Surviving The Fourth Calamity

”No, I was just thinking about how to strengthen our Magic Tower.” Hilbert gently raised his hand, ”I brought back a lot of resources.”

”Huh?” Carpenter came out, standing behind Hill and looking up at their Grey Tower together, ”Master, didn’t you already repair our tower better than before before you left?

That defense couldn’t be breached by even Ninth Ring Mages wielding War Machines... How much stronger do you want it to be?”

”Hmm...” Hilbert slowly folded his arms across his chest, ”Firstly, I have money.

Secondly, I’m quite free.

Lastly, should Rommel refuse too decisively, leading to some unexpected events, we also need a place to hide.

After all, we’re not in the Main Tower.”

Carpenter curiously stood on tiptoe, trying to observe her teacher’s expression from the side when he said this... with such a sarcastic tone, it almost made her suspect the teacher had changed again.

However, it seemed not, just inexplicably losing his temper.

Of course, Carpenter knew the story between Rommel and that Archmage Glaysia.

With neither side blocking the rumors, the result was naturally widespread news... Carpenter estimated that others in the Magic Towers should know by now.

Though the gossip spread wildly, no one dared speak falsely at the key points: That Rommel Mage didn’t feel flattered; he took a completely evasive approach.

If his level was not just Seven Rings, Rommel would clearly openly reject.

But since he hasn’t reached Eighth Ring yet, his attitude must be a bit more respectful.

The mages could understand his silent response.

But the mages also didn’t believe he could endure for long.

If it weren’t for Glaysia having more important matters, how many days of her soft persuasion could Rommel withstand?

She was the Tower Master of Sia Tower.

Besides, Glaysia wasn’t lacking in beauty.

She was universally acknowledged as comparable to a Goddess in beauty.

Because of this matter, inexplicably many mages were jealous of Rommel... Just a somewhat handsome Seven Rings, isn’t that everywhere?

What did Rommel have that they didn’t?

It wasn’t like Delphus had an innate unattractiveness no one could save; mages beyond High-level generally aren’t unattractive.

One could say that different angles of appreciation lead to different preferences, but most people... are acceptable.

Those who feel they share a style with Rommel, there were quite a few who were sour... They certainly didn’t want to replace Rommel, just unwilling to accept Rommel soon becoming the most handsome man of the Tower of Dark Enigma.

Everyone knew, to save face for Glaysia, to prevent concern of the famously amorous Tower Master of Sia reaching out to harm more, Sia Tower and the Tower of Dark Enigma would tacitly elevate Rommel’s beauty and talent to extremely high levels without needing to discuss.

Moreover, he must be praised to perfection.

Otherwise, should Rommel really manage to persist... Even if Glaysia herself didn’t care, the White Robes of Sia Tower may show dissatisfaction.

To avoid meaningless discord between the two towers, even though everyone understood it was a fabricated illusion, they could only accept it.

Unless someone was willing to step up to relieve Rommel’s burden.

Unfortunately, even sour, such brave souls didn’t appear... Although mages each have different thoughts, when not driven to the edge, High-level Mages above Seven Rings cared more about themselves.

Anyway, boasting eventually turns to reality, Rommel will inevitably be the most handsome man of the Tower of Dark Enigma.

But Carpenter couldn’t imagine Master Gilbert being envious either.

So, was there some personal vendetta between him and Rommel Mage?

She retracted her neck in confusion, recalling the most important words of Gilbert: ’Anyway, I have money and time’.

”Teacher, if you want to do it, just do it~” Carpenter said, beaming, ”It would be a perfect chance for me and Russell to learn along.”

”Where’s Russell?” Hilbert finally realized something was missing... Russell, that child, always adhered to etiquette; if he were here, he would have come out to welcome him with Carpenter.

”Archmage Ruth sent him to record the resources we’re willing to trade from the Magic Tower onto the Main Tower’s trading hall.” Carpenter scratched her head, ”Russell took our Junior trade directory there.”

Hill nodded, he had always left these matters to Russell, that child managed things excellently.

Ruth naturally knew this, and had complimented him for being a child who understood discretion, knew what he could decide on his own and what must be agreed by Hilbert... It was a rare talent of the first apprentice to have judgment while maintaining discretion.

Oliva and Aislin just couldn’t do it, so Ruth had no choice but to let the two balance each other.

Although both were beloved apprentices and loyal enough to him... Letting either of them lead would only bring disaster.

