Pillar of Yita

He paused for a moment, looked at the person’s expression, and continued: ”Although the Chairman is not here, perhaps I can help with whatever matter you have?”

The leading magician turned back to look at the others. They were astrologers, but not prophets, nor seers, and couldn’t foresee such coincidental misses. He turned his head back again, fixed his gaze on Fang Hong’s face, and with lips tightly pursed, uttered a brief sentence:

”We need to use the Ether Tower.”

Fang Hong’s heart stirred.

It seems these people are searching for something.

The Artisan Association’s Ether Tower is essentially a large magic detection device, and there’s one on the Floating Ship as well. The Invokers straightforwardly refer to it as ”Radar” or Ether ”Sonar Array”—because their principles operate similarly, both use echo to locate.

It’s just that the nature of the ”waves” is slightly different.

However, searching for different targets requires different scanning strategies, so figuring out what the other side is searching for also requires understanding their specific search strategy.

Fang Hong, understanding he couldn’t ask this question, remained reserved. Besides, even if he asked, the other party wouldn’t answer. Fortunately, he had other ways to gather intelligence, but before that, he needed to clarify another matter.

”Ether Tower?” Fang Hong asked, ”Do you have authorization?”

The man nodded and handed over a letter — Fang Hong noticed it had been opened, seemingly used once before, recalling that these people were here at the Artisan Association three days ago and likely presented authorization then.

He opened the envelope, scanned it briefly, and saw it was indeed authorization from the Star and Moon Tower, stamped with the Star and Moon six-pointed star emblem, representing the Colin Ishurian Continent’s Sorcerers’ Alliance. It looked like these arcanists were commissioned by the Stars and Moon Council to handle some affair.

Though curious, he didn’t ask further and handed the letter back intact.

”I understand. If the Chairman were here, he would probably agree too.” Although he wasn’t actually part of the Tansnier Artisan Association as an alchemist, he nodded as if in agreement, saying, ”However, the Ether Tower is not under my jurisdiction. Would you like me to inquire for you?”

The magician showed little expression, merely giving a slight nod.

Fang Hong felt their cold demeanor, thinking it’s no wonder Camilla described them that way; they indeed carried an air of natural arrogance. He, however, didn’t mind and, having agreed to vent Camilla’s frustration, decided to leave them waiting.

After bidding farewell to the magicians, he went straight to the second floor, where several alchemists knew him and greeted him warmly:

”Chairman Aierna isn’t here, Ade.”

”Your timing is unfortunate.”

But Fang Hong merely nodded at everyone, answering, ”I heard about it from Camilla, but some ’Eye of Revelation’ arcanists are here outside.”

”Ah, them,” said a craftsman on duty, with a look of realization, ”they came once a few days ago.”

Fang Hong continued: ”These people seem to want to use the Ether Tower. Do you know who is responsible for its daily affairs apart from Chairman Aierna?”

A craftsman sitting on the sofa, who had a Beast Chessboard in front of him, arranging pieces for his entertainment, looked up at this question and replied: ”Usually, Old Faisal oversees that area.”

”Where can I find him?”

”Ade, you’re quite enthusiastic.”

Fang Hong smiled, ”Just lending a hand.”

An alchemist pointed upstairs, ”Old Faisal is on the fourth floor in his own office. You can get there via the stairs over there.”

Fang Hong quickly thanked them.

He crossed the hall, ascended the spiral staircase leading to the upper levels of the Artisan Association, the upper level being an overhead corridor with a circle of different nameplates on the doors, some open, some tightly shut. Fang Hong continued upward to the fourth floor, where space became more cramped, only four closed doors visible.

Fang Hong glanced around, found the door labeled ’Orphen Ether Tower Administration Room,’ and went over to knock on it.

In a moment, an elderly voice came from within:

”Come in.”

Fang Hong pushed the door open to find, sitting behind a desk, an old man with meticulously combed silver hair, wearing a neatly pressed alchemist’s coat adorned with several honors. With a serious expression, he looked at him, giving the impression of a retired old general.

Before Fang Hong could speak, the old man asked: ”Who are you?”

Fang Hong replied directly: ”Mr. Faisal, my name is Ade.”

The serious expression on the elder’s face vanished instantly, and he looked Fang Hong up and down curiously: ”So you’re the one who made the Chairman cry?”

Fang Hong found the remark amusing yet exasperating, thinking he has indeed become quite infamous within the Tansnier Artisan Association, as it seemed everyone knew of him. But with resignation, he nodded, affirming that it was indeed him.

The old man asked with an inexplicable tone: ”You don’t look like much, though?”

”It’s just a misunderstanding,” Fang Hong replied, sweating, and hastily changed the subject: ”Actually, Mr. Faisal, I have something to ask you.”

”Go ahead,” the old man responded, ”What’s the matter?”

Due to Aierna’s instructions, everyone in the association knew they were working on a task for Her Highness the Princess, including this elder.