Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Kamente Tower glanced outside and said, somewhat inexplicably, ”Isn’t this just a pure black airship? What’s wrong? It’s quite normal!”

”You call this normal?” Rommel asked in surprise.

”Are you comparing my airship with those of these junior mages?” Kamente Tower craned his neck for another look, ”It looks like Gilbert heard the news and rushed to make this airship.

There’s indeed a hint of impatience, but the main body is built, isn’t it?

We can slowly refine it later.

The main functions of the airship are all there, aren’t they? Look how stable that array is at the bottom!

No matter how talented, he’s just Ruth’s student, mostly self-taught, after all~

Just reached Seventh Order, able to produce such a good airship, already very... What’s with your reaction?”

”Is there any special requirement for making such an airship?

As long as a mage understands the magic array, they can make one themselves, can’t they?” Rommel bluntly turned his face toward the hall, ”Stability is the basic requirement, isn’t it?”

”Then, what else is needed?” Kamente Tower was quite puzzled, ”Does he need to know how to modify it?”

”No...” Rommel opened his mouth, then shook his head helplessly, ”At least, others should be able to see the thing made, shouldn’t they?”

Kamente Tower confusedly took out his dark purple airship and compared it to the ones outside in black, gray, or bronze color, ”Aren’t they all the same?”

Rommel widened his eyes slightly, ”Do you really think they’re the same? You can’t see Gilbert’s lines are crooked?”

”Oh... you mean this?” Kamente Tower finally understood, ”As long as it works, who cares about the appearance?”

”Why use this then? Can’t you chisel it yourself?” Rommel sneered.

”Of course, because my airship is from Sia Tower, they seem to value this more.

I’ve done so much work for them, surely there would be some benefits?

These somewhat luxurious things, I don’t even need to ask for them, they’d bring them to me to choose from. I just happen to like purple.

Back then, I was a bit self-conscious, didn’t want to stand out too much in the Tower of Dark Enigma.

Other mages who’ve fully converted prefer brighter colors, like bright pink or light yellow.

After all, it’s a world without plants.” Kamente Tower said cheerfully.

”Huh?” Rommel quickly got up and circled the airship.

”Don’t worry about anything special.” Kamente Tower said leisurely, ”Sia Tower never offends other magic towers in such little corners.

We’re using it on their territory, if there’s any problem, disputes would surely arise... Most importantly, they are very confident in controlling people like us, so how could they give other magic towers a chance to exile or even kill us?

Which mage wouldn’t seize such leverage?

Look at Ruth and the others, they never tried to pull me in over the years, they know mages really know everything.

Haven’t you seen, even such poisonous things as Soul Elixir have only appeared now!

They judge timing well, would never do anything in our times of resistance to easily anger us.”

”It’s true, they haven’t.” Rommel glanced at him, ”You seem to have a clear understanding.”

”Although most people struggle to live, some don’t just want to struggle to survive.” Kamente Tower blinked, ”Mages walked this path, paid countless lives for it.

Some by choice, some by necessity.

But at least, every life delayed the opponent a bit, it wasn’t in vain.”

Rommel could understand the meaning of this: even those mages who had to die wouldn’t let themselves die in vain.

If they can’t take an enemy’s life, they must at least unsettle the enemy’s heart.

Surely, he’s one of those who chooses to live well, even if some sacrifices must be made... If sacrificing others’ lives to survive, he’d do it with a bit more cheer.

But, even if life is difficult, as long as there’s a gap, he won’t live too rough... Being more tasteless than devils and their minions was something Rommel found hard to stomach.

”Living in the world, you ought to satisfy something, right?” Rommel couldn’t help muttering, ”Don’t nobles have art courses too? Why learn if you don’t use it?”

”Actually, mages weren’t always like this.” Kamente Tower stepped to the window, his voice almost ethereal, ”Otherwise, nobles wouldn’t think art valuable and precious.

But... Maybe it’s a rebellious psychology... Especially archmages.”

”Huh?” Rommel couldn’t resist raising an eyebrow, ”Rebellious? Sia Tower?”

”The lady at Sia Tower loves beautiful things, during her active periods, many from Sia Tower venture out to seek things that barely meet her standards.

Thus, many artworks once in the world ultimately remained only in the nobles’ albums.” Kamente Tower said softly, ”In our world, the last magic tower carefully crafting Strange Objects is the Defense Tower.”

He said a lot by saying nothing.

Rommel shook his head, that Gilbert, not caring about the airship’s appearance becoming pitted and warped, was somewhat understandable.

The Hainarson Family from the Defense Tower, the wounds they endured might be harder to mend, especially since their trip ends at Sia Tower.

But, Gilbert was a bit different from what he thought... how should one say... Normally, someone with good Alchemy talents wouldn’t result in this with a casual wave.

This seems to be a natural coordination issue between brain and hand?

Magic Array and crafting objects aren’t the same; drawing array lines requires spiritual power to control strength and angle while crafting Strange Objects requires hands.

He’s seen such people before... They can make ordinary Strange Objects but need to tidy up the appearance afterward several times.

However, such mages can only follow blueprints and have no creativity to speak of... Luckily, his initial interest in Gilbert didn’t inspire any impulsive actions.

His students can’t just make junk no matter how bad they are!

Rommel sighed, ”Fortunately, we’re not traveling with him.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare look outside, truly, I haven’t had such nightmares in years!”

”So unbearable?” Kamente Tower leaned against the window for a closer look, ”They’re all black; nothing can actually be seen!

I don’t think there’s any difference from those airships beside them.

You must particularly care about these, right?”

”I don’t care about curves.” Rommel said quietly, ”But that line must be a line!”

Kamente Tower felt he wasn’t listening to human words... Otherwise, why couldn’t he understand anything?

If a line isn’t a line, what else would it be?

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

”What happened to the teacher?” Carpenter asked his brother quietly.

After tidying up the airship, their teacher handed over control to Russell... and then shut himself in his little room, refusing to come out.

Even Russell’s driving skills, which made her scream in surprise, didn’t scare Master Gilbert out of the room.

”His spirit isn’t too good; probably needs a few days of meditation to calm his chaotic feelings.” Russell replied casually... What’s going on, isn’t it just pouring spiritual power following the array?

Doesn’t this thing fly itself? How can it shake?

Russell couldn’t resist squatting down to study the slate.

”Can you manage?” Carpenter asked nervously, ”Look at how others fly, then look at yourself!

My goodness... I never knew automatic airships could shake like that, even flying up and down automatically?

What were you thinking controlling the airship?”

”Showcase our airship’s exceptional appearance?” Russell muttered softly.

”What are you saying?” Carpenter heard, but she didn’t understand.

”I was saying I made a mistake.” Russell stood up quickly, ”Our airship isn’t so ordinary.

Teacher also included accelerated flight, and roll options, probably fearing enemy attacks during use.

I pressed the wrong place earlier; it’s fine now.”