Pillar of Yita

Within the inn, standing under the palm tree in the courtyard, the middle-aged man named Abed Rahman was lean, steady, and serious, with a pointed tuft of beard on his chin, brown-red skin, wearing a gray-yellow robe and a turban, embodying the typical look of an Istania.

This person was the daily manager of the Sand Lodge. Although it was a property of the Royal House of Penelope, Affia’s sister, as the princess, naturally wouldn’t handle everything personally. However, her appointing this person to oversee the location indicated his extraordinary abilities and the great trust he earned from the Grand Princess.

Fang Hong assumed he had never met Abed before, and vice versa, yet this sudden attention naturally brought a bit of confusion to him. Out of politeness, he stepped forward to thank Abed, who responded with a calm yet respectful tone:

”The Princess has asked me to thank everyone for taking care of her sister.”

Hearing this, Fang Hong was finally enlightened. However, Affia had only left a few days ago and the Grand Princess already knew about it. It seemed their actions had long been under surveillance—was this a gentle warning for the offense to her sister, or gratitude? Perhaps a blend of both.

Fang Hong pondered inwardly; the Grand Princess certainly seemed skillful.

Abed extended a hand: ”You’ve all reserved a guest here, please follow me.”

Fang Hong involuntarily exchanged glances with the Big Cat People. On the side, Tang De tapped his cane, saying, ”I won’t accompany you to that dull meeting; this hall’s scenery is quite nice, though sinister; staying here seems better.” He tucked the cane into the crook of his arm. ”I’ll wait here for you.”

Fang Hong glanced at the hall, feeling a bit speechless. To call the well-lit, airy hall of the inn sinister in front of the host—this fellow seemed purely here to stir up trouble, didn’t he? Yet Abed merely witnessed this, and without any grudges, respectfully walked over and gave a salute:

”Master Practitioner, making you satisfied is an honor for this humble place; please wait for a moment, and I’ll arrange the best location for you—”

Tang De was by no means modest, nodding arrogantly as if all were expected.

It made Fang Hong roll his eyes.

The place Abed arranged for Tang De already had another necromancer present. Though there were numerous seats, upon seeing Tang De, the necromancer silently stood up to let him have the place. Unexpectedly, the sorcerer-ghoul, whom Fang Hong perceived as obnoxious, initiated a conversation:

”Why leave? Since we’re colleagues, why not stay and chat?”

The local necromancer was overjoyed, hurriedly shooing away the servants, personally pulling a chair for Tang De, standing by like a servant. Tang De accepted it impassively, speaking politely to sit down, though not insisting when the other wouldn’t sit.

Witnessing this, Fang Hong felt somewhat surprised, casting a glance at the sorcerer-ghoul.

He observed the three purple bands on the necromancer’s sleeve, indicating they were at least a Level 30 Undead Necromancer, noteworthy locally. Yet, before this cheeky sorcerer-ghoul, they were as cautious as a schoolchild.

For the first time, Fang Hong realized, although the sorcerer-ghoul often engaged in trivial arguments with Tang Xin and cast minor troublesome spells on Tianlan or Ai Xiaoxiao, a sorcerer-ghoul was, after all, a sorcerer-ghoul.

Necromancer is a lonely profession, accompanying the deceased most of their life, disreputable in most regions, even hunted in some places. On such a path, strength naturally takes precedence, especially since Tang De, an old monster over a hundred years old, is indeed regarded as a master in this domain.

In Fang Hong’s mind, the true master should resemble Kalatu, mature and composed.

After settling Tang De, Abed led the group to the inn’s courtyard. At the hall leading to the courtyard, an Yinhanz Type-4 was displayed; Fang Hong took another look. This centaur-shaped construct was a pinnacle representation of the Magic Guided Construct School.

Knowing the value of this construct, Fang Hong couldn’t help but marvel at the inn, befitting Royal Family grandeur; a magic guided construct worth over three hundred seventy thousand Lycel was displayed like an exhibit here. Abed turned around, noticed his expression, and introduced calmly:

”This is a gift from the local Artisan Association to Princess Rupert.”

”But it’s not the most expensive exhibit here.”

After Fang Hong mentioned the construct’s value, Parker exclaimed: ”Three hundred seventy thousand Lycel, how much is that? And it’s not the most expensive exhibit here?”

Abed then directed their attention to the other side, as against the hall stood a woodcarving resembling a totem, with a ruby embedded in the center, radiating a deep glow.

The Papalar People walked over, circled the totem twice, incredulously: ”Just this pitch-black wooden column?”

”Parker, what a disgrace. That’s the work of an Elf Master,” surprisingly, it was Ai Xiaoxiao who spoke, not Abed: ”The ruby on the totem is the Heart of Flame, once auctioned for thirteen thousand Lycel at Elpaxin’s great auction. As for now, it’s priceless.”