Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Felis felt a bit puzzled: ”Why? There’s hardly any farmland left in Dark Enigma Town, right?”

He couldn’t help but glance upwards: ”Hah~ Probably only our Magic Tower would fill its garden with Black Taro, claiming it’s for greening.

Really... If I didn’t know the people over at the Tower of Despair, I would have thought that nothing could grow in the protective array of the Magic Tower!”

”I don’t see any problem with that.” Russell replied solemnly, ”Even if the land around the town could still be used, I think Black Taro is more suitable than those useless weeds.

Why not choose something that benefits both parties, rather than planting useless grass that consumes more soil nutrients?”

”Huh? Isn’t it said that those grasses can aid meditation?” Felis asked, astonished.

”Our teacher once planted them in the Side Tower out of boredom...” Russell said in an odd tone, ”He concluded that perhaps people feel refreshed when looking at the grass because it lifts their spirits.

Otherwise, the grass is even less effective than the Black Taro’s skin as dye.”

It’s totally useless, just a product of vanity, which is why such claims spread.

Felis was speechless but could understand... a person from a Noble family can surely relate to such sentiments.

However, he was rather surprised by Russell.

Felis always thought Russell cared about appearances, with a meticulous working style that never wanted others to see any shortcomings.

But turns out, he’s a realist?

Of course, Russell may not perceive the poverty and powerlessness shown to outsiders as truly hopeless defects... compared to subjecting his family or people around him to an effectively painful life beneath a polished exterior.

Felis blinked, suddenly quiet.

He seemed to somewhat understand why Carpenter valued Russell as a brother so much... Even though she was so wary of everyone when she first entered the apprentice dormitory.

Carpenter is someone with her own thoughts and knows exactly what approach ensures a better life, yet she surely wouldn’t easily give away her emotions.

So, Felis was always puzzled about how she dared to first open her heart to Russell... He never doubted who extended the hand first in their deep friendship.

Truly unexpected, Russell’s nature turned out to be like this!

Hainarson is indeed a Noble family with some integrity... but still, that’s only somewhat human.

Their unity is actually built upon... if not, then everyone would face downfall together.

Therefore, Felis was never surprised when faced with significant external temptation, some would abandon the so-called family unity.

But Russell’s integrity is evidently higher than the family’s baseline.

Felis observed the ice block-scratching Russell with a complex mood... This guy, surrounded by deception, growing up under varied covetous eyes, how did he become the conscience of Hainarson?

Could there truly be people naturally kind-hearted?

It’s unbelievable!

Russell didn’t notice Felis’s complex mood, simply continued his serious speech: ”You know what you’ve been through!

If our family had gone to Sia Tower early, we’d likely have been targeted.

Staying here is better.

Do you understand?

Since the Tower of Dark Enigma plans massive migration, it won’t maintain the defensive array over such a wide area... Once held, that was due to the Archmage’s face being important.

But in the future, the Tower of Dark Enigma would only exist as an affiliated camp and could retain only the Inner Tower Area.

Anyway, few mages would wish to stay here.

At most, those old mages who can’t advance even at Sia Tower would stay to guard.

So, the area controlled by the Outer Tower will surely be cleared out.”

Felis suddenly understood: ”Mage Gilbert... No wonder he let those people meddle with the family this time.

When he emerges from closed-door training and seeks justice, naturally the Hainarson Family would claim a good spot in the Outer Tower!”

”Thus, when the time comes, you can live more freely.” Russell did not deny it.

Only in the past few days did he finally understand the implications of ’Mage Gilbert’’s ambiguous words.

That man likely anticipated today’s events, but sharing it with Russell before it really happened meant nothing.

Only when he figured it out could he truly understand the strategies a genuine mage should possess.

Felis tilted his head: ”Ulrich...”

”He’s not leaving either.” Russell shook his head, ”Getting the place doesn’t mean he can keep the place.

Having an extra helper like you would please him greatly.”

This time, Felis finally relieved, then spoke honestly: ”I estimate I can advance before Mage Gilbert emerges.

Since awakening my ice and snow talents, the waves in my Mental Sea have started solidifying into ice blocks.

I just need to dissolve them one by one.

The quantity isn’t too large anymore.”

Upon hearing Felis’s entirely different statement, Russell was not surprised... After suffering so much, half abandoned by his mother, pursued by his father, with only his aunt’s little sister and her cousin to seek help from, Felis would truly be alarming if he seemed too normal!

Then he’d truly worry whether Felis was still Felis.

”That’s good.” He waved a cloth bag in his hand, gazed at the ice blocks he’d scratched holes in, and slowly poured two potions into the openings.

”What are you doing?”

”Speeding up your recovery?”

”By the time these potions reach me, I might have already emerged from the ice... you should have guessed that?”

”That’s what I thought... Look, if you want to get out, you have to melt the ice, right?” Russell spoke reasoningly, ”Surely can’t melt it for nothing.”

”Do you have anything else to do?” Felis thought if he didn’t send this little rascal away soon, the ice blocks in his Mental Sea would be thawed by the disturbance.

”Before my teacher comes out, could you share your recent experiences thoroughly with me?”

”Hmm? What do you want to know?” Felis asked, puzzled, ”Didn’t you say Rolando and Prutt are deceived fools?”

”I’m somewhat worried that the reason they remained fools is due to an issue nearby.” Russell pursed his lips, ”Simply put, I’ve always had some doubts about Nanali.

Is there truly such undying love, where even when the other’s bones are but crumbs, one still seeks vengeance for him?”

”Nanali? I think she seems alright, doesn’t she!”

”No, I’m not saying Nanali herself has issues.” Russell shook his head, ”I don’t doubt her initial madness was for love.

But I can’t imagine, after having two kids, she’d still willingly drag them into such a dire turmoil.

Even in your... home’s case, she only abandoned you out of dire necessity, right?

Moreover, from my investigations, though she once contemplated revenge against that useless husband, it wasn’t a mere thing; she eventually chose to give up after your birth.

Otherwise, you wouldn’t be Felis Hainarson.

How could a mother involve her yet underage children in such precarious revenge?

Even if they discovered and wanted deeply to help their mother... Heh~

Besides, with Nanali’s capability, how would those two kids perceive anything wrong?

If she were truly that careless... Rolando might be arrogant, but he’s not genuinely stupid.”

Felis blinked: ”Nanali, personally, at least in my view, indeed seems problem-free.”

”What you say is useless.” Russell asserted, ”So, recount your experiences in detail; I’ll judge for myself.”

-----------------

Hill listened to their conversation with interest.

Although he had already identified the hidden antagonist through his observations, seeing Russell swiftly grasping the crucial point despite knowing nothing pleased him considerably.

Smart children indeed win affection.