Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill was naturally dissatisfied.

The matter with Rosero wasn’t really his accomplishment... that Ninth Ring clearly knew some inside information about ’Aislin,’ though he seemed indifferent, he was actually quite focused on that lady.

Of course, he cared only about not letting Aislin embarrass herself, not about preventing her from getting hurt... in other words, the condition of the body didn’t matter, as long as the soul didn’t exhibit disgrace.

If not for those who understood the truth, seeing him glance quickly and then unpreparedly getting ambushed, many would think he didn’t want the carefully obtained, or even planned to place directly beside Master Ruth, to suffer any life threat.

After all, later on, Rosero was more concerned about the eagle hovering in the sky.

A Seventh Circle Mage, when fully ambushing an unguarded Ninth Ring Mage, causing some embarrassing situation, isn’t all that inexplicable.

It only proves Gilbert is a very strong Seventh Circle Strange Objects Mage, yet he didn’t make the Ninth Ring Mage easily fear calculating against him.

Hilbert originally planned to use that person, Richard Dreyfus, to set up some prestige.

Although this meant he might need to sacrifice his Puppet Falcon and hundreds of small birds... bombers added with neutron bombs, even if they couldn’t kill that guy, could still peel off a layer.

At the very least, make Richard Dreyfus unable to trouble Hilbert for a year or two.

Mages capable of crafting Strange Objects are troublesome for this reason: long as there are sufficient resources, he can always make out a second of what’s already invented.

Moreover, the matter that Ruth and Aislin respectively gifted Gilbert Hainarson an Eight Ring Resource Ring isn’t any secret.

Hill carefully calculated, relying merely on the resources inside these two rings is enough for him to make five more Flying Eagles, countless small birds.

People from Sia Tower, even if they don’t know the specific crafting methods of the Strange Objects, can approximately estimate the consumption.

Although this would make Gilbert and his family rather attention-grabbing... Hilbert chose this also as a last resort.

No choice, he must detach himself from the pitfall of Aislin.

Hill absolutely doesn’t doubt, when Aislin needs to drag someone down, not just that, needs to kick someone down to tread on, the person she chooses won’t be him.

But, if there are too many people watching Hilbert... some even belonging to the Black Faction, then ’Aislin’ must pick someone else.

Her dislike for him isn’t enough to affect her own work, especially when ’Aislin’ has such significant secrets to hide herself.

Hilbert helping that Aislin isn’t out of any fondness for the woman.

She is indeed pitiable, but just pitiable.

Hill saw so many tragedies in Toril, and he wasn’t willing to help everyone.

He just hopes ’Aislin’ won’t succeed too easily.

If she truly devours Aislin entirely, with Glaysia’s cruel nature, and her utterly unpredictable behavior pattern, she’s really hard to deal with.

Better to use one to deal with the other than having both of them together.

Precisely, there’s a Styx Dragon with an unclear identity outside, combined with ’Aislin,’ who’s hard to discern between you and me, allowing Hill to settle calmly until the end.

Especially now, Draculus is almost arriving.

Hill genuinely wishes to establish his prestige before that guy arrives.

Unfortunately, Ruth and Pet pressed down that Richard Dreyfus for smoother cooperation in the future.

Hill could only think of other ways.

Thankfully, Russell’s talents in Strange Objects manufacturing are slightly better than Gilbert’s... Gilbert requires repeated refinements to shape a decently styled Strange Object, whereas Russell possesses his own aesthetic, adept at grasping key points.

The small birds he’s been studying to make are becoming increasingly exquisite, progressively embodying various traits of little sparrows: he’s even started using different colors to portray different avian imagery.

By following those bird illustrations, he can create Puppet Birds akin to real sparrows and magpies... Russell truly has a gift.

Carpenter, on the other hand, resembles Gilbert more, not that she couldn’t learn it, but... the life wisdom of mastering a hundred paintings of an egg before achieving lifelike effect suited her well.

Russell is the type who, after observing an egg several times, can discern it’s an egg, then with a few practice attempts, can replicate any egg in any form.

