Pillar of Yita

After waiting in the living room for a while, Fang Hong glanced at the decorations on the walls, feeling a bit uneasy. Only a short distance away, a furry little Dwarf Goblin watched them nervously. When Xiangzi picked up a crystal ball from the coffee table, it hastily squealed, ”Sir, that thing is...”

”Alright, Lulu,” Hilveld interrupted with a smile, ”Mr. Xiangzi is just curious. Let him take a look.”

It is well known that the Dwarf Goblin’s lifespan is very long, with some even outliving their masters. Ande Ulriel’s two Dwarf Goblins have been by his side since his prime, and Hilveld had known them since she was a child.

The Dwarf Goblin grumbled. Dwarves and Gnomes consider the little Dwarf Goblin to be quite foolish, but in truth, their memory is excellent. That’s why it recognized Hilveld immediately. It knew she was the granddaughter of its master’s old friend, and although it couldn’t quite distinguish human relations, it knew that she was also one of the ’masters’.

The group had yet to meet the legendary Alchemist, but they already heard a burst of laughter coming from inside the room. ”All Saints above, who do we have here?” The laughter made the ceiling tremble, and among it, a surprised voice said so.

Fang Hong turned his head, only to see an old man with a full head of white hair and a vigorous spirit, leaning on a cane, walking out.

The old man’s silver-gray eyes, filled with mirth, gazed at them, mostly at Hilveld: ”Little girl from the Albert Family, haven’t seen you in years. You’ve grown into a real beauty, just look at you—you truly resemble your mother, like you two were carved from the same mold.”

He held one hand behind his back, a teasing tone in his voice: ”Since your grandfather left, you and your father haven’t visited much. I almost thought you’d forgotten about this old man.”

Hilveld smiled gently, nodding in greeting: ”Mr. Ande Ulriel, it’s been a long time.”

”Yes, it has been a long time,” the old man replied, shaking his cane. ”I’ve heard some unpleasant news. Since your father went to the Second World, I’ve wanted to see you, but for some reasons, I couldn’t make the trip. Briana sent me a letter saying that Madam is of noble character, so I was reassured.”

Hilveld nodded: ”I learned a lot from Madam Perlan; she was a good person. It’s a pity that good people don’t always have good karma. After I escaped from there, I never heard any further news about Madam...”

A trace of sadness flashed in her light blue eyes, though she remained calm.

Fang Hong, standing by, listened to the conversation, and couldn’t help but glance at the noble lady with some surprise. It turned out she knew Princess Briana well from an early age. It seemed that the lady she lived with was personally selected by the Elf Princess.

Yet considering Briana’s relationship with Prince Coleman, and the relationship between the Prince and Sir Mawei, this was not surprising.

”Hmm,” Ande Ulriel snorted softly, disdain flashing in his silver-gray eyes, ”The young ones from the Faloster Family have become a bit full of themselves. They seem to forget that Colin Ishurian is a kingdom of alliance, not the private property of any family—just a hundred years ago...”

The light in the old man’s eyes sharpened briefly before he stopped himself.

He corrected himself: ”...After I learned of your situation, I caused them quite a bit of trouble. Though I’m no longer the head of the Southern Region Alchemist Alliance, my words still carry some weight. It’s amusing they tried to persuade me, but unfortunately, Phales had to make a wasted trip...”

In the current kingdom, only these legendary figures of earlier generations could ignore the Prime Minister.

Fang Hong couldn’t help but glance at him—so the Alchemist Alliance and the Artisan Association were at odds, apparently also due to his involvement. This former chairman of the Alchemist Alliance clearly still held considerable influence over the Southern Region Alliance.

He then looked at Hilveld, thinking that Miss Ship’s Officer had probably deduced as much.

Hilveld indeed secretly nodded back at him.

The noblewoman turned back and responded: ”...With just the power of the Southern Alliance, it’s very difficult to oppose the royal family, and it would instead give the ’young ones from the Faloster Family’ an excuse to meddle in the south.”

She echoed his phrasing, and Fang Hong understood as well—the ’young ones from the Faloster Family’ referred to the Prime Minister, as that was his surname.

”Do you really think I’m sulking, little girl?” The old man chuckled and shook his head: ”...This is also in the interest of the Southern Alliance. Whether it’s us, the Dwarves, or the Elves, none of us would sit idly by as the royal family grows too dominant.”

He suddenly stopped and looked at everyone: ”Wait a minute, little girl from the Albert Family, this doesn’t quite seem like you...”

Ande Ulriel pondered for a moment, then a look of surprise glimmered in his silver-gray eyes: ”I see, it’s the Avenquin Elf. You’re here to speak on Princess Briana’s behalf—”

He couldn’t help but burst into laughter, making the ceiling shake once more: ”I should’ve thought of it sooner. Not a simple soul in your family; like your father, you never visit without a purpose.”

The old man even uttered a witty phrase from Earth.

After all, this is the China Competition Region, where cultures deeply and interchangeably mingle.

Hilveld merely smiled slightly: ”You’ve guessed wrong there, Mr. Ande Ulriel. Princess Briana did ask me to deliver a message, but she also intends to see you in person. This time, I came mainly to visit you.”