Pillar of Yita

Although there was no feeling of hunger, it gave a sense of tranquility.

The whole body felt warm and very comfortable.

Fang Hong held up his wine glass and couldn’t help but ask, ”This is...”

But he suddenly stopped, as his gaze fell on his Dragon Knight System, where a small line of prompt text had appeared.

Tianlan, Luo Yu, Gita, Ai Xiaoxiao, Tang Xin, Elisa, and Luo Hao, even Xiangzi couldn’t help but utter a surprised ’eh’. Every Invoker present received the same prompt:

Life Force has slightly increased.

Fang Hong immediately checked his own Starlight, and indeed it had increased a bit, though not enough for a full revival. But he wouldn’t forget, the last time he used the Elf Ring, his Life Force was halved, enough only for one-and-a-half revivals, falling short of half Starlight.

But at this moment, that half Starlight had advanced considerably, almost close to two revivals, though still slightly lacking.

He couldn’t help but look up in astonishment at the Grand Princess.

This wasn’t just a delicious feast.

This was a grand gift.

In Eteliria, anything related to increasing Starlight was the core resource all major Guilds fought over. Because it not only enhanced an Invoker’s Life but, more importantly, the purest Starlight often brought very rich High Dimensional Information upon returning to Earth.

The prizes in those top-tier events in the Second World were almost all related to Starlight.

They had only rescued Affia once, yet the other party had already expressed gratitude once before, why offer such a great gift this time? Moreover, Fang Hong was sure that at the interrupted banquet last time, the Grand Princess certainly hadn’t planned to bring out something so precious.

So what caused this change? Was it their battle with the Wandering Alchemist at the Sand Lodge? But what did that have to do with the Royal House of Penelope?

He couldn’t help but recall the other party’s previous words, ”Thank you all, for helping me and my father with a big favor.”

What was this big favor?

Princess Rupert saw the astonished look in everyone’s eyes and smiled as she explained, ”You all should have noticed the effect of this ’Gold Wine’. It is actually ’Star Dew’, a Holy Relic born in a phantom oasis deep within the Istania Desert, with a production of only one cup in the past ten years, which is a fifth of the Penelope Royal Family’s reserve.”

Star Dew is said to be the tears of the Goddess of Life, Milaila. Of course, it doesn’t have such a miraculous and extraordinary origin, but it indeed contains rich Life Force and can increase Starlight.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Hong couldn’t help but open his mouth, this was an immense favor that was hard to repay.

But Princess Rupert seemed to sense his thoughts again.

She answered considerately in a soft voice, ”There’s no need for concern, this cup of ’Gold Wine’ is just a simple gesture of thanks.

Different things hold different values for different people. You might feel you haven’t done much, but you’ve actually provided me and my father with ample return, compared to which, this cup of ’Gold Wine’ is insignificant.”

Fang Hong put down the wine glass.

”Your Highness the Princess,” he asked, ”could you tell us more about the context?”

Princess Rupert nodded.

”Mr. Ade, you should have guessed it, this is related to the Wandering Alchemist you encountered at the Sand Lodge a few days ago.

Nineteen years ago, my mother gave birth to me, and three years later, Affia was born. But when Affia was not yet a year old, our mother was attacked by a group of thugs during an outing and died as a result.”

”I’m sorry, Your Highness, I’m saddened to hear of such events.” Fang Hong asked, ”But may I ask, is your mother’s death related to the Wandering Alchemist?”

”It may not be directly him, but there is certainly a connection behind it.”

Princess Rupert answered with certainty, ”In fact, at that time in Istania, there was a similar event to today’s. Some Wandering Alchemists attacked the Bargo Artisan Association and took several Pseudo Dragon Knight Constructs.”

Shortly after that, my mother’s incident occurred. Prior to that, someone witnessed Wandering Alchemists passing through that region.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Hong frowned slightly. Princess Rupert shouldn’t be telling easily debunked lies without reason, and the death of the wife of the King of Sand must have been a huge event at the time.

Related investigations at the time would have undoubtedly cleared matters.

But if her Highness isn’t lying, then why hadn’t the military mentioned anything related to this at all?

As he pondered, Gita suddenly asked in a low voice, ”Your Highness the Princess, the historical record seems to show only this one death record for your mother, correct?”

Princess Rupert nodded lightly, ”Yes, because my mother was tragically killed after her Starlight was taken away. To this day, my father and I have not yet uncovered the truth of this matter.”

”Taken away Starlight!?”

Fang Hong immediately lifted his head.

He was startled to hear this, almost jumping up from his seat.

Gita beside him couldn’t help but let out a soft ’ah’.

Because this term was all too familiar to them, a thought flashed involuntarily in Fang Hong’s mind: the mastermind behind the attack on the princess consort nineteen years ago, could it also be a Wanderer?

But Istania has never been related to the Dragon’s Witch, what then is their motive?

”Mr. Ade,” Princess Rupert finally spoke, ”I heard you’ve been recruiting workers recently, planning to build a Floating Ship, correct?”

Fang Hong looked again at the Grand Princess. It wasn’t surprising that she could deduce they were preparing to build their own Floating Ship from this point.

But mentioning this at this time should indicate her intentions.

Indeed, the girl continued, ”I heard from Abed that you’ve incurred some troubles with the Colin Royal Family; I’ve heard of things about that Prime Minister and assume it’s not a minor issue?

You’re likely planning to leave Tansnier soon, aren’t you? But could I proactively entrust you with something, if you’re willing? Perhaps you might not need to leave this place.

At the same time, I can help find the best workers and craftsmen for you, and sign a document to clear out a royal dockyard in Tansnier for your use.

Half a year or a year, it’s up to you to choose—”

Hearing this, Fang Hong was tempted: ”Lend us the royal dockyard for use?”

The effort and time required to take people to the Mist Fjord and construct a new dockyard would far exceed using an existing one. More importantly, dockyards also have significant functionalities—the Penelope Royal dockyard, compared to a makeshift one, is obviously far superior.

But Fang Hong also knew, there were no free meals in this world, this smart and capable Grand Princess certainly wouldn’t bestow these benefits for nothing.

He calmed himself a bit before asking sternly, ”Your Highness, are you asking us to help you track down that Wandering Alchemist?”

To his surprise, Princess Rupert shook her head.

”I know, Mr. Ade has only met the Wandering Alchemist once, and since he’s quite dangerous, Mr. Ade, though exceptionally talented, isn’t a match for such people at this time.

I won’t trouble Mr. Ade to seek out these individuals. I just have another favor that requires intervention from outsiders with no vested interest in Istania, and from Achilles’ and my sister Affia’s assessments, Mr. Ade should be the most suitable person for this.

Moreover, it should align well with Mr. Ade’s own interests.”

Fang Hong listened with curiosity, surprised at the Princess deftly steering away from the Wandering Alchemist topic. He paused before asking, ”Then, may I ask, what is the matter?”

”It’s about the slaves.”

...