Pillar of Yita

After the first match ended, there was a short break.

The group of craftsmen from the Elpaxin finally squeezed out of the crowd at this time. The dwarf leading them was extremely excited upon seeing Fang Hong, and he rushed forward, grabbing Fang Hong’s hand and exclaimed loudly, ”Mr. Ade, do you remember me? I’m Har, Har-Spark, we met once in Elpaxin.”

This startled Fang Hong, who looked at the other party in some fear, but the dwarf’s strength was immense, and Fang Hong couldn’t break free despite struggling. After the initial shock, Fang Hong vaguely recalled indeed meeting the other party once in Elpaxin.

The other party was one of those dwarves at that time.

His first reaction, however, was to look around nervously. Although he was mentally prepared for being recognized, he couldn’t help but feel anxious: Did he really have enough leverage to gain the military’s attention? Would the military truly accept his terms? What if they still intended to capture him and bring him back to Earth?

Though Miss Sicape, his cousin, Sophie, and his rational mind had long since told him another answer, he couldn’t help but let his thoughts run wild.

But as he looked around, he didn’t see any military presence, and couldn’t help but think: Was he overthinking? Maybe the military wasn’t focused on him after all?

Fortunately, the dwarf didn’t notice this, continuing excitedly, ”Thanks to your help, Elpaxin is grateful, even if Aquitez doesn’t say it, he’s always felt apologetic towards you.”

Fang Hong touched his nose, awkwardly replying, ”It’s nothing.” He had already taken the Old Dwarf’s Combat Fairy design in advance, so he had no choice but to let bygones be bygones.

”You’re truly understanding,” praised Har, stepping aside to glance far away, then came back to say, ”The match is about to start, so I won’t disturb you anymore. Let’s talk more after the match.”

Fang Hong nodded like a pecking chick, just hoping the dwarf would let him go.

But the dwarf didn’t intend to release him, instead asking, ”The next match involves crafting Fairy Dollys. Those southerners are skilled in this, but Mr. Ade need not feel the pressure, as our Elpaxin Artisan Association still has some influence within the Kingdom.”

What influence???

Fang Hong was completely bewildered, having never intended to participate in any main event in Osh; he hurriedly brushed it off, saying, ”No need to worry about this.”

”Really no need to worry?” Har was greatly surprised, ”But the Kapuka School doesn’t seem to have any fields related to fairies.”

”That... I self-studied some things.”

Self-studied?

Now it was the dwarf’s turn to be baffled. Fairy crafting knowledge is passed down through generations, with the Rose Workshop’s skills being one of the secret techniques within the Colin Ishurian territory, exclusive to the Westwood Sibika family. The contestant named Rolin actually learned from the Ancient Tower’s legacy, so how could this be self-studied?

If this could all be self-studied, then what’s the point of artisan associations or workshops, big or small?

But before Har could make sense of this, the short break had already ended.

The staff rang the Copper Bell, notifying the contestants to enter. Fang Hong finally felt a weight lifted off his shoulders, making a hasty retreat.

During entry, Super Competitive Community, the live broadcast organizer, conducted a brief interview. Normally, a competitor as unassuming as Fang Hong wouldn’t get any screen time, but after the first round, he had already become the talk of the town.

So when a reporter held up a Projection Crystal to ask his thoughts on the second match, Fang Hong suddenly broke into a cold sweat, unable to articulate his words properly, ”This, um, slightly know some things...”

His image was projected above the square, leaving the crowd speechless.

This was the team leader of the previous perfect score Ragnarok?

It looked like a half-grown kid.

But people are strange creatures; such a stammering response seemed genuine and unpretentious, earning Fang Hong a lot of goodwill.

In short, the community instantly gained a slew of fans, posting that this contestant was adorable, like the boy next door. Among them were female fans looking to connect personally.

Witnessing this left Tang Xin, who was browsing posts with a grim expression, while Ai Xiaoxiao shivered beside her.

Of course, Fang Hong was oblivious to all this.

Just as he was unaware of Rolin’s response on the other side — actually, the reporters didn’t manage to interview the latter, only the Count Westwood Sibika. The Earl didn’t mind cheering for his student, only saying:

”Rolin’s understanding of the Dragon Strike Gun is superficial, limited to a single sight in Idus. The reason I favor him is due to his talent as a Fairy Craftsman, making the former insignificant in comparison.”

The Earl’s tone was calm, seemingly unconcerned about the previous match.

This statement caused a sensation in the live broadcast room — merely superficial knowledge of the Dragon Strike Gun seen once in Idus scored 94.5 points. Exactly how great is this so-called talent in fairy crafting?

Such words from an ordinary person would naturally be met with disbelief.

But the Rose Workshop is the most historical fairy workshop in Colin Ishurian, and as the contemporary head of the Westwood Sibika family, the Count Westwood Sibika is indisputably an authority among the Kingdom’s fairy craftsmen.

If even he says Rolin’s talent in fairy craft is outstanding, then how could it be ordinary?