Chapter 1097: Chapter 890: The Resolute Miss Edna
This appeared to be a cordial meeting, yet beneath the surface, each harbored their own schemes.
Devis’s inquiry seemed to be about the location in Edna’s heart, but if the young girl thought too simply, treating the graduation journey as a mere game, the control would naturally fall back to him.
Furthermore, if the route Edna planned did not befit the identity of a Mage, any flaws would inevitably be exposed and then exploited.
Lastly, if Edna was solely intent on testing herself in the most dangerous places, even with the protection of a large group of Teraxil Elves behind her, Devis would have to completely crush the young girl’s desire to be in charge.
Although this seemed unfair to a fifteen-year-old girl, if Edna wanted to cooperate with the Half-Elf, to truly hold the power of the team, she had to display the caliber of a leader... Even if she was merely conveying the opinions of the Half-Elf, she still had to demonstrate her own abilities.
Devis would not entrust his future to the hands of an impulsive, willful girl... Even if following her might lead him to see the Goddess of Magic, so what?
If he died, he would still go to Azuth’s Divine Kingdom, but what Mage would want to meet their Main God so early?
He has not yet found his mark in the elegance and complexity of the runes; he hasn’t even successfully created his own Spell!
He hasn’t yet left his name on the Encyclopedia of Magics, so how could he die just like that?
Facing the gentle smile of Devis Pease, Edna returned with an enthusiastic smile: "I’ve thought it over, starting from the Hidden Forest heading south, first to see the Magic Academy in Agleya City, and then following Ferun Avenue to Candlekeep.
Once we’ve exchanged the books in hand, we’ll leave Candlekeep, continue south along Sword Bay, directly to Kalinsan."
Devis’s eyelid twitched slightly. Every Mage fully understood what was going on in Kalinsan.
They aimed to travel, but surely had no intention of getting involved in the mess between the Toril Gods.
He said cautiously, "It’s not quite convenient for us to go to Kalinsan, right? The Followers of the Sun God are not easy to deal with."
Edna laughed innocently: "Don’t worry about that. We can go directly to Karin Forest. Although it’s not welcoming to outsiders, I’ll have no problems bringing people with me."
She put emphasis on the words "bringing people," and Devis noticed, glancing down at Edna, who sat comfortably on the bench.
He furrowed his brow slightly, casting a sidelong glance at the Half-Elf listening to their conversation.
However, Leonard merely asked Edna softly, "Is that the place of Queen Vila? I’d love to go! Some Natural Spells are better performed by Fairies, after all, it’s their Talents."
Edna smiled slightly: "Of course, wherever Vila is, any Agleya People can enter and leave freely."
Seeing Edna regarding herself as a member of Agleya City, Hill couldn’t help but sigh.
His thoughts were a bit chaotic now... If, after Midnight awakens, she chooses to completely forget everything in Agleya, so be it.
If this Goddess ultimately chooses to have him become Edna only with Midnight’s memories, then his territory would truly become too lively.
Surely, Edna doesn’t intend to place her Main Temple over in Hidden Town, does she?
He shook his head vigorously to free himself from these wild thoughts.
Anyway, as he foresaw it, Edna would not even reach Agleya... As for whether it’s Long Saddle Town or Neverwinter that ultimately keeps her, it depends on just how ruthless the Haber Family is.
Devis quickly discerned from their conversation that although the Half-Elf Mage was Transcendent, he handed full control over to Edna... When she mentioned going to Kalinsan, he was already considering what place or people there were worthy of a visit.
Regardless of age or strength... Even if Elves have a longer childhood, this Extraordinary Mage before him must have reached adulthood!
This was also the reason the other three ceded leadership to Devis. No one believed they could contend against this Half-Elf by themselves.
However... could the ultimate victor actually be Miss Edna?
It wasn’t as though the Elf issued orders in Miss Edna’s name... Creatures like Elves rarely willingly become leaders of Humans, mostly manipulating from the shadows.
Devis sank into confusion.
It wasn’t that he underestimated Edna for being female, but rather... did his teacher even know what his daughter was truly like?
Before coming here, his teacher had always hoped they would take good care of his spoiled, willful daughter, incapable of enduring hardship.
That’s why the other three went to such lengths to prevent the young girl from becoming interested in them... The Toril Nobles described their more trouble-prone daughters as lively and active.
Spoiled and willful... it’s terrifying to even think about it, isn’t it?
