Pillar of Yita

He finished gnawing on the bone in no time, almost swallowing his own tongue, and then he looked up in surprise at the other person. He only knew that the other was one of the Ten Kings of Warriors, but didn’t expect him to have such grilling skills.

”You’re in luck,” Odin said flatly, ”Back in my adventurous days, I often cooked for myself, but those opportunities have become less frequent. Even Nether begged me last time, but I couldn’t fulfill his wish. Today, I’m just acting on a whim—”

He looked up to see a squirrel on a branch, tilting its head and looking at them with pitch-black eyes.

With a snap of his fingers, the squirrel darted back into the tree hole in fright.

Meanwhile, Fang Hong was licking his fingers, thinking to himself that with Miss Atira, he didn’t really crave these things.

However, his current state was rather miserable.

He even looked somewhat ridiculous.

But Odin didn’t mind. After cleaning his hands, he placed a Clockwork Fairy in front of him. ”Again?” Fang Hong was taken aback, instinctively reluctant—kidding, he had just been beaten, and it had left him with some psychological scars.

But this time, Odin didn’t press further, he only looked at the Clockwork Fairy, then said to him, ”Have you heard of the Wall of Truth?”

”Wall of Truth?”

”Have you played Beast Chess?”

Fang Hong paused for a moment before realizing that the other was referring to Liox’s Beast Chess; he supposed he had played it? Though it hadn’t been long, he thought for a moment and nodded slowly.

But Odin wasn’t surprised; those familiar with the Margin Technique would naturally play Beast Chess; that was a given. He hadn’t thought much of it and continued, ”Then you should have some understanding of what craftsmen refer to as the Wall of Truth.”

Fang Hong was baffled; what understanding did he have? He was hearing the term ’Wall of Truth’ for the first time.

Just as he was about to speak, the King of Warriors raised his hand, projecting a Light Page between them and enlarging it.

Fang Hong saw it was a somewhat blurry video on the Light Page, seemingly showing a group of Invokers fighting somewhere. The background was unclear, and the image appeared distorted at times.

Occasionally, he could make out several Combat Artisans, but their combat methods seemed strange. Though they carried Magic Guided Reactors, they weren’t wearing Control Gloves.

Yet their Constructs were clearly functioning.

Seeing this, Fang Hong was slightly startled, wondering if these Constructs didn’t belong to the artisans in the video? But if that were the case, why was the King of Warriors showing him this video?

He looked at Odin, puzzled.

But Odin didn’t answer, waiting until the video had ended before he silently put away the Light Page, offering no explanation of its origins.

After a moment, he spoke, ”In Eteliria, many Combat Artisans have come into contact with Beast Chess. Those with some aptitude will enter this domain under a mentor’s recommendation. As a Combat Artisan, you should be thoroughly aware—”

Fang Hong nodded unconsciously; he was a stowaway without formal training, although he had studied for a while in Kapuka, he had no dedicated mentor. His exposure to Beast Chess was relatively recent, but even then, he quickly realized that Liox’s Beast Chess was quite popular among Combat Artisans.

The Native Alchemists didn’t need mentioning. Even Invokers like Vikki all knew how to play, and when competing with him, she didn’t ask if he knew the rules, suggesting that the rules were likely very widespread.

He himself was the exception.

Odin then turned back to him, ”But although many have played Beast Chess, few grasp the Margin Technique. Some are highly talented in Beast Chess, but when it comes to applying the Margin Technique in reality, they are powerless.”

Fang Hong was slightly startled.

The King of Warriors continued, ”Moreover, those who can use the Margin Technique to perform multiple moves in Beast Chess can often only achieve a single-step margin in reality. Do you know why that is?”

Fang Hong had started to understand. His studies with Teacher Ande were mostly foundational, the old man rarely discussed anything related to the margin.

”This is the Wall of Truth?”

Odin nodded.

But Fang Hong felt a bit surprised.

Since learning the three-step margin from the training software Shana had provided, he could actually utilize a two-step margin in reality with the aid of the Closed Loop Device. Didn’t this contradict what the King of Warriors said?

However, after thinking about it, Fang Hong decided it might be best not to disclose this information openly.

At least he should discuss it with Miss Tata and find a way to seek Teacher Ande’s opinion.

So he remained silent.

Just then, he suddenly sensed something, grabbing the necklace at his collar, seeing the Communication Crystal pulsing with light. He glanced at the sender; it was Tianlan and the others—they must have been worried after he didn’t come back all night.

Instinctively, Fang Hong wanted to reply, but then realized he wasn’t alone. He couldn’t help but glance at the King of Warriors beside him.

Odin looked at him, indicating he should put the crystal down.

”It’s my companions,” he replied tentatively, ”I don’t want them to worry.”

Odin was silent for a moment, then said, ”Then you can tell them something to put them at ease.”

Put them at ease?

Fang Hong was taken aback, feeling something was off. He suddenly realized and looked at Odin, ”Odin the Great, where are you planning to take me?”

Odin looked at him and nodded lightly.

Fang Hong looked reluctant, the shadow of Miss Ship’s Officer flickering in his mind, and couldn’t help but ask, ”Uh... is it possible not to go?”

”I’m afraid not.”

Odin replied thus.

...