Surviving The Fourth Calamity

”Not very impressive.” Hilbert replied resolutely.

Pet pursed her lips, ”I know, you think that collaborating with me will bring more danger. Benefits... if I can’t get a fair share, why should I get involved?

Right?

You could just wait for Delphus and you to fight to the bitter end, and then step in when you’re both overwhelmingly weakened.

After all, I do have some reasons... the honorable Master of Sia Tower won’t punish me too severely.”

Hilbert leisurely shifted positions, ”Mage Pet, everything you say is premised on me leaving the territory of the Tower of Dark Enigma.

If I only visit Archmage Ruth, what can Delphus do?

If he truly had the guts... heh~”

Pet understood Gilbert’s mockery: Delphus’ current petty maneuvers are only irritating Gilbert.

If he could really stay calm and uninterested in Sia Tower’s affairs, Delphus couldn’t achieve much anyway.

At most, he could send puppet-like forces to harass Gilbert’s territory at the edge of the Domain of Dark Enigma, but he certainly wouldn’t dare show face himself, nor would he let those puppets attack Ruth’s Main Tower.

Ruth has remained silent about recent events, not because he’s given up on Gilbert, but because it hasn’t reached the point where he needs to step in.

But attacking his Main Tower would suffice for him to completely turn against the mastermind behind those puppet mages.

Even though those puppets of Delphus won’t reveal the truth, someone like Pet, who knows a bit of Delphus’ secrets, would surely expose his weaknesses and serve as a witness against him.

Pet couldn’t help but clench her fist; she seemed to have overestimated herself.

However, based on her understanding of Gilbert, this Seventh Circle Mage should have a strong desire to become more powerful!

For so many years, he was forced to linger at the elementary mage stage due to mental disturbances. Despite his remarkable ability, he could only hide in a small magic tower, unable to move, and could only instill some apprehension in mid-high tier mages through sheer desperation.

If he hadn’t been so fortunate to be taken in by an archmage like Ruth, who has high standards and is protective, Gilbert would’ve already been killed for someone else’s advancement.

Given Gilbert’s proud and extreme character... even if some of it was an act, Pet could be sure he exaggerated a bit, but his nature was indeed so; how could he remain so calm in front of readily available resources?

Indeed, he would likely only get a small portion, possibly less than a tenth, yet Pet doubted Gilbert didn’t understand the deeper meaning in her words: Gilbert could definitely obtain enough resources to advance to the Ninth Ring.

Of course, as for the rest, Gilbert shouldn’t even think about it.

But with Ruth hesitant to act against the once-renowned Ninth Ring Archmage of the original Sia Tower because the Tower of Dark Enigma had just become a member of Sia Tower, this is the best solution available.

Could it be that Gilbert thinks he has the right to demand more?

Without Pet in front, even if Gilbert created a powerful alchemical oddity, he probably wouldn’t have the chance to unleash it!

Unless Gilbert truly wasn’t interested in those resources.

How could that be possible?

Pet slightly narrowed her eyes and gave a charming smile to Gilbert, whose expression seemed a bit stiff: this guy probably wasn’t sure about the true extent of her intentions.

She was being too hasty.

Of course, she hadn’t expected that, in the face of such great temptation and external pressure from Delphus, Gilbert could still think cautiously.

Forget it, a more sincere smile appeared on Pet’s face. She had underestimated the opponent, so...

She stood up with an elegant sway, ”I know, you don’t trust my sincerity, suspecting if there’s something between Delphus and me...

No worries, I can wait, and you can take your time to think it over.

However, it’s best not to wait too long.

If Delphus finds another alliance, I might not intervene.”

Watching Pet gracefully leave, Hilbert clapped his face with both hands: his face was stiff.

This female mage said nothing genuinely serious.

Only mentioned his obligations, never his rights, and definitely no guarantee... it’s clear she’s ready to kick him aside at any moment.

Hil felt that if it was Gilbert here, he wouldn’t easily agree either.

Let alone Hil.

All the benefits Pet talked about are meaningless to him... even if Delphus gave him all his resources, Hilbert wouldn’t want them!

He just hopes the resources in his hand look as strained as possible.

The Eighth Level being far out of reach is Hilbert’s dream.

Moreover, compared to collaborating with Pet, who had more enemy components, Hilbert had a better choice.

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

”Gilbert is looking for me?” Aislin, nestled on the sofa in Ruth’s study enjoying pastries, looked up in astonishment.

