Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Ruth knew very well that the Sia Tower would definitely show him great respect... at least on the surface.

Of course, he also had to be aware of what he could and couldn’t do.

But he absolutely couldn’t shrink back just because he understood that from now on he would be considered lower; he couldn’t even step aside for their subordinates or slaves.

The world is always like this... others will never choose to stay on the opposite shore because you want to take a step back; they will only completely occupy the space you relinquish.

The more you retreat, the more the other side will occupy.

When you have no more room to retreat and want to reclaim your territory... that is when you are taking things from others.

The same applies to dealing with people.

Even if one’s attitude is very gentle, the bottom line must never be compromised.

Ruth could give up the absolute authority of being the Master of the Tower, but he absolutely could not give up his identity as a Ninth Ring Archmage, a faction leader.

He couldn’t be expected to stand up and soothe those few somewhat bewildered Eighth Ring Mages.

He would have to rely on Oliva.

Fortunately, the people from Sia Tower weren’t entirely clueless... the people sent over had previously interacted with Oliva.

Though Oliva was sometimes hesitant, he knew what kind of attitude and method should be used; he certainly wouldn’t make a mistake.

The few people quickly started an amicable conversation at the door.

Apparently, something about Aislin had startled these Sia Mages, so they had no intention of quickly entering the hall to greet Ruth but instead chose to have a friendly chat with Oliva... they probably wanted to gauge the situation.

However, Ruth could feel that these people had a genuinely friendly attitude toward the Tower of Dark Enigma.

Especially the White Faction, unexpectedly they behaved so amicably, which surprised Ruth a bit.

The entire faction liked to wear various white robes and was known as the ’White Faction’; these people were said to be the legitimate subordinates of the Master of Sia Tower.

Moreover, because their faction only valued strength and not seniority... thus everyone who entered this faction were considered peers... the competition was always very fierce.

Of course, the strength of Sia Tower had always been the strongest, with reportedly more than ten Ninth Ring Mages.

But because they focused on cultivating diligently year-round, staying high up in the pure white, sky-reaching magic tower under the Master of Sia Tower’s direction, they seldom appeared in the outside world.

The last time the White Robes ventured out was, of course, to the Defense Tower.

That was a dreadful, swift battle that left the enemies powerless to resist... even though there were traitors inside the Defense Tower who sabotaged, the suppression by strength was too obvious.

By the time Ruth and the others learned of it, the battle was already over.

The people from the Defense Tower indeed confronted death directly, but it didn’t mean their resistance was any less fierce.

They were individuals wanting to perish together with their foes.

Although Sia Tower wasn’t without casualties, and even the White Robes sustained damage... Mages understood better than anyone the battles between mages.

The longer a battle dragged, the more damage a mage could inflict... especially if the mage had nothing to lose.

Therefore, all the Mage Towers who understood the significance of that swift battle actively participated in the subsequent dragon-slaying battle called by Sia Tower.

They knew very well that even if the other side was executing a warning and the ’chicken’ cut down was already poisoned... as long as they didn’t know how the poison had been administered or an antidote, the ’monkeys’ would have to obediently comply.

Ruth maintained a calm expression, but inside, waves surged... all the major Magic Towers had come to a mutual understanding that the Master of Sia Tower and the so-called Goddess Bisozeya might not have such a good relationship as appeared openly.

Though it wasn’t apparent, unless that reclusive Master of Sia Tower wasn’t from this world and didn’t reside here most of the time, there would certainly be communication issues between them.

Of course, considering the possibility, even if countless means couldn’t find a way out of this world, the Archmages had to believe there was indeed a channel they couldn’t find or even use if found.

But whichever of these two possibilities was true, it pointed to one fact: Sia Tower was the key.

However, how to naturally integrate into the White Tower of Sia Tower... even if Ruth could become a part of Sia Tower and be heavily utilized, both he and people from the Tower of Dark Enigma would definitely be arranged in the Side Tower.

Mage Towers were never just a single tower.

The towering, sky-reaching white tower known for its pure white spaces was the residence of Sia, the strongest in this world.

