Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Therefore, the greatest test of the Sia Tower is a person’s understanding of themselves.

As long as someone has a thorough understanding of themselves, they can generally discern, upon encountering inexplicable desires for the first time, whether these desires are genuine or misled by external influences.

However, the vast majority of people in this world probably know the least about themselves.

Naturally, they take those desires as their own thoughts and act on them, leading to predictable outcomes.

Even though Hill didn’t immediately notice the unusual surroundings... Hill was usually a bit capricious.

When doing things, he didn’t care much about other people’s opinions.

So, when he first arrived at the Sia Tower, he acted impulsively and did some things he normally wouldn’t do.

Ordinarily, the chances of him helping Aislin were three to seven... with three being the higher probability.

Yet he acted without hesitation.

This was not at all like the typically cautious Hill in handling matters.

After his Magic Tower was completed and he contemplated thrice daily, Hill realized what had influenced him to act excessively.

In fact, the dust of desire... though called dust, is actually an ethereal presence blended into the air, not something everyone can detect.

It has become the foundation of the Sia Tower, and even those who are alert cannot reject its presence.

Including Glaysia herself. She can release it, but once released, the most she can control is the concentration of the dust of desire, not manipulate its actions.

Therefore, even Hill didn’t initially realize anything was amiss with this presence... because the very existence of the dust of desire is harmless to him.

Hill, though a bit displeased with his carelessness, wasn’t too angry.

After all, essentially, those were things Hill would have done... depending on whether he was in a good mood.

His lack of vigilance at the time was also due to this reason: the dust of desire amplifies the thoughts he already had inside, rather than distorting his will.

One could say Hill got caught because he didn’t understand himself well enough, and besides, he has a somewhat spontaneous nature.

Although Hill often attributes his capriciousness to the Father of Elves, the Earth Bear isn’t much better in this regard.

So, Hill easily forgave himself for his momentary carelessness.

But in some subsequent actions, he deliberately began to explore his true inner desires.

Then Hill discovered that when he wasn’t yet safe, all his thoughts were relatively normal.

The occasional interference he did was actually aimed at setting the world on the right path, hoping the mages’ power would be stronger.

But once he confirmed his safety, his attention to Ruth’s side drastically diminished.

Including Aislin, he had little interest.

All desires were directed towards Rommel.

When Hill finally became self-aware, he wasn’t too surprised.

He was quite aware of his gossip tendencies.

Knowing what is more important in the face of life and death matters left Hill quite satisfied.

Moreover, perhaps during the time in Toril, he was mentally tense, arriving in Aesces, though not tense, he was quite irritated. And during the initial period in this world, Hill faced a rare life-and-death crisis... Though it was self-perceived, this rare emotional release made him feel much more relaxed.

He even felt a long-unattainable hope of advancing, finally glimpsing a ray of hope.

All thanks to the grand performance by Rommel and Glaysia, which made him so happy... Every scene played out on the giant screen made Hill genuinely laugh.

Though the influence of the dust of desire also contributed to Hill’s unrestrained laughter, the entertainment he witnessed was plentiful.

Not everything can delight him to the point of letting go of everything.

Although Hill wouldn’t let Glaysia off the hook because of this, he decided that if the Mage Guild Leader gave him enough reason, he could mercifully spare Draculus.

Of course, this doesn’t mean Hill wouldn’t share these matters with Fran.

He would definitely lend Draculus a hand to prevent him from being captured into Hell by Glaysia.

Don’t think Hill didn’t notice that guy intends to impersonate Rommel to the end.

But he would never let his true self follow Glaysia into Hell.

In Draculus’s life, the most important thing is always himself, and no amount of hatred would compel him to take the risk of entering the nine layers of hell personally.

But as a Master of Strange Objects, he has countless ways to make Rommel’s existence real.

Compared to Glaysia’s half-baked attempt, Draculus could definitely create a more exquisite facsimile.

But currently, Draculus certainly can’t complete this work.

That kind of thing, even a Legendary Level Alchemist Master, requires enormous resources and effort to create.

He needs time.

But Draculus surely knows that if Hill doesn’t help, he can only sacrifice Rommel’s identity.

After all, if he enters Hell, the real terrifying crisis isn’t being discovered by the Lord of Hell, but rather, his chastity.

