Pillar of Yita

A vast and boundless land shrouded in darkness quietly emerged beneath the Seven Seas Traveler’s rail.

From the sky, the low red mangroves looked like a dark velvet carpet, extending from below our feet to the horizon’s end. A narrow pier cut through the swamp, with dim lights hanging from wind lanterns, faintly passing through the forest and the mist.

On the distant horizon, there were patches of bright light, open waters among the woods where moonlight poured down from the sky.

The wind on the deck was blowing Tianlan’s hair into disarray, but our lovely Miss Poet simply held it down with her hand as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, issuing a triumphant declaration: ”We’re back again!”

Indeed, they were back.

This was where it all began, the swamp, the inn.

That shadow standing on the desolate land, like a giant in the fog, and the red flames erupting from its empty chest, together sketching the outline in their memories.

Traveler’s Rest—

Ai Xiaoxiao held onto the ship’s rail, stretching her neck, craning her little head to look down, seemingly wanting to greedily take in all the scenery below, making people almost worry she might fall overboard the next moment.

Tang Xin grabbed the Little Princess by the collar and yanked her back: ”Are you trying to get yourself killed? Uncle and Aunt asked me to look after you?”

”Tangtang—” Ai Xiaoxiao drew out her words, saying in her heart: ”Ai Xiaoxiao, you’re already a mature young lady, you can’t always rely on your good partner, you must learn to resist.”

But despite her thoughts, she shrank her neck and dared not breathe too heavily.

”I’ll go down with you.” Luo Hao suddenly spoke to Fang Hong and Luo Yu, who were preparing things.

Luo Yu was adjusting the magic guided wand in his hand and turned back to look upon hearing this.

”In Mount Pieriad, I didn’t disembark,” Luo Hao said, holding a cup of hot tea in his hands, its white mist quickly dispersed in the wind, ”If I don’t find something to do, it feels like my bones are rusting.”

”Next time,” Fang Hong answered, ”I’d feel more at ease with you and Mr. Bakins, the Big Catfolk staying on the ship. There must always be an Invoker onboard, between Xiangzi and Parker, who can I trust? Plus, he’s currently bedridden.”

He put on his gloves, fastening each clasp securely, ”Traveler’s Rest isn’t far from here, it’s unlikely we’ll encounter any battles this time. You and Ai Xiaoxiao don’t need to disembark, Tang Xin will also stay on the ship.”

Although Luo Hao suggested it, he didn’t persist, shrugged after a moment’s thought. If there was no combat, there was no point in disembarking.

Princess Briana passed by the three of them at this time, glanced at them. She pulled the hood from her cloak over her golden locks, letting the brim drop down to conceal her face, then softly said: ”Ade.”

”What is it, Your Highness?”

”Call me Briana,” she replied, ”I have to remind you that this place is quite different from when you left. In this past year or so, from Charter City to here, to Elpaxin, many things have happened. You might need to prepare yourself mentally before going down.”

Fang Hong paused slightly, he’d heard some things about Charter City from Red Leaf. Nikopolas used Dragon Flame to turn it into ruins, the high temperatures scorched the land into a glassy state, and now it’s a paradise for undead and various monsters.

More terrifyingly, to this day, people are still battling various dragon beasts, all progeny and descendants of the Dark Giant Dragon.

The three Grand Guilds now consider this place a battlefield, Elpaxin’s army is stationed in this area. He’s heard of these things before, but regarded them as distant northern tales, never taking them to heart.

Hearing this Elf Princess mention them now, he realized they were already on this land.

He nodded slightly.

A large box-type airship like Berio finds it difficult to operate inland; it actually turned towards Elpaxin after reaching Rainbow Sky Canyon—also its intended destination.

But Princess Briana, the hero of the Battle of Bain, came aboard the Seven Seas Traveler, staying with them. She’s still set to take Fang Hong and Hilveld to meet the legendary Prince. The Elf Princess once said the elves of Aquen owe the Prince a favor, although Fang Hong has never heard of such tales.

From a chronological perspective, it should have happened around the time of the Battle of Bain? He couldn’t help but feel curious about what exactly transpired between then and now.

”Captain, your cloak.” Pasha handed him the neatly folded cloak with both hands, respectfully.

”Thank you, Pasha.”

”Captain, no need to thank me.” Pasha said hesitantly, every time the Captain treated him so courteously, he felt grateful inside, yet outwardly embarrassed. On any ship, apprentices ought to perform such tasks without the need for gratitude.

However, Fang Hong saw things differently, at least now Pasha regarded himself as an apprentice rather than a servant, which might be an improvement. Although, in Eteliria, the distinction between apprentice and servant might not be very pronounced.

This young boy has recently been advancing quickly in learning Alchemy, appearing smart and agile.