Pillar of Yita

The uncertainty arises because it somewhat contradicts the layout of Idus’s Inner City. Of course, it’s also possible that the calamity brought by the Dragon Witch back then caused significant changes to Idus’s terrain.

Just like the square that was erased from the map.

But at this moment, Fang Hong had some new ideas.

He believed that if the records in the log were truly pointing to the Dragon’s Initial Scale that the Blood Shark Sky Pirates were searching for, then this map might very well be of Idus. Moreover, the markings on the map might indicate the true spot where Nikopolas transformed into a dragon.

As for why the map was so different from Idus’s surface terrain, there might be only one reason: it wasn’t originally drawn as a surface map of Idus.

By the firelight, he called Parker over, asking him to compare the rough sketch of the passageways they had drawn earlier with this map. The Papalarian spread their sketch, and a peculiar light flickered in everyone’s eyes.

Fang Hong rotated the map by approximately thirty degrees, and a small section on the east side almost overlapped with the sketch drawn by the Papalarians. Although there were some minor differences, it could be due to inaccuracies in the Papalarians’ surveying, or possibly due to the changes caused by the subsidence of the underground passages over a century.

The fact that it could overlap to this extent already indicated a lot.

”This map is...” Elisa looked at this scene with some surprise.

”Little one,” the Big Catfolk pointed a claw at the dark red mark in the center of the map, ”are you saying the Dragon Worshippers are looking for something in this place?”

Fang Hong nodded.

”But this place doesn’t seem to be above the three excavation sites of the Blood Shark Sky Pirates.”

”No,” Hilveld replied, ”this place is actually very close to the southern excavation site. I happen to know this place.”

”Oh?” the Big Catfolk asked, ”What is this place?”

”Before Idus’s destruction, this should have been the location of the Praetor’s Hall. That place, near the south city gate, was the first to fall during the Dragon Witch’s attack. There are historical records of this, so I know a bit about it.”

The Big Catfolk stroked his chin again, ”Hmm, that does seem possible.”

Parker, however, shook his head repeatedly, ”The Praetor’s Hall again. Everyone, didn’t you forget what happened last time? We ran into quite some trouble in Dolifen, and I swore last time I’d never go to such places again.”

Elisa smiled slightly, ”It’s not a big deal, Parker. You can just head back the way we came by yourself. Bakins must be bored waiting outside anyway. Just be careful on the way and don’t forget the skeleton we encountered earlier. It might be waiting for you.”

Thinking of the earlier incident, the Papalarian shivered involuntarily, glanced at the dark underground passage, and shrank his neck, not daring to speak further.

”So,” Atira quietly looked at the map and asked, ”Did Nikopolas transform into a dragon at the Praetor’s Hall?”

”To be precise,” Fang Hong appeared slightly puzzled, ”it was beneath the Praetor’s Hall. Don’t forget, this map is of Idus’s underground, not the surface.”

”Then what’s beneath the Praetor’s Hall?” Elisa asked.

”Generally, it’s a dungeon,” Hilveld answered.

The torchlight flickered slightly.

For a moment, everyone fell silent, exchanging glances with one another. Elisa couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, ”Could Nikopolas really transform into a dragon there?”

”It’s not impossible, considering that before transforming into a dragon, she was merely...” Fang Hong paused—a certain hesitation arose as to what kind of existence this cold Dragon Witch was before turning into the Dark Giant Dragon.

He asked himself this question—

But suddenly realized he didn’t really know.

The Nikopolas he knew, upon reflection, was merely the shadow of Lady Misu. As for what the true Dragon Witch was like, does anyone really know in today’s Colin Ishurian?

Mazak’s recount by the campfire about the past of the Kingdom of Colin Ishurian contained his personal feelings too. And as for the tale of the Hero Yoshude and the slaying of the Evil Dragon, who knows it all?

Those who knew the truth then might have long turned to dust by now.

Nikopolas, the woman who inherited the Dragon’s Golden Eyes, what kind of person should she have been in life? She was a descendant of the Oathkeeper and the heir of the Dragon Slayer lineage, maintaining hope for the dispelling of that ancient curse.

Logically, the descendants of the kingdom should show due respect to the heritors of the Dragon Slayer line, as people respect Yoshude.

But Fang Hong couldn’t be sure of this now, and the role of the Dragon Worship Sect was indeed suspicious.

He pondered for a moment, then looked up, suddenly noticing a dark shadow darting behind everyone—a fleeting silhouette of a little girl stumbling into the darkness. His thoughts raced, and he immediately shouted:

”Who’s there!”

Simultaneously, the Clockwork Fairy in his hand flew out, tracing a golden arc towards that direction.

The others then reacted, drawing their weapons cautiously toward that direction. But there was no sign of anyone in the darkness—only Elisa, with the best sight, merely saw an empty, profound silence.