When William got up and left, the coronation ceremony came to an end. The players were left whispering amongst themselves, while the nobles, iron-faced and silent, remained behind.
Fran immediately took Adrian and Hill away. After all, mages had good memories, and everyone on the viewing platform would remember Hill's face. They would formally meet later, and the mages quickly departed. At this point, no one planned to stay behind to build connections.
The three swiftly left the inner city. Fran took the two of them into the air and flew rapidly back to his territory.
Fran brought the two to Hill's Magic Tower. "There are some matters we need to discuss thoroughly." List stood at the door and, seeing the few stern-faced individuals, softly said, "Welcome back. Sir, should I prepare lunch?"
Hill nodded. "Put it in the small guest room."
The three quickly finished their meal and returned to the study.
Adrian, sitting down, immediately asked, "Teacher, what does William rely on? Does he plan to completely overturn the nobles' traditions?
Even if it's the will of the deities, the nobles aren't without their own reliance.
Once this news spreads, even those nobles who originally did not intend to participate in the God War might take action!"
Fran gazed out of the window and said softly, "I always thought that deity was hiding in the Outer Plane or some hidden secret realm. After all, only William could directly contact Them. But regardless of whether They were here before, They should be in Saral now.
No matter how powerful a Legend, they couldn't defeat a terrestrial deity.
During today's event, several Legends appeared, sitting behind William, unmoving."
He turned to Hill. "When you were dealing with the Undead Tribe, you said they had a million people who wanted to come, right?"
Hill nodded.
"Then, this million people are likely all coming in. The entire nation of Saral may not even have two million people.
So many believers of the deities entering, all of them professionals, how immense would the faith power provided be? The Legends wouldn't oppose such a powerful deity. Whether the nobles' slaves are liberated or not, how much could that affect the Legends?
The nobles who understand this will wisely comply, and those who don't, no one would care if they die."
Adrian cursed angrily, "Is it just me who's unlucky?"
Hill said, "Quickly complete the Saintess's Smile and immediately negotiate with your family. Taking advantage of their current sense of threat to their lives and their desire to live longer, trade it. Afterward, tell them they'd better heed William's words. If they still don't listen, it's best to take one or two clever children back to your maternal grandfather's territory.
As long as you ensure the continuity of your family, it shouldn't affect you much."
Adrian nodded, saying, "At this time, there's nothing else to do but protect myself first. I'm just a small Archmage, how many Magisters does the Undead Tribe have? I can't even handle a hundred."
Fran said, "The appearance of the Undead Tribe is also a good thing. In past God Wars, people like us would be dragged in no matter where we hid.
With William's decree, the Grand Knights and Sky Knights from noble backgrounds absolutely wouldn't fight for him. Only the Undead Tribe would participate. As long as William has enough Commanders, it will suffice.
The Undead Tribe has such immense numbers, with Magisters and Sky Knights emerging in large quantities. The local high-level professionals of Saral are no longer needed in the battlefield confrontation.
No matter how many opponents, how many troops could the nobles dispatch? Could they have a million professionals?
And how many Legends could the Noble Temple send? Legendary Knights and Legendary Mages are two different concepts. How many Legendary Mages believe in the Rose?
A terrestrial deity with millions of believers. As long as They act, They are invincible."
Hill asked in confusion, "Those two deities really won't take action? Would there be other hidden deities who might act?"
"That's not something we need to consider. If that deity really intends to act personally, They should have taken precautions.
In this war, we will probably only be spectators.
Adrian, if the Undead Tribe comes to our territory, remember to take good care of them."
He looked at Hill. "You too. Keep a certain distance and try not to cause trouble."
Hill replied, "I have always followed the natural revelation. The Undead Tribe is best not to be offended."
Adrian said, "In any case, we're far away and there shouldn't be any issues."
Hill blinked: If the players were about to be stationed at the border as Baldy and the others had said, they must have a way to leave quickly or return to the Royal Palace in the capital fast. Exploring Saral would certainly be on some players' agendas.
No player would stay in just one city. Moreover, with a million people coming in, they would undoubtedly be spread out.
He previously didn't know how William would solve the long journey, but it was now clear that he had been preparing teleportation arrays all along.
Then there must also be teleportation arrays placed in the western Border City. There would be no shortage of wandering players here.
Hill gave a slight reminder: "Since the Undead Tribe are followers of the God of Space and Time, they might have methods for quick actions."
Fran glanced at him. "Is that the impression you got from your communication with the Undead Tribe these days?"
"When they spoke, they showed no concern for the distance from the capital to the territories they wanted to go to. Not all of them are mages. Saying they would come here seemed very easy for them."
