Pillar of Yita

”My duchy, it’s best to be in places like Scepter Coast. It’s far from the center of the kingdom, and I’ve heard that the nobles there are lawless. I’ve longed for that place for a long time, I’ve wanted to leave Idus, a godforsaken place, for ages.”

”Of course,” the Wanderer replied: ”I recall, you should know, the power of these mortals is no different to me than a worthless stone. Not to mention a duke, you can also become the King of Colin Ishurian.”

”Then forget it,” Garcia replied: ”I’m not an idiot, staying at the kingdom’s center as a shield for you. I can imagine if you plan to do that, you will surely be the target of everyone. If you fail, I’d still like to enjoy my retirement.”

”I will not fail.”

”Don’t get excited, I was just saying.” Garcia obviously expressed what he was thinking, he didn’t think his arrogant and ambitious ’companion’ would have any good outcome.

There have been many ambitious people in history, but the bigger the ambition, the worse the eventual outcome often is. Especially this one, his goal isn’t as simple as usurping the throne. If the other party honestly plans to be a dynasty’s founder, with his ability, he would be happy to serve.

Unfortunately, to be against the gods, he must be either crazy, or the other party must be.

Of course, he wouldn’t say these words, he only asked: ”So when can you deliver the benefits you promised me?”

”Right now.”

”Now?” Garcia seemed unbelieving of his ears, he couldn’t help but confirm again: ”Are you sure.”

”When have I ever bothered to waste words with you,” the Wanderer replied: ”But before that, you need to do two things.”

”Which two things?”

”First, hand this ring to her.”

In the darkness, Garcia’s voice did not immediately sound again, silence seemed to be identifying the ring. After a while, the other party began to speak: ”I understand, this ring is what she gave to Yoshude, handing the ring to her is to prove Yoshude has had a change of heart.”

”Exactly.”

”The question is, how is this ring in your possession?”

”It’s Istania’s custom. This ring was actually a gift from Yoshude to her. According to the covenant, she would return this ring to Yoshude, to express her intentions. But the day Yoshude left, I managed to delay her some time, so she couldn’t catch up with the farewell team—”

”It’s really simple, she is originally unwelcome in Dragon’s Land. Such a grand celebration, how would others be willing to let an outcast like her attend and ruin everyone’s mood? So she didn’t even suspect me.”

”This ring was entrusted to me to deliver to Yoshude. But I guess she has already forgotten about it, wholeheartedly believing this ring is still in Yoshude’s possession.”

”Ah, you’re truly insidious and vicious.”

Garcia sighed: ”But Yoshude, how could he do this, a proper token of love, actually replaced with such an inferior ring, almost like a cheap, street-bought piece for a few copper coins. If it were me, I’d avoid such cumbersome work, just get a counterfeit directly, it’d be less risky.”

”If you underestimate a dragon’s ability to identify handled items,” the Wanderer replied: ”Then you’re doomed.”

Garcia was speechless for quite a while.

After a moment, he asked: ”Alright, what’s the second thing?”

”This is a portrait of her mother.”

”An absolute beauty, what do I need it for?”

”I need you to do a good deed, for you to gain her recognition. So I want you to reveal a truth to her, that is: everything that happened in Aimumu Fortress more than ten years ago, tell her the whole story.”

”And tell her that I am the one who killed her mother, that I am also her birth father, and the master of this entire plot.”

”Chilling.”

Garcia couldn’t help but sigh, but he said no more, nor did he oppose.

In the darkness, the temperature of the Ring of Golden Flame gradually dissipated, becoming cold again. Just like Fang Hong’s heart at this moment, he had never imagined someone so vicious could exist in this world, to do such things to his own wife and daughter.

Moreover, his voice showed no sign of unease, not even a ripple of emotion, as if he hadn’t murdered his wife and daughter, but merely completed a part of his plan.

Even Praetor Garcia, compared to him, seemed more human. Because even emotionless beasts couldn’t commit such atrocious acts. The demon lurking in human hearts only made Fang Hong feel an inexplicable chill.

It’s akin to an image in the Nether, pointing to how cold and cruel one can become without moral and human restraints.

Fang Hong clenched the ring in his hand—he had never been so consumed with anger—he only wished he could pull the opponent down from their high stance, send them crashing down from the clouds.

To break all those damned plans, shatter them into dust, make all his pursuits meaningless. To let him experience firsthand, the feeling of destroying what others cherish.