Pillar of Yita

”If we pass through the canyon, we’ll reach Idus.”

The raindrops pattered against the canvas, threads of rain passing through the torchlight, causing the light to flicker over a map laid out flat. A line drawn with charcoal, thick and black, wound tortuously through the region of Panier and came to a heavy stop at one point. The charcoal’s powder burst out, glistening under the torchlight.

That point was marked with a small line of text reading ’Idus’ — written in Colin Ishurian’s wavy artistic script.

Seeing this line of text, Fang Hong’s gaze seemed to penetrate the parchment, envisioning the ancient city ruins standing by the gray-red cliffs.

Reed put down the charcoal, patted the dust off his paws, and said, ”The Dragonfire Guild is making such a big fuss here, they might have a stronghold near Idus. Considering the news from Elfendo, the Blood Shark Pirates are also gathering in the vicinity; there might be some connection between them.”

”Didn’t Elfendo send people to Idus?”

”It was only a preliminary reconnaissance team. We left Fanric early, so we’re not sure if they brought back any useful information.”

”Didn’t Linen mention this?”

”No, Elfendo Council still doesn’t trust him. Currently, the most reliable way we have to communicate with the Council is using rather primitive carrier pigeons. Although outdated, at least they’re crafted by my teacher.”

After Elisa and the Big Cat People had a question and answer session, it was still Fang Hong who came back to answer the question.

”I wish I and Xiaoxiao had listened to my brother’s advice, stayed in Fanric, and given everyone an additional means of communication.” Tang Xin regretted a bit. Fang Hong glanced at her in surprise; today’s cousin was unusually gentle.

Ai Xiaoxiao gently kicked Tang Xin’s toe, indicating that she would never, it’s so interesting to stay in this team.

The latter glared at her in response.

”Fatty Luo,” Elisa asked Luo Hao with a smile, ”Doesn’t your military have communication channels?”

”Us?” Luo Hao shook his head, ”The military isn’t familiar with the Elfendo Council either; besides, after we left Fanric, the military probably withdrew its personnel. Since the Super Competitive League came to a halt, the military can’t intervene in southern affairs alone.”

”Alright, let’s not talk about this. Our current communication with Elfendo is still relatively smooth. The key is Elfendo itself hasn’t dispatched many people. The first batch didn’t find Nikopolas and left not long after.”

”The current team was sent after Elfendo learned we were heading to Idus, and they might not even have reached Idus before us. They could still be on the way,” Fang Hong replied.

”But we mustn’t be caught off guard,” the Big Cat People mentioned.

”Indeed.” Fang Hong nodded, agreeing with that point.

Gita was also a bit worried, and Xiaoxiao mentioned, ”We made the Dragonfire Guild suffer a major setback here. They certainly won’t let it go easily. If they’re indeed active around Idus and are more familiar with the area than we are...”

She suddenly stopped and looked anxiously at Fang Hong, softly saying, ”Sorry, Captain, I didn’t mean to say you shouldn’t have done that.”

Fang Hong understood her meaning and just smiled faintly, ”It’s okay.”

Their actions would inevitably make them enemies with the Dragonfire Guild, but given the current situation of the Dragonfire Guild, would they not have attacked them even if they hadn’t become enemies? The answer was likely negative. Let alone the Dragonfire Guild’s notorious history in Elpaxin, Fang Hong hadn’t forgotten how Big Sister and her group became enemies with Atira and Tianlan. It wasn’t as if Tianlan and others actively sought trouble at first.

Moreover, now that the Dragonfire Guild is being jointly hunted by Stargate Port and Colin Ishurian, they can be considered one of the most vicious groups in the Kingdom. For their safety, they would likely act more aggressively than before.

Considering all this, whether they become enemies or not makes little difference. Acting could instead yield greater benefits, a judgment Fang Hong wouldn’t hesitate to make. Besides, he had considered these aspects; the conclusion was that appearing more opportunistic would dispel other suspicions from opponents, temporarily making the ”Dragonfire Guild” their only adversary, rather than the ”Dragon Worship Sect.”

The difference between these is quite significant.

Seeing the Captain smile at her, Gita was slightly relieved.

She closed her mouth, thinking she shouldn’t be so reckless in the future. Miss Natural Historian’s small hand clenched the large bottom edge of her Magic Guided Book, her fingertips turning slightly white. Comparing herself to the gentle and wise Miss Ship’s Officer, she found that she was still far behind.

Meanwhile, Elisa was fiddling with an acorn picked up from the table — a ’thank you gift’ from the ship’s mysterious resident, probably to thank Fang Hong for building a little house for it. The acorn was brought back by Miss Daisy and soon became Nini’s toy.

Nini propped herself on the acorn with both hands, making a humming sound, playing a game of pushing acorns with Elisa.

Elisa could defeat her with just one finger. Yet, Miss Nightingale, with one hand supporting her snowy cheek, watched the scene with great interest, not really exerting any effort, merely teasing the latter.

Ai Xiaoxiao, holding Daisy, also watched the scene with considerable envy — unfortunately, Nini didn’t like to get close to her because she always treated her like a doll. For the same reason, Nini also kept her distance from Tianlan.