Pillar of Yita

It was not a superficial, leaf-wave-like affection for dragons, but a true idealism, a passion that could withstand sweat and effort, and manifest itself in real action — over the years, her cousin’s silent preparation in private was all seen by her, even participating personally.

And his final choice was truly out of necessity.

It was just bold enough that it frightened her —

Her tone softened: ”So what are you planning to do?”

Fang Hong shook his head, having decided to confront the military. The trouble he caused would have to be resolved by himself; however, he wasn’t acting out of impulsive heat, for the plan had long been set, and now it was just being put into action.

Tang Xin seemed to notice his plan, sighing: ”My parents should be behind the Stargate too, you can’t keep avoiding them, it’s best to meet them once.”

Fang Hong nodded.

But she couldn’t help but worry: ”But what about your studies?”

”Before I left, I had already taken a leave from my mentor,” Fang Hong finally answered: ”Within two years, it should be no problem.”

This damn Pigeon was ready from the start — Tang Xin felt a nameless anger, her tone turned cold: ”You’ve prepared so thoroughly.”

Fang Hong was startled, knowing it was because he hadn’t informed her of this, which made her angry. Wisely, he did not respond, thus avoiding this life-risking question.

But Tang Xin apparently didn’t intend to let him go, casting a glance at the not-so-distant Miss Ship’s Officer, pretending to ask calmly: ”Who is she?”

Fang Hong felt something was off in her tone but had to answer reluctantly: ”She, she is Hilveld.”

Tang Xin rolled her eyes at him: ”Who asked for her name?”

Fang Hong looked at his cousin, puzzled.

”Identity,” Tang Xin then replied: ”She isn’t just any family’s young lady, right? In Eteliria, I’ve only seen this kind of aura in noble daughters.” She analyzed confidently: ”And not just any aristocratic young lady —”

Tang Xin frowned and looked back: ”How does she know our cousin?”

”Well...”

”Speak plainly,” Tang Xin said impatiently: ”What’s the relationship between you?” And after asking, her face flushed lightly.

And Fang Hong also blushed: ”Well, Tangtang, this is my personal matter.”

Tang Xin glared at him, secretly biting her lip, and replied coldly: ”I understand, but be careful, you idiot Pigeon, pretty girls can be deceiving.”

Fang Hong looked at her: ”But Tangtang, you are also very pretty?”

Tang Xin’s cheeks flushed with two clouds of red, angrily saying: ”Pigeon Fang, don’t you have any brain, I’m your cousin!”

Fang Hong was speechless.

She then took a soft breath, adjusted her mood, and looked at him a bit suspiciously: ”But how did you end up together, is it another case of a noble lady favoring a poor boy?”

Upon hearing this, Fang Hong was slightly taken aback.

But what first came to mind wasn’t anything else, but memories from Elpaxin surged within, they felt like a dream today.

”Captain, would you do me a favor?”

The words still rang in his ears.

Fang Hong turned around, looking at his Miss Ship’s Officer with a nostalgic gaze. Hilveld was slightly stunned, then chuckled softly, responding only with gentle eyes.

The beginning of it all actually traced back to those moments and encounters at Traveler’s Rest.

Then came the life-death mutual handholding in Dolifen, standing side by side underground in Fenris.

Confessing heartfelt feelings in Cloud Harbor...

Ultimately, it all turned into two intersecting shadows under the fireworks of Dulun City.

It made Fang Hong understand inwardly, the promise to each other carried with it a heavy duty towards a lady. And it was exactly as the Big Cat People described — the process of a boy growing into a man.

Tang Xin hadn’t expected her question to invoke such a reaction; she silently watched them gaze into each other’s eyes, feeling a bit solemn.

She suddenly regretted not coming to this world with her cousin. The cousin who always listened to her, a little silly sometimes, seemed to have unknowingly grown distant.

Fang Hong then turned back, answering: ”Tangtang... How I met Miss Hilveld is a long story...”

That tone, already unlike the big Pigeon she knew.

But Tang Xin lowered her head, muttering in her heart: ”How long could it be, it’s only been a year.”

...

Finally managed to calm the ’incident’.

After that, Fang Hong eventually found a street-side café, recounting his experiences over the past year to Tang Xin. Some of it she knew, like the Continental League, or the identity of the Stowaway.

But much was unknown to both, like Dolifen’s bizarre Phantom Realm chess game, the grandeur of Rainbow Cloud Sea; also Fenris Isle’s last-minute salvation, and Cloud Harbor’s revival and reconstruction.

It was the story of a Knight, also the ballad of a Poet.

From Golande to Fanric, from the Northern Lands to the Southern Region, some details of the story even Hilveld hadn’t heard, so the noble daughter was enraptured.

Tang Xin couldn’t help but watch her cousin in surprise, from the Morning Dawn Star’s experiences, to opposing the Dragon Worship Sect. This past year, her cousin had gone through so much.

He was no longer that goofy Pigeon. Seeing his face, he seemed somewhat thinner, but much more mature, with a touch of weather-worn tenderness, yet it made her more uneasy —