Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1444: Chapter 22: Pleasant Cooperation

A girl with black hair and green eyes, wearing a fiery red mage robe, had slightly curled hair cascading like a waterfall, adorned only with a small cluster of half-bloomed red roses pinned above her right ear, with just the flowing black glow as embellishment.

Her smile was as bright as the sunlight, and her eyes, as crystal-clear as the clearest lake, were filled with sincerity.

This gave Hill some understanding as to why Joshua couldn’t help but show a proud expression whenever he mentioned this young lady.

However, after nodding in indication, Hill remained still and simply watched the girl silently smile.

Ellie tilted her head slightly, her long hair brushing lightly against her exposed collarbone, as she gently stepped back… It seemed this mage was indeed quite mature in age, not treating her as a peer and not intending to follow aristocratic traditions in offering his right arm for her to hold.

Thus, she couldn’t be overly enthusiastic but instead had to be more respectful.

Mr. Belfran’s every move showed clearly that he was a high-level warlock of noble descent, and he wouldn’t fail to understand that Ellie’s standing position was suitable for directly using the aristocratic arm-holding etiquette.

But his attitude was obvious; he had no intention of participating in any noble or political affairs in Basia City.

Therefore, Ellie had to treat him according to the mage’s rules.

Ellie gently gathered her arms, her right hand placed on her chest as she bent slightly and bowed her head: “Sage Belfran, please follow me… You are a distinguished guest of the Stelter Family, and according to the auction rules, you may preview the treasures to be auctioned today beforehand.”

She then promptly stepped back two steps, turned, and slowly walked forward from Hill’s right-front, even slightly tilting her body to the left.

This time, Hill silently followed behind her, heading towards the sumptuous auction hall door that two level 6 warriors were pulling open.

Having confirmed the appropriate attitude to adopt when receiving Mr. Belfran, Ellie internally breathed a sigh of relief.

Before officially meeting this formidable warlock, she was actually quite anxious, not knowing if her probing might anger him… Normally, greeting him with mage etiquette would be more suitable.

But, this Archmage’s preference for maintaining a youthful appearance left her at a loss.

Originally, she planned to show her more youthful and vibrant side… Ellie always believed that older people loved the energy and vigor of youth.

In her mind, this Archmage should be akin to her previous mentor… Traditional mage robe, well-groomed and clean long hair draped neatly behind, a solemn face with deep eyes.

Yet, who would have thought, Uncle Joshua said so much, but failed to mention the most important point!

He merely said this person looked good… Her father, Count Stelter, had also been praised for his handsome appearance before!

The first time Ellie heard it, she was quite young and almost mistook this degree as being called handsome… Until she grew up and saw truly handsome youths, she finally realized… Count Stelter being called handsome was thanks to the beauty halo bestowed by her family members’ eyes!

She will never forget, the one who praised her dad was Uncle Joshua… How could she take the looks Joshua described seriously?

So, upon seeing Archmage Belfran slowly walking along the long street towards the Hall of Abundance, she got a bit flustered… She couldn’t even praise this face for its handsome looks like those watching girls!

The vibrant image was totally unsuitable in front of this Mr. Belfran!

Ellie’s hands went into a frenzy… Luckily, Belfran spent some time downstairs, allowing her to undo the hairpins and the headband.

She initially had her long hair braided into dozens of braids, connecting from both sides, forming a youthful flower branch hairstyle.

It was adorned with sparkling jeweled hairpins, instantly radiating a cute and good child vibe.

But… Such an image was fine for entertaining an elder, but when facing a handsome, charming young mage?

She would certainly become the biggest joke in Basia City!

Then, she changed her cute pink high-waisted dress into a formal mage robe… Thank goodness, in the lounge, there was a red robe she had never worn before.

Due to her green eyes, Ellie rarely wore such striking contrasting colors like red; this time, she could only grit her teeth and accept it.

Then she couldn’t match her jewelry… The accessories she brought to the auction were all in pink or blue-green hues, unmatched to her outfit.

Finally, reluctantly pinching a pot of roses from the lounge… All the blooming ones were taken to decorate the hall; only this pot with unopened buds remained.

While Belfran was purchasing items on the third floor, Ellie managed to groom herself presentably and hurriedly rushed to the Crystal Stone Elevator to prepare for the reception ceremony.

