Pillar of Yita

”These people and the target...?”

Su Changfeng gently shook his head and did not answer, but there seemed to be a gleam in his dark eyes as if he had already gotten the answer he wanted.

...

Having accidentally met with Mr. Diket, Fang Hong almost returned to the inn just in time as scheduled. After returning to the inn, he naturally teased Mulan and Hawk-Beak Bean, the former pressing him about whether the Princess of Silver Weslan was his girlfriend, leaving Fang Hong speechless for quite a while—

And though Hawk-Beak Bean did not speak, his expression clearly carried the same assumption. Only Cui Yu made a few cold and sarcastic remarks until the Soul Fingerprint appeared, allowing Fang Hong to finally extricate himself. The latter merely reminded him of one thing: ”Remember the competition.”

Fang Hong then nodded.

Before returning to his room, he checked the Communication Crystal, which conveniently had a message from Sophie—he could only be thankful that others hadn’t noticed it, or he would have a hard time explaining. When he opened the system, Fang Hong couldn’t help but be taken aback, as Sophie’s message was somewhat unexpected to him:

”The military asked me whom I met in the afternoon, the military Invoker we saw in the afternoon seemed to recognize me, but I claimed you were just a passerby.”

The first message was from half an hour ago, as Fang Hong looked further down, there were more, the second and third more recent, from ten minutes ago:

”They seem suspicious, let’s not meet for now.”

”We’ll meet after the competition, Ade.”

The fourth message was just sent:

”Ade, I’ve already handed over the evidence from the Shadow Throne, along with some information about that official—it may take some time to verify the information, but the Super Competitive League may act against the Shadow Throne first. However, here in the South, both the military and the Artisan Association have limited manpower, we still need coordination with the Southern Alchemy Alliance.”

”But they have agreed to your suggestion and plan to proceed discreetly, so for now, there’s no need to publicize, you just need to wait for good news.”

This was the last message.

Following it was a message from Tianlan’s side, basically saying they had safely returned to the inn, and Bakins was unharmed.

Seeing this, Fang Hong only somewhat relaxed because ever since learning about the unknown plan involving the Dragonfire Guild, Shadow Throne, and Dragon Worship Sect, his worries never ceased, and he was always concerned that everything that happened in Dolifen thirty years ago might reenact in the Southern Region.

While everything in Dolifen could be said to have no relation to them, this time, they were at the center of the whirlpool. Not mentioning Miss Atira’s brother’s situation, just their repeated disruptions in Fenris and Dolifen were enough for them to catch the Dragon Worship Sect’s attention.

Now, being able to use the military to completely smash the opponent’s arrangements in the Southern Region was naturally great news for everyone. Though it might not be enough to severely damage them, it could at least force the opponent to temporarily ignore them.

Because everything done now is to buy time, to let the team grow strong—strong enough like those great gods he once saw, who can completely ignore the threats of the Dragon Worship Sect.

Until then, he would have the power to protect everyone around him and seek justice against the Dragon Worship Sect. It’s not just about Miss Atira’s family, there’s also Lady Kuisu’s son, the souls of Dolifen, and the girl slumbering beneath Aimumu Fortress.

Cris Aylingelan.

Fang Hong couldn’t help but recall what Mr. Diket told him in the bar earlier:

”The Ailin Green Family has been silent in Colin Ishurian for decades, it’s normal if you haven’t heard of them, Ade,” the other put down the cup and said, ”but it was actually quite well-known once, just the noble circles were deeply avoiding it.”

”What’s really going on?” he asked.

Although he was momentarily speechless due to shock earlier, fortunately, as Mr. Diket mentioned, the people around evidently had no reaction to the name ’Ailin Green,’ only his prior overreaction prompted a waiter to remind them not to disturb the other guests.

Fang Hong sat there apologetically, prompting the middle-aged knight to smile: ”Don’t rush, Ade, I’ll tell you slowly.”

Fang Hong then calmed down and simply nodded quietly—but in fact, even Mr. Diket did not know, he was not startled, it’s just too coincidental. Then Mr. Diket continued: ”Everything starts from the Dragon Witch disaster.”

”Before the Dragon Witch era, the Ailin Green Family actually held considerable renown in Colin Ishurian, to make an inappropriate analogy,” Mr. Diket said, ”have you heard of the surname Groelfin?”

Fang Hong was slightly surprised: ”Isn’t that Mr. Diket’s surname...?” He didn’t actually know how Mr. Diket’s real name was, but he knew the hero of the Battle of Bain, Roban’s real name was Roban Grolfin. Groelfin in Colin Ishurian means eagle, and the family crest of this family actually features a double-tailed falcon—

And the double-tailed falcon holds a special symbol in Colin Ishurian, only the family holding the Court Mage Institute for the Royal Household would have such an emblem engraved upon their crest. The Groelfin Family has indeed held this emblem for half a century, and Sir Roban wasn’t the first Chief Court Mage from this family.