Pillar of Yita

Fang Hong wasn’t concerned; he simply raised his head to look at the sky—not for the weather, but to use the Clockwork Fairy above the sky to scan the nearby terrain. Though the Dragon Worship Sect was blocking the way ahead, the city’s road network was intricately complex, and the opponent couldn’t possibly lock down every escape route.

Unless the opponent also had ’eyes’ in the sky—

But this wasn’t a big deal for Fang Hong, because as long as the Dragon Worshipper made a move, he was confident he could find out where their ’eyes’ were located and respond accordingly. It seemed, however, that the opponent wasn’t as advanced as he imagined, nor had they prepared any spies or spells, allowing the three of them (plus Miss Fairy) to easily slip out of the encirclement through a small alley.

Upon exiting the alley, Fang Hong glanced back and then said, ”They’ve engaged the City Defense Force.”

”Who are ’they’?”

”The Dragon Worshippers.”

”Good news,” Sophie couldn’t help but reply, ”Since they’ve engaged the City Defense Force, they’ve left evidence with them, and now the Shadow Throne is indefensible.”

She couldn’t help but gaze at Fang Hong with a clever glint in her eye, ”Did you intentionally lead them over there?”

Fang Hong shook his head lightly, ”They’d encounter each other eventually; I merely sped up the process.”

”Show-off,” Sophie laughed quietly, knowing this guy was actually boasting, she couldn’t resist teasing in Xi’s embrace, ”So that’s why Combat Artisans are effective. Earlier, Xi and I were like headless flies, rushing aimlessly through the streets and alleys; if not for your help, we would’ve nearly been surrounded by the opponent...”

”So Ade...”

Fang Hong’s head ached and he quickly interrupted her, ”Alright, I’m just bragging; actually, it’s their bad luck... Miss Sophie, doesn’t your Silver Weslan have Combat Artisans?”

”But no one has beaten the Hall of Thousand Doors.”

Upon hearing this, even Xi turned her head curiously to glance at him.

Fang Hong was terribly embarrassed, unexpectedly cornered himself, and quickly said:

”But Loofah.”

”Even before becoming a lone wolf, Loofah was one of the Rose Cross Army, and although she has some ties with us, the connection isn’t very strong.” Sophie replied dismissively, ”Moreover, whether Loofah has beaten it is uncertain, outside rumors say so, but from Sister Nether’s perspective, it seems unlikely...”

Fang Hong scratched his head, having no choice but to acknowledge that before this ’well-informed’ Grand Guild’s Princess, his little tricks were meaningless.

Though the two understood that Fang Hong’s chance of joining Silver Weslan was almost nil, so her words were merely playful banter. Sophie, somewhat amused, watched him feign obliviousness, then turned to open her Communication Crystal—

Because with anyone else, Fang Hong could firmly reject them, but with this Little Princess, he truly owed her many favors. If she sincerely pleaded, he wouldn’t know what to do.

Thus, he had to pretend not to know, and fortunately, Sophie didn’t pursue the matter. Fang Hong merely opened his Communication Crystal quietly to inquire about Xiangzi’s situation; in a moment of urgency, he had to leave Cold Raven Street alone and didn’t know how Xiesta and Bakins were faring.

Luckily, Miss Maid was clever enough; before the City Defense Force arrived, she got Bakins out first, and now the latter had already awakened, and threw him a message of safety through the Communication Crystal.

Fang Hong only summarized the situation he figured out to Atira over there, then told Hilveld beside him, ”Hilveld, you guys return to the inn first; I’ll come to you after the competition is over.”

Hilveld merely watched him quietly and nodded lightly.

Fang Hong pressed the book on his chest. He knew that after today’s mess, Fanric would definitely impose martial law for some time. With the Continental League approaching, he probably wouldn’t have the chance for further investigation in the next few days, so it would be better to let the situation calm down for a while.

After that, he would look for opportunities to investigate what really happened today.

Meanwhile, he could prepare for the upcoming competition.

Sophie, curious, listened to his conversations with others, pondered for a moment, seemingly understanding his meaning, ”Are we splitting up next? Once we get the evidence, we’ll open the net and proceed with the next action?”

Fang Hong nodded, couldn’t help but glance at the Silver Weslan’s Princess, finding the cooperation with her strangely smooth.

Because she always grasped his intentions first.

”Um... should I send you back?” he asked.

”No need,” Sophie shook her head, ”With Xi, it’s enough; I don’t want to cause a heap of trouble, Ade.”

”But...”

”Ade, have a look.”

”Look?”

Fang Hong was startled and suddenly realized what she meant. He looked up at the mountain girl staring at him coldly, and the rest of his words died away.

Fang Hong watched as the two Miss Knights left, disappearing into the alley—and then he raised his gaze to the towering Elfendo Spire—that afternoon’s events seemed unbelievable upon reflection, though it only spanned two or three hours.

Who would have thought a simple arrest operation would result in such chaos? The afternoon’s events would surely shock the Southern Region Alchemist Alliance’s top ranks. He couldn’t help but recall his cleanup work at the time: did he leave any clues?

If the City Defense Force discovered any traces related to him, it would be a significant issue; how would he explain his connection to the matter? He couldn’t disclose too many details, nor fully trust the Southern Alliance internally; who knew if there were Dragon Worship Sect informants?

In the urgency of the moment, he couldn’t guarantee he hadn’t left any clues.

Thinking of this, Fang Hong took out the large black-covered book from his chest, preparing to open it and see what clues were inside. But just then, his Communication Crystal glowed faintly, and a strange number appeared on the Light Page.

...