616: Chapter 414 Embracing the Free Hill 616: Chapter 414 Embracing the Free Hill The Undead Tribe was dividing into squads to set off, and Hill felt they were very excited.
Perhaps it was because the Snow and Ice Country was full of ice spirits and snow monsters?
It was definitely a big change from the usual creatures they fought.
Especially those who had fought minions of the King of Insects, that Evil God’s minions had long since lost their human shape, to become his devotees, one had to merge with the spirit of an insect.
Although it could let an ordinary person instantly reach the pinnacle of the Grand Knight ranks, in a world teeming with so many deities, those who chose to forsake their humanity to follow the King of Insects, were mostly desperate avengers harboring despair.
Therefore, most of the King of Insects’ followers harbored a deep hatred for humans, and what they disliked most was seeing human happiness.
The residents of the Country of Insects became less and less human-like and mostly cohabited with insects—usually, if you hit one, you hit a whole nest.
Maybe because there weren’t many who were willing to have bugs crawling over their faces, despite the Country of Insects occupying the richest area in the south, nobody bothered them.
This time, the Undead Tribe really stirred up a hornet’s nest.
Even those not bothered by the hideous sights felt somewhat overwhelmed.
Winterland was different though, especially a type of ice and snow little fairy.
Although their killing power was strong, they were truly beautiful to look at.
They appeared like tiny four-winged fairies carved from crystal, palm-sized, wielding little magic wands, dressed in transparent crystal dresses, and fluttering translucent butterfly wings, indeed very eye-catching.
Hill also found them quite adorable, but unfortunately, these little fairies weren’t very intelligent, and they dissipate outright once they left the Goddess of Winter’s Divine Realm.
“Sir,” List materialized, “Snow Cloud Peak wants to ask if they can get a mana refill through the Magic Tower?”
Hill blinked.
How could Winterland possibly have the capacity to deplete the Undead Tribe so much, what were they planning?
And the focus of ‘Snow Cloud Peak’ wasn’t getting through the Magic Tower, but replenishing mana.
They weren’t unaware of what the Magic Tower was for; they were just being polite using a less direct way of speaking.
“What are they trying to do?” Hill couldn’t help but ask.
“From what I understand, if Winterland is taken down quickly, they want to hold an ice sculpture competition,” List said as evenly as possible.
“They will handle the ice blocks, but they might need a big mana boost in the middle of it.”
Hill nodded helplessly, “For my friends who have come from far to help me, it’s okay to make an exception just this once.”
List went to inform the Undead Tribe, and a thunderous cheer came from outside.
Practically in a frenzy, the Undead Tribe charged towards Winterland.
They didn’t leave anyone behind for defense, believing there was nothing worth defending in their shabby camp as long as Hill stayed inside the Magic Tower.
Hill glanced at the camp outside the Magic Tower; the Undead Tribe had already painted full walls of Defensive Magic Arrays.
Sometimes, manpower is an unsolvable problem.
The same work, though the arrays were of such low level that Hill could draw one in a few minutes, it was impossible to cover such long walls overnight.
They had even widened the inside of the wall to accommodate 20 people walking side by side.
Although it was a simple stone wall, it was enough for the defenders to stand on; Hill didn’t expect too many enemies on his side.
He had been put up for bounty as well, but that was incomparable to the ones offered at the Star Gate.
The Church of the Goddess of Gold Coins didn’t spend much effort on Hill’s side, instead focusing most of the bounties on the Star Gate.
Especially the bounty for shattering the Star Gate; that was something that truly tempted the deities.
Hill no longer doubted who the Goddess of Gold Coins was; aside from Valkin, no one in the Multiverse was so wealthy.
Though she hadn’t personally taken action, she was already on the edge of breaking the bounds and Hill wondered who had given her the courage to up the stakes in this world under the watch of such formidable divine powers.
Could it be that she’s taken refuge again in a place she believes is absolutely safe?
What gave Valkin the illusion that her judgment would definitely be faultless?
Was it Grazt, the ruler of the Bottomless Abyss living a life of decadence?
If she were to trust the credibility of the Evil Faction again, Valkin was bound to suffer another great loss.
Perhaps the painful downfall from Intermediate Divine Power had driven her insane?
Hill lifted his hand adorned with the Ring of Winter and gently waved; soon, large snowflakes began to drift down outside.
Different from the oppressive snow brought by the Goddess of Winter, the snowflakes summoned by Hill’s hand were quiet and gentle, fluttering softly, and quickly transformed the grounds trampled messily by the Undead Tribe into a white blanket.
Just as Hill had expected, the battle in Winterland ended swiftly, but the follow-up affairs were troublesome.
The devotees of the Goddess of Winter almost slid rapidly to their downfall; the true adversaries for the Undead Tribe were only those ice and snow fairies and puppets.