Then she couldn’t help but wonder… Maintaining such a youthful appearance, does it imply this Archmage internally still considers himself young?

If she directly treated him as an elder, would it incur his dissatisfaction?

Ellie didn’t think she was overthinking, after all, Basia City had a Mid-level Magician who never followed rules.

Some mages, although already in their forties, never view themselves and new mages like Ellie as two separate generations, and they definitely don’t see anyone as juniors to be taken care of.

Of course, she was talking about that age-old guy with decreasing intelligence by the year, Lucimar Ismael.

The guy always cares about whether he can command the scene, making everyone look at him with admiration… No matter what occasion, he must present himself as the person of highest status.

Even at gatherings of low-level mages, he needs to showcase his presence… Never feeling like he’s too old to bully the kids.

Ellie always feels that kid’s proud little eyes have one line written… He’s still a baby who needs coaxing, who has the qualification to make him give way?

Luckily she and that guy belong to two different factions, meeting daily only needs a nod and greeting before each goes their own way.

Ellie sometimes even sympathizes with the traditional noble faction of Basia City… Surrounding such a guy every day, taking care of his every need, wondering if they cough up blood three liters when they get home.

But, if only talking about surface strength, this guy can rank eighth in Basia City… Including military forces.

Even if unwilling, most people must flatter that guy, including those creatures in the darkness as well.

No way, Ismael is after all an alchemist master’s family, like Lucimar, a direct descendant, carrying unknown numbers of magic items, wanting to assassinate him is basically impossible, only openly kill… However, the great sage of his family is still alive!

Otherwise, how could the Ismael family be so arrogant!

As the creator of Crystalstone Technology, Great Sage Ismael can almost be said to have single-handedly sent the ordinary kingdom Danboro to become one of the top strong nations in today’s world.

As long as the Great Sage remains, even if the royal family has more tricks, they won’t dare to create such treacherous acts like “using the donkey after the grinding.”

So, Lucimar is really hard to deal with, even means like poison smoke are useless.

However, this is also the reason why the Stelter Family is very tolerant of him, letting him roam freely in the city without caring even if he mingles with assassin leaders… Lucimar, running around, more than once stumbled into carefully planned conspiracy circles of foreign spies.

Especially fond of using hallucinogenic smoke, the desert country of Stodom which has deep hatred with the Stelter Family.

The years the count just returned, many desert assassins tried to kill him… However, those who died in the count’s hands were less than those who died in Lucimar’s hands.

Especially in the recent two years, Count Stelter heard that his bounty in Stodom wasn’t as high as Lucimar who never went to the battlefield.

Even thinking about these messy things, Ellie did not take a wrong step… The Hall of Abundance was Count Stelter’s coming-of-age gift to her, although most of the auction items still belonged to the count, it would follow common rules to leave her a commission.

Although not high, it’s enough for her to maintain the operation of the Hall of Abundance.

Not to mention, after she became a mage apprentice, she started to probe collecting materials herself, creating some simple rune jewelry.

This building poured her countless efforts, every place designed meticulously by her, even with eyes closed she wouldn’t take a wrong step.

Though a bit of a hiccup appeared, Ellie still tried her best to show her best side.

Hill could feel her effort.

He always appreciated such self-motivating people, a smile couldn’t help but appear on his face.

On the first day of meeting, although both sides had some minor issues, they got along quite pleasantly.

Therefore, Hill went to the Stelter auctions several more times in a row.

Ellie, seriously, displayed her various strengths, even personally hosted a special auction for alchemical materials… knowing every material, whether high or low, very clearly and explaining well.

As Ellie’s smile grew more radiant, Basia City’s various forces could also feel this Earth Traveler’s favor towards Miss Stelter.

Of course, they didn’t want to see this result.

However, any attempts to blow skewed winds next to Hill had no effect at all.

As for other ideas… Belfran obviously didn’t intend to give Great Sage Ismael too much face… not completely unacknowledged either, even the Great Sage himself couldn’t say anything.

Lucimar, although able to knock open the wall without a door, every time hasn’t stayed for a few minutes before being thrown out by a gust of wind.

Not going overboard should be the greatest tolerance of that Earth Traveler.

Lucimar is just a bit silly, but not yet so silly he’s unaware of danger, impossible for him to risk for others’ affairs.

Those who never appeared again after entering, temporarily scared off the ghosts and spirits in Basia City.

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