Pillar of Yita

Miss Sicape answered, ”We’re not clear on the specifics either; the authorities are blocking the information. Just like you, we also learned some details through private channels. It seems there was an incident in Charter City.”

”Charter City?” Fang Hong startled, wasn’t that not far from Traveler’s Swamp? He didn’t know when it had happened since there is typically a delay in news spreading, and he wondered if it coincided with the time he was at Traveler’s Rest.

He muttered, ”Is the situation in the community because of this incident?”

”The community?”

”The online gaming community within the China Competition Region has entered a controlled state, Miss Sicape.”

Miss Sicape shook her head: ”I’m afraid it’s not just you, it’s the same here. But I think it’s not just because of this incident; the military is looking for someone.”

”The military is looking for who?” Fang Hong was shocked, his tone changing with fright.

”A stowaway, it seems his name is Heng Fang or something like that. I heard he’s about your age, a big boy, but this kid is a lot more capable than you. He not only stirred up the United Nations office at the Stargate Port, but at least six countries’ militaries are searching for him in Eteliria. Besides the five permanent member states, there are also two senior United Nations officials involved, and it’s said that the Chinese authorities have already located his foster parents—”

Fang Hong’s mouth grew wider as he listened.

Miss Sicape suddenly stopped, eying him suspiciously: ”Ade, why do you look so terrible?”

”Miss Sicape, I—I...”

Fang Hong looked on the verge of tears, United Nations, military of six countries, permanent member states, high-level officials—all that seemed so far removed from him. How could he be connected to all this?

He merely snuck into Eteliria, so why did it seem like the sky was falling? What kind of huge mess had he created?

Fang Hong shivered; he no longer thought about being deported back to Earth, fearing he might spend the rest of his life in prison.

”You what?” Miss Sicape said irritably: ”Speak clearly, you’re a member of the Morning Dawn Star, if you’re in trouble, can’t we all find a way to help you solve it?”

”Miss Sicape, the truth is I am Fang Hong,” he said with a sad face.

”Fang Heng?” Miss Sicape was taken aback: ”Is that your real name?”

Before she could react, Mr. Kroid interjected with a serious face: ”Ade, you’re that stowaway?”

Silence enveloped the surroundings.

A flurry of sharp intakes of breath resounded one after another.

Miss Sicape was stunned for a while before she incredulously whispered: ”Ah? Ade, don’t tell me it’s true what Kroid just said? You’re joking, right?”

Fang Hong nodded as if about to cry: ”Mr. Kroid is right, I am... the stowaway you’ve been talking about.”

”Ade!” Miss Sicape’s eyes bulged, her voice octaves higher: ”Are you out of your mind? Do you know what you’re doing? That’s the military of six countries, you’re doomed, do you understand? Once you’re caught, you’ll spend the rest of your life in jail! Nobody can save you, you idiot, you madman! You—”

”But Miss Sicape, didn’t you say that if there’s any problem, we could find a way to solve it?” Fang Hong looked at her, surprised, as if along with her pointed ears, her sense of integrity had also vanished.

”That’s for normal circumstances,” Miss Sicape was so angry she became incoherent: ”Is your case normal? My God, do you realize the trouble you’ve caused? How many resources have been expended in the Stargate search? Even selling you and us ten times wouldn’t cover the cost!”

She was about to give Fang Hong a piece of her mind, but a hand rested on his shoulder. Mr. Kroid shook his head, stepped forward, and said, ”Ade, what do you plan to do now?”

Fang Hong’s face was a mask of dejection as he replied, ”I had some ideas, but now I’m not sure what to do. Considering what you both said, maybe turning myself in would be better.”

”Absolutely not!”

”Absolutely not!”

Mr. Kroid and Miss Sicape simultaneously burst out.

After exchanging a glance, the tall man continued: ”Turning yourself in now wouldn’t help. Perhaps you might consider another path. Are you familiar with Pei Qiao?”

Fang Hong nodded; that was the legendary Summoner who was exceptionally recruited by the military, one of the earliest stowaways and virtually a founding figure for them.

In Pei Qiao’s era, the Stargate had not yet been opened to the public, yet he managed to enter Eteliria through some unknown means. Even without the Summoners System, he prospered in Eteliria, earning a noble title from the Osh Empire.

Later, he played a significant role in ceasing hostilities and promoting peace between humans and natives. He was finally recruited by the American military into an honorary officer position, and was also awarded the Peace Prize. His life story was certainly legendary, but after the Stargate Era began, the term ’stowaway’ became historical. His legend seemed to fade away, and no one expected that decades later someone else would follow this path.

”Your situation resembles that of Pei Qiao,” Mr. Kroid said with a furrowed brow: ”But as far as I know, Pei Qiao was a one-in-a-million lucky one. He was attuned with Ether Magic Power during his Stargate transition, gaining a one-in-a-million wind Attribute Magic Power suitability. But it seems you don’t have any Attribute Magic Power suitability, right?”