The Fury Camp ruled their territories through intimidation; there weren’t many devout followers to speak of.
Plus, due to the Goddess of Winter’s self-isolation, most of Winterland’s people were neutral, leaning towards evil; there weren’t many true devotees of evil.
After all, their worship of the Goddess of Winter was mostly to live better in the icy, snowy conditions.
The one with no other talent, who could only make Winterland colder and colder, forcing all the citizens to rely on becoming her followers or even priestesses to survive the winter.
Her priestesses mainly made their fortunes by acting as couriers, delivery personnel, and errand girls in the harsh winter weather.
In such a country, it was actually the Undead Tribe whose pace was held back.
They had thought they could breeze through, but they nearly failed to find the Goddess of Winter’s temple.
It was only with the help of the locals that they managed to reach their destination.
When they smashed the temple, there were only endless fairies and puppets to stop them, with very few human priestesses fighting desperately.
All of these glowed red, apparently having committed many sins.
Knowing that surrender would be futile and they would die anyway, these high-level priestesses could only give their undying loyalty to their Main God.
Running was pointless.
Even if the Goddess of Winter truly could come back to life, she wouldn’t appreciate their self-preservation tactics.
An Undead Mage, looking dejected, returned to inform Hill that the ice sculpture contest had been postponed.
They had just shattered the temple of the Goddess of Winter and now needed to clear the entire country.
If they were unlucky, they might not even be done before the spring thaw.
Hill stood in front of the second-floor floor-to-ceiling window of the Magic Tower and pointed to the falling snowflakes in the sky, “If needed, I am always at your service,” he told the mage standing on the ground.
Undead Mages, floating in the air, consumed much more mana than normal mages, so most of the time they were grounded, even those of Legendary Level.
They required over an hour of meditation to fully replenish their mana, or they would have to consume Mana Potions, a luxury most could not afford.
Hill had grown accustomed to speaking with Undead Mages on the ground, but he clearly remembered the face before him—this was the big boss who had once bought three Alchemy Huts and a fine carriage from him.
The Undead Tribe, known for their extravagant pleasures, were yet miserly about the consumption of a Mana Potion, something the inhabitants of the Fantasy World might not understand, but the Undead had their own logic.
Thinking back to his own past self, who bought furniture and clothes yet never potions, Hill felt he could understand their thinking.
The listless mage instantly cheered up, knowing that since Hill had said so, he would surely help them with a snowfall.
Although they too could summon ice and snow, it was only a temporary spell effect; once stopped, the weather would quickly return to normal, and ice sculptures needed more than a brief chill.
The Undead had none of the realization that one should work hard while others play; they could only think, “Why am I not the one enjoying myself?”
He joyfully soared into the sky and rushed to the troop’s location as fast as he could, completely forgetting that he could have used his tablet to spread the good news.
Hill suddenly laughed, pleased, and headed to his own laboratory.
Alice had already found some materials for him, and it was time to get to work.
Hill decided to start with some frost protection potions.
It seemed the Undead would be staying in Winterland for quite some time.
“Why are you so pleased, sir?” List didn’t quite understand, “Isn’t it just the Undead unable to return for the ice sculpting contest?
Although they caused some trouble, they were rather entertaining!”
“Of course, it’s the beautiful Goddess of Winter, who’s likely done for now,” Hill answered indifferently.
“She hasn’t returned from underground after so long, which can only mean she wasn’t strong enough or hasn’t encountered Los yet.
But now, having lost her temple, she’s fallen completely from the Divine Throne.
Even if she finds a place to await her death, she won’t give those last traces of her Divine Power to Los.
He wouldn’t be polite about it, useless subordinates are only fit to be food.
I still remember that morning, how haughty that Goddess of Winter was!”
“But, wasn’t it you who let her go in the first place, sir?” List completely failed to grasp Hill’s thoughts.
“It couldn’t be helped,” Hill looked at his fingers.
“I was wearing the Ring of Winter then, so I had to save some face for the Frost Maiden out there.
Yet, her end is so tragic, and I can’t help but feel content about it!”
“Sir, you’re becoming more and more like a true mage,” List suddenly said.
“Why?
I always thought my cleanliness doesn’t resemble a mage at all!” Hill asked curiously.
“Sir, it’s becoming more apparent that you do as you wish when working,” List said with a sigh.
“Before, I could use logical thinking to speculate on your choices.”
“Isn’t that a Magician?”
“A Magician doesn’t have the privilege of acting on a whim, sir,” List replied.
“There aren’t many magicians who would disdain the deities like you do, not even the False Gods.”
Hill was taken aback before finally understanding; even Magicians who reach the Legendary Rank struggle to break free from the laws and move forward on their own.
But Hill was different; he truly had command of the laws in his realm.
Even if one day all the skills naturally given to him were stripped away, he could rely on the laws he mastered to reestablish his spell cycle.
He had embraced freedom.