Pillar of Yita

”But one day, we will be far apart,” the Noble Lady playfully blinked her eyes and said lightly, ”It’s not about Lord Captain’s choice, of course, as long as Miss Miya is willing.”

Fang Hong shook his head vigorously.

He also clasped the other person’s hand, as if from the connected palms, he could feel the mutual connection in their hearts, and said, ”I’ve actually always been thinking about this.”

”If Dragon Worshippers can come to our world,” Fang Hong said very earnestly, so much so that he seemed a bit clumsy, stammering, ”Hilveld, I will definitely find a way for you to come too.”

”Really?”

”Really.”

The girl’s lips curled slightly, seeming to believe yet also not care.

”...Then, can you pull me up, Lord Captain?”

Fang Hong was startled for a moment, then quickly stood up and pulled his Miss Ship’s Officer’s hand, helping her sit up from the bed.

Hilveld looked at herself, then blushed and turned around, buttoning up one by one.

But after a while, she flicked her golden long hair, and looked back at Fang Hong with some affectionate eyes. Then she silently extended a hand, palm facing up, fingers clenched into a fist - Fang Hong lifted his head, looking at the scene a bit puzzled.

Hilveld gently opened her hand, a silver button lay quietly in her opened palm.

Seeing this scene, Fang Hong’s face flushed again, involuntarily recalling the previous absurd moment.

But compared to a momentary impulse -

He still hoped to give this Noble Lady - his beloved, a true promise.

Though the boy’s heart had a slight sense of loss, he did not regret, after all, the days of the two were still long - he clenched his fist, determined that he must bring Hilveld back to Earth, no matter how difficult, for he had never been afraid.

Their gazes conveyed mutual feelings, but finally drew the discontent of someone next to them.

”Mama, Papa!” Nini covered her red forehead, looking at them aggrievedly.

Only then did Fang Hong and Hilveld turn back to look at this little one, unable to help but pause. Then they exchanged a look, and couldn’t help but smile.

Fang Hong reached out, gently rubbing the little girl’s forehead, fortunately Nini didn’t bear any grudge, only looked at him a little scared - as if afraid ’Papa’ wouldn’t want her anymore. Hilveld also reached out, tidying the little girl’s flaming hair.

Now Nini was happy, squinting with a little face full of happiness.

On the desk, Tata lifted her head from her thick book, looked at them, and just lightly shook her head.

Hilveld then picked Nini up, placing her on her folded knees - her bright gaze looked at Fang Hong, raising her hand to take the blanket from him, gently pulling - like a piece of moss green sea, covering the three.

She, Nini, and Fang Hong -

The three of them were covered with a blanket together, leaning against the softly swaying compartment wall, sitting on the bed, quietly watching the distant hills rolling like a Silver Sea - Istania’s great desert, under this moonlight, revealing its truly extraordinary beauty.

But the night temperature had dropped to below ten degrees.

The three snuggled closely together, as if only this way could they feel each other’s warmth.

Nini kept pulling at the thread on the blanket, Hilveld, smiling and squinting, used one finger to push away her hand, not letting the little one misbehave. But before long, Nini puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, raising her hand to hug the Noble Lady’s fingertip, babblingly using her sharp little teeth to bite.

Yet saying bite, it was more like licking, causing Hilveld to bend her finger, giggling.

Fang Hong quietly watched this scene beside them.

For the first time, his heart felt a gentle warmth.

And Hilveld withdrew her hand, gazing with Silverglow in her eyes, watching the rolling Sand Sea gently said, ”Does Lord Captain know?”

”Know what?”

”When I was little, I was afraid of the dark alone and often pulled Xiesta like this, sitting on the bed, watching the moonlight outside the window. Once, I even begged Xiesta to tell me a story -”

”Ah, Miss Xiesta can also tell stories?” Fang Hong’s eyes widened, surprised by her appearance.

”Ade looks down on people, but Xiesta can do anything.”

”Really? Then Hilveld, tell me.” Fang Hong couldn’t help but be curious.

”Xiesta said, why are there only Dark Giant Dragons and Light Giant Dragons in the world?”

”So, maybe there’s a Dragon that lies between darkness and light, let’s call it the Dusk Dragon.”

”Miss Xiesta’s idea is really peculiar -”

”Ade, don’t interrupt.”

”Alright, I won’t interrupt.”

”Once upon a time, there was a Brave who killed the Dusk Dragon.”

Fang Hong listened for a while, but suddenly there was no continuation.

Only then did he turn back, looking at the other questioningly, ”What happened next?”

”That’s it,” Hilveld pursed her lips and smiled mischievously, ”The Brave killed the Dragon, isn’t this story finished?”

”...”

Fang Hong was a bit dumbfounded, ”Wait, isn’t this a cliffhanger?”

Hilveld covered her mouth with one hand, couldn’t help but laugh till tears came out - Fang Hong looked at her appearance, couldn’t help but be startled for a moment, he had never seen the Noble Lady like this.

But after a while, Hilveld slightly panted, her eyes alluringly shimmering with silky light as she answered: