Pillar of Yita

In this regard, the Super Competitive League has already gone a bit too far.

The actions of the Holy Chosen have clearly stirred up a commotion among the ministers.

Yet the guards stationed around the hall seemed to see nothing, remaining as still as statues.

This eerie atmosphere left the ministers immobile. They certainly couldn’t speak out for the Left Minister since the King of Sand had not yet given his word. More importantly, observing the current scene, the ministers seemed to quickly realize something, as they all glanced at the grim-faced Seniman and suddenly became aware.

Those closest to the Left Minister even subtly took a step back, though no one had yet figured out how the Left Minister had offended the King of Sand.

Everyone’s gaze inevitably turned towards the center of the hall—

But Barbaltan didn’t even pay attention in that direction.

His eyes were fixated on the enormous Crystal, the reflection in the Emerald capturing all his attention. He placed his only bit of patience upon the Arcanist Hall Defender beside him:

”Ebene?”

”I am here.”

Ebene quietly observed the scene, then took his magic wand from a servant and slowly stepped forward.

This was the second step.

...

Fang Hong awkwardly emerged from a thicket.

Looking back, he saw the bird-like harpies truly disappearing into thin air and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

First, he checked his condition. Fang Hong looked at his sleeve, which had a tear on one side, and was momentarily speechless—this was a gift from Hilveld, and he hadn’t worn it long—though aside from this loss, he hadn’t suffered any injury.

Rustling sounds came from within the Forest as others also emerged from the thickets. Having seemingly been through a grand escape, everyone appeared a bit shabby, but fortunately, no one minded at this moment. Everyone was checking their condition and equipment to see if anything had been lost in the previous battle.

”This place is really odd,” Luo Hao couldn’t help but mutter.

Fang Hong nodded.

Never mind that bird-like harpies rarely gather in one place like this, just the fact that they vanished into thin air as soon as they landed was perplexing.

But it clearly wasn’t some Phantom since the previous battle was real enough.

Thankfully, apart from some scratches and bruises, no one suffered any serious injuries in the fierce battle that took place.

They soon found the ’barely alive’ Papalarian behind a bush—

However, when Fang Hong went over, he realized this guy lying belly-up was just pretending to be dead—the guy’s condition was even better than the others, not a hair out of place—so he couldn’t help but give him a kick: ”Stop playing dead.”

Before his foot even reached him, Parker had already quickly gotten up.

The Papalarian scrambled up frantically, yelling: ”...Damn you, throwing me from such a height and not letting me rest here for a while... I’m going to complain to the Stargate Port!”

Fang Hong couldn’t help but laugh: ”Why are you yelling, didn’t we give you a glider pack.”

The Papalarian’s eyes bulged wide, furiously waving his little hands: ”Didn’t you see how terrifying those bird-like harpies were!?”

”They have a natural interest in falling objects,” Fang Hong chuckled. ”Isn’t that why you and Mr. Alphonse were sent to distract them so that the others could land safely? Besides, as long as you did what I said, there would be no problem.”

”See, you’re fine, aren’t you?”

”But an innocent Papalarian had his psyche deeply scarred, and you lost your King of Night Thieves.”

So Fang Hong eventually soothed the ’King of Night Thieves’ with a grand feast, and meanwhile, Gita and Luo Yu found the Half-Person—Mr. Alphonse. The latter didn’t make as much fuss as the Papalarian, brushed off some dust, approached Fang Hong, and said with a wry smile:

”Though this time it was my responsibility, can I please not have to do such work next time?”

”To be honest, I have a slight fear of heights—”

”Fear of heights?”

Fang Hong looked at him, afraid of heights but still boarded the ship?

Alphonse shrugged helplessly: ”Lord Captain, this is precisely why I retired... if it weren’t for the Princess being such a significant client...”

Fang Hong was speechless too, wondering if this was another case of risking life for money.

However, at this moment, Pasha suddenly raised a key question: ”...When we go back, how should we return the ship to the Princess?”

Everyone fell silent.

Fang Hong glanced at the tattered little boat hung in the tree, thinking it might be considered a successful landing... possibly?

Turning instinctively toward Affia, he found the Little Princess holding the wooden sculpture, still silent with her head down. Seeing her like that, Fang Hong felt his desire to lighten the mood with a joke fade significantly, and he sighed, signaling the group:

”Let’s head to the King of Sand first.”

”Alphonse, sir, do you know the way?”

”Of course.”

This time, the Half-Person was quite certain.

But before they set off, Luo Yu approached with Gita, accompanied by Xiangzi trailing behind them.

”Ade,” Luo Yu started softly. ”Before we came over here, we saw some people...”

”Some people?”

Fang Hong was slightly taken aback, looking towards Luo Yu.

Luo Yu gave a slight nod.

...