Pillar of Yita

”Thank you, Mr. Odin.”

Above the attic, Fang Hong listened to the voices of the people as they gradually faded into the distance and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked again at the photo frame, waited a bit, and only when the outside was completely silent did he climb down from the attic alone. He descended the stairs, first glancing into the hall on the second floor—no one was there.

But he still wasn’t assured, so he sent out the Clockwork Fairy to scout around, ensuring no one was left before he stepped out. Outside the hall, the scene was still a mess, with bricks and rubble scattered everywhere.

He couldn’t help but recall the earlier situation—

As for why the people of the Shadow Throne would abduct Feyos and bring her to this place, who gave them the audacity to provoke the Phoenix Family? And what were those books, the lines of code inscribed upon them, what did they represent?

These were also the questions in his heart.

He lingered there for a while until suddenly there came a tapping sound on the glass, startling him. He turned around and saw Hilveld through a window, smiling at him.

”Miss Hilveld, how come you’re here?”

Fang Hong walked over to open the window.

Hilveld gave a faint smile: ”I saw many City Defense Force members over here and was worried about you—but your Energy Angel is still over there, and I couldn’t bring it along.”

Fang Hong was a bit taken aback, the Noble Lady’s demeanor was nonchalant, but her actions spoke volumes, and she was no safer here either. He took a gentle breath, feeling warm inside.

”Don’t worry about it, it’ll pack itself up later.”

”Miss Feyos?” Hilveld asked, looking around curiously.

”She left.”

”By herself?”

”With those City Defense Force members.”

Hilveld nodded: ”This matter is indeed not simple.”

Fang Hong looked at her somewhat unexpectedly. With a smile and a wink, Miss Ship’s Officer explained: ”It’s not surprising; the Lord Captain saved her, and with her master’s character, whether genuine or not, she would have to meet you at least once.”

She paused: ”Abducting a maid from the Modkaesar Family is no small matter either, Lord Captain, who gave the Shadow Throne such gall?”

”It’s just the tumultuous times...” Hilveld sighed: ”...it’s not just Dulun, the entire Southern Region is caught in this whirlpool, and she’s likely distancing herself from the Captain to avoid dragging us in.”

Fang Hong opened his mouth.

Her analysis was quite accurate.

Hilveld looked at Fang Hong and asked: ”Did the Miss Maid leave anything?”

”Something?” Fang Hong was stunned, suddenly recalling something.

He reached into his pocket and took out a black velvet box; it was something Miss Maid had asked him to hold, and he had forgotten to return it. ”This is...” He was about to explain, but Hilveld had already taken the box from his hand and opened it.

Fang Hong wanted to stop her, but it was too late. Inside the box that Hilveld opened, on the velvet, lay an olive-shaped crystal.

The crystal, in the winter afternoon sunlight, shone with dazzling colors.

”A Rose Stone, immensely valuable,” Hilveld smiled slightly, ”This is her gift of thanks to you, Lord Captain.”

Fang Hong was stunned.

...

Odin entered the room with a frown when there were already quite a few people in the reception room.

Some were officials from the Shadow Throne. When they saw the Chairman of Ragnarok storm in, they couldn’t help but be taken aback.

Odin looked silently at these people, each of whom gazed back at him, including the Praetor on the main seat—whose expression was stern, hesitating to speak but eventually did: ”Mr. Odin, I thought you had left.”

Odin glanced at the Shadow Throne officials and replied: ”I did leave, but something happened in the meantime. I’m not sure if Lord Earl is aware—” he paused, ”Just now, the people from the Shadow Throne abducted a maid from the Phoenix Family.”

”A maid?” the native nobles whispered among themselves.

Odin looked at them: ”That maid’s identity is not simple; she is from Enan Modkaesar,” he took a breath, ”Ragnarok is here to maintain stability in the Southern Region, and I need an explanation.”

A Shadow Throne official stood up in surprise: ”What!? Is what you say true, Mr. Odin?”

Odin shook his head: ”Don’t pretend; save the temp worker talk for the press conference. Now I need an answer.”

The official looked uncomfortable and sheepishly sat back down.

Dealing with any guild from the Southern Region, he might retort, but this was Ragnarok, and the man opposite him was one of the Ten Kings, the leading warrior in the nation, and not truly a noble of Eteliria.

But rather held the status of an Invoker.

The reception room fell silent for a moment.

After a while, the Praetor finally spoke slowly: ”Don’t blame them, Mr. Odin.”

He said: ”It was my idea.”

Odin turned back to look at this man.

”It relates to the upcoming plan,” the Praetor explained: ”I was actually about to have someone notify you, Mr. Odin.”

”But this isn’t what was originally agreed upon.”

”It’s a temporary adjustment,” the man shook his head: ”It’s the Prime Minister’s intention, and your people did not object.”

Odin was silent for a moment but ultimately did not speak.

The ’your people’ reference was clear to him. ”And the reason?” he asked. The Praetor put down the Scepter of Authority and replied, ”On the one hand, because we found some interesting little evidence—”

”On the other hand, because something has happened within the Modkaesar Family.”

He paused: ”The Duke’s eldest son has returned.”

”He was found south of the Great Canyon.”

...