Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hilbert indeed felt quite relaxed.

All his troubles centered around how to defend and counterattack reasonably, rather than worrying about whether some reckless Archmage would breach his Magic Tower.

That simply wasn’t going to happen.

Even if Asmodeus personally came, Hill could still hold his own, making it difficult to stir his nerves.

And with the certainty that ’Aislin’ would definitely take action, Ruth also understood what had transpired here... Whatever happened in Aislin’s Auxiliary Tower, Ruth was clearly aware... Thus, Hilbert certainly didn’t need to worry about being left alone to face formidable enemies.

This wasn’t because of any deep friendship between them.

In the world of Archmages, rationality always comes first, with impulsive actions being a rarity.

Even in the case of the rarely seen Chaos System Archmages, they inevitably have something to gain from their actions.

Especially in this world.

Even Ruth, who seemed friendly and concerned about his life and death, gave Hill a sensation as ephemeral as a duckweed on the water’s surface.

But Ruth at least did everything a teacher could do.

Hill was well aware that when a person fulfills all their obligations, any genuine feelings are mere embellishments.

One can strive for them, but in their absence, resentment is not an option.

Especially when he himself isn’t personally involved.

Yet, he would never really place his trust entirely in this teacher.

Therefore, Hill’s confidence arose from his clear understanding that this matter was so significant to several parties that they had no choice but to intervene.

Including Ruth, who always seemed to lack presence.

His sincerity lay in seeking the assistance of ’Aislin’ for the prestige this incident could bring, rather than directly leaving this great nuisance to Ruth.

Although Hill’s primary reason for doing so was to consider things from Gilbert’s perspective.

Yet he at least genuinely considered Ruth.

Even for Gilbert himself, this level of consideration was already rare... let alone being able to immediately find a breakthrough amidst such complexity.

Hill gently raised his hand, feeling the biting chill in the wind, and a slight smile tugged at his lips: although Ruth’s concern for him stemmed from the belief that he was Gilbert himself.

Yet, the one benefitting from this care was indeed Hill.

Hill’s way of doing things never changed with the world.

He could coldly watch the outside storm unfold, but he would never be ungrateful to others’ goodwill.

Of course, he also reciprocated all the attention given by both Aislin and ’Aislin’ during this time.

After today, his entanglements with those people, whether good or bad, would be thoroughly concluded.

Hill was somewhat thankful to the inexplicable Archmage Delphus... not everyone would have the courage to sacrifice themselves for the eight clans.

In fact, what he always worried about was a small issue.

Whether Lady Pet, who instigated this dispute, might expose the matter to Delphus once it was clear Hilbert hadn’t fallen for it.

Although Hill had considerable faith in Rosero Archmage’s ability to plot and his overwhelming dominance over someone as scheming as Pet, but... Pet’s ability to hold her position at the Sia Tower should not be underestimated.

Thankfully, Rosero’s diligence exceeded his expectations.

His overly meticulous nature even confirmed Hill’s hesitant suspicion: that Glaysia might have consumed the Old Witch’s Enchantment Drug when creating the ’Aislin’ clone.

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

”Delphus.”

In a highly concealed small building that looked no different from a hill overgrown with wild grass and flowers, a female mage in a sapphire robe cautiously looked toward the window where a stern-faced male mage wearing a silver-brown robe stood.

”What, regretting it now?” Delphus turned his head toward the female mage, his face shrouded in shadow, only his tall, straight aquiline nose visible.

”Since I’ve cooperated with you, I naturally won’t regret it at the last moment,” the female mage replied emphatically. ”But, can the two of us really break into that Magic Tower together?

Isn’t it said that Gilbert Hainarson is quite skilled at creating Magic Arrays?

We originally expected him to team up with Pet... that woman has plenty of leverage for us to exploit.

But now, it’s clearly the worst outcome.

His teacher... Ruth, is definitely not as weak as the legends say.”

”Even if the Tower of Dark Enigma has lost its old combat prowess, it’s still one of the top ten Magic Towers,” Delphus replied indifferently. ”If they really couldn’t make it, the Tower of Despair wouldn’t allow them to continue comparing themselves to it.

The support from the Sia Tower isn’t that powerful.

Besides, when has the Sia Tower ever supported the Tower of Dark Enigma?

It would be strange if they didn’t take the opportunity to deliver a couple of slaps.

”Ruth has managed to hold on with a broken lineup until today, naturally showing weakness without truly being weak.”

