Pillar of Yita

Nulman, or Nulman Ig Herman Aimoyiben, the Ig in his name means that at least one generation in the family has inherited a dukedom. Though the Istanian peerage, in the eyes of Colin Ishurian’s upper nobility, is nothing more than a country bumpkin from a remote area, this name still brings unparalleled honor to His Excellency the Governor. Herman is his father’s name, Aimoyiben comes from his legendary grandfather. The Aimoyiben Family had been in decline for three generations, but his father’s and grandfather’s generations were full of outstanding individuals. The Aimoyiben Family knew how to adapt to the times, accumulating bit by bit, leading to today’s prosperity.

Old Herman passed away due to a relapse of old injuries from the Battle of Bain seven years ago. Now, all the family’s burdens rest on his shoulders. Reviving the glory of the Aimoyiben Family seems to be a persistent shadow in the governor’s heart. It made him quickly mature from a youthful frivolity and naivety, becoming more seasoned day by day. Today, he has many children, his hair gradually frosted, and now outsiders say he increasingly resembles his grandfather.

Nulman looked gloomily at the middle-aged arcanist before him, his curled mustache seemed to make the gloom tangible. The governor was known for his extreme pursuit of tidiness, neatness in public settings had become a trademark of his. But now, the sandstorm made the castle walls rustle, outside skies were dim, small stones occasionally fell from the ceiling onto his clean and beautiful governor’s robe, yet His Excellency did not even glance at them.

The curls of his mustache moved slightly, he finally spoke, his voice not high: ”You promised me there would be no problems for me to let you bring those people inside. Considering we both serve His Majesty, I didn’t want to make things difficult for our own people. But now the dungeon has lost contact, was it if not my men noticing the anomaly, would you continue to conceal it? It seems you have some misunderstanding about the preparedness level of Bain Fortress, thinking I cannot even secure my own territory?”

The middle-aged arcanist explained matter-of-factly: ”Your Excellency, it’s only losing contact, after all in such weather, anything can happen. We’ve already sent people to investigate, it’s not necessarily something happened, it’s too early to conclude. We better not disturb ourselves before anything is confirmed.”

Hearing ’disturb ourselves’, a trace of displeasure appeared in Nulman’s expression. These arcanists’ consistent arrogance made them like to meddle outside their domain. But he unceremoniously said: ”Perhaps you don’t quite understand what’s a military zone, Bain Fortress has long-established rules, passed down for decades, or even centuries. Losing contact means an anomaly, an anomaly means danger.”

”You can dismiss it casually, because failure only costs some reputation,” he said calmly: ”But given the ’Eye of Revelation’s’ centuries-old history, this reputation seems not much to you. But it doesn’t mean I am easily deceived like those fools outside, it’s best you understand who is in charge here.”

The middle-aged arcanist chuckled indifferently: ”Your Excellency, you’re overthinking. Even if those people escape, what can they do? A member of a small mercenary group, took some tasks from the Port Authority, they’re insignificant roles. On the other side, it’s the Princess’s people, honestly, it’s laughable, she probably doesn’t even know what she’s doing, hiring a few young adventurers. To us, they’re nearly transparent, if not for avoiding complications, we wouldn’t even bother bringing them back—”

”Don’t forget, Your Excellency,” he added: ”We caught them once, we can catch them a second time. Also, in this weather, where could they possibly escape to?”

”I hope so,” Nulman replied: ”But don’t forget they’re Holy Choosers, a sandstorm means nothing to them, they often use death as a means. Do you understand what I mean? I also have some Holy Choosers under me, I know these people better than you.”

But the middle-aged arcanist was not fazed: ”Leaving the fortress ten miles is Bain City’s domain, every Holy Sanctuary within the city has designated guards, where can these little rats escape to?”

”Seems like you’re well-prepared.”

”It’s set by Lord Ebene, although he’s not here, we continue to execute his plan. To be safe, we’ll closely monitor the city during the entire operation.”

”Then this action...”

”Rest assured, the Princess is completely unaware.”

Nulman was silent for a while as if convinced, looking subtly at the middle-aged arcanist, he said: ”But if he were here, maybe you wouldn’t be so optimistic.”

The middle-aged arcanist was slightly alarmed, became more sober: ”Thanks for the reminder, Lord Ebene’s caution is indeed impressive. Although said so, we will still try not to let them escape this fortress. Of course, that is if it’s not a false alarm.”