Surviving The Fourth Calamity

”Not part of the Hainarson clan... Could it be from the maternal side?” Russell murmured.

Hill suddenly realized: Indeed, when the Hainarson clan decided to leave their original territory, they paid a great price to cremate all their ancestors’ bones, but the maternal family of that Archmage didn’t receive the same privilege.

Or rather, the reason why the Hainarson clan could be spared was because they were originally associated with that family.

Gilbert’s mother also came from that family... Her aptitude could basically be said to be nonexistent, but her status and position were not low, so she could become the wife of Gilbert’s apprentice father.

Although she survived due to marrying out, she didn’t live long afterwards.

His maternal family, compared to the Nobles, was more like a Mage Family, with nearly seventy percent of the family members able to enter the Defense Tower.

So, occasionally when a child with inadequate aptitude appeared, they didn’t discriminate much and had already found a path for them.

Families like the Hainarson clan, whose aptitude wasn’t initially great, relied entirely on absorbing the bloodlines of various Mage Families to slowly enhance their aptitude to the point where children with Mage Aptitude appear continuously, were not too many among Nobles.

They understood the significance of unity precisely because they had suffered too much in the past.

Hill could actually understand why Fate would ultimately befall this clan; when the World Will chooses its Patrons, it’s not entirely indiscriminate.

Even in this cold and selfish world, it must see a bit of a spark to consider someone’s worth.

Yet, to bestow Fate upon an entire Mage Family, the consumption of the world’s essence... isn’t something this incomplete World Will can achieve.

He has so much; won’t he save himself!

So, in the end, the Hainarson clan, located between mortals and Mage Families, was chosen.

And another family inevitably would accompany the Defense Tower in its downfall.

Although looking at the situation now, they should also have a few descendants preserved, all official mages listed on the Defense Tower registry are definitely all doomed.

The only ones who survive are newborns and adult men with insufficient aptitude to enter the Defense Tower... they must be just matured, neither having a family nor formally socializing yet.

Girls from Mage Families, because they are to marry externally, generally start socializing at the age of 12 or 13, to choose a suitable partner for their future.

A portion might choose to remain single and independent, but such Noble women are really not many.

Once choosing such a life, it practically equals choosing poverty.

Though the family does not refuse resources, the meager allotment given to ordinary people from the sidelines... Most cannot accept such a complete regression in life.

Hill shook his head, after all, he wasn’t truly Gilbert Hainarson, so he didn’t fully think about their maternal family, said to have perished along with the Defense Tower.

Russell reacted even faster.

Of course, after Delphi missed the third arrow, he also realized, speaking in a displeased tone: ”Huh~ the Hainarson Archmage, truly compassionate!

Even the maternal family is cared for!”

”The Hainarson’s maternal family?” Rosero looked at him curiously, ”Was it your doing?”

”How could it be me!” Delphi lightly said, ”How could I possibly contend with the first under the Three Great Tower Masters of the Defense Tower?

Moreover, if it was truly me, do you think Gilbert would let me off so easily?

With a reasonable excuse to retaliate against me, he’d be crazy not to use it!”

”Actually, there’s also a possibility that he doesn’t know?” Rosero pondered for a moment, probing him.

”Gilbert is simply Gilbert!”

Reacting even faster than the ambivalent Delphi was Aislin.

”Our teacher definitely doesn’t make judgment errors!” The red-robed Female Mage said with a stern face, ”The soul detection array of the Tower of Dark Enigma is also definitely impeccable.

No one can lie under the gaze of Styx!”

Aislin’s seriousness amused Rosero.

He looked at Aislin tenderly: ”Aislin, you can’t view Styx and yourself as part of the same Faction like the Tower of Dark Enigma.

You’re from Sia Tower, you should stand on Sia Tower’s side in your thoughts.

Styx didn’t even... the Dragon...”

”Yo~ Glaysia’s boy toy, are you calling me?” A massive black Giant Dragon poked its head out from the Cloud Realm.

Rosero stiffened for a moment before slowly speaking: ”So, should I address you as Iron Dragon sir?”

Hill couldn’t help but laugh.

”Teacher, what’s funny about that sentence?” Carpenter asked curiously.

”This Dragon could be anything, except it couldn’t possibly be an Iron Dragon. Sia Tower long ago made a judgment.” Hilbert said with a grin, ”If he truly is as he suggests, a Black Dragon, then that sentence is directly insulting him.

