Pillar of Yita

”If you continue forward, you’ll truly encounter that person,” Eve answered softly, ”Even though Eve really hopes you can make it to the end, holding the Ring of Golden Flame, you are truly the person from the prophecy.”

”But at the last moment, she went back on her word,” the girl smiled slightly, ”She left you a message, Mr. Ade.”

”Compared to the truth, she hopes you can survive.”

”Because the truth will eventually be revealed to the world one day, but Mr. Ade, there is only one.”

”She said, you are very much like Yoshude.”

Fang Hong heard this and suddenly stepped back.

He looked up, gazing at the girl, Eve, standing in front of him, and his face changed dramatically: ”You are not Eve. Wait, you are—?”

”After parting with Fanric, so much time has passed. Honestly, I think Eve got one thing right,” the girl smiled slightly, ”When you were controlling Yoshude’s Dragon Knight, you indeed resembled him greatly.”

”He was a ruthless man. When he pierced my eye with his spear, he showed no mercy,” Nikopolas sighed, ”I waited for him for two whole years in the dark prison, but all that came was a cold spear.”

”But you’re better than him because at least you are gentle with those around you. However, there is never a happy ending in this world.”

It was only then that Fang Hong gasped: ”...Nikopolas?”

He instinctively prepared to let two Energy Angels shield him, even though knowing full well that if the opponent were truly in this place, two Energy Angels would have no significance. But before he could move, someone had already stepped in front of him.

It was Atira.

Nikopolas looked at the two of them, and a trace of envy showed in those golden pupils.

Such sincere feelings were precisely what she had once wished for but could never attain. The naive words from the girl one day became reality. She truly possessed power, and people no longer feared her—

Because those who had feared her were burned to ashes by her.

”Don’t worry,” Nikopolas answered softly, ”I was wounded heavily in Fanric, and my true body is not in this place. If it weren’t for Eve’s request, I would never come here.”

”Originally, I certainly wouldn’t make any deals with humans,” her gaze fell on the Ring of Golden Flame in Fang Hong’s hand, ”But you’re different. From Dolifen to this place, your progress speed proves you’re not mortal. Moreover, this ring is your bargaining chip.”

Fang Hong heard the word ’bargaining’ and frowned slightly: ”Nikopolas, what exactly are you pretending?”

”I just saved your life,” Nikopolas replied, ”Don’t you plan to have a calm conversation with me?”

”Saved my life?” Fang Hong looked at the other suspiciously—even though he had dealt with this Dragon Witch several times before, their relationship was never one of common interests. Not to mention conversation, almost every meeting was a struggle to settle life and death.

But he silently thought for a while, understanding the other’s predicament. This Dark Giant Dragon was now in the Southern Region, and of course, it wasn’t like in Elpaxin where she had retrieved the power of a Dragon Horn from Traveler’s Rest, and her true body had absorbed some of the Dragon’s Golden Eyes’ power thirty years ago.

Obviously, she was much stronger than here—the clone formed by the Dragon Claw power was far less powerful. Moreover, she had genuinely suffered a blow from Yoshude’s Dragon Knight in the battle at Fanric, and the current situation might be better described as dire.

Even a dragon must bow its head under the roof. The opponent coming to humble discussions of ’trades’ was clearly for this reason.

But Fang Hong had never intended to make any deals with the Dark Giant Dragon. He only looked at the other coldly: ”Where exactly have you hidden Eve?”

Nikopolas looked at him carefully and replied, ”Do you really think I’m lying?”

”What do you mean?”

”You’ve seen my previous misfortunes and understand mortals especially excel at deceit,” Nikopolas replied, ”But in reality, the Dark Giant Dragon is different, as we trust our own strength more than relying on others’ power.”

”Of course, this doesn’t mean I am ’righteous’, although frankly, the word ’righteous’ is quite laughable,” she looked at Fang Hong, ”But at least, I will absolutely not deceive you. Every word I told you before was Eve’s will.”

”Otherwise, do you truly think I enjoy being like this? The dragon is my true form; I care not at all for your opinions.”

As she spoke, she gradually transformed into the dragon’s shape. The massive form, outstretched wings almost blocked out the sun. Nikopolas extended a claw, pointing at Fang Hong and Atira.

”Eve asked me to keep you here, because only this way could save your life. She would rather sacrifice herself than protect you—Mr. Ade.”

Nikopolas sneered briefly: ”Honestly, you’re at least more adorable than Alte, Garcia, and the Great Elder. If not, no matter how downcast, I wouldn’t have sought you.”

For some reason, Fang Hong suddenly thought of the prophecy about Tada Ritualist. The omen regarding death flashed in his mind, but he quickly discarded that thought, raised his head, and said, ”I’m not here to preserve my life, Nikopolas.”

”Of course, I wouldn’t hope for you to save Miss Eve. After all, I understand Eve has nothing to do with you; all the sins are caused by you, Nikopolas. Among these events, there is only one innocent person.”

”You should know who that is—”

”So don’t talk about saving my life or such nonsense. I have never accepted your ’kindness’,” Fang Hong articulated: ”Now, get out of my way. Or perhaps we should fight first; in your current precarious state, if I summon Mr. Yoshude’s Dragon Knight again, even at the risk of mutual destruction, you shouldn’t fare much better either?”

”I’m guessing you didn’t come here to add injury to injury? So you must either prepare to decide life and death with me now or close this Phantom Realm immediately. As for where I should go or do, you need not pretend to care.”

As he spoke, he threw a piece of Clockwork Fairy hovering between the two of them. Then raised his head and firmly looked at Nikopolas: ”You decide, Dragon Witch.”

Nikopolas for the first time felt hesitant.

She retreated a bit apprehensively—unaware whether Fang Hong spoke the truth. Yet if the opponent could indeed summon Yoshude’s Dragon Knight again, as was said, that would undoubtedly be unbearable for her now.

Though it might not kill her, the new clone she obtained in the Southern Region would essentially be scrapped.

Perish together with a young lad?

That’s something she wouldn’t do.

Nikopolas squinted her golden eyes, quietly observing this young man, until after quite some time, she chuckled coldly: ”Alright, since you’re so unappreciative. I’ll let you pass then, do you really think of yourself as the Savior, little one?”

As she spoke, she slowly stepped aside.

Fang Hong looked in that direction, only to see the wind and sand suddenly begin to flow again, but were calming down bit by bit, gradually revealing the familiar, dark underground passage behind them. The Phantom Realm seemed to be unraveling, bringing him and Atira back into the darkness underground.

Fang Hong looked at Nikopolas silently for a moment, then took the Elf Miss’s hand and walked forward.

Only after taking a few steps did he suddenly hear the Dragon Witch speak again behind him:

”Wait.”

Fang Hong paused and couldn’t help but look back at the other.

Nikopolas glanced at him indifferently and said: ”Be careful of that person.”

...