Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Rojas had no choice but to report Aislin’s actions to Archmage Ruth.

Ruth never expected that his student would soar to glory after being saved once.

Before even fully rescuing from his plight, she repeated her old mistakes.

A female mage, maintaining self-esteem, self-love, and self-respect, is indeed commendable. But when one cannot distinguish between remuneration for labor and gratitude for favors, and keeps causing a ruckus—it’s truly... Even Ruth, who has always favored Aislin, was speechless at this point.

Of course, he knew very well that talking to Aislin about these things was futile. Ruth simply ordered Aislin that if she felt the resources allocated to the mages responsible for communication were uneven, or potentially involved unsavory inducements, she must take on this responsibility.

All the tasks directing those junior mages to transmit messages should come with fixed remuneration.

But everyone knows, passing messages may seem easy, yet it is actually quite troublesome.

For example, when helping Aislin send unfavorable news to Gilbert... If Aislin wasn’t aware this matter might provoke Gilbert’s displeasure, why would she choose Rojas’s students to relay the message instead of using her own followers?

Would anyone be willing to undertake this task for mere basic compensation?

This is a Mage Tower, not a slave den; even mid-lower rank mages cannot be compelled to run errands.

Understanding this, Aislin quickly gave up... She didn’t want to draft a message transmission list, but upon realizing the effort it required was for such trivial matters, she also hesitated.

Only then did she understand why someone as wise as Ruth knows the flaws within yet has no interest in changing anything, because it simply isn’t worth it.

Perhaps one day, when their world becomes safe and strong, and everything runs smoothly, someone would be willing to put effort into rectifying these small issues—but now?

As long as the bigger picture isn’t affected, nobody will waste their time on these matters.

After finally calming down Rojas, who was almost about to cry in front of him, and sending off the grateful female mage from his own pocket, Ruth quietly stared at Aislin sitting on the sofa with a disdainful look.

Under the bright red dress, her long legs couldn’t help but move. After some thought, Aislin abandoned her impulsive urge to fly away and smiled flatteringly at her teacher: ”Teacher, don’t look at me like that~

I know I was wrong, I won’t be so impulsive next time.”

”Was impulsiveness your mistake?” Ruth spoke steadily, ”You shouldn’t meddle in matters within others’ jurisdiction!

And Koyl, he has hinted at me several times already... Why are you causing trouble in the trading hall?”

”I can ignore Rojas, and indeed I was overthinking that issue.” Aislin said indignantly, ”But as for Koyl, I cannot let him grow unchecked.

He’s about to become our faction’s trade ambassador!

Pretty soon, people from Kamente Tower might only know him and not me!

How can this be?

I...”

”You are just causing trouble!” Ruth pointed at her, ”Who in the Tower of Dark Enigma wouldn’t recognize you?

Don’t think I’m unaware of why Kamente Tower suddenly did this!

Why are you provoking Rommel for no reason?

Uh? Why!

He used to be the unwavering voice in Kamente Tower!

Now, even those who don’t listen to Kamente Tower wouldn’t dare ignore him!

Why must you offend him at this time?”

Ruth gazed at Aislin... the anger in his eyes unmistakable: Do you truly believe that Glaysia, who has no time for you, lets you run amok right under her nose?

How could she possibly not keep an eye on Rommel?

There are a slew of eyes from Sia Tower in Kamente Tower, and now not a single person dares defy Rommel’s orders, isn’t it precisely because of this?

Even if their leaders belong to the Neutral Faction or the Black Robe Faction of Fengo, they would absolutely not publicly oppose anyone favored by Glaysia!

Aislin, as universally known, acts as Glaysia’s eyes placed on Ruth, yet she tries to embarrass Rommel... No one is a fool; as she continues to stir trouble, those realizing her odd behavior will only increase.

Moreover, Ruth believes Glaysia permits her a free rein because she’s confident about reclaiming her... Aislin’s best course is to continue doing the things ’Aislin’ does.

”You are better off continuing to bother Gilbert.” Ruth exhaled helplessly, ”At least that way, any slap would still be from one of our own.”

Aislin abruptly changed her posture: ”Teacher! Why is it him who slaps me?

I can still defeat him by seven levels...”

Under Ruth’s suggestive look, the proud female mage nestled back into her sofa.

She said despondently: ”I’m acting this way precisely because it aligns with her character.

According to what I know of myself, if there’s someone I’m interested in whom she isn’t, she definitely would find faults.