For her, Sia Tower had countless shortcomings, and the presence of ’Aislin’ made her feel in constant danger, but there was some comfort... one had enough materials, the other had enough food recipes.

After accidentally discovering in ’Aislin’s mind all kinds of skills prepared to complete her perfect lady image, Aislin was most concerned about the recipes.

Facing imminent death, she might disappear at any moment. Even though she couldn’t help but glance at handsome young men, she was more focused on delicious dishes.

Food is the most perfect comfort in life... Especially when no matter how much you struggle, there’s only a dead end, and all you can do is lie down and wait.

Clearly they’re the same person, so why does ’Aislin’ have so many beautiful memories?

And her own impressions of those foods are so fake, like she’s never tasted them at all.

Fortunately, ’Aislin’ was very agreeable to her harmless requests, so Aislin directly sought out her teacher... Although part of it was because she hoped Ruth would also enjoy it, the main reason was that she couldn’t modify puppets herself.

Only Archmage Ruth could transform those household puppets, which could only make basic food, into ones that could learn these recipes.

Therefore, even if she could only idle beside Ruth, Aislin could still endure it.

Especially when Ruth was doing some private things that required her to avoid them, Aislin could only rely on eating little cakes to control her impulse to follow him.

Fortunately, ’Aislin’ had already developed some immunity to this emotional fluctuation of hers, and she was too lazy to awaken.

However, Aislin wasn’t sure if she was really not awake, but she didn’t want to investigate; after all, they were both pretending to be fools.

Anyway, they both knew deep down that if either of them could weaken the other’s soul strength, neither would hold back.

This state of mutual balance, how long it could last, was something no one could predict.

Aislin was well aware that no matter how many fools among Ruth’s students couldn’t see her current identity’s anomaly, Gilbert was simply not one of them.

That guy seeking her out was definitely not for anything good.

However, those few candles from Gilbert were indeed a great help to her, and Aislin wasn’t ungrateful.

Although he might have done it more to please Ruth, it was ultimately she who benefited.

So, even though she mumbled, even as Ruth watched from the side with an indulgent yet helpless smile, Aislin moved into action.

She clapped her hands, picked up a clean towel to wipe her hands, and rummaged out a small exquisite box from the grid under the coffee table, grabbing a few snacks from the platter on the coffee table and putting them inside: ”Well, teacher, I’ll go deliver some snacks to Gilbert.

Is there anything you need me to convey to him?”

”Delphus, nothing worthwhile for me to back down.” Ruth said calmly, ”Tell Gilbert, if there’s trouble, just come directly to me.

I trust his escape ability.”

Just relying on that puppet falcon, Gilbert could quickly reach the main tower... Ruth naturally had his ways to coordinate with that puppet falcon and had already advised Gilbert on how to proceed.

He hadn’t expressed it, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t prepared.

Aislin clumsily closed the snack box, her mouth slightly turned downwards: ”Tsk, indeed, he can’t play the same destructive trick anymore.”

”Don’t fight.”

As Aislin reached the edge of the terrace, preparing to take off, she heard Ruth’s gentle admonishment from behind.

She blinked and turned back earnestly: ”Are you saying that to me, or to him?”

”To both of you.” Ruth sighed heavily, ”What on earth is Gilbert thinking?

Why didn’t he go to Oliva?”

”Probably thinks Oliva belongs to Koyl?” She jeered ruthlessly, picking up the box of snacks, Aislin flew up into the sky.

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

Hilbert looked at the woman in red tapping outside his window, feeling a bit complicated.

He somewhat regretted finding her, and even more regretted just having granted her permission.

”How about you turn around and go back?” Through the floor-to-ceiling window, Hilbert let out a groan.

”Are you sick?” Aislin snorted unhappily.

No, Hilbert just doubted whether her recent mental state was beyond saving, to the point where she would wear a bright purple outer robe over a scarlet one.

His eyes were about to go blind.

”Hurry up and open the window!” Aislin raised the snack box in her hand, ”I’m bringing you some human food.”

Hilbert took a deep breath and solemnly opened the window: ”What kind of aesthetic judgment makes you dress like this?”

”One that infuriates Rosero’s,” Aislin said lazily as she flew in, landing directly on his desk.

”Don’t you quite like his face?” Hilbert asked curiously.

”But he won’t let me look at anyone else’s face! With so many beauties here, why would I only look at him?” Aislin smiled candidly, slowly sitting down in the comfortable chair behind the desk that clearly belonged to Gilbert.