Pillar of Yita

”Mr. Ade.”

As Fang Hong was pondering the chaotic mess of things, a gentle voice came through, causing him to pause in surprise and look up.

The owner of the voice was a frail-looking young girl with pale skin so worn it was nearly translucent. Yet, her spirit state was vibrant, her face adorned with a grateful smile as she supported Hudi and the two of them slowly approached him.

The girl was still dressed in the attire from the Phantom Realm, except for a brooch pinned on her chest, a pure white unicorn glittering in the sunlight.

”Ade...” Hudi stood in front of him, his expression awkward, looking as anxious as a child.

Their ages seemed to have reversed at that moment.

The latter was ragged and travel-worn, resembling a pitiful beggar. His eyes reddened before he could speak, his voice choked up to the point that the second half of his sentence was nearly incoherent.

Because Hudi simply didn’t know how to describe—

that everything had turned into a dreamscape, one with an ending he hadn’t even dared to hope for, and on reflection, it seemed all the changes began from the moment this young man had uttered those words to him.

After that, all reality became a miracle.

And he, like a prisoner reprieved at the last moment before execution, could only weep before the messenger bringing the good news.

Fang Hong, after being momentarily stunned by the sight of the two, slowly revealed a relieved smile on his face, a joy so genuine that it was like that of a child—a warmth that seemed to flow right from the heart, indescribably beautiful. For at that moment, Fang Hong suddenly understood the meaning behind all his actions.

The dangers inside the Phantom Realm were everywhere.

And the path before them seemed endless, as if there were no conclusion in sight.

However, amidst the dark and brooding storm, the struggles and efforts of people were never in vain, so everything held value.

Fang Hong lifted his head, blinked vigorously, and managed to prevent others from seeing the redness in his eyes.

He thought back to everything that had happened in the Elf Ruins under the dimly lit night where, despite his best efforts, he couldn’t alter the fate of Morning Dawn Star.

But today, he finally had the power to change it all.

Miss Sicape’s words still echoed in his ears.

”Still boasting, little guy?”

”But it’s not boasting at all, Miss Sicape,” Fang Hong was firm in his heart because he knew that one day, he would fulfill all the promises he had made there.

Only then did he turn his head and, smiling, said to Hudi, ”Why the tears, Hudi? Haven’t you won a beauty’s hand? Speaking of which, I haven’t congratulated you yet. Aren’t you going to treat us with the money you won from the craftsman competition?”

Hudi was stunned, his face turning red as he looked at Hes, at a loss for words: ”But I... I’ve spent all that money...”

Hes covered her mouth and chuckled softly on the side.

Fang Hong then looked at her and asked, ”How is it, does the new body feel comfortable?”

The girl nodded lightly, her hand caressing the brooch at her chest: ”Everything is fine, thank you, Mr. Ade. It’s just that, all this... is far beyond my expectations...”

Fang Hong nodded.

The older Knight beside them was also nodding at the two.

”This is the hope that Miss Misu left for you; cherish it well, Hes,” Fang Hong looked at the brooch and said, ”One day, you’ll understand its true value, because you’ve given Dolifen the greatest kindness, and in return, the city has given you its greatest hope.”

”But what exactly is this...” Hes still seemed a bit perplexed.

Fang Hong gave the two of them a three-word answer to that question.

Dragon Riders—

The breeze blew across the square.

For a moment, an unusual silence filled the ruins, accompanied only by a faint rustling that seemed to whisper an ancient tale from long ago. The young girl carefully took off the brooch and held it tightly in her palm.

It was the recognition between two upright hearts.

And after a while, Hudi gradually regained his composure.

Fang Hong cracked a few jokes about the craftsman competition to relax him, lightening his tense demeanor, though Tianlan would definitely be after Hudi—those weren’t jokes, because that girl didn’t take kindly to dissent.

Hudi got a fright.

At that moment, Red Leaf came over with a serious look on her face and whispered to the two, ”Ade, there are members of the Dragonfire Guild and Dragon Worshippers active outside.”

Fang Hong was startled, then remembered the situation here was far from over. If Hansen and the Oak Knights had survived the Phantom Realm, the already dominant Dragonfire Guild and the survivors from the Dragon Worship Sect would have even more, especially since some of their members might have been outside the realm from the beginning.

These people had failed within the Phantom Realm, but their strength remained almost intact in reality. Without support from Tabopolis, and no restrictions like inside the Phantom Realm, the current situation could well be even more dire than it had been within.

Fang Hong frowned and asked, ”Where are they?”

”Those people are sneaking around the outskirts of the square. When they were spotted by our men, they fled far away,” Red Leaf replied.

After pondering for a moment, Fang Hong made a swift decision, ”They’re waiting for reinforcements. The enemies in the Phantom Realm were mainly around Hustings Cathedral and Haggston Cemetery, judging by our encounters, their location upon exiting the realm should be their last position within. Upper City District is to the northeast of here; we need to evacuate immediately from the southwest side of the ruins, which leads straight to Fisherman Long Alley. Reed and Luo Yu can meet up with you there. Mr. Diket and Parker know that place; let them take you there.”