Not with me, but with the man.”

”What... nonsense is that?” Ruth was momentarily speechless.

”Plus, I must express that indeed, I never have had any fond regard for Rommel.” Aislin said awkwardly, ”She is a very proud person.

I always feel that the man she pursues will eventually fall in love with her because of her wonderful personality.

So, as someone with a similar personality to hers, if I’ve already set my sights on Rommel... then, Rommel might just fall for me first.

She has always been domineering, even if it’s another version of herself... there’s a slight possibility, she would first eliminate me, the potential obstacle to her affection.”

Ruth’s face was filled with confusion.

He had lived for quite some time, witnessing countless human wickedness, yet this Glaysia still made him, ah, see her in a new light.

What kind of thought process is this?

He sighed slightly, then glanced at Aislin again: ”Right now, can you not tell me something about the Sia Tower?”

Aislin scratched her head.

She carefully re-inspected the special defensive magic array they had just enhanced and strengthened... Previously, such a defense, almost at a wartime level, was not something Ruth couldn’t afford, but rather something he couldn’t casually activate.

Even if it risked exposing some of his secrets, he could not be the first to display over-caution regarding Sia Tower.

However, now, whether it be the mages of Sia Tower or the Tower of Dark Enigma, as long as they have the ability, they would likely activate this kind of strongest array... The recent happenings were too intriguing, making it impossible not to discuss.

Yet, this matter couldn’t be openly spoken of.

Even Fengo, faced with those black holes within the detection field of Sia Tower, could only shake his head helplessly... He couldn’t exactly tell these people, it’s fine, you can openly discuss such things about Glaysia, right?

So, although Rommel was very troubled, even irritable to the point of exploding at the slightest spark... Aislin never expected that just a slight movement of her hand would result in an alchemical bomb being thrown back at her.

But, it made it much easier for those who needed to chat secretly.

After some thought, Aislin decided to reveal some matters of the world, which couldn’t be considered real secrets.

Though not much, it was still more terrifying to Ruth than their past speculations.

Just understanding the identities of Glaysia and Fengo made him very serious, let alone knowing that after them, there’s still Asmodeus.

Ruth found it hard to imagine how powerful the Lord of Hell might be.

But merely understanding that even Glaysia, a princess who must show utmost reverence to the Lord of Hell, could easily tear apart the deities of their world, Ruth grasped how terrifying his enemy ahead was.

Although he didn’t intend to retreat, an inevitable sense of fear lingered.

Aislin softly said: ”This is all I can say; the rest, either she’s unwilling to let me know.

Or, it’s something I cannot speak of.”

”Cannot speak of?”

Ruth raised an eyebrow in surprise.

”It’s not just me, the one on the White Tower can’t either.” Aislin subtly suggested.

Ruth suddenly understood... It seems to be that sealing magic of the Lord of Hell.

This is a law-level blockade, something that even the legendary Goddess Bisozeya couldn’t accomplish.

Wait... Aislin didn’t mention Bisozeya.

She didn’t even say where her strength lay.

She only mentioned Fengo, Glaysia, and the strongest Asmodeus.

Although it might be because any information about this goddess falls under restricted knowledge, certainly, she won’t appear on the battlefield.

Otherwise, Aislin would have mentioned being cautious of a stronger ambush or something.

Also, recently, when Glaysia mysteriously disappeared with the moon, it was clear Aislin knew something, yet couldn’t divulge.

Ruth lightly narrowed his eyes.

”Teacher, I know you have your other sources of information.” Aislin looked at the enigmatic Ruth, tilting her head to speak, ”But, you better not trust them too much.”

”What do you mean?” Ruth looked at her seriously, ”What do you know?”

”I don’t know the specifics.” Aislin shook her head, ”But there’s one thing I’m certain of, for anyone transferring their soul through strange objects, the soul will eventually perish.

The one speaking won’t disappear, but it’s difficult to remain the same as before.

Even if his soul is strong enough to last a long time, it’s continuously losing parts of itself.

You can see what someone with a fragmented soul looks like, can’t you with me?

So, Teacher, don’t trust them too much.

Even if beforehand, they were full of grand ambitions, with a firm will, time will change everything.

The more they lose their soul, the less humanity they retain.

They will only act out of self-interest, Teacher.”

Ruth slightly clenched his fist: ”It’s best you don’t retain this in your memory, understand? Aislin!”