Pillar of Yita

This night’s celebration was destined to be remembered by the Istania people. Not only for the shocking event of ’Starfall’ that took place during the celebration but also because they were about to welcome a new king.

Everything was just as it had been nineteen years ago.

Fang Hong could imagine how the events of this night would spread. Soon, from Bain to Tansnier, from Idus to Nogness, everyone in this Sand Sea, whether Invokers or natives, would discuss ’Starfall’, the new king, and everything that happened during the celebration.

Of course, not yet.

As he stepped out of the Royal Palace in the early morning light, the eastern horizon glowed red, unveiling the deep blue sky, and the stars vanished; it was already dawn. The lingering darkness tried to hold on to the last steps of the night’s revelries, but the jingling camel bells outside the palace had already heralded a new chapter for this ancient city.

Fang Hong took a deep breath, the air was somewhat hot, like the breath of the desert.

Outside the palace gates was a small garden, with a white pavilion where an unexpected person was waiting for him.

Affia stood in the pavilion with her hands behind her back, looking at him from afar, her expression somewhat complex.

She had obviously been hiding among the crowd and witnessed everything that had happened at last night’s celebration with her own eyes.

”Sister asked me to remind you not to forget your covenant with her.”

Fang Hong looked at her, not too surprised in his heart.

With what had happened at the celebration, the Grand Princess was surely concerned and would send someone to ask him.

”I will remember,” Fang Hong nodded slightly. Although he was somewhat surprised by the King of Sand’s behavior during the celebration, a covenant is a covenant, and he would fulfill it seriously.

But despite his answer, Affia showed no intention of leaving, as if she still had something to say.

Fang Hong looked at her, and the Little Princess eventually spoke softly: ”...I don’t quite understand why your father would let you appear in such a situation, even though you and Aleph are friends, and you helped him repair that Magic Guided Reactor... I actually know that Sister is investigating matters from before our mother passed, although she hasn’t told me much...”

She seemed to be talking to herself.

”Sister has been grounded by father, and the eyes of everyone in the palace have changed when they look at me. Everything seems peaceful on the surface, but I think something is happening behind the scenes.” She lightly bit her lower lip. ”And I guess if I were to ask you, you wouldn’t tell me anything, would you?”

Fang Hong listened silently, then turned to glance back at the white Kashan Palace.

The beautiful dome was hidden behind a grove of palm tree crowns, its edges outlined with a layer of golden dawn.

That was where the palace of the King of Sand lay, the ruler of the Sand Sea, but just like the building itself, royal power remained a mortal thing, destined one day to crumble into sand. The palace and the intrigue imagined by people often bore some degree of wishful thinking, but in the end, it was just about humans, and the master within was no exception to facing the same troubles as ordinary people.

After a moment’s thought, he spoke:

”Your sister wants to find out who was behind the attack years ago.”

”She may not have told you, perhaps just to protect you...”

”Your experiences in Idus are indeed the beginning of all this, as perhaps everything from ten years ago relates to the Blind Followers.”

”The Seven Seas Travel Group, due to some things that happened before, has always been at odds with these people, which is why we agreed to help her.”

”That’s all.”

”As for the royal matters...”

Fang Hong gently shook his head: ”I have no say, but there will always be a solution to everything, and Princess Affia, you don’t really need to worry too much.”

The Little Princess did not interrupt Fang Hong’s words.

Only at the end did she softly say:

”Thank you.”

So Fang Hong gave a slight nod to the Little Princess, then walked forward, passing by her.

Affia turned around, watching his gradually receding figure.

At that moment, she couldn’t help but think of Luo Yu.

Affia sighed softly.

The golden shadow of Kashan Palace, which was once her pride, now felt like a cage. She suddenly envied Pasha, the young man she had never paid attention to, the son of a slave, but ultimately, he could shed his shackles and pursue true freedom.

And as for herself, could she really set aside this illusory splendor and pursue everything she truly wanted?

In the Royal Palace, another gaze was watching as Fang Hong walked away.

Only after seeing him part with the Little Princess did the owner of the gaze turn, stepping into a carriage and saying blandly, ”To White Maiden Street.”

The carriage wheels rolled, rumbling past a hedge of low roses, through a path, and exited from one side of Kashan Palace’s gates.

...

After leaving Affia, Fang Hong already knew someone would come looking for him.

Thus, when he saw this ghostly carriage stop before him in the square, and as the carriage door was opened and he saw its occupant, there was not the slightest bit of surprise in his heart.

Inside sat Count Nulman.

The Governor of Bain silently looked at him, then spoke:

”We meet again, young man.”

He extended his hand:

”Come up and let’s talk.”

Fang Hong paused for just a moment, then nodded and got into the carriage without hesitation.

A servant closed the carriage door from outside, and soon after, Fang Hong felt the carriage in motion again, swaying slightly within the carriage.