Having been a Grand Magus for tens of thousands of years, Draculus certainly doesn’t want to end up ruined at the hands of the Succubus Queen.

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

Rommel had no idea, but on the other side, Hilbert had generously given him a chance.

He was already feeling a bit overwhelmed.

He glanced lightly at the mosquito on the window, trying hard to suppress his urge to crush that thing.

Rommel knew very well that the current situation between him and Hill was unbalanced... he was the only one asking Hill for help.

Hill had no thoughts about him, apart from enjoying the fun.

He even needed to be grateful to have met someone like Hill, a fake ally who would quietly stay by the side as long as there was some fun to watch.

Although their relationship seemed decent, he was quite aware that the moment he saw Hill getting ambushed and not making any move nor lifting a finger, the relationship between Draculus and Hill was that of the closest stranger... Sometimes the way the Undead Tribe describes interpersonal relationships is really simple and straightforward.

Therefore, if he wanted Hill to do something, he could only use a trade of interests.

Back when Hill came to ask him about matters related to evil Alchemy, it was also after providing him with various important pieces of information... information he and Kamente Tower could never possibly know, before asking his questions.

If he wanted Hill to lend a hand at the most critical moment, he could only endure the presence of that conspicuous mosquito... Rommel was more surprised by the fact that the mosquito was so unique that Glaysia didn’t even notice it at all!

It showed how oblivious this Princess of Hell was.

No, probably all her brainpower was spent on how to get close to his hand.

Rommel had already nonchalantly... no, by now, he was quite obviously evading Glaysia’s little moves.

How did this woman go from shifting her attention from a scrap-made metal painting to his ”how beautiful Rommel’s hands are”?

Rommel took a deep breath, with a face showing extreme pain... for both Glaysia and the mosquito-backed Hill to see.

However, Hill’s reaction remained unknown, while Glaysia’s eyes seemed to flare up with fire.

She appeared to like it very much.

Why?

The Archmage, who had knowledge but no experience of romance, felt a moment of confusion... he couldn’t understand why his pain had become this woman’s stimulant?

Though he had long known that inviting guests was easy but sending them away was hard, this was just too difficult!

Rommel, despite not wanting to say those words of weakness... he actually could say them, but for some reason, knowing Hill was probably watching, he was still a bit reluctant.

But he knew in his heart that if Glaysia could be pushy the first time she entered, his life would be much harder afterwards.

So, when would that Lansendel come?

With infinite expectations towards the Lord of Dawn, Rommel finally opened his mouth with difficulty: ”Grand Magus Glaysia, it’s time for me to meditate.

Could you leave me a bit of space?

If you act like this... how would I dare invite you in again next time?”

Glaysia gave him a smiling glance: ”Oh~ really~

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a shy request.

Dear Rommel, you are truly delicious.

I am willing to temporarily savor this adorable yet sour-bitter delightful taste.

But, I don’t know how long my love for sour fruits will last.

So, fall in love with me soon~”

After delivering her words, Glaysia left gracefully, leaving behind a bewildered Rommel trying to figure out her words’ meaning.

And, in the chamber, Hill overthrew a table and laughed to the point of collapse.

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

”Teacher?” Russell looked at everything on the giant screen in a trance, hearing their teacher’s hysterical laughter.

In truth, he understood only half of what Glaysia meant.

But he could still grasp that the Princess of Hell was saying Rommel was a virgin, giving her lots of fresh feelings since he’d never been with a woman.

As for the latter part, he could somewhat deduce... that the princess was telling Rommel to give up early and do something with her quickly, otherwise, even she wouldn’t know what she might do.

Russell was clearer on one point... Rommel was certainly not weaker than Glaysia.

Otherwise, their teacher wouldn’t be laughing like that.

No one enjoys seeing people they know getting seized forcibly, but if both parties harbor bad intentions, the bystander is left with only joy.

But Russell was curious about one thing: ”Teacher, didn’t you say it would all be settled in a few days?

That Princess would not even complete her threats, right?

It seems like Rommel Mage doesn’t know anything either.”

It was clear when their teacher informed him of the facts, he had already determined this point.

”If he can’t figure it out from the images, it’s not my fault.” Hill replied with a smile.