Surviving The Fourth Calamity

”Aislin couldn’t completely understand: ”Are you just spouting nonsense?”

”Rosero told me a lot of jokes that only the Old Mages, who have lived long enough in the Sia Tower, would know.” ’Aislin’ didn’t understand why she was surprised, ”Isn’t it just two people hooking up when they’re at a disadvantage, then when things settle and the loot isn’t divided equally, they part ways, and it’s not even amicable?

Why are you so shocked?”

”Why do you think I’m shocked?” Aislin said coldly, ”Of course, it’s because I don’t understand why a Ninth Ring Mage would still use their body as a bargaining chip.”

”What nonsense are you spouting?” ’Aislin’ said lazily, ”The body is a bargaining chip, regardless of gender.

To live a little better, people will throw it on the table, let alone when it concerns life.

Back then, Fengo was ruthlessly cleaning out the chaotic elements inside the Sia Tower.

Even having a slight hint of suspicion meant it would be hard to even wish for death.

All his talents were related to interrogation and investigation, finding the truth, and there weren’t many who could escape his eyes.”

”Doesn’t that mean Pet and Delphus were innocent? Then why would they...” Aislin still couldn’t understand.

”Ah, that could also be.” ’Aislin’ gently spoke the most ruthless words.

Aislin was merely extreme in temperament, not entirely oblivious to the world... so she immediately understood the deep meaning in the other’s words.

That Fengo... should be the real name of the Black Artist... didn’t care if there were innocent people involved when clearing out the warriors that had infiltrated the Sia Tower.

Aislin hadn’t missed seeing the Black Robe Faction’s style during this time: ruthless and cunning.

They’re capable of trying to frame unrelated people as so-called ’spies,’ killing them to seize their wealth.

Pet was probably already starting as a dye trader back then.

She probably hadn’t reached the Ninth Ring, having seen too much reality, so she had to seek partners.

Delphus, the kind who looked down on everyone, was instead a great partner... because he couldn’t possibly have issues.

Anyone accusing him would surely have ulterior motives.

Although they could slander, there had to be a reasonable cause: Who would believe Delphus had issues?

Anyone risking so much by infiltrating the Sia Tower, even just for their family or their Magic Tower, had their reasons.

In the depths of their souls, there would always be a glimmer of light.

Delphus, whom even the Black Robe Faction with the worst temper in the Sia Tower wouldn’t look down upon... even those who smeared him, would probably be ridiculed.

The Sia Tower still had to ensure fairness on the surface.

But Pet, due to her tendency to curry favor and good relationships with everyone, would easily be implicated.

Aislin squinted her eyes... As the Eldest Martial Sister of the Ruth Faction, she could naturally understand Pet’s actions.

Otherwise, back then, she wouldn’t have protected the woman following Rolando and her child.

But she needed to confirm repeatedly if ’Aislin’ really understood her as ’Aislin’ herself claimed, completely and thoroughly.

It seemed, not really!

Aislin thought, some of her thoughts might not really be completely impossible.

As for the moon, no, the relationship between Moonlight and the Moonlight Rose, she couldn’t handle too much for now; it was better to leave it to the teacher.

After all, the thing ’Aislin’ cared about most wasn’t this.

Perhaps she didn’t even know what was going on.

Gilbert, that guy, was always sensitive to these things.

Aislin could understand this too... Ruth used to say that if Gilbert could restore his Mental Sea, his sensitivity to spiritual power would be exceptional.

No one could be as sensitive to subtle waves of spiritual power, and his perception of changes in people around him was detailed and thorough.

Like every time he talked to her, even though ’Aislin’ had just woken up, lurking deep in her Soul, Gilbert could immediately switch his topic.

Otherwise, Gilbert, though sharp-tongued, also maintained his noble demeanor... his sarcastic words would be more tactful.

She was alright, Oliva often only realized in the middle of sleep what she had been scolded for, sitting under the blanket seething in impotent rage.

