Pillar of Yita

Tianlan grinned, ”Hehe, Sister Hilveld is really cunning.”

Hilveld playfully flicked her little nose, amused.

The young man guarding the Rain Listener Guild gates couldn’t help but cast an envious glance at Fang Hong.

Fang Hong also felt a bit surprised, but after glancing at Hilveld, he only replied, ”Thank you, Miss Hilveld.”

”Not at all, shall I accompany the captain for a walk?”

Fang Hong didn’t refuse and nodded his head.

He didn’t have a specific purpose, just that he was somewhat concerned about the affairs of the Rain Listener Guild, but without any clear leads, he didn’t want to delve too deeply. With that thought in mind, he silently made his way through the forest, admiring the scenery on the other side of the valley.

On the outskirts of the forest, the bare ridges in the distance were glowing a hazy white under the moonlight, shadows of clouds reflected on the rocky walls, shifting shapes.

Hilveld said nothing, silently standing by his side.

In the forest at the mountainside, there was a fleeting glimpse of a fire.

Fang Hong knew it was the Rain Listeners leveling up in teams; the guild members naturally wouldn’t cluster together, maintaining contact as they seized every second to improve their levels.

It appeared to be yet another peaceful night.

This alleviated some of his concerns, and as his mind eased, he couldn’t help but notice the faint fragrance emanating from the young lady beside him.

Only then did he ask, ”Actually, I’ve always been curious, Miss Hilveld, what exactly did you see in me?”

He was no fool and could see Hilveld’s special attitude towards him, but Fang Hong was well aware that there’s no love without reason in this world.

Hilveld’s gaze returned from the distance, and she smiled faintly, ”Because Lord Captain is a bearer of the Fairy Type Dragon Soul, to Hilveld you are unique— isn’t that reason enough?”

”But the Fairy Type Dragon Soul isn’t unique; according to Miss Tata, there are at least seven others. Why did you choose me— I mean, aren’t you afraid I might be a bad person?”

Hilveld couldn’t help but chuckle, ”Is there such a thing as a bad person like the captain?”

”I mean, what if— besides, before this, Miss Hilveld didn’t really know me, right?”

”Can’t it just be pure admiration?”

”Admiration for what? Miss Hilveld, you’re so accomplished, I can’t think of anything about me that you would admire.”

”So, Lord Captain thinks I’m very accomplished?”

Fang Hong couldn’t help but let out a slight cough.

Hilveld smiled lightly, ”Actually, I feel the same, but if I have to say something, it would probably be Lord Captain’s potential.”

”Potential?” Fang Hong shook his head, unconvinced, ”There are countless people with potential in this era in Eteliria.”

The noble lady looked at him with a teasing expression, ”So what the captain really wants to ask is, does Hilveld treat everyone the same, right?”

Fang Hong guiltily shifted his gaze, ”That’s not what I meant.”

”Is this a bit of possessiveness, Lord Captain?” She laughed, narrowing her eyes like a cat, ”But what do those people have to do with Hilveld when I have made a covenant with Lord Captain?”

Fang Hong’s cheeks flushed slightly.

After a while, he quietly replied, ”I will fulfill the covenant, Miss Hilveld.”

”I have never doubted that,” she replied, her voice soft and low.

The two of them stood side by side, as if a long time had passed.

It wasn’t until the wind picked up that Fang Hong spoke, ”Let’s go back, Miss Atira and the others should be done by now.”

Hilveld looked at him and lightly nodded her head.

The two turned and passed through the forest they had come from, seeing the camp lights ahead. They arrived just in time to see Atira and Tianlan escorted out.

The vice chairman was still thanking them when he saw Fang Hong, his eyes brightened with surprise, ”Alchemist sir, you came too?”

Fang Hong nodded, this address making him somewhat embarrassed; professions were typically used to address those who were true professionals in alchemy, usually having made a name in a specific domain, while he hadn’t even reached level ten yet, merely mistaken by others as being high-leveled.

In fact, he didn’t deserve the title.

”Are you here to visit our camp?” The man asked warmly, ”Why not sit for a while?”

Fang Hong repeatedly shook his head, ”No need.” He indeed came to see if there was any trouble inside the Rain Listener Guild, but since he found nothing, he didn’t want to get involved further.

Fortunately, the man didn’t insist and after completing the handover with Atira, enthusiastically offered to personally see the group off.

Naturally, no one refused. Although the Rain Listener Guild wasn’t the largest on Fenris Isle, it was still influential locally; there was no need to strain relations.

But what Fang Hong hadn’t expected was that just as they were leaving the camp, a group of people hurried after them from behind.

The leader was a young man Fang Hong hadn’t seen before, his upper body clad in Magic Guided Armor, his lower half in a long robe, a standard Combat Wizard attire, but his expression was aggravating, as if everyone owed him a million.

Seeing this guy, Tianlan’s face instantly changed; Fang Hong noticed the angry expression on the little girl’s face and asked curiously, ”What’s wrong, Tianlan?”

”Hmph, it’s that guy; he troubled Sister Atira before, calling us liars and saying a lot of ugly things. He even had someone push me into the water yesterday; if it weren’t for Sister Xiesta pulling me up...”