Pillar of Yita

”Take care.” Luo Yu said succinctly.

Even Xiangzi came over, looked at him, and said: ”Captain, should I share some Starlight with you?”

”How would you share?” Fang Hong was quite surprised, thinking when did this guy learn the secret technique between him and Miya.

As a result, this question stumped the youth caught in fantasies. He thought for a bit, saying he needed to research the matter further.

Lastly was Parker, who casually stated: ”If you don’t return, then I become the captain.”

He was then taken away by Luo Hao, clutching his neck.

Finally, it was just him and Hilveld, the Ship’s Officer lightly smiled, saying nothing.

Fang Hong was a bit surprised: ”You’re not worried at all?”

Hilveld smiled: ”With Miss Tata there to take care of you, what’s there to worry about for me.”

Somehow, Fang Hong felt there was something more to those words, a sense of unease swelling in his heart.

And after the Lady Noble left, Tata’s voice emerged from his soul: ”Mr. Knight, I think she’s right.”

Right in what regard? Fang Hong felt speechless; you too have changed, Miss Tata.

But after a while, Tata suddenly asked softly: ”How did I change, Mr. Knight.”

Fang Hong was taken aback, realizing they were spiritually linked. He paused for a moment before replying: ”Perhaps... you’ve become more personable.”

For some reason, Fang Hong suddenly saw Miss Fairy smile slightly in his Mind World.

...

Although he was to remind everyone, Fang Hong suddenly found he actually had nothing much to say come the moment.

The group included Hilveld and his cousin, both sharp and intelligent—able to handle affairs ingeniously even without Miss Atira, what need was there for him?

Suddenly, he felt as the captain, he was indeed a mascot, actually needing to do nothing but bury his head and charge forward. Upon realizing this, he inexplicably felt somewhat disinterested.

Seeing no role to play, with the Grand Princess not yet returned, he aimlessly walked outside Kashan Palace. He had somewhat been puzzled regarding the matter of Pale Glory.

This matter he received news of actually not much before the Grand Princess, instructing Pasha, Parker, and Alphonse to take Affia seeking Delan for aid, unexpectedly, the other party did have a method for healing. Additionally, through the Communication Crystal, he was told there was a solution to Dika’s avatar.

But upon arriving here, Fang Hong realized not only Delan but Ye Hua seemed aware too, aware concerning matters of that world. Yet prior, this Ranger King had never spoken about it to him.

Throughout Star’s descriptions, that notebook was handed to the Queen by her brother, that Great Explorer from Istania. She dissected some content from the notebook, revealing the secret to King of Sand Barbaltan.

But it never specifically mentioned Pale Glory and Blind God Dika nor information of the current world. Fang Hong felt these people concealed certain crucial information from him, not exactly deceit but always leaving him grasping at important pieces.

That vague feeling left him momentarily uncomfortable.

He intended to inquire Ye Hua about this matter shortly, suspecting if he took the initiative, the other party might not purposefully avoid the subject.

But upon stepping out of the Royal Palace, Fang Hong found the terrace already occupied. He was slightly taken aback and upon closer inspection, recognized the frail back not being anyone but Affia.

Unexpectedly, unnoticed by anyone, this Miss Arcanist walked out of the Royal Palace alone.

He approached waveringly, a little off-balance due to his missing right arm. Affia’s face, pale like snow, appeared as if recovering from a severe illness, seemingly thoughtless, completely unaware of his approach, lost in gaze ahead.

Beyond the palm forest, lay the devastated Inner City, and further in the direction, the blaze continued in the Outer City. Towering smoke seemed connected to the thick clouds overhead.

The sky harbored an ominous, swirling dark red light.

”Miss Affia?”

Affia startled with an endearing ’ah’, quickly turned around, gently blinked her moist large eyes, realizing it’s him. She then slightly exhaled in relief, remarking with a hint of complaint: ”You scared me to death, Captain Ade.”

Fang Hong felt somewhat innocent, asking: ”What are you looking at, so inattentively?”

”Nothing?” Affia shook her head, turned back, still staring into the distance, ”Just contemplating, Captain Ade, do I genuinely belong here, belong to this world?”

Fang Hong was mildly astonished, looking at her unexpectedly. Suddenly thinking of something, he asked: ”You know?”

The girl nodded gently. ”Mr. Delan told me, only then I understood my true origin, childhood and parents, all are illusions akin to a dream.”

”If it’s a dream,” Fang Hong finding no words to comfort her, yet feeling Delan should not have disclosed the truth, while authenticity is sometimes crucial, but how cruel for a girl. ”Then it’s a real dream.”

”Indeed real, as I’m here, Captain Ade can see and hear; I can see Captain Ade and touch this world,” Affia smiled lightly, ”Captain Ade, the Grand Princess surely mentioned about her mother to you, right?”