Pillar of Yita

The pastries were made by Lady Kuisu and Atira together, a local food called ’Panini’, which is actually a type of cake shaped like a heart, made from locally sourced ingredients—extracted from the seeds of a nearby tree.

The evergreen leaves of the tree symbolize steadfast love. Under the light of star and fire, Lady Kuisu handed a bouquet of branches with needles to Fang Hong with a smile, indicating for him to give it to Miss Ship’s Officer.

But Fang Hong, feeling a bit shy, hesitated to step forward with the branch.

Lady Kuisu patted his shoulder with a smile, gesturing for him to look over there. Only then did Fang Hong see that many local youths were holding branches, bravely confessing to Hilveld, but the noble lady smiled and shook her head at each one, refusing them.

Fang Hong was infuriated at the sight, these people actually planned to steal his Miss Ship’s Officer!? Outrageous, he immediately summoned Orphen’s Twin Stars and drove them all away.

The gigantic construct in the crowd immediately caused a commotion.

However, when the City Defense Force arrived and found out it was just young people quarreling over love, they couldn’t help but shake their heads. The matters of the Alchemist Lords, better let them resolve it themselves, it’s nothing major anyway.

Every year around this time, there are countless instances of love quarrels escalating into fights, some even become amusing anecdotes.

Tianlan, seeing this, couldn’t help but laugh until she rolled around in the snow. The little girl, of course, was on her captain’s side.

Fang Hong, after driving away those people, turned around and realized what a good deed he had done. He suddenly felt timid again, hesitating to move forward with the branch. But Hilveld stood in front of him, only smiling as she watched him, her eyes curved like crescent moons.

In her eyes, fireworks were reflected, bright and sparkling, yet she said nothing.

”Miss Hilveld, I...”

”A branch of Colin Cedar, it symbolizes love.” Hilveld smiled and said, ”Who is the Lord Captain giving it to...?”

”I, I...” Fang Hong’s face turned even redder.

But, from somewhere, he found the courage, closed his eyes, and offered the branch.

Hilveld took a gentle breath before smiling and accepting the branch.

”What happens next?” she asked.

Fang Hong opened his eyes and saw the girl in front of him closing her eyes.

At that moment, he felt as if the world had stopped.

Only his heart was pounding, and, as if possessed, the young man gently leaned in.

A burst of fireworks in the night sky illuminated this snowy world.

Under the gigantic construct.

Also reflected two intertwining shadows.

The people around turned to see this scene and couldn’t help but applaud, offering blessings from the dreamer and the god of love, Taukin, to the young couple. A girl from France screamed on the side, clapping her hands so hard they hurt, her face flushed with excitement.

Only Gita looked at this scene with slight melancholy. She lowered her head and hugged her big book.

Big Cat People and Atira exchanged glances, couldn’t help but laugh and shake their heads. Reed pointed with his paw to the side, and only then did Atira see that tall boy looking at the scene with a bit of envy.

He always stayed away from the crowd, appearing somewhat isolated, even though he was part of this team, he was always alone.

Elf Miss knew that he had his own story in his heart.

She picked up a branch and went over, handing it to Luo Yu. The boy was slightly taken aback and turned back, looking at Atira with confusion. Atira didn’t speak, just pointed in a direction.

Tianlan laughed so hard she couldn’t catch her breath and sat down by the wall to rest for a while.

But suddenly within her vision appeared a branch.

The green pine needles, as if freshly picked, glistened with snowflakes—symbolizing purity, and an untainted simplicity. The boy said nothing, and Tianlan looked up curiously at him:

”Is this for me?”

Luo Yu nodded.

”Thank you.” Tianlan accepted the pine branch graciously, lightly twirling the needles with her fingers, suddenly her face blushing a little.

The two were silent for a moment.

Sparks were forming a sea of light in the night sky, reflecting the shadow of every person on the street, swaying and interweaving. And in the eyes of every Invoker, it was a reflection from many years ago, the ancient fireworks seemed to carry the aura of time and magic.

Tianlan patted the spot next to her, ”You can sit here.”

So Luo Yu followed her instructions, and the two sat side by side, watching the kaleidoscopic night scene.

The celebration reached its climax—

People bowed their heads, silently giving thanks for the protection of the Oulin Saints.

Fang Hong, holding Hilveld’s hand, walked back into the hall. Elisa had also dressed up Delice, the little girl holding the hand of the equally recently recovered Magic Guided Conductor, the young man called the ’Uncrowned Crown’.

Sophie no longer concerned herself with the vexing matters of V.E.M, she and Xi asked people about the celebration. Lady Kuisu told others that after the fireworks show, there would still be other events.

Such as various competitions, carnivals, and balls, and finally an epic finale, where the current Family Head of the Phoenix Family would appear with the Phoenix Holy Sword.

”In the Phoenix Holy Sword truly resides a sacred soul of a phoenix—”

”It’s the real Fire Phoenix, it’s the pride of Dulun City!”

”Only during this time each year do you get the chance to feast your eyes.”