Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hmm? What’s going on?

Carpenter suddenly raised his head... What’s that noise outside?

Why are the airships shaking?

”Nothing to worry about, continue your arrangements.” Russell curiously glanced at a few puppets cleaning and carrying small luggage under Carpenter’s command, ”Only these few left!”

”They’re enough. If not for wanting to finish quickly, such a small space could be tidied up by just one puppet.” Carpenter clenched his fist, carefully issuing the final commands... Although these rooms have everything necessary, they still lack some curtains and drapes.

Even though the small living room’s sofa is a rare cloth sofa... it’s the kind layered with heavy burlap and cotton on a metal frame, considered one of the world’s more expensive pieces of furniture.

After all, even for mages, yes, low-rank mages, cotton clothes are extremely expensive.

After reaching mid-high tier, they seem able to use material transformation spells to create them themselves.

Carpenter genuinely looks forward to the day she can do the same; after all, which girl doesn’t want beautiful clothes?

Whether she wants to wear them or not is another matter, but at least when she does want them, she should have them available!

It’s just that Carpenter never intends to obtain them from others, whether it’s from Teacher Gilbert or her caring Brother Russell, she would never seek such indulgent help.

Even though she knows it’s far easier for those two to get such beautiful fabric and decorations.

But Carpenter understands... needing help for survival, to seek help from loved ones and friends to avoid suffering, is a normal thing.

Growing up in such a world, she understands very well that many people live on their knees just seeking help from those who care, unrelated to self-respect and self-love.

Seeking help when necessary, for those who truly care about her, is what she should do instead.

But if she seeks from them even for life’s indulgences... even if Teacher and Brother wouldn’t care at all... for her, it would be a true damage.

These aren’t daily necessities but special and unique desires.

Most importantly, it’s not something Carpenter couldn’t possibly do in the future... just lacking temporarily now.

If she wants it, she must strive to obtain it herself.

Carpenter is fully aware, the moment she first opens her mouth to request these things, it’s the beginning of abandoning herself.

Initially, it’s just being embarrassed to ask for a piece of cloth... and then what?

After several times, what’s next?

Would she progress to asking for silk?

No matter how excellent Russell is, in the short term, he wouldn’t have the capability to provide her such high-level items.

But, there are others who can.

Especially after reaching the mighty Sia Tower, there’s no need to mention further, she definitely wouldn’t make a wrong step.

Depending on elders and brother is possible, but never solely rely on them... wanting better means becoming strong oneself!

Carpenter glanced at the slightly purple cotton sofa cover in her hand, tightening her lips slightly.

She must suppress her vanity beneath her self-esteem!

Otherwise, what would she do in such a luxurious and extravagant place?

Carpenter has no doubts that the environment of Sia Tower would match the simplicity of Tower of Dark Enigma.

Mages from Sia Tower have visited Tower of Dark Enigma, regardless of their level, all wearing fitted silk robes dyed in various colors.

Especially that beautiful and noble Female Mage... Carpenter, for the first time in her life, saw such a distinct pink-blue.

The Hainarson Family certainly has such colored fabric, worn on them bearing the mark of time.

Bright and clearly just made fabrics are treasures stored in warehouses... used for trading for Mage resources, never to make clothes!

Carpenter knows she should be glad, despite the clan members’ poor character and greediness, none in high position ever chose to make a beautiful outfit for themselves.

Even if they inevitably have private collections, they surely don’t display them to show wealth and power.

Dark Enigma Town isn’t devoid of such noble families.

Some mandatory social banquets exposed Carpenter to the noble elders, especially the Clan Leader’s family, dressed in splendid attire.

But her family seldom portrays such scenarios... The mages from Hainarson Family are famously fanatical in their devotion to precious, antique rune-embroidered mage robes.

While this might relate to Ulrich always wearing simple mage robes and loving to draw from the family funds for apprentice accommodations, some matters aren’t that simple.

There are myriad ways to silence Ulrich.

Carpenter sometimes doesn’t understand her family’s dynamics: harmonious at good times yet inevitably chaotic.

However, at the brink of death, they become exceedingly united.

They often pit against their own, yet on certain matters, unexpectedly unified.

Strange but also what allows their children to grow well.

Thus, mages from Hainarson Family always tend to support their own, unsurprisingly.

Carpenter tightened her tiny fists again; she may not be the strongest, but she absolutely can’t be the weakest!

Even Felis is able to achieve things, how could Carpenter not?

”Clenching your fists can help you focus a bit, but better not appear overly serious.” After observing for a while, Russell couldn’t resist, ”Just wear a ring.

Your stance here makes me suspect you need a pose before casting spells.”

Carpenter angrily turned around, ”If you can’t speak nicely, shut up!

I’m just not used to it yet, I’ll change!”

”Of course, of course.” Russell raised his hand lightly, ”Just best to change soon.

Once we set off, should guests arrive, you might...”

”Brother Russell!” Carpenter shifted her feet slightly before calming her mind, asking seriously, ”What is our teacher pounding outside?

Isn’t this airship perfect already?”

”In an imperfect world, where can perfection exist.” Russell chuckled, ”This airship is... rather conspicuous in such a long lineup.

Teacher doesn’t want anyone pretending to be naive guests, so better blend into the crowd.”

Carpenter looked confused, ”How to blend?”

”Changing square to round needs skill, round to square just requires determination and effort.” Russell gestured, seeing Carpenter’s still confused little face, shook his head, ”Better learn some drawing!

You can hardly understand three-dimensional patterns... Imagine using illusion technique and water flows backward, grass root up.

If facial features are crooked more, and limbs more abundant, you might orchestrate a joke to shake the world: the enemy’s death from laughter rather than fear.”

Carpenter instantly released her small fist, five distinct fingers gesturing toward him, ”Have you become too complacent lately?”

She assumed her brother became mature after achieving Mage status, speaking and acting seriously... Apparently, it was just an intermission, accumulating venom’s potency?

Such mischievousness and venom, is he planning to exhaust his two years’ supply in one go!

”Hehe~” Russell patted her little head, ”Keep working hard.”

”What are you up to?” Carpenter questioned.

”Teacher entrusted me to manage the resource warehouse.” Russell glanced around, ”The small living room needs some supplies potentially useful.

See which cabinet is suitable for me.”

”Don’t touch the lower row!” Carpenter saw her brother bending down, quickly speaking, ”These small puppets, when inactive, hide there.

I summon them to come out.”

”Ah... indeed, the airship’s energy pool needs some saving.” Russell reacted belatedly... Their side tower doesn’t need apprentices for regular cleaning and tidying due to their larger energy pool.

Others, even the former Prutt, wouldn’t squander resources for puppets to do laundry.

Hmm?

He suddenly became curious... preparing to head to Sia Tower, is that Prutt still alive?