Yet together, the two managed to barely accomplish tasks expected of a first apprentice... The issues they couldn’t master that they shouldn’t decide on fell naturally to Ruth’s oversight due to their internal struggles.

Of course, such an approach will inevitably cause some losses.

But Ruth would rather bear those losses than face the bitter consequences wrought by his own students.

It’s a bit regrettable to lose something, but it’s much better than obtaining it only to mess up and further implicate him.

Hilbert pondered for a moment, ”When he returns, you all come to my study, I’ll think about how to enhance this tower, after all, the energy pool is still limited.”

Might as well use these materials for an experiment, to avoid having to think about it later.

Russell’s half-plane magic tower, he could really start planning it... As for Sia Tower here, Hill didn’t think there was a possibility to save it.

The Hainarson family probably doesn’t need to consider the issue of whether to move or not, when the time comes if Ruth and the others are still alive, they will naturally return to the Tower of Dark Enigma.

The Hainarson family greatly benefited this time... They didn’t endure the danger together, but their home moved into the future great magic tower area.

Before moving in, there might have been discussions, but now that they’re there, no one would dare to ask them to move out for any Gilbert.

It’s rather nice.

Hill fulfilled the deal he made with Gilbert, and even over-delivered!

So, he only needed to consider Russell and Carpenter.

Now that things have come to this point, Hill no longer needed to be so cautious... Even if the Styx could dominate this world, they would absolutely not dare to provoke his students.

So, Hill didn’t need to concern himself with certain safety issues, he could completely integrate the small half-plane he had into the Starry Sky Magic Tower prepared for Russell.

The outer magic tower wouldn’t need too much consideration about the living environment, focusing completely on energy extraction and defense.

The living space could be minimized, ensuring that even if the half-plane was temporarily inaccessible, ten people could still live normally for over half a year.

Heh~ Even if Russell couldn’t solve the enemy within half a year on his own, couldn’t he find someone to call for help within half a year?

Before, it might have been possible, after all, Teraxil isn’t far, but also not very close.

And if they could block even a half-plane, they would naturally block their messages as well... Forget it, Hill felt he was overthinking, and it was meaningless.

Unless Asmodeus made a comeback and personally confronted the Styx, only then might there be the slightest possibility of achieving such a level.

He really is... recently too stimulated, his mind has slipped into a state of overthinking.

Anyway, just pile on the defenses for the outer tower!

This is his specialty!

He leisurely returned to his study, took out the blueprints from when the tower was built, and started sketching and altering... This time, he didn’t need to consider the quality of materials, he could completely indulge his whims.

His blatant arrogance, Carpenter only vaguely sensed, but Russell could see it at a glance.

After all, Carpenter hadn’t started learning about materials beyond high-level yet, whereas Russell knew them all by heart.

Once upon landing and pulled into the study by Carpenter, he couldn’t help but hold his breath: What kind of blow had their teacher received?

Even if he earned some money from Archmage Karmante, he couldn’t spend it several times over!

It’s just two storage rings from Ninth Ring Archmages, after all.

Sia Tower couldn’t possibly have resources several times what was given to Archmage Ruth in Archmage Karmante’s storage ring, could it?

Russell glanced blankly at Carpenter, once again opting for eye contact: What stimulation did the teacher experience?

How would I know? Carpenter’s beautiful big eyes seemed to almost spark: However, it’s definitely not unhappiness.

Russell tilted his head in confusion.

The teacher is quite happy, but also a bit displeased. Carpenter could only hint to this extent with all his might.

”What are you doing?” Hilbert spoke with some dissatisfaction, ”Don’t whisper, pay attention to the blueprints!

What are you thinking?”

”Teacher, you... Though you’re happy, there’s no need to spend so much money, is there?” Russell decided to trust his sister’s intuition.

”Ah... Can you really tell I’m happy?” Hilbert hesitantly retracted his hand, ”I thought I had hidden it well!”

”Even the air around you is happy, teacher!” Carpenter replied with a smile.

”Hmm?” Hilbert looked up at her, ”Your perception seems to have strengthened a lot, Carpenter.

Indeed, in art, even with talent, you still need long-term training.”

Carpenter slightly bent her knees and bowed respectfully, ”It’s all thanks to your excellent teaching, teacher.”

”I’ll remember to give your art teacher a raise!” Hilbert replied decisively, ”And don’t think about it, I absolutely won’t endure that suffering.”