Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Gilbert naturally understood the true meaning behind the words of the Archmage across from him.

Moreover, he discovered an interesting trait of this Archmage... he never lied, nor did he exaggerate the facts much.

If he didn’t want to say something, he evaded it and directly explained the process and result, but never why.

Clearly, in his mind, many ”whys” couldn’t be explained to Gilbert, so he merely made requests, hiding deeper meanings in his words for Gilbert to ponder... If Gilbert could understand, great, and if not, the Archmage didn’t plan to force it.

Although this Archmage indeed intended to impersonate Gilbert and enter the Sia Tower in ten years when he inevitably couldn’t continue at the Tower of Dark Enigma, he didn’t come across as overly forceful.

The tone of his words was always calm.

In these decades, although Gilbert hadn’t faced many life-threatening situations, he had encountered countless communication crises, making him very sensitive to the tones and inflections of others’ speech, easily able to judge their emotions.

The Archmage opposite, who never revealed his name, indeed didn’t necessarily have to target him... That is, even if he expended some effort on the Hainarson Clan’s younger generation, if rejected by Gilbert, he seemed completely indifferent.

Although Gilbert didn’t quite understand the other’s style of doing things—after all, in their world, while it might not be only about ruthlessness and cruelty, kindness seldom appeared unrelated to interests.

Between families and magic towers, and even various government bodies, there existed their tacit understandings... But outside these little groups, there was absolutely no so-called kindness.

Using underhanded tactics against those who affected their interests was the principle they adhered to.

Thus, it really took Gilbert quite some effort to realize: the Archmage truly had no intent of doing anything against him or the Hainarson Clan.

The initial cost expended, the other side didn’t even plan on retrieving... Upon meeting Hill, Gilbert naturally understood why Russell could advance before the deadline and where those standard runes were learned from.

Gilbert clenched his fist, then a bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Just with this slight grip indicating bone through skin on the back of his hand, and the obvious future, what was he still struggling for?

Glancing at the Archmage floating around the room giving him ample time to consider, Gilbert decisively spoke: ”I am willing, of course, I am willing.

Since even if my soul won’t be devoured, it will still dissipate, being able to do something for the family I once fought for at my last moment also signifies a proper end.”

Hill blinked and slightly tilted his head: ”You don’t need to test; I quite like these two kids from your family and will nurture them well.

Moreover, Russell, his future probably wasn’t meant to be ordinary.”

Gilbert couldn’t help but fall into confusion: ”Russell?”

”His talents probably, inherited from that unlucky Defense Tower,” Hill’s tone was somewhat ethereal, ”were truly remarkable~

I heard in your clan, that elder’s status in the Defense Tower wasn’t high, right?”

”That’s because he isn’t very old.” Gilbert indeed knew a bit more, ”In terms of talents, he was actually pretty good.

Back then, he was ranked first among the apprentices entering the Defense Tower.

However, that doesn’t have much to do with our clan; it should be merely a unique mutation.

Our family’s mage talents mostly range from average to poor.”

Hill chuckled: ”But at least, you have experienced excellence.”

Gilbert turned his head to gaze at the figure floating by the window, frowning: he truly didn’t understand the meaning of Hill’s words this time.

This notion of a ’Son of Destiny’ in a world controlled by devils is indeed difficult to develop to a level able to contend with powerhouses.

So, mortals truly don’t understand; there are always some who, having done nothing, gain the favor of the world.

Hill could understand why the remaining will of this world would exploit a family to the fullest.

He probably no longer had the capability to choose again.

After the Defense Tower was completely overturned and removed.

And controlled by devils, the Sia Tower, although eliminating that world’s ’child’, actually didn’t know who it was, only where it was.

So, they didn’t choose to eradicate completely.

Instead, families related to the Defense Tower were sent to different magic towers for monitoring... the head of the Tower of Despair probably somewhat guessed that these were let out as bait, but he chose not to get involved.

Perhaps that’s why the Tower of Despair has always been stable?

In some matters, not getting involved might be more advantageous than participating.

