Pillar of Yita

However, even so, this path is not easy to walk; in fact, before the Floating Ship was born, there was no easy path through Istania.

It is precisely the isolated desert that has forged a way of life in Istania that is different from that of the Northern Continent.

Fang Hong recalled what Affia had said earlier and asked, ”You say Pasha is a slave; what’s going on? Colin Ishurian still has slaves?”

He couldn’t help but frown, ”’Stargate Declaration’ is not just a covenant with the Invokers, but also an understanding and compromise reached between the two worlds on either side of the Stargate, among various countries. Indeed, before the time of the ’Stargate Declaration’, there were indeed isolated pockets of serfdom within Colin Ishurian, but after that, it was basically fully abolished.”

Of course, this situation was limited to Colin alone; in Rotao, in Osh, it was another story. After all, most of the signatory countries of the ’Stargate Declaration’ were bilateral agreements corresponding to each region’s competition. Concurrently, if Colin Ishurian itself did not have such an intent, such a covenant could not have been reached.

This world is inherently peculiar; on one hand, a highly developed alchemical civilization exists, but on the other, various aspects have not yet completely emerged from backward systems. Yet, over the past half-century, profound changes have occurred in the various countries of Eteliria, compared with a century ago.

Just like the question he is asking now.

If Colin Ishurian, including Istania, still has a slavery system, then someone almost certainly has trampled upon the ’Stargate Declaration’.

But Affia is not too concerned with this question and casually replied, ”I understand what you mean; the slave system you speak of has naturally long since vanished, for my father, would not openly oppose the Alliance’s will.”

”What do you mean?” Fang Hong asked with a frown, ”Is your father privately condoning the existence of this system?”

”You’re really unpleasant to talk to,” Affia turned her head, flicking a small braid and glaring at him with amber eyes, ”My father holds a position that would certainly not allow such acts. But Pasha is considered the lowest in Istania, and this fact is not something my father alone can change.”

She cast a dismissive glance at Pasha and waved her hand.

Pasha lowered his head, timidly stepping aside. These days, he had long understood the girl’s identity, daughter of Barbaltan, King of Sand, who to him seemed almost celestial. That such an individual would be aboard Lord Captain’s ship, made him proud.

Fang Hong furrowed his brow tightly, feeling rather riled as he grabbed her hand and asked, ”Who did you say was a lower class?”

”What are you doing?” Affia was startled, struggling to free herself from his grasp; her two servants glanced from afar but hesitated to approach due to Fang Hong’s captain status. The little princess with a head full of braids drew back her hand, her brow furrowed tightly:

”What are you doing? I didn’t say you.”

”You say that about anyone and it’s unacceptable; it’s basic manners,” Fang Hong replied seriously.

”But I wasn’t wrong, if you don’t believe me, ask him yourself.”

Fang Hong took a breath, likely realizing it wasn’t worthwhile getting angry with a young girl. He simply responded, ”Anywhere else is up to you, but not aboard my ship.”

”Here, my word is law.”

Affia bit her lip, blocked by his statement, unable to speak, her eyes welling with tears.

She certainly understood this condition, especially on this ’ship’; if he ordered her to disembark, regardless of if she’s the daughter of the King of Sand or the illegitimate child of some deity, she’d have to comply. Although as a desert dweller, she could traverse the desert, that disgrace would be worse than death.

Her chest heaved, finally exasperated, ”Why are you mad at me; I don’t have slaves. Why don’t you take on those smugglers, those cultists! My father and I have always been fighting them.”

”You understand nothing, you think everyone there is equal? Just as Mr. Tang De said; the superficial levels are gone, but the levels within people’s hearts are stricter than ever. The tricks of your Grand Guild are no different from ours.”

Fang Hong met the little girl’s gaze and replied deliberately, ”I’ve been dealing with them continuously.”

Affia opened her mouth slightly.

She paused, realizing it was indeed so.

Yet her heart remained resentful, she clenched her fists momentarily before storming off the ship cabin.

”Utterly unreasonable.” Fang Hong couldn’t help but shake his head as he watched the little princess leave.

Just like between him and Hilveld, he felt it difficult to explain these matters to the other party clearly — of course, compared to this prickly princess, the Noble Lady was indeed an angel who understands him. Although Hilveld had more or less ingrained perceptions, she was at least willing to embrace change.

Moreover, Fang Hong knew that Miss Ship’s Officer always understood his intentions.

He actually cared not for levels but for respect. At least on his ship, Pasha was just an ordinary member. Likewise, Hilveld would never put on airs with anyone aboard, nor would she ever handle matters in the way she did when she was on Princess Briana’s ship.