Pillar of Yita

The black-grey kettle was steaming with white vapor as it was lifted from the stove. When the lid was opened, the mist spread like an ethereal realm, watched closely by a pair of bright, slightly moist eyes from behind.

Elisa’s fair hand turned off the fire, picked up the kettle, and poured the boiling water into the white porcelain tea set, watching the light red tea leaves swirl up, forming a circle of foam, floating up and down.

Her every move was careful, as if shining. After preparing three cups of tea, she smiled slightly, contentedly placing them on a silver tray, and carried it out with one hand.

Outside, the Big Cat People and Mr. Bakins were sitting on the terrace of the platform. The grapevine planted by Atira had already spread its tendrils; the lush leaves formed a canopy overhead, casting fragmented light and shadow. The Lion Paladin was engrossed with a carving knife, crafting a brand-new pipe.

”Reed, Mr. Bakins, Miss Xiesta, the tea is ready.”

In the center of the terrace was a small round table with some tea snacks on it, surrounded by a few white wooden chairs. Miss Daisy was leaning on the corner of a chair, lazily squinting her eyes.

”Thank you for your effort, Elisa,” the Big Cat People put down the carving knife and gave a warm smile.

”Miss Atira worked much harder than I did,” Alice said with a smile. ”She prepared all the tea snacks by herself.”

”Indeed, her skills are just as good as they were at Giant Tree Hill, not a bit has declined,” agreed the Big Cat People.

”Thank you,” Bakins said, also putting down the Transmission Crystal in his hand, nodding at her. The crystal was showing a live feed from the Fanric tournament; the crowd parted as the previous winner walked slowly off the field.

Their familiar faces were on display.

”Ade and his team won again,” Elisa said, looking at the screen, her eyebrows raised in a smile.

”Narrow victory,” Bakins replied.

Miss Xiesta accepted a teacup and simply nodded at Elisa.

”Mr. Bakins, are you also knowledgeable about craftsmanship competitions?” Elisa asked with some curiosity.

”Somewhat,” Bakins continued to reply.

Wind blew through the grape trellis, making the leaves rustle. The southern wind passed through Istania, carrying a dry, sandy scent.

Atira, frowning, came out from the ship’s prow kitchen and said to the group, ”Mr. Greyrock seems uneasy, I’m not sure what’s causing this around here.”

Miss Daisy suddenly opened her eyes, let out a ”meow,” stretched with her paws on the ground, and then nimbly leaped onto one side of the ship’s railing, standing with her tail raised.

The Lion Paladin put down the carving knife, took the Scepter of Authority leaning against the chair, and stood up, looking over the side of the ship towards the shimmering Long Lake.

In the Port District that afternoon, there were few people; everyone had gone to watch the tournament. The sun was shining brightly, visibility was high, and one could clearly see the silent forest across the lake shore several miles away.

Bakins also picked up his handgun.

”A few rotten fish and shrimp,” Reed squinted, and his silver-grey eyes showed a dangerous glint.

In the direction of Pier Number Four, behind the three-masted ship ’Scarlet Beauty,’ several shadows were sneaking ashore from the water. These creatures had lake-green, smooth, moist skin, with long, spiny fins growing from their backs, necks, and shoulders.

”Thornfish People,” Bakins recognized the monsters.

”These things appearing here are up to no good,” the Lion said. ”Let me teach them a lesson, you all go find the nearest people.”

He hung the Scepter of Authority behind him and walked forward.

But Elisa called out to the two: ”Please wait a moment, Mr. Bakins, Mr. Reed.”

”What do you see over there?” she asked, pointing towards Long Lake.

On the shimmering lake surface, a shallow white wave was moving in this direction. It stretched several miles wide, like a white line, gradually progressing towards the port.

...

The body lay sprawled on the ground, its face hidden in the shaded shadow, motionless. Thick blood bubbled quietly out, seeping into the bricks, like slowly expanding black stains.

The fatal wound was a penetrating chest injury, where the armor caved inward, the edges rolled.

One could imagine a spear thrust powerfully here, force penetrating the spine, leaving a gap on the moss-covered stone bricks after piercing through two layers of armor. Then the attacker pulled out the spear, and the body’s owner fell with the momentum, the flowing blood leaving dragging marks on the ground.

The spear inflicted a deep cutting wound at the point of entry, suggesting flat blades on its sides. In Nogness, spears with such blades were often held by a strong hand.

The dry, slender arm was covered in grey scales.

The tall Lizardmen appeared like shadows cast at the entrance of the sewer. They let out low conversations, then vanished like phantoms into the dark tunnel.

In the distance, a sea of sound erupted in the plaza.

The cheers reached this unknown corner.

Even made the glass in a two-story building down the street slightly tremble—

Yuwen Yu pressed his hand against the glass. The glass craftsmanship in Eteliria was far inferior to Earth’s; the impurities in the glass looked like starry dots upon close inspection, vibrating made it hard to see the entrance of the apartment across the street.

He didn’t like surprises.

Just like aligning a target within the sights, considering wind drift, trajectory drop, humidity, and minor physical tremors—all had to be calculated in.