Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Kamente Tower and Rommel, of course, didn’t need to go queue at the entrance to register.

Unlike those other students of Kamente Tower who were all received by a Mage of the same Level... Rommel’s treatment was the same as his teacher’s.

Rommel didn’t feel that being treated so ceremoniously by Ninth Ring Archmages was anything good... Kamente Tower’s petty jealousy wasn’t exactly a secret.

He’d even get jealous if his own student’s strength surpassed his, if the student received better treatment than him—let alone over this kind of ridiculous crap.

Because some powerhouse took a liking to his student, the student’s status rose to be compared with his, and it was obvious that Kamente Tower was now the accessory... honestly, even someone with a slightly bigger heart than Kamente Tower, like Nicholson, would still feel pretty sour about it.

That’s human nature.

Those with real breadth of mind naturally wouldn’t be like this, but... how many such people are there in this world?

Ruth was already the Archmage Rommel had seen who cared the least about all those external trappings, and even he still cared whether his student respected him or not.

If Rommel really was someone who could only stand firm because of Kamente Tower’s favor, then just like that, he’d lose part of his backing.

If Kamente Tower got even a little impatient, cooled his attitude toward him, even started speaking in that passive‑aggressive tone... unless Rommel could advance to the Eighth Ring, even Ninth Ring, at the fastest speed, sooner or later he’d feel that the warm Glaysia was better.

Once the worldly Rommel had thought this through, he couldn’t even muster anger... among the several Ninth Rings receiving them, Rosero was a bit absent‑minded all along; that Female Mage had no idea what she was doing, kept sneaking glances toward Ruth’s side and barely spoke, while the one from the Black Robe Faction was all smiles and enthusiasm.

Of course, he should be enthusiastic.

To put it bluntly, Kamente Tower was originally one of theirs.

Although he resided in the Tower of Dark Enigma, Kamente Tower’s direct students actually ought to be in Black Robes.

Just like their Mage Robes: Kamente Tower simply had them wear black inner robes and dark purple outer robes.

Kamente Tower had always been skilled at this whole business of flattering people silently, showing his stance without saying a word.

But even this Black-robed Archmage’s attitude was surprisingly telling: the respect he showed Kamente Tower wasn’t even half of what he showed Rommel; he was one step away from calling him ”sir” every other sentence.

What could Rommel do?

He knew his own very steady demeanor had earned him an appreciative glance from that Archmage... yet he was also very clear that the reason he stayed completely unmoved was because he simply wasn’t worried about suffering any blow from this matter.

At this moment Kamente Tower absolutely wouldn’t have any bad feelings... except sympathy.

Rommel had actually prepared himself fully for everything that might happen after coming to Sia Tower... but in all his scenarios, he’d never included being noticed by Glaysia and then being quietly nudged by Fengo’s subordinate toward some ugly situation like this.

Someone as worldly as him didn’t even need to think hard to grasp what that guy was after... whether or not Rommel had any extreme reaction to Kamente Tower’s attitude, the Black Robe Faction that granted him preferential treatment wouldn’t lose anything.

Even if Rommel was sharp enough to see through their maneuver, then... someone that sharp should also understand that even if he ultimately went over to Glaysia’s side, he still wouldn’t lightly offend Fengo’s confidant, who could stand against Glaysia.

Especially given that Rommel actually belonged to the Faction of Fengo; he was Innately black‑background. Certain things, even in Hell where betrayal is rampant, still can’t be done: for example, betraying your own origin before you’ve gained sufficient strength.

However, Fengo and his people could use this little incident to claim credit over on Glaysia’s side.

Thinking of all that, Rommel felt as if all his internal organs were twisting in pain.

There was nothing he could do. Though worldly and experienced, his Talents and strength were so great that his vulnerable growth phase was almost negligible... making Draculus, who had lived for so many years, suffer this kind of speechless, certain-type harassment for the first time.

Back when he was young, he was already one of the powerful Humans, and his Elf teacher was a righteous sort who would never think along these lines.

And the Elves who did think about this kind of trash were all tangled up with the Moon Elves and had no time to pay attention to Humans.

Utterly focused on the Mage’s path, in his rare free moments still playing mind games with all sorts of beings, exhausting himself over the future of himself and his world—Draculus really had no idea, for the moment, how to deal with this kind of harassment, especially harassment that had support from all sides.

Even when he’d learned his enemy might be the Lord of Hell, Draculus had never hesitated like this.

Luckily Ruth and Nicholson arrived in time.

Only after the three Tower Masters of the Tower of Dark Enigma had gathered together did that Black-robed Archmage’s eager attitude finally rein in a bit.

Seems the subordinates of the Hell Prosecutor, while not caring much about their own face, absolutely didn’t dare interfere with their master’s proper business.

