Pillar of Yita

Miss Hilveld nodded.

”Build a ship, but why?” Fang Hong asked.

Miss Hilveld said, ”Mr. Ade, do you remember when I said our ideals might be surprisingly fated?

Fang Hong recalled for a moment before he remembered there had been such a matter, but he still nodded with some confusion. The maid stepped forward to support the suitcase while Miss Hilveld let go and gently caressed the gilded carving on the leather with her fingertips.

”Because this ship is my father’s last wish. I’ve been trying to find someone who can build it, but while there are many Alchemy Masters in Colin Ishurian, few are willing to help me, and even fewer are suitable. The craftsman contest at Traveler’s Rest was my last stop in Colin Ishurian. I originally planned to meet with the Alchemy Master Tarize who was hosting the competition, but because of what happened later, I wasn’t able to. I had actually decided to return to Elpaxin and then head to Osh, but unexpectedly, I happened to meet you so coincidentally.”

”Me?”

”When we were battling the Dragon Witch Nikopolas, I unexpectedly discovered that you possess an Ancient Dragon Soul, which was a pleasant surprise for me—you know, at that time I even thought you were a Dragon Knight in disguise. Later, when I heard you needed a ship, I realized that you might be the one I was looking for.”

It was then that Fang Hong gradually pieced together the details in his mind and asked in surprise, ”You thought I was a Dragon Knight?”

Miss Hilveld smiled mischievously, ”I did think so at the time, but now I realize that Mr. Ade must have acquired the Dragon Soul by accident, and cannot yet be considered a true Dragon Knight.”

Her guess was off in some ways, such as that what he had acquired was not the Dragon Soul but the much more precious Zero-Type Crystal; but she was close on the details—he indeed was not yet a Dragon Knight, having neither activated his talent nor possessed a Dragon Knight Rigging. Before reaching Level 40, these things are generally just shadows.

”You said this ship is your father’s last wish?” Fang Hong seemed to realize something, ”So it’s a design blueprint, a blueprint for a new ship?”

Miss Hilveld, with her long eyelashes drooping, looked at the suitcase beside her and didn’t deny it.

It was then that Fang Hong understood why she had always carried this suitcase with her everywhere, even not allowing her close maid to touch it. He had originally thought it was because it contained a Fairy Construct, but he hadn’t realized it was for this reason.

Thinking back to when she first entrusted Meimei to him, she indeed seemed to always carry the suitcase with her and never left it out of her sight. Now remembering it, he couldn’t help but feel a little light dawn on him.

Moreover, a ship that an Alchemist could call his last wish shouldn’t be so simple, right?

Fang Hong couldn’t help but glance at the two lines of ancient adage on the suitcase, ’Time flows like water, Knowledge increases with each passing day—’, if Miss Hilveld truly came from this ancient family, as the heir of the Rose Workshop—her father surely wouldn’t be just an obscure nobody.

His curiosity was piqued by the design blueprint, and he asked, ”Then may I take a look at the blueprint?”

After asking, Fang Hong felt his question was somewhat impertinent.

And as he was feeling awkward, Miss Hilveld proactively said, ”It’s not impossible, but I need a promise from Mr. Ade.”

”A promise?”

”You see, the design of this ship was one of my father’s most important last wishes. Therefore, until I find someone who can build it, I shall not reveal it to anyone else to see. But if Mr. Ade can promise me—”

”Wait a minute, Miss Hilveld.” To Miss Hilveld’s surprise, Fang Hong shook his head to interrupt her. ”There’s no need, I was being too abrupt.”

Miss Hilveld paused, looking at him with some surprise.

Fang Hong continued more seriously, ”Making a promise seems easy, but it implies responsibility, Miss Hilveld. Building a ship is a massive project, from the laying of the keel to the installation of every rivet, it requires the cooperation of countless craftsmen. Every category in this systematic project right down to the specifics of applying glue to the hull or fitting copper sheets involves numerous processes, thousands of techniques, and associated knowledge. As an Alchemist who hasn’t even reached Level 5, I must admit, this is something I can’t handle.”

”Moreover, I have already made a promise to another person. It’s important to honor commitments in the order they were made; if I were to make another promise to Miss Hilveld, I’m afraid it might delay your matter.”

His thoughts drifted to his own promise, to Miss Sicape and everyone aboard the Morning Dawn Star, his eyes unintentionally softened.

The woods were silent.

The gentle breeze caressed them, the sunlight was mildly intoxicating, and the young girl and boy stood facing each other.

A flicker of intrigue passed through the watery depths of Miss Hilveld’s eyes; she had assumed this boy would be easy to deceive and yet here he was showing another side of himself.

She shook her head. ”It’s alright, because I am also familiar with the craftsman’s work and certainly understand that it’s not something to be accomplished overnight. I’ve prepared for the long term, even if Mr. Ade is not capable right now, I can wait—”

The girl looked up, her bright gaze seeming to convey she wouldn’t give up so easily.

Fang Hong was at a loss for words.