”Then are you confident in dealing with him?” the female mage asked somewhat curiously, ”I can only try to handle that Seven Rings called Gilbert.

Moreover, you’ll have to clear their defenses first.”

”Ha~” Delphus touched the ring on his hand, sneering non-stop, ”That’s not a difficult matter.

Haven’t they all been pondering how many benefits I gained from the Defense Tower?

Hehe~

I really want to see if that kid’s so-called outstanding talents can withstand the Defense Tower’s ultimate attack.

Dealing with that kid doesn’t require you.

I brought you here to block Ruth’s two Eighth Ring apprentices.

Especially that Aislin.

Aren’t you adept at confusing spells?

Remember, don’t use lethal moves; let that lady have a beautiful dream.”

”I know Rosero values her highly,” the female mage asked puzzled, ”but, it’s not enough to make you so...”

”All you need to know is that regardless of how much the people from Sia Tower wish for me to live, if I make a move on Aislin, they will kill me instantly.” Delphus pulled up a corner of his robe, ”As for that Oliva, if you want to play to the death, it doesn’t matter.”

”At this point, you still won’t tell me, your partner in life and death, why you have to kill Gilbert?” the female mage asked with a bit of resentment.

”You don’t need to know so much.” Delphus gave her a cold glance, ”It’s not Gilbert I want dead, but the Hainarson.

So, those two little brats must die too!”

He touched the ring in his hand again, speaking viciously, ”Then, I’ll go to the Tower of Dark Enigma and eradicate the Hainarson Clan entirely!

I should never have given them a way out in the first place!”

The female mage frowned slightly... From what she knew, Delphus had once handed all the matters related to Hainarson to his student.

After coming out from the Defense Tower, his first action was to quickly fly back to Sia Tower, where he hid for ten years before appearing again.

Moreover, in the following twenty years, he barely left Sia Tower at all.

At that time, the Hainarson family seemed to have all gone to the Tower of Dark Enigma, right?

But back then, Hainarson didn’t have the confidence it has now. If Delphus truly hated them, he could have rushed to Dark Enigma Town to root them out entirely.

Even if Ruth values his students, he wouldn’t break with Delphus over a gravely injured Gilbert, who doesn’t even know if he can advance to the Sixth Ring.

So, these two matters don’t stand.

In other words, Delphus’s hatred for the Hainarson Clan emerged recently, or even when the Tower of Dark Enigma prepared to relocate here.

So, why?

The female mage bowed her head, trying hard not to look at Delphus’s ring-wearing left hand.

The so-called ultimate attack of the Defense Tower within it, does it have any connection with the Hainarson Clan?

Could it be a god-tier artifact bound by bloodline?

Right, it seems she vaguely heard that the Archmage from the Defense Tower had Hainarson origins and was quite adept at strange object creation.

A fundamental law for a Master of Strange Objects is that his creations would never turn on himself.

Due to dual locks from soul and bloodline, these strange objects would automatically reduce harm to those of the same bloodline as the Master of Strange Objects.

Because of this practice, even those more destructive, massive strange objects affiliated with the Magic Towers... the kind that requires people to control, would be used by the bloodline descendants of the Master if no one else had pre-set control rights.

Especially when the key at the bottom level is unknown, merely knowing the fire order and possessing bloodline control, the latter inevitably wields stronger control power over the strange object.

Since Delphus returned from the Defense Tower, he’s been much more arrogant, daring to compete with Lady Pet, who has connections worldwide, for Neutral Faction leadership. It seems it’s not just because he’s erased potential concerns.

No wonder Lady Pet would rather forgo such large benefits just to formally pit him against the Tower of Dark Enigma, and even meticulously reminded Gilbert Hainarson.

The female mage gently lowered her head, her full red lips tightened into a thin line... She hoped that this time, Delphus would completely lose his position in the Neutral Faction.

That way, her significant sacrifices would be worth it.

Although she initially made the wrong choice, everyone reserves the right to regret.

She really didn’t want to stay by the side of such an arrogant, foolish, and odious man.

Alas~ Unfortunately, when she regretted, Delphus was in a strong position, and she didn’t have Lady Pet’s skills... If she didn’t want to suffer retribution, she could only wait for Delphus to abandon her.

This was the best opportunity.

Lady Pet said that at worst, Delphus would have to squat in his Magic Tower, unable to come out for hundreds of years.

If, in such a long time, she still couldn’t break free from Delphus’s control, then she wouldn’t need to struggle anymore.