Ch. 321A Time-Limited Choice: Money or Survival?
Chapter Summary
Key Plot Points and Events
- Hill realizes the Undead and Sea Demon Beasts know about his earlier attempt to secretly open the delivery box. He stops using them for deliveries and sends Adrian instead.
- Adrian has become the Sea Demon Beasts’ preferred trading partner. They trust him because he has the approval of the Demigod Sea Turtle, while other Mages are often attacked. The Undead provide ordinary goods at fair prices, whereas Adrian handles higher-value merchandise.
- Hill prepares a package for Alice containing fruit-shrub seeds, Jade Butterfly seeds, and household necessities. His care for Alice is mixed with irritation that she has left with Merkel to help the impoverished, displaced king.
- William quickly posts a mission involving two major Dwarven gold mines. Hill recognizes the strategy: the gold mines are bait intended to make the Dwarves prioritize wealth over the copper and iron mines essential to their long-term survival.
- Hill hopes the Dwarves will choose incorrectly, regret their decision, and possibly turn against one another or rebel against their upper classes.
- Falan questions how the Undead discovered Hill’s appearance near his Mage Tower. Hill explains that the Undead use distant surveillance and even employ contracted Magical Beasts—such as small red birds—to record footage.
- Hill explains that Magical Beasts willingly contract with the Undead because the Undead do not force them to fight or sacrifice themselves. Unlike many humans, they treat contracted beasts as companions rather than tools.
- Falan advises Adrian to deal more harshly with nobles who challenge him. Adrian agrees but intends to act carefully and with proper justification now that he is a city lord.
- Falan sends Hill back to his Mage Tower and forbids him from leaving the area, then returns home to study books given to him by Draculus.
- Hill reviews the valley’s affairs with Liszt and stores extra plants and seeds in his pendant in preparation for a possible journey into the wilderness, where edible vegetation is scarce.
- Liszt reports that Shell Pearl has recently been reacting strongly, though Hill is unsure why.
Character Developments
- Hill: Shows strong affection and protectiveness toward Alice, while also feeling possessive and resentful of her difficult life with Merkel. He continues preparing carefully for future dangers and demonstrates strategic insight into William’s plans.
- Adrian: His relationship with the Sea Demon Beasts and the Undead grows stronger. He is also becoming more politically cautious, choosing to confront hostile nobles through lawful, well-supported actions rather than reckless retaliation.
- Falan: Becomes more accepting of the Undead’s unusual behavior and more protective of Adrian. He encourages Adrian to punish arrogant nobles more severely and takes a stricter supervisory role over Hill.
- Alice and Merkel: Though absent, they remain important to Hill. Their work in the Dwarf Kingdom and their difficult circumstances motivate Hill’s gifts and concern.
- The Undead: Their creativity, surveillance methods, fair trading practices, and unusually respectful treatment of Magical Beasts are emphasized.
Significant Themes
- Money versus survival: William’s mission tests whether the Dwarves will defend valuable gold mines or the copper and iron resources necessary for their civilization’s future.
- Strategic manipulation: The Undead use misinformation, distractions, and psychological pressure rather than relying solely on force.
- Trust and companionship: Magical Beasts prefer the Undead because they are treated as friends and partners instead of expendable weapons.
- Parental affection and protectiveness: Hill’s practical gifts to Alice reveal his deep care, even as he struggles with jealousy and frustration over her choices.
- Prejudice and human nature: Hill distrusts humans’ willingness to exploit Nature Spirits and Magical Beasts, believing it safer to conceal their abilities than to rely on human morality.
- Preparation for uncertainty: Hill gathers plants and seeds in anticipation of entering the wilderness, showing his habit of planning for dangers before they arise.
Character Interactions
- Hill and Adrian discuss the Undead’s rapid mission response and William’s trap for the Dwarves.
- Hill explains Nature Spirits and the Undead’s recording methods to Falan and Adrian.
- Falan and Adrian bond over their shared willingness to oppose troublesome nobles.
- Falan treats Hill sternly, escorting him home and restricting his movements.
- Hill interacts with Liszt while managing the valley’s plants and learning about Shell Pearl’s unusual behavior.