcomes all mages of neutral standing or above to join."

Karula smiled her thanks, but her tone was firm, "To me, the Mage Association is above all!

It is my eternal home.

I have never thought about leaving my home.

The very thought pains my heart.

I only hope, Your Majesty, that you can lend the Mage Association a hand!

I will always be at home, blessing you, praying for you!"

Karula’s eyes slightly reddened, but she held back her emotions and gently bowed to take her leave from William.

"Spencer, please take Lady Karula to the nearby lounge to freshen up," William said sympathetically.

Spencer gently opened a door, "Please, Lady! This leads to the King’s private lounge, where you won’t be disturbed."

He followed her in, then stood by another door, "Please enter. I’ll wait outside in this antechamber. There’s another door here leading directly to the deck corridor; there’s no need to re-enter the King’s Hall."

Karula, feeling slightly embarrassed again, fixed her hair softly and thanked him in a low voice before she entered.

Spencer turned to look at William, then closed the door connecting the lounge to the King’s Hall.

William, with his arms crossed, quietly waited for a long time until Spencer re-entered from outside.

He casually waved his hand, raising an isolation barrier in the hall, and turned to open a secret door behind him.

It was a small living room.

As a king, he needed a space for secret meetings.

Master Fran and Draculus were sitting on the sofa behind the door, sipping tea.

"Master Fran, your reaction is indeed swift," William remarked as he saw the two stand to greet him, and he too sat down, followed by Spencer, who closed the door of the secret room—their sanctuary now sealed.

No one could see what occurred inside this secret chamber.

Fran’s lips twitched slightly, understanding, yet he felt tempted to play dumb.

He had only just decided to seek out Draculus after stepping out of the hall.

"With the Mage Association in such chaos, does your president not care at all?" William couldn’t help asking, "What sorts of demons and devils are all coming out now?"

"It’s not like the world has ended," Draculus replied calmly, sipping his tea, "Back then, we established the Mage Association because it was hard for mages to survive, needing a place to band together for warmth.

This world was first of deities, mages struggled up on their own.

Who doesn’t have bad times?

It was initially just an alliance to common enemies, and it was only because I was soft-hearted, saving many Junior Mages, that this Mage Kingdom emerged."

He smiled slightly, "Meaningless things, might as well just end them completely!"