Pillar of Yita

”...Ade, if Miss Xiesta hears you say that about her, she’ll definitely be so angry she’d kill you.”

”Miss Xiesta isn’t that scary, is she?”

But Fang Hong thought of the expressionless look on the other person’s face and couldn’t help but shiver.

Hilveld seemed to comfort him, softly patting his hand beneath the covers. Her gaze softened as she gently said, ”Ade, we’re finally going to have our own ship—from Elpaxin to now, thinking carefully, a year has nearly passed.”

”...Time sure flies, doesn’t it?”

Fang Hong paused and nodded, ”Yes, the Seven Seas Traveler, the ship your father designed.”

But the Noble Lady turned back and shook her head seriously, ”It’s your ship, Ade... it’s just carrying my father’s ship’s name.”

”...My father built this ship for my mother,... and you, you built this ship for me, didn’t you?”

Fang Hong nodded.

Hilveld fell silent, perhaps thinking of her mother; Fang Hong realized that she seldom mentioned her mother to him. Until now, he only knew she was the elder sister of Westwood Sibika Countess, Count Westwood Sibika’s sister.

Yet, the relationship between the two families didn’t seem harmonious.

At least, her relationship with Delice was still quite good.

After a while, the Noble Lady spoke softly, ”Lord Captain, it’s late.”

”...Are you going back?”

But Hilveld shook her head, looked back at him with a slightly pale face, her gaze unusually tender, ”Lord Captain, stay close to me, would you?”

Fang Hong hesitated for a moment but nodded and moved a bit closer. The girl’s gaze softened then, she slightly tilted her head, leaning on his shoulder.

A faint fragrance emanated from the girl’s hair, lingering at his nose.

Fang Hong’s heart calmed down somewhat.

He seemed to finally remember that Hilveld’s background wasn’t that simple—her father, Sir Mawei, wasn’t just a famous explorer. He was also Prince Coleman’s right-hand man, and at this moment, the Albert family was still on the Prime Minister’s wanted list.

Speaking of it, her identity was as unmentionable as his had been.

From Elpaxin to Idus, she silently bore these pressures yet never once complained or confided in anyone.

What kind of experience molded a girl with such resilience? Thinking of this, Fang Hong’s heart couldn’t help but soften—yet he looked down and was a bit surprised to find Nini laying on the Noble Lady’s chest, both were nestled together, already deeply lost in sleep.

Fang Hong silently watched this scene, gently raised his hand, carefully not to disturb them, and brushed aside the stray hair on her forehead.

Only in the darkness.

In places unseen.

The girl faintly curled her lips in contentment.

...

A light boat on the Silver Sea was passing through the endless sands.

Mr. Greyrock’s back platform gently swayed. The Big Cat People leaned against the railing, looking up at the fragmented starlit sky—though Eteliria had a more flawless and pure starry sky. But here, the starry sky seemed lower, closer to the land—

They looked like countless eyes, blinking, casting ancient gazes on this thousand-year Sand Sea.

And far away, to the east of the high silver sand dunes.

That’s the end of the long-standing legend, Dragon’s Land.

But today, it’s buried under the sands, leaving not a trace.

The Big Cat People touched the scar on his cheek with his paw, recalling the events of that day in the depths of his silver eyes.

But the gentle creaking of the door behind him interrupted his thoughts; he turned to see it was the Elf Miss—Reed put down his paw, silently gazing at her. After a pause, he asked, ”That person, is he really the one responsible for killing your brother?”

Atira nodded.

”So?”

”The promise I made to the Goddess has been fulfilled, I must...” The Elf Miss’s emerald eyes flickered slightly: ”Reed...”

”Do you want me to stay?”

Atira looked up at him but said nothing.

Reed thought for a moment, then asked, ”Have you told Ade yet?”

The Elf Miss shook her head.

”Ah,” the Big Cat People sighed, ”You should tell him.”

”...Wait a bit more,” The Elf Miss hesitated: ”I haven’t decided yet, Reed.”

”I understand.”

The Big Cat People patted her shoulder, ”This is your choice, Saintess.”

”And I will always be your Guardian Knight,” he said gently, ”Whatever decision you make, I will support it.”

...