Pillar of Yita

”Slave trade?” Fang Hong asked in surprise.

Princess Rupert replied calmly: ”To be precise, I want Mr. Ade to help me investigate a case related to slave smuggling.”

Fang Hong blurted out: ”Why us?”

In his imagination, they were just passing travelers, neither enemies nor particularly close to this princess. At most, they had lent a hand in rescuing her sister from danger, inadvertently helping her once.

Could it be that this princess doesn’t have trustworthy people around her, needing to entrust strangers like adventurers with such matters? This was beyond comprehension.

But Princess Rupert remained composed and answered:

”Because I trust all of you.”

”Trust us?”

Princess Rupert looked into his eyes, revealing an extraordinary calm:

”On the one hand, Mr. Ade’s reproach towards Affia showed me that you won’t collude with these people. More importantly, none of you have any ties with Istania.”

Fang Hong was puzzled, and after a moment, he responded: ”And what does this have to do with the slave smuggling case?”

The other party did not directly answer him.

At this moment, Princess Rupert turned around, took a sheathed saber from the maidservant, its worn sheath covered with scratches, and one end embedded with a crimson crystal. She gently stroked the saber, her gaze soft and filled with reminiscence, saying:

”Let me tell you about the history between the Royal House of Penelope and the slave traders.”

Fang Hong nodded blankly.

Only then did the Grand Princess begin to speak slowly:

”In my grandfather’s generation, the Colin Kingdom signed the ”Stargate Declaration” with you. As members of the Colin Ishurian Alliance, the Dwarves and the Avenquin Elves also signed the contract at the time. Shortly thereafter, Istania completely banned the slave trade. This is exactly the origin of what my grandfather, father, and I are doing—”

”Princess, do you mean the prohibition of the slave trade, cracking down on slave traders and smugglers?” Fang Hong asked.

Princess Rupert gave him an appreciative glance, nodding and asking: ”Are you curious why the Royal House of Penelope, for three generations, insists on opposing the Istania nobility, even at the cost of breaking with everyone, causing the Desert Kingdom to split into two, and still push this seemingly meaningless endeavor?”

Fang Hong thought for a moment and replied: ”I don’t think it’s a meaningless endeavor.”

Princess Rupert smiled lightly: ”Perhaps so for you, but for us, it feels meaningless. The grains of sand over the Silver Sand Sea, like grains in a giant hourglass, will never be exhausted. Therefore, the millennia of Istania progress slowly, and this ancient kingdom has long been accustomed to an unchanging life. That’s why the nobles question why my grandfather and father must disrupt this peaceful realm.”

Her eyes shone with bright and resolute light: ”Actually, not just the nobles, sometimes the common people don’t stand by us. Amusingly, some aren’t greatly affected by the turmoil they’ve endured, but are only resentful when those beneath them rise to stand equally.”

The hall was momentarily silent. Tianlan, Ai Xiaoxiao, mature beyond their years or unworldly, listened with eyes sparkling, a look of disbelief.

Fang Hong wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. He could understand these emotions but felt disappointed, realizing that some things in the world simply don’t go as one wishes. After pondering, he comforted the Grand Princess with a sentence:

”What you’re doing today will eventually be remembered by people.”

Princess Rupert chuckled gently, but it wasn’t a smile of acceptance, rather a smile of some amusement at Fang Hong’s embarrassment. Her bright eyes showed a hint of apologetic light, and she answered, smiling:

”Sorry, Mr. Ade, you might have misunderstood something. I’m not expecting such a thing. Those in ruling positions aren’t qualified to showcase their morality, as it’s done at others’ expense. The outside world calls my grandfather, father, and me rebels of Penelope’s three generations, but do you know why we chose this way?”

This response surprised Fang Hong. After a moment of daze, he shook his head.

”After the ”Stargate Declaration” was signed, the Colin Nobility admired your civilization and the novel visions you showed, but it was my family who were the true beneficiaries of those clauses.” Princess stroked the saber with one hand, speaking gradually.

Realizing Fang Hong wouldn’t understand, she added: ”The policy to ban slave trade indeed created a great stir within Istania, with several Princes and local nobles opposing almost unanimously, causing divisions within the Royal Household. The King of Sand was indecisive, wavering. Only my grandfather stood firmly on your side, knowing that when internal division in Istania arose, an opportunity would come.”

At the table, Hilveld showed an interested look.

”Indeed, the Colin Ishurian wouldn’t allow Istania to fall into chaos again. With the backing of the Colin Royal Family, my grandfather soon logically became the successor to the former King of Sand. So to this day, many don’t understand why my grandfather, father, and I persist, but truthfully, it’s just because we were born into this stance.”

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