Many have toiled from apprentice to Eighth Ring Archmage within that tower, but even they don’t have the privilege to enter the White Tower; for outsiders like them, that’s even less possible.

No one knows what standards the Sia Tower Master’s white robe attendants are chosen by... of course, it’s noticed that their looks aren’t too bad.

But, how to say... people with magical talents, perhaps due to their spiritual power, are generally quite good-looking.

Only a portion of them would end up being exceptionally attractive... and honestly, kids like these usually don’t lack talent either.

Even the male mages, when selecting apprentices, subconsciously pick the more attractive ones under equal conditions.

This isn’t really a matter of preference.

It’s just that the Sia Tower Master seems to care about appearances... though she doesn’t choose those of the same type exclusively.

Delicate, cute, robust, and even some that can barely be called handsome... they have seen female mages who enjoy keeping lovers, and generally, their tastes are quite consistent.

Unlike Sia, who desires a bit of everything.

Moreover, the talents of those White Robes are quite good.

Even though there’s still that lingering possibility... after all, the treatment enjoyed by the White Robes is so excellent that the rumors can’t be entirely stifled... but the Archmages still hesitate to ascribe all to that angle.

Respect for the strong is etched into the souls of Mages... yet respect doesn’t mean they would kneel to any dominator.

They simply think things through a bit more carefully, which may sometimes result in losing opportunities in battle, but at least they wouldn’t recklessly act and lose their lives needlessly.

This is a profession that even when seeking death, opts for the most optimal solution.

Ruth gently cast aside a fleeting reminiscence of the past, focusing his spirit on the present: due to the losses at the Defense Tower, this group of peculiarly connected White Robe Mages had continuously displayed a poor attitude towards other magic towers on the continent.

The Tower of Dark Enigma, being under their grasp, still received somewhat better treatment... but at the Tower of Despair, this group tended to cause quite a stir.

Eighth Ring Mages, having no concerns, find it really difficult to handle matters if they decide to stir things up.

Even though the Tower of Despair was strong, they wouldn’t completely offend Sia Tower over a trivial matter.

Thus, before coming, Ruth was most apprehensive about these White Robes.

They were capable of pulling typical initiation stunts.

But... Ruth always felt that beneath Aislin’s mask, there should be a connection to Bisozeya!

How could it be related to Sia?

Mages had long suspected a special relationship between Sia and Bisozeya, but certainly not without its entanglements... otherwise, Sia wouldn’t both watch and remain indifferent.

However indifferent she might seem, she would never allow anyone to affect Bisozeya’s revival.

This only proves that both of them align on major interests, pursuing the same future, but with minor internal disputes.

And it was these disputes that Ruth most wanted to uncover.

He couldn’t help frowning tightly: there had to be a reason the White Robe Faction exhibited such a peaceful attitude.

As for his preceding thoughts... forget it, let Aislin handle her own affairs!

But Ruth knew he couldn’t continue to feign ignorance about changes in Aislin... he touched his face, wearing a trace of worry just before the group entered the hall.

Although he quickly soothed his worried expression with a smile, the three Sia Mages who were already prepared and focused on him noticed it.

They even noticed Ruth’s gaze swiftly shifting away from Aislin.

So, it wasn’t Ruth with the problem, but something had happened with Aislin herself.

That’s fine then, after all, it’s just Eighth Ring Mages, and Sia Tower has no shortage of them mysteriously encountering troubles.

Compared to the dissatisfied outsiders always yearning for independence, they indeed pose a greater challenge.

After all, the more rational the madmen appear, the more baffling their actions become.

”Honored Archmage Ruth, we are here by the order of Archmage Sia to greet your arrival,” the White Robed Mage stepped forward quickly and began.

Thrown off guard, the other two could only stand to his left and right, aligning themselves with him... at least, they couldn’t appear as his subordinates.

Though they already almost did.

The tacit agreement before entering the hall instantly crumbled, as Ruth aimed his gaze at the proud and handsome young man in the center, he could still see the fiery eyes of those standing on either side.