Rommel stepped lightly back a few paces, letting Kamente Tower move to the front to communicate with his colleagues.

And then he felt several gazes that looked subtle but were actually blatant sweep over them.

Rommel pulled up the corners of his mouth in an elegant, hollow smile and looked around the room... that’s right, his relationship with Kamente Tower was just that close!

As for what these people would speculate about his relationship with Kamente Tower... Rommel dared to act like this, naturally for a reason.

Did that mean he actually trusted Kamente Tower?

Even though that guy understood perfectly well that, after escaping a Devil’s Control, he could only cling to Rommel’s side.

Otherwise, once that Great Devil discovered he’d already slipped free of its grasp, it would definitely just kill him outright.

But he was Draculus, who never trusted anyone.

Even the tiniest possibility is still a possibility.

Who knows if one day, Kamente Tower might suddenly lose his reason and self-control, seduced by some profit more important than life itself?

Rommel only trusts methods that are absolutely foolproof.

Between him and Kamente Tower, there is a Blood Covenant binding them together.

That kind of Blood Covenant is a method he developed over his long lifespan.

Of course, it’s nowhere near as terrifying as a Devil controlling Kamente Tower, with even the Soul changing imperceptibly.

But it can still guarantee that Kamente Tower absolutely cannot break the promise he made... it’s a Contract sealed with his blood and Soul as collateral; once broken, his blood will ignite at once, explode completely, and his Soul will be annihilated on the spot.

For such a terrifying Contract, even for the absolutely Neutral Draculus, there are some restrictions on using it: to succeed, you must obtain the other party’s one hundred percent consent; the slightest reluctance will cause the Contract to fail.

So even for him, through such a long span of years, he’s only managed to conclude three... and two of those are with the students who followed him for many years, guarding his home at Teraxil.

But for those who sign a Blood Covenant with him, it’s not without benefits.

After accepting his ”Blood Flower,” their lifespan will be extended by gaining some of his vigorous Life Force.

They can at least live to two-thirds of Draculus’s lifespan.

For those two loyal students of his, the greatest function of this Blood Covenant is simply to ensure they live until the moment Draculus returns to Teraxil.

Whereas for Kamente Tower, all those benefits are just incidental; to be able to preserve his life and his Soul in such a complicated environment, he would agree to anything.

Of course, this is also because he just escaped from the hands of a Devil, so Kamente Tower’s Spirit is a bit unstable.

If it were him in a fully clear-headed state, even if he agreed verbally, whether he might have just a tiny bit of inner reluctance would be another matter.

However, the Blood Covenant has another advantage for Rommel.

If someone uses bloodline Detection Magic to examine him and Kamente Tower, the existence of the Blood Covenant will make it appear that the two of them have a blood relationship.

This is very... useful to someone who wants to hide himself a bit better... hmm?

Rommel, who was hiding his existence using Kamente Tower’s body, suddenly zoned out for a moment... is he having a nightmare or what?

What the hell is that?

No, that is—Gilbert Hainarson?

That is! Gilbert Hainarson!

Rommel flailed in a panic, even accidentally bumping into Kamente Tower in front of him.

Kamente Tower turned his head slightly.

Rommel, who had already reclaimed his own Soul, reached out and handed him the storage ring issued to him by Sia Tower: ”Teacher, take a look at this.”

Kamente Tower took it, puzzled... no matter how many things Sia Tower gave Rommel, there’s no need to be this shocked, right?

They’re giving all that to Rommel of the Tower of Dark Enigma?

They’re trying to curry favor with their boss’s beloved, and while they’re at it, sow discord between this master and disciple.

Then, after he finished looking through the contents of the storage ring, he couldn’t help curling his lip.

”What’s wrong?” Nicholson, who had been watching him with a perpetual grin, asked quickly... everything that happened today was pretty shocking for everyone, but Nicholson was the only one who was thoroughly delighted.

After all, as someone who knows a bit of the inside story, he understands perfectly the torment Kamente Tower is suffering right now.

And the worse Kamente Tower’s days get, the happier Nicholson will be.

He can’t personally make a move, but that doesn’t mean he can’t watch others torment Kamente Tower, right?

Nicholson can clearly see that as long as Kamente Tower doesn’t show any sign that he wants to abandon Rommel, both the Black Robe and White Robe factions over at Sia Tower will definitely think up ways to mess with him.

But does Kamente Tower dare?

As long as Rommel is unwilling, he has to stand in front and take the hits.

Heh heh~ the kid’s future days are going to be something to see!

”Very nice resources, but more suited for me.” Kamente Tower turned and glanced at Nicholson, speaking lazily.

”Huh?” Ruth certainly understood what he meant, just didn’t quite get it, ”It’s not like he can’t trade them himself.

Besides, exchanging High-level materials for ones a level lower is more cost-effective, right?”