In life, disappointments prevail.

Even for Hill, having half to slightly more fulfilling results is already quite fortunate.

Therefore, he wouldn’t be discouraged for things not following his plans.

Truth be told, Hill was somewhat delighted upon realizing this reality... his luck bonus isn’t so overwhelming in every world, which is indeed fortunate.

Previously he merely suspected, but now, he could truly let go.

Now, Hill relies on Russell and Carpenter, hoping they’ll fill the sky above their Magic Tower with the sounds of sparrows before Draculus arrives.

Thus, mixing in several particularly strong leading birds wouldn’t draw excessive attention.

Regarding whether the directory-listed small birds might encounter supply shortages, such matters need not worry.

After gaining proficiency, Russell and Carpenter can make three to four different kinds of chirping birds in a day.

Besides, in this world, there are no patent rights, the invented production methods are simply waiting to be cracked.

And the opportunity to view the transaction catalog from Pet’s hands, those interested in such small birds would approximately be only a few dozen people.

Anyway, not mentioning the Puppet Falcon, only deducing Hill’s crafting concepts from basic small birds is rather following the rules, Hill wouldn’t bother much.

There are confidentiality methods he could utilize, but if it is a Strange Objects Crafting Master, deducing the methods isn’t difficult... Hill used entirely the world’s production concepts and then innovated.

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Koyl quietly drank for a while... he needed some time to blend away the awkward atmosphere caused by the earlier inappropriate probing.

Fortunately, Gilbert seemed nonchalant.

As expected, his former hypersensitivity was indeed due to the injuries in his Mental Sea.

After all, at that time, Gilbert had only one chance to act... though most would evade him for fear of becoming the target, it was because Ruth backing Gilbert was formidable enough.

Otherwise, some would willingly play the sacrificial role even reluctantly.

Therefore, Gilbert would reveal hidden killing intentions at first opportunity... even if he truly were to fall, Ruth would have someone to retaliate against.

And Ruth, protective of his students, wouldn’t let it rest just because they’re gone.

Otherwise, people on the Kamente Tower side wouldn’t start with Nicholson’s deputies and students whenever trouble arises.

Koyl’s drinking was gentle, but a storm raged in his mind.

After today, he must change his attitude towards Gilbert: cautious but not circling around to observe Gilbert’s emotional stability before discussing serious matters.

Clearly, as long as intentions are not malicious, adhering to the principle of equivalent exchange, he can be more candid with Gilbert.

That’s truly great!

Koyl always felt entangled when dealing with Gilbert, by the end he seems to have wrapped himself into confusion.

He set down his glass, earnestly asked: ”Gilbert, I realize some things exceed my entitlement to know.

But, with Great Magician Nicholson’s side, is it truly unapproachable?”

Hill looked at him with surprise: ”You have ties with their family?”

”Can’t say ties.” Koyl offered a wry smile, ”You are a Strange Objects Crafting Master, so, probably unaware of how many puppets are needed for a Magic Tower’s normal functioning.”

He shook his head in annoyance: ”Master Ruth never permits us to misuse our apprentice quotas.

And me, you know, my background isn’t great, trying to maintain some ordinary apprentices on the outer ring seemed impossible.

Moreover, I still have ambitions... unlike Rolando, who chooses to temporarily suspend the mage path and first earns a livelihood, I wouldn’t do that.

So the only option is to invest capital in others’ enterprises.”

In the Tower of Dark Enigma, Ruth’s students rarely engage in such an upside-down approach... except Aislin.

However, sensible people generally keep their distance from that lady... especially when Koyl is relatively attractive and not too old.

Koyl’s insight is rather sharp; he definitely wouldn’t target Kamente Tower’s caravans.

Yet Great Magician Nicholson’s descendants are quite suitable.

Moreover, relying on his identity as Ruth’s direct student as long as Koyl doesn’t get overly greedy, nobody would flip against him easily.

Koyl probably hadn’t anticipated reaching this point.