Those with bright eyes might harbor some suspicion toward the Sia Tower and that Goddess Bisozeya, but the Defense Tower was the chicken to warn the monkey.

It’s not that easy to make a mage fight for somebody else’s interests... Especially those who have never been favored by the world, they even less want to turn around and protect some world.

Gilbert lowered his head, pondering for a while: ”Will Russell and Carpenter become mages?”

Hill couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow... this fellow was quite thoughtful.

Russell becoming a mage was straightforward, but Carpenter was a bit more challenging.

Although it wasn’t a major issue for him, Hill had no interest in making any guarantees: ”If they study well, I’ll teach well, as for the future... just like you said, the future is in their own hands.

I’ll give them what should be given, but beyond that, don’t expect me.”

Gilbert regretfully sighed: ”They are good kids.”

”Hainarson’s good kids,” Hill added lightly, ”I’m not interested in grooming descendants for others; personal effort is what counts.”

Gilbert was actually quite satisfied.

At least it proved the Archmage would seriously teach.

The other side probably lived in a world rich in mage resources, at least in terms of knowledge, without any difficulties, so he didn’t register Gilbert’s true intent at all.

What he desired was for the Archmage to seriously guide those two children, just a bit would suffice, and this would allow the two children to gain enough nourishment to grow to a level where the family could cling onto.

But if Russell and Carpenter didn’t cherish it... if they didn’t wish to learn, nobody could drag them along.

Even their biological father couldn’t achieve that, and as an elder without much emotion, he had no reason to care that deeply.

Moreover, managing to utter these words was already his limit.

Really, it makes one envious!

Gilbert looked at that Archmage... Why, didn’t he come when he was young?

Fate, what exactly is it?

”If I die, will my soul just dissipate directly?” Gilbert still couldn’t hold back and sighed dejectedly again.

”You can try,” Hill turned his head, a hint of curiosity on his face as well, ”I’d quite like to know.

I’ve never been very knowledgeable about this sort of thing.”

Gilbert raised his head in surprise: he always thought this Archmage, although appearing young, should have lived thousands, even tens of thousands of years.

After all, their Goddess Bisozeya had emerged ages ago.

Even excluding the Sia Tower, there were at least ten towers maintained for tens of thousands of years — they had shown no dissent.

But occasionally, the words of this Archmage left unexpected impressions of... youth?

Gilbert became a bit unclear, was it that this Archmage lived too long and saw too much, thus his thoughts became clear and transparent, or was he just not very old?

However, he soon realized, whichever it was, it proved the other’s strength.

If he wasn’t very old, that would be even more terrifying.

This was someone who truly understood who that Bisozeya was, clearly aware of his enemy’s abilities, yet still remained fearless.

”Let’s leave it at that then,” Gilbert sighed deeply, as there wasn’t any need for him to ask how this Archmage guaranteed he’d impersonate him under so many watching eyes, ”The sooner it’s done, the sooner it’s done.

This way, those two children won’t be at a loss because of a change in mentor.”

Hill tilted his head: ”Russell should be able to sense who I am, and who you are.”

Gilbert involuntarily extended his skinny fingers to touch his forehead: ”This child, is he very sensitive?”

”Somebody like him is hard to deceive,” Hill smiled, ”Even if it’s unclear at first, destiny will provide a moment of clarity.”

”That is, really nice... destiny!” Gilbert gently sighed, strands of silver-blue light drifted from his forehead, floating toward Hill.

Hill extended his right hand, and the shadow of a Diamond slowly appeared.

The silver-blue strands of light were directly drawn to the Diamond, gradually forming a physical entity.

”So beautiful,” exhausted of all his strength, Gilbert weakly praised, looking at that silver-blue gemstone.

Hill turned his head toward him: ”Wish you good luck.”

”Ha~” Gilbert smiled, ”And wish you good luck.”

Sitting on his carefully arranged favorite lounge chair, with no inheritance to worry about, Gilbert slowly closed his eyes.

Hill stared fixedly at him.

He wasn’t lying; he genuinely wanted to know how the Styx would claim this man’s soul.