Their goal was to become Arcanists, to one day become the chief of their school of study, like that Mage Luca Yanes, who always carried himself in a cultured, refined manner while surrounded by a group of stunningly handsome and agile followers, with the aspiration to become the chief Alchemist of the Transmutation School one day.
Although Devis doesn’t agree with some of their practices, he understands... Lively and active noblewomen can bankrupt a great noble family, pampered and willful, likely to burden the whole family with debts.
But Edna is completely different from what they imagined. She likes to buy exquisite jewelry, but would never purchase something far exceeding its actual value just because of merchants’ flattery.
After observing these days, Edna shows no signs of vanity... Even if those merchants praise her as the future beauty of The North... Of course, she needs to dress up well, and she remains unmoved.
As long as the price exceeds her internal bottom line, Edna can turn and leave, even if she once lingered over those items, when she decides to let go, this beautiful girl never looks back wistfully.
So, was it because her teacher never paid attention to his daughter before, or did the hardships endured during that forced escape cause such a significant change in the little girl?
Devis thought for a moment before solemnly saying, "I understand Miss Edna’s intentions, but obeying the will of an extraordinary mage and the will of a minor girl supported by an extraordinary mage are very different.
I must discuss with others; I can’t make this decision alone.
However, Miss Edna can rest assured that according to Quel Senta’s tradition, once command is established, we will never go back on it."
Devis nodded to Edna and turned to discuss with his companions.
Leonard, who had been listening, turned to Edna: "Because of their love for gladiatorship, the Quel Senta people hold team command rights in high regard.
In other places, many teams disband after one adventure, but over in Quel Senta, a day as captain means a lifetime as captain.
But you are a descendant of Azuth! It’s not right for them to want to be your captain."
"You know?" Edna laughed, "As expected, there are no secrets that can be kept in Silvermoon City.
My dad always only admits to being a high rank in the Church of the Deity of Mages over in Quel Senta."
Leonard scratched his head: "The Tower of Nature’s news is quite well-informed, after all, there are so many birds flying north and south."
Edna nodded as she realized: "So, not many people in The North know about my father’s identity either?"
Though Leonard himself is fairly naive, his teacher doesn’t avoid discussing human cities in front of him, so he quickly recalled the Lady of the Forest’s original words: "They would certainly keep your father’s true identity as the biggest secret. Otherwise, how could they tell the world that Mystra’s Chosen is dealing with Azuth’s son?
And another part of this child’s lineage comes from the former Mystra... It’s hard to say it nicely!
As for alleged corruption, when has Toril ever held an extraordinary mage accountable under such charges?
Elaströ or Kelben must be laughing at someone!"
Edna pursed her lips. Although Leonard mentioned Mystra’s Chosen, she felt insulted too.
Maybe it’s because she has Elaströ’s bloodline and doesn’t want to hear others insult this grandmother?
Especially since these words came from that Tower Master of the Tower of Nature whom she finds very foolish.
Edna wasn’t surprised by Leonard’s arrival; just like these mages from Quel Senta, they were probably all sent to see if they could draw out that long-hidden Mystra.
The Mithril Elves, although they left the continent long ago, are still very familiar with these more or less similar ploys involving the Tablets of Fate.
So they reminded Edna very early on... stepping on dog poop was inevitably her destiny.
And quite possibly when she steps on dog poop, all races of Toril, along with the gods, even devils and demons, are watching her step.
Edna, aware of this, was willing to accept Lynn hiring undead bodyguards for her.
These past two years, Edna has been working hard to earn money to buy herself some insurance.
Though the Sanda King Sister once told her, as long as Edna puts up a bounty task at the Alchemy Hall, the Black Rose Family will take the job.
No matter how much or how little the reward, even a single gold coin would do.
But Edna doesn’t want to do that... Even if she can’t offer the highest tier reward, she hopes to reach the acceptable line for protection task compensation.
Edna actually understands why, despite Kessexili’s love for her, she never offered to pay for her while Lynn could.
As Leonard’s brother who’s already involved, it’s impossible for Lynn to watch his brother die. As long as he’s not escorting the whole way, spending some money is no big deal.
After all, if Leonard really faced life-threatening danger, Lynn couldn’t stay out of it. But the Mithril Elves can’t do it, and as the clan leader, Kessexili certainly wouldn’t send the clan to be toyed with by the Tablets of Fate.
So all she could do was find a way to let Edna make money for herself, but not help her out with this money.