After all, it’s not a big deal, like she would rush off in the middle of the night to settle accounts with Gilbert?

Then, once the day had passed, going to find Gilbert would be impolite.

Better like her, she could get mad immediately... she would only figure it out after thinking it over afterward.

Many people thought she was too harsh with Gilbert, always thinking her scolding a homebound Gilbert in her own Magic Tower was unruly... ha, why wouldn’t they listen to what Gilbert’s foul mouth spat out?

Of course, Aislin also understood, the reason she and Oliva faced such impact was mostly due to their actions irritating Gilbert.

But, you see... that Gilbert maintained that polite subtlety, meaning he included the two of them in his circle.

If it were someone else, Gilbert would probably exchange just a disdainful glance and end the exchange.

Of course, that was considering the other was just acting foolish, not being despicable.

Like today, directly attacking the most anger-prone weak points, was Gilbert’s attitude toward despicable people.

Of course, his main aim was hoping the other would lose their cool, preferably making the first move against him.

Gilbert appeared extreme and arrogant, but he operated with his own set of principles: He preferred counterattacking.

When he counterattacks, he doesn’t hold back at all.

Who can blame someone already a little crazy for acting impulsively when provoked?

So, Gilbert could display his craziest self with the most rational attitude.

Instead, Oliva and Aislin, who heard the most venomous words, were the ones he couldn’t put his hands on.

It’s not necessarily a good thing... it’s not like they could immediately understand their scolding after the fact.

It meant before understanding, they scolded themselves countless times!

It’s understandable that Oliva would avoid Gilbert in the end.

Only she, Aislin, refused to believe in evil.

Though she hadn’t reached the point of fighting fire with fire, getting used to it, at least now she realized what she was being scolded for increasingly faster.

Thus, when Aislin noticed Gilbert suddenly scolding her directly, she immediately reacted to what he sensed... he discovered a presence silently awakening before her.

Although that guy seemed to share a Soul with her, she, being inside the game, reacted slower.

Perhaps because the other was the real owner of that Soul... even if she, Aislin, wasn’t merely a mask, her share of the Soul was necessarily small.

Relying on her power to fight against the other was inevitably hard.

Aislin envied a bit, but when she thought about how Gilbert got it, she only felt a bit envious.

She would never wish to have it herself.

She was already so miserable; no need to seek additional suffering in the early stages.

Her only comfort now was that, for these years before reaching the end of her path, she’d lived freely and wonderfully.

”Does Rosero need the resources of this world too?” After a long silence, Aislin suddenly asked this.

”Of course, he doesn’t need them, but his subordinates do.” ’Aislin’ answered nonchalantly, ”If he could train a few, enough to catch Sia’s eye, then he could get better rewards.”

”Would they be taken away?” Aislin continued asking.

”What nonsense are you spouting?” ’Aislin’ laughed coldly, ”You yourself have had those pretty kids offered to you.

You treated them as nothing but distractions.

When did one need to cherish someone who came with an agenda?

Only the ones you choose... what’s that look on your face?”

”Some disdain for my past self.” Aislin replied frankly, ”The more I think, the more I feel my eyes must have been blind.

The trained kids were just easier to use.

Yet... my eyes must’ve been blind.”

’Aislin’ naturally understood who the damned mask was mocking.

But after thinking it over, she couldn’t completely deny it, eventually having to stubbornly defend herself, ”Sia’s palaces are full of beautiful beings, all collected over a long period.

You saw Rosero, didn’t you?

He’s a finished product!”

”So, did you kill more, or save more?” Aislin lifted her eyelid, finding the Main Tower already in sight, swiftly finishing this exchange, ”No, I should ask, aside from ones like Rosero, clearly sent by someone, did any you personally brought home live past 100, no, 50 years?”

”Stop talking nonsense!” ’Aislin’ screamed, ”They’re all alive!

Just in a different form!

But, they’re definitely alive!”

”Then, are they themselves?”