Pillar of Yita

King’s Boulevard, the busiest commercial street in the kingdom on ordinary days, was now still under the watchful gaze of the seventh king of Colin Ishurian, Kadeson the First, at the center of the square, where people in the streets spontaneously halted in their tracks.

It was as if time had stopped at that moment.

People collectively looked up, the scene reflected in their eyes — in the distant sky, there, a dazzling column of light was piercing the clouds...

The strength of Campaign Level Magic.

The glow was but a fleeting flash.

But in an instant, a second, a third, and a fourth up to seven pillars of light rose consecutively.

The pillars together formed a spectacular tableau. For a moment, the fortress ports near Golande were activated at the same time, initiating their defensive mechanisms, and the Magic Array created by the columns of light was now illuminating the splendid sky.

”That’s the third fortress!”

”The fifth fortress!”

”There’s one from Sidewind Port Base too!”

”I recognize that direction, it’s the headquarters of Wings of Fantasy!”

People couldn’t help exclaiming, what could have happened? Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

Meanwhile, from the port direction, a long trumpet blast was heard—it was so prolonged and deep, as if infusing people with endless strength and courage, enabling them to easily distinguish the sound—that was the pride of the kingdom, the sound only the flagship ’King’s Throne’ of Colin Ishurian’s first fleet, the Dragon Horn Trumpet, possessed.

Turning their heads, they finally saw the fleet blocking out the sun, slowly departing from the airport—thousands of white sails were raised, like a cloud of silver, guided by the tugboats, the fleet moved orderly towards the port, while hundreds of Escort Ships had already spread out like a school of silver fish.

Filling the entire sky—

When was the last time that horn was sounded?

In people’s memories, it seems it was thirteen years ago, during the Battle of Bain.

Their mouths agape, they speculated what major event had occurred, but suddenly, someone shouted:

”Look towards the Royal City, the gates are opening!”

The crowd turned around.

At the end of this long street, the gates of Colin Ishurian’s Royal City ’Silerno Palace’ were wide open, the drawbridge over the moat was being lowered, and a procession of knights, fiery red, formed into three columns, slowly advancing forward.

Morning Knights.

Something big indeed had happened.

Some quick-witted folks had already turned and sprinted towards nearby gathering places—such as pubs, inns, and vocational guilds, but many others were just taking pictures, asking each other on community channels and forums what had happened.

Until suddenly, a window by the street was pushed open with a bang, someone there shouted to everyone: ”Quick, look at the Transmission Crystal!”

The disturbance was like a stone thrown into water.

Making everyone on the street come alive all at once.

At this moment, in the northern region of Avenquin, amidst Traveller’s Swamp—

The reconstruction work of Traveler’s Rest was completed over half a month ago, yet this place is no longer the bustling and chaotic inn of the past; now, the presence of the Port Guard from Elpaxin has lent a stern atmosphere to the establishment.

Since the attack on Charter City over half a month ago, this place has been the front line for the Invokers and the Artisan Association, where knights and armies from all over have converged.

Yet, the interior of the inn hasn’t changed much from before—except that the menacing Dragon Horns are no longer visible on the dome above the Dragon Horn Hall.

Outside Dragon Horn Hall, Hudi, guided by a few Dwarf Goblins, pushed the door open, and paused—the hall was surprisingly crowded, and whether soldiers or local adventurers, these days he had become familiar with many, and they raised their glasses to greet him:

”Our hero from Dolifen, you’re back again?”

”So, how’s the situation in Charter City?”

”What about that little girlfriend of yours?”

Mazak, the towering innkeeper, stood in the corner of the hall, attentively carving a dragon horn statue with a wooden knife. He glanced at everyone once, before lowering his eyes and continuing his work.

Hudi glanced in that direction too. He had returned to find the Chairman of the Black Goat Commerce Association. Since the trip to Dolifen, the other party had been back to Traveler’s Rest, keeping a low profile and seldom seen by others.

Of course, he and Hes were exceptions; as long as the Chairman was in this place, they could always meet this ’up-and-coming’ commerce chairman.

Unfortunately, looking at the empty table in the corner of the inn, Hudi knew the Chairman was not there today.

It seemed he had made a wasted trip.

The others around him, meanwhile, were egging him on to retell the events in Dolifen—and the story of the ’legendary Alchemist’—Xiaya, who had set out from their very own Traveler’s Rest. Having no way to refuse, Hudi took a cup of alcohol from their hands, drank a sip, and readied himself to retell the story once more.

He had some time, as Hes would not arrive for a while.

He had told that story countless times already, but people never tired of hearing it. After all, besides the recent affairs of Charter City, the events of Dolifen were worth mentioning?

Moreover, that incident solved a thirty-year-old unresolved mystery, saved the souls of a city, and even startled the Elpaxin Artisan Association, not to mention that most characters of this story had walked out from their very own Traveler’s Rest.