But he doesn’t have any grounds to be angry, as he was also masquerading as an Iron Dragon.

Rosero’s thinking is good, but unfortunately, he doesn’t quite comprehend how thick-skinned the Chromatic Dragon can be.”

The black dragon on the screen was already angry: ”Nothing good comes from what Glaysia raised, to humiliate a chromatic giant dragon like this!”

”But isn’t that what you said yourself?” Rosero couldn’t help but ask.

”Who told you that? I’m sure I’ve never met you!” The black dragon shamelessly replied, ”If it wasn’t directly from my mouth, how can you accuse me of it?”

”You’re not even a black dragon, are you?” Aislin spoke softly... The memories she received told her that black dragons are indeed shameless, but they never hide their misdeeds.

They’re quite straightforward in their evil.

Maybe it’s because they’re always mingling with nether powers, their minds become somewhat direct.

Moreover, this guy in front always claims to be a chromatic dragon... but black dragons wouldn’t do this; they usually take pride in their identity.

Also, a chromatic dragon that dares to speak like this is surely a rebel among chromatic dragons... not particularly respectful to the Dragon Queen either.

Generally speaking, the mutual relationship between chromatic dragons is such that they almost want the other dead, making it unlikely for them to generalize their race.

But this can’t be a metal dragon.

Though those gold and silver dragons can be unscrupulous enough to impersonate chromatic dragons to cause havoc, metal dragons inherently have an elegant demeanor which cannot be pretended, unlike the vulgarity exhibited by this giant dragon.

”What are you talking about?” The black dragon tilted its head, ”What I show is what I am!”

This dragon’s information seems quite well-informed, clearly aware of the entanglements between Aislin and Glaysia.

Hill blinked: It seems this dragon has already made contact with the Styx.

And has even exchanged communication with Gilbert in the Styx and the local Magic Tower.

Gilbert has promised him, certain things he definitely won’t speak of, plus, for the future of the Hainarson Family, he wouldn’t easily offend Hill.

Ruth, clearly confident in his identity.

Well... indeed, there is someone truly in charge in the Tower of Dark Enigma who remains.

Moreover, this person can not only control the Tower of Dark Enigma, but should also be able to communicate directly with the Tower of Despair.

However, when Hill was in the Tower of Dark Enigma, he didn’t feel the presence of such a powerful person... Wait, no, the one that always made him feel threatened, wasn’t it the Tower of Dark Enigma itself?

The person Aislin mentioned last time, whose soul was incomplete yet connected with strange objects, isn’t that referring to Nicholson?

But how did she know... and how could she guarantee to keep this secret from another soul?

This world’s mysteries, truly numerous!

In a world dominated by mages, it really wears out the simple-minded.

Hill feels he prefers a world of gun against gun, cannon against cannon, fight quickly, and finish quickly.

Yet he clearly enjoys the life of a mage... Ah, being human~ always never satisfied much.

Forget it, don’t think too much, let’s just watch this play unfold.

”Is that dragon intending to keep this bone giant?” Russell observed for a long time, finally asking his question.

”These giants, they’re difficult to make.” Hilbert thought for a bit and decided to educate him on necromancy knowledge, ”Although all were crafted from soulless bones, usually it’s difficult to birth a consciousness.

The worst outcome is the birth of as many consciousnesses as there are bones used.

Even though necromantic consciousness is simple, like that of insects, it’s very hard to ensure all heads move in the same direction.

Giants like the bone giant before us, with such clean execution and clearly defined goals, are one in ten thousand.

Even if these bones belong to the same family during their lifetimes, and relationships were harmonious, it doesn’t work.

The new consciousness basically has nothing to do with their original selves.

Some people just have better luck.”

Hill now understands who wants this bone giant... Gilbert from the Styx.

This bone giant is kin-related to him.

After a thorough baptism using the Styx power, this bone giant can even directly resonate in soul with him, becoming his most loyal and powerful subordinate.

When changes in this world leave no trace, enhancing one’s strength first is indeed a choice of the wise ones.

This red dragon, however, seems to have negotiated something with Gilbert, willing to lend a hand for Gilbert to find help.

Keep in mind that there is some competitive relationship between his daughter and Gilbert.

The Styx will absolutely not allow any outsider allies to control the souls he favors.

Really interesting.

Indeed, no one is idle.

It’s genuinely hard to judge who the final victor will be.