Pillar of Yita

Odin gently brushed the snow off his gauntlet, silently gazing in that direction.

This winter, the snow in the north of Colin was heavy.

But only after the snow melts can people often discover what lies beneath.

”The snow has stopped.”

”But it may not be a good omen, Mr. Odin.”

...

The meeting hall was bustling with voices.

The sound of argument was reaching its peak.

The chairmen of Song of Ash, Dragon Hunter Mercenary Corps, and Remembrance were still arguing their points:

”The Southern Region Alliance is not outside the Super Competitive League, nor is it unbound—”

”... but the Super Competitive League shouldn’t interfere in our internal affairs, right?”

”What right do you have to force us to reorganize the management?”

The three of them raised their heads, their gaze passed over everyone in the conference hall. Among the one hundred and twenty seats of participants, members from forty-three guilds in the Southern Region also murmured discontentedly:

”That’s right...”

”What difference is there between these constraints and selling oneself...?”

”Staying here offers no benefits, to just kick out the old and the weak?”

”Even the BBK alliance doesn’t have a good reputation...”

An official from BBK at the main seat looked expressionless, only staring at the Light Page in front of him, not saying a word.

A voice seemed to echo in the hall:

”We are Free Summoners...”

”The Southern Region Alliance was not formed for this reason...”

At this time, a middle-aged man stood up, adjusted his glasses, and loudly replied: ”... This is a document from the top of the Super Competitive League, all Free Summoners Guilds must operate according to the standards, in the north, at Scepter Coast, in every region it is the same.”

”Moreover, BBK Club’s willingness to establish itself in the Southern Region Alliance is not necessarily a bad thing...”

The sound in the hall quieted down.

When everyone argues their own points, it might not always mean there’s a big disagreement, sometimes it’s just bargaining.

But the dead silence, instead, let a wordless rebellion spread in people’s hearts. At this moment, everyone’s gaze turned to the Chairman of Song of Ash—Resonance, when in Ye Hua’s absence, this Southern Region’s first Magic Guided Conductor, who had shared life and death with the former, was perhaps the only person in charge here.

Resonance looked toward the Chairman of the Throne of Shadow guild.

”Snow, are you really not on our side?”

The woman shook her head. ”We’ve already decided to stand with BBK, Resonance, they are right, it’s actually a good thing for our Southern Region Alliance.”

”A good thing?”

Resonance smiled wryly, he took one last look at the woman he had once liked, gently took the badge from his chest, and placed it on the long table among the forty-three seats in the hall.

Under the candlelight’s glow, the silver scepter badge gleamed—a beauty different from the aesthetic of Eteliria’s heraldry, a simple and modern beauty—yet at this moment, it was tainted by a trace of dust.

Everyone watched his actions, the hall was silent as a grave.

That badge represented a part of history.

It witnessed the unification of forty-three guilds in the south, the birth of a powerful force of the Chosen, thirteen years ago, after the Battle of Bain, a product of its era. But eras, after all, come to an end.

”Song of Ash joined this alliance because of its past oath,” Resonance raised his head and softly said: ”However, since the alliance has lost its original intent, then it makes no sense for us to remain here...”

”So I announce,” he paused: ”Song of Ash hereby withdraws from the alliance.”

A few guild chairmen were stupefied.

”Resonance, you don’t have to do this...”

”Wait for Chairman Ye Hua to return...”

Everyone spoke to persuade him to stay.

But a voice interrupted all their words.

The BBK official finally spoke: ”I’m afraid Song of Ash cannot simply withdraw.”

Resonance was slightly taken aback, squinted at the man: ”Why?”

”That was part of the previous terms, but now the Super Competitive League has placed you in the Second District, managed by us BBK, the rules are naturally different—”

The man lightly shook his head: ”Of course, Song of Ash can leave, just disband in place. I’m not threatening you, after all, Song of Ash is also considered a Free Guild, right?”

Resonance took a deep breath and argued: ”Sir, Song of Ash’s scale does not warrant management by the league, right? After leaving the alliance, we are just an unknown small guild, correct?”

”That’s not for you to decide—”

As soon as these words were spoken.

Immediately in the hall, a buzzing discussion erupted.

The chairmen of several guilds all clenched their fists, understanding that the opponent’s toughness was to make an example—it’s obvious who is the monkey. Resonance was silent for a long time, looked at the badge on the table, about to speak.

But at this moment, a voice came:

”So this is the ultimatum?”

The door of the hall was pushed open in response.

A young man covered in wind and snow walked in briskly from outside, the guards chasing behind him, looking helpless at the scene.

The young man was not particularly tall, with short hair, yet he had a natural air of composure and confidence, gently brushed the snow off his cloak, and then lifted his head, his fearless gaze swept across all the representatives present, a total of one hundred and twenty seats.

Everyone’s gaze focused on him.

”Ye Hua...” Resonance turned back, slightly stunned.

But the young man approached, silently patted his friend’s shoulder.