Fran reflected a moment and nodded in agreement. "Adrian, prepare everything for the caravan when you return tomorrow.
The library should be ready to open, and even the junior apprentices should suffice."
"Yes, teacher."
He then asked Hill, "What do you plan to do here?"
"Grandfather, take a look from the window. Besides those two farms, all that's left here are forests." Fran and Adrian looked out of the window. The floor-to-ceiling window of the circular study provided a panoramic view of the three directions of Hill's Domain.
Hill's territory was completely occupied by tall trees. Even the two plantations were surrounded by rings of orchards.
Adrian said speechlessly, "Are you a magician or a druid? Has your elven bloodline fully awakened? Earth Bears don't have such grand hobbies."
Fran glared angrily at Adrian. He never liked to hear the term "Earth Bear."
Hill sighed. "Actually, there isn't much difference. If I want to preserve the Wood Elemental Spirit's presence, I can't damage the forest. In my territory, there are already hundreds of treants, and they plant trees when they have nothing to do.
As for the Earth Elementals, they prefer traversing the mountains and underground. Look at how lush my forest has grown, almost every stream has a Water Elemental now.
I no longer summon spirits.
But perhaps the living environment is too good, many elements have already split. They are exhibiting cluster behavior.
Once the Water Elementals and Wood Elementals form tribes, the remaining few ordinary people in my territory will have to be sent away too.
I'm currently working on developing puppets that can cook. List's core already holds thousands of recipes."
Fran shook his head. "I can't help you with this, everything will depend on yourself. If you need materials, ask Adrian to find them for you.
Don't worry about my expenses, I can definitely support you now. Hill, after all, you are my only blood relative, spending some money on you is nothing.
You should also have seen how wealthy the Undead Tribe is.
In the future, I'll take more time to make Physical Potions. You should also produce more Alchemy Potions. Use your large Alchemy Workshop more, don't let your Potion Shop remain empty.
Take advantage of the time while the Undead Tribe is still here to accumulate more resources for yourself."
Adrian nodded in agreement. "Hill is too cautious."
Hill only smiled and remained silent. After all, he was a person with decades of past memories and could no longer complacently rely on others.
Adrian looked at him, shook his head, and asked Fran, "Will the shops around that square be up for sale?"
Fran shook his head. "Don't even think about it. Once those square shops open, the stores on Noble Street will be finished. William is really cutting off their base.
However, when Saral was founded, two-thirds of the commercial street in front of the Royal Palace belonged to the Royal Family. Look at it now, except for the one-fifth nearest to the palace, great nobility have taken over the rest.
There have been only four kings.
William intends to overturn the table and rebuild the Royal Family's commercial street.
What can the great nobility do about it? This is a Legendary King. Those old methods of forming alliances, who would dare use them on him?"
Fran suddenly spoke earnestly to Hill. "I know you dislike slavery and sympathize with commoners. You approve of the Undead Tribe's doctrines. In your heart, you have actually already pledged allegiance to William. Including the deity's teachings, you also agree with them in your heart.
Today, you absorbed so much Holy Dew; most of the mages on the high platform noticed. Many people understood your thoughts.
But, you must never admit it!
You can have overflowing compassion, but never be the first to betray your class!" Hill calmly nodded. "Don't worry, Grandfather. I know how weak my power is. I would never want to bring trouble to you!"
Fran patted Hill's head. "You're a good child, but this world doesn't allow the weak to do as they please.
For tens of thousands of years, many deities have wanted to change the plight of commoner slaves. This time might be the most likely to succeed, but we can't intervene.
William's soul belongs to the deity, and the souls of the Undead Tribe aren't under this world's control. We have no way to deal with it."
Hill could only nod in silent agreement.
Adrian said, "Relax, teacher. Hill is an obedient child. He won't casually meddle in such significant matters. I'll also visit him regularly."
Fran shook his head. "Give me the Saintess's Tears. I'll make the potion. You go and take care of your territory's affairs. Once the potion is ready, quickly trade it. Before the situation worsens, arrange all the escape routes."
Adrian nodded. "Don't worry, teacher. My father and the others, after all, believe in His Majesty. They will still receive some protection. The worst that could happen is total expulsion from the country, but the family won't be annihilated."
Fran advised, "Still, take speed. Leave no trouble behind. Who knows what might happen in the future?"
Hill, watching the somewhat chaotic scene of the two, dared not speak up.
Fran stood up. "We're leaving now, Hill. This period, I won't have time to check on you, so be diligent in your training."
Hill could only repeatedly agree. Too many things had happened, and the future's direction was unclear. Even Fran felt somewhat anxious.