Pillar of Yita

Because this season is not the busiest for domestic routes, it is the best time to leave the shores of the Starwind Archipelago, pass through Hanruina, and head for the Osh Floating Continent.

During this season, Colin’s merchant fleet would often start from East Istania, crossing the edge of the world along the Starwind Archipelago, finally reaching the Empire’s Haverlin region; while Istania’s fleet would gather further south in Bargo, waiting for a brief window period after the Sky Sea storms.

So at this time, any ship coming from the north is mostly on a specific mission — or used for private purposes.

However, Fang Hong didn’t think much of it at the time, assuming it might be a special ship of the Colin Ishurian Royalty or the Artisan Association. But he didn’t expect Lady Kuisu and her team to be on this ship.

Although they had sent a letter a few weeks ago saying they would choose a date to go to Istania soon. He thought they wouldn’t arrive until at least mid-June, but he didn’t expect it to be so soon.

And the person standing in front of him at this moment was, of course, none other than Lady Kuisu traveling southward from Colin Ishurian.

Facing his greeting, Kuisu just smiled slightly. But her expression soon turned serious, and she stepped back, giving him a courteous and solemn bow.

This sudden courtesy took Fang Hong by surprise.

The next moment, she raised her head, looked at him, and said, ”Ade, thank you.”

Fang Hong’s gaze flickered slightly, and he opened his mouth:

”Lady Kuisu, actually you don’t have to do this... although we encountered that wanderer in Idus, we ultimately couldn’t hold them down, and even if we did, they might not truly be the one who killed your son...”

But Kuisu gently shook her head: ”Mr. Ade, in fact, at the Masongke Creek base, I didn’t fully believe your words. I only traveled south with others to fulfill the previous covenant. But you proved your word with facts, so I must apologize for my earlier doubts—.”

She paused, her gaze at Fang Hong softening: ”I understand your concerns, but regardless of whether that wanderer in Idus is the mastermind behind everything, all of this is at least related to the Dragon Worship Sect and those people.”

”So even just telling me this answer, as a mother, I must express my gratitude to you.”

Fang Hong was taken aback.

Kuisu continued: ”I heard you want to build a floating ship of your own, so I hurried south with everyone. This ship was chartered by us from Fanric, bringing not only timber from the Redwood Forest in the Long Lake District but also some useful things.”

She looked around, and beside her were several sturdy woodcutters who had arrived with her.

She withdrew her gaze and then said, ”Ade, we can’t compare to those excellent Alchemists, and we can’t be of too much help, but after all, we have dealt with sawmills and logging for years, and our woodworking skills are passable — in the worst case, we can be laborers and help with whatever we can.”

Fang Hong stared at these people with wide eyes.

He originally thought Lady Kuisu would be transporting this batch of goods alone to the south, given that cargo costs and passenger costs are two different concepts.

From Fanric to Tansnier, the cheapest airship ticket is at least six thousand Lycel, and Lady Kuisu’s team had at least thirty or forty people — and reportedly, she also covered the tickets for the Forest group’s trip.

But he suddenly realized something: ”Wait, Lady Kuisu... did you bring everyone here... No, is this ship chartered by you?”

Kuisu nodded.

She replied, ”Over the years, I have saved up a small sum actually, and after my husband’s death, I put almost all my energy into this.”

She sighed: ”But I never expected to encounter something like this... if it weren’t for the uncertain future for everyone, I would have entrusted this team to someone else at the Masongke Creek base... and then focused on finding the killer of my son.”

She looked at Fang Hong again: ”But I didn’t expect to meet you all, I know the conduct of adventurers, and naturally, I understand the great help you have given me in this matter — I don’t have any other goals now, so please at least let me lend a helping hand in this matter.”

As she finished speaking, those woodcutters beside her all nodded in agreement: ”Mr. Ade, the captain has sought our opinion, and almost everyone agreed, we traveled south to this place, please let us help.”

”Yes, Mr. Ade, you are good people, but we are not so bad either. You helped the captain, and we help you, there’s nothing more rightful than this.”

Fang Hong looked at these people, gently pursing his lips.

He was silent for a moment, finally nodding silently.

Seeing his expression, Kuisu smiled slightly —

What Kuisu brought was not just her team..

In fact, there were also a few other members from the ’Forest Praise’ and the original ’Uncrowned’ guild they belonged to.

At that time, during the southern region, only the Uncrowned and a few other members of the Seven Seas Travel Group first arrived in Fanric. The Forest group members stayed within Lady Kuisu’s team, responsible for protecting the woodcutters.

According to this lady’s later letter, the Forest members left behind had helped her greatly — if not for them, her team might not have completed the mission so smoothly and ahead of time.

The Uncrowned and Delice have now settled in Fanric, and due to Count Westwood Sibika, they probably won’t be leaving anytime soon. But the other members of this team are mostly combat profession practitioners, and it’s unlikely they will stay in one place long.

Therefore, they traveled south with Lady Kuisu’s team.

Fang Hong roughly understood the intentions of these people.

Now, their guild had disbanded, and their original leader — the Uncrowned Crown, due to matters with Miss Delice, wouldn’t be adventuring anytime soon either. But these people couldn’t all stop in Fanric and naturally had to find a new team to join.

They didn’t know many people, and among those, Fang Hong was probably the only one who might be able to help them.

As for the stay of the Forest group and others, Fang Hong had already considered this.

...