Pillar of Yita

Of course, in the very beginning, it was not a true alliance organization, and its name was quite different from today.

At that time, its accurate designation was actually—the Pan-Southern Cooperation Alliance, merely a cross-Southern Region intelligence sharing system; its primary purpose was to prevent another invasion by the Empire and to self-check the rampant infiltration of cultists into various guilds at that time.

However, as time passed, the cooperation between natives and Invokers, and among Invokers themselves, became increasingly deep, and the functions of the organization became more diversified, gradually forming a large guild union spanning the Emerald Forest, Fanric, Dyce, and the Central Mountains regions.

Unlike the Empire, because Colin Ishurian did not oppose such autonomous organizations, this organization was even recognized by the royalty at that time. Thus, about ten years ago, the three largest guilds in the Southern Region at that time, Song of Ash, Dragon Hunter, and Remembrance, reached a common agreement with the Alchemist Alliance, and from then on, the Pan-Southern Cooperation Alliance was officially renamed as the Southern Region Alliance.

History was written for people at that moment.

Tianlan listened to Fang Hong’s description and finally understood: ”So because of the royal political struggle, the Alchemist Alliance, being a thorn in the Prime Minister’s side, thus the Southern Alliance was naturally dragged into the mess?”

Fang Hong nodded.

However, he glanced at Sophie, and the two had such a tacit understanding that they did not speak more on this question.

What Tianlan mentioned was just the surface; clearly, there were deeper reasons for the Southern Alliance reaching this point today.

This organization was initially established relying on the Alchemists Alliance, but over the years, the main body has become the vast Southern Summoners Guild. A single Colin Ishurian Royalty could hardly have such a profound influence on the Summoners.

But just as this Silver Vislan princess mentioned before, the China Region Super Competitive Alliance intervened deeply in this power shift within Colin Ishurian, possibly even abandoning its long-standing neutral stance to stand with the Prime Minister and the young King.

This is why it aroused discontent from the Chinese side in Stargate Port—

However, these words obviously couldn’t be brought to the table.

The charcoal burned quietly.

Luo Yu added a bit of charcoal, stirred the fire, and to prevent the room from becoming too dry, applied a spell to add a bit of moisture, causing the firelight to slightly brighten, reflecting on everyone’s faces.

Atira gently knocked on the door from outside, bringing hot drinks in with Elisa.

The Iron Guard girl held the cup with both hands and gently thanked the Elf Miss.

The wind and snow swept through the atrium, blowing in from outside, but inside, it was as warm as spring and didn’t feel too cold.

”Is it just drinks?” Lady Papamo widened her eyes, ’very cutely’ asking—of course, he had to change his appearance in front of outsiders, as he did before at the Masongke Creek camp, ”Where’s my midnight snack?”

”There’s none.” Elisa couldn’t help but smile.

”According to the Papalarians’ talent,” Lady Papamo glanced at her pocket watch, ”I have a quarter of an hour before I die, Elisa.”

”Then where do you intend to resurrect, the Holy Sanctuary?”

Tianlan giggled from the side, listening.

The Iron Guard girl and others listened to the two’s dialogue on the side, unable to suppress a bit of envy, recalling their own guild’s previous situation.

Sophie watched them and suddenly spoke: ”Could you tell us about the current situation in the South? There is a lot of information in the community, but it’s hard to distinguish what’s true, plus it’s under martial law.”

The girl nodded.

She took a gentle sip of the hot drink—Atira’s secret tea, with honey, a bit sweet—and she felt her body grow warmer before putting down the cup. After thinking for a moment, she spoke softly:

”Actually, it’s about the same as what you said. The Alchemist Alliance is seen by outsiders as Prince Coleman’s stronghold, naturally regarded as a thorn in the Prime Minister’s party’s side, eager to get rid of it quickly...”

”...And this alliance itself is mainly supported by some Southern noble families, including some ancient craftsmen families who are members of the Alchemist Alliance themselves. Thus, the Prime Minister’s faction first targeted these renowned noble families, ordering the current family heads to step down and supporting others to take their place...”

”...Of course, this matter is not so easy; the nobles openly opposed this move, causing more than one conflict. More importantly, the Kingdom further increased taxes on the Southern regions, affecting even the interests of ordinary Invokers this way.”

”So soon, the conflict quickly developed into a revolt...”

Fang Hong suddenly realized the origins of the July revolt.

However, Colin Ishurian is ultimately not a country ruled by nobles, but by Praetors directly appointed by the royalty in each region, with the Praetors holding military command, so these revolts didn’t form much of a climate.

”After that, the South declared martial law.”

”...Even to manage the Invokers, the royalty side requested assistance from the Super Competitive League... The league issued two bans, prohibiting Invokers from participating in native affairs. They also dispatched Ragnarok to the South to help suppress the Free Summoner forces here...” the girl answered softly.

Sophie snorted lightly upon hearing this: ”Just allowing the officials to set fire, not the common people to light a lamp.”

”Ragnarok?” Fang Hong appeared a bit surprised: ”Ragnarok is also in the Southern Region now?”