Pillar of Yita

It also struck the heart of King of Sand Barbaltan, pulling him back from that dreamscape, dispersing all illusions, leaving only the real apparition—his helpless, crying daughter, the wooden sculpture in her hand, and the apparition of a girl standing beside his daughter.

It was as if he suddenly understood what he truly abandoned.

He glanced at the Mountain of Crystal beside him, feeling both unfamiliar and uneasy.

But why?

Wasn’t this Affia’s plan?

He turned around, somewhat dazed, facing his daughter.

It was at this moment that Ebene suddenly shouted: ”Your Majesty, watch out!”

Affia also covered her mouth, shocked by the scene, letting the wooden sculpture in her hand fall straight to the ground.

The wooden sculpture broke into two pieces.

In everyone’s gaze, at the moment King of Sand Barbaltan turned around, an apparition was emerging from the crystals behind him.

But it was not an illusion; it emerged from the emerald crystal, resembling a mountain-sized giant, with three heads and four arms, wielding a massive scythe, raised high and swung down fiercely. The scythe penetrated the gap between crystal and reality, flickering with sharp brilliance, descending in one sweeping motion—

Affia screamed.

But among the crowd, only Fang Hong’s gaze was solemn, taking a step forward and raising his right hand.

Representing the Alchemist, the uniquely designed arm armor—Pride of the Lonely King, sparkling with cold-colored glimmer, as if reflecting that solitary brilliance amidst this multitude of light.

Along with the voice of a resolute young man:

”Orphen of Twin Stars, forth!”

A loud noise.

The wall on one side of the hall suddenly collapsed.

A lance shattered the stone, followed closely by a towering Construct, crashing through the walls and into the hall—a formidable Knight, with armor reflecting brilliance, a long white plume fluttering in the wind.

It passed through the crowd of ministers, thrusting its lance forward, where the apparition wielding the scythe was descending straight down. In everyone’s gaze, only Seniman’s shrill laughter echoed throughout the hall, exceptionally piercing: ”Too late, it’s all too late, hahaha, cough cough...”

”You can’t possibly...”

His laughter abruptly stopped, the light in his eyes finally dimmed.

At that moment, the lance and the apparition of the scythe crossed paths.

Affia knelt down with a thud, completely weakening.

The massive Knight’s lance struck the towering Mountain of Crystal. In Seniman’s view, the indestructible Emerald Star, at that instant, a crack spread across it.

’Crack’ a loud noise...

The crack, like a spider’s web, extended in all directions.

An apparition swept across the Orphen Twin Stars, like an invisible wind, sweeping over the crystal mountain.

Few saw that faint shadow, resembling a giant beast spreading its wings to cover the sky, turning back, its golden eyes like falling into the flame of the Mortal World. That fire would burn everything, turning all into dust, while black smoke swirled around that tall, invincible creature.

It is the Dragon.

”Black wings bring death...”

”Black wings bring death...”

”The sign of impending death...”

”The sign of impending death...”

Seniman repeatedly muttered these words in dimmed light, but no one could hear them clearly.

The incredible look in his eyes seemed frozen at that moment, and his mouth’s last words stuck in his throat.

”But...”

”Why... is it...”

A pall of lightless white shrouded the servant’s wax-like, desolate face.

And at this very moment, the Mountain of Crystal collapsed, shattering into countless fine green fragments, scattered across the ground.

The giant shadow wielding the scythe swept past King of Sand Barbaltan, but like a gentle breeze, only stirred the hem of this Desert King’s robe, fluttering lightly.

Only then did the people in the hall regain clarity, waking from their dreams, but they still remembered that scene that happened before. They stared dazedly at the formidable towering Construct—Knight beside King of Sand, with the lance still holding the position of striking the Mountain of Crystal.

The crowd turned back, looking at the young Alchemist.

But the gazes were already completely different.

There was a moment of silence in the hall.

Kneeling on the ground, Princess Afeifa couldn’t help but sob, as if her emotions couldn’t be contained at this moment.

Standing in the center of the hall, King of Sand Barbaltan looked at his daughter, then at Fang Hong standing aside, as if he had just awakened from an absurd dream. The kingly man now appeared somewhat desolate; he shook his head bitterly and sighed long before addressing Fang Hong:

”...At least I did one thing right, young man.”

But Fang Hong shook his head.

”The crisis hasn’t been resolved yet, Your Majesty.”

The King of Sand nodded softly.

He looked towards his ministers, each person’s reaction varied somewhat, but most truthfully hadn’t fully responded yet. Only Count Nulman stepped forward at this moment.

But Barbaltan stopped the latter from speaking.

He untied the clasp of his cloak with one hand, tossing it to the ground, and drew his curved blade from its sheath, holding it in his hand. The bright blade reflected the face of the king, seemingly returning him to his youthful days—

”Nulman, let’s fight side by side once more.” The King of Sand spoke softly.

The Earl hesitated for a moment, gently nodded.

Only then did the King of Sand turn to face all directions, as if finally regaining the imposing demeanor of a king, announcing:

”Where are my Knights?”

Ade watched this scene, silently lifting the Little Princess from the ground.

...