Pillar of Yita

In fact, at the moment it was confirmed there was an intruder, Nulman Ig Harman Aymur immediately gave orders for the knights to protect Miss Lavali and the ’important guests’ there at all costs. He himself dared not be careless for a moment, abandoning the crowd in the hall, and hurriedly rushing upstairs with a group of armored guards.

Unexpectedly, halfway through, there was already dire news coming in. When Nulman learned of it, he nearly staggered, the color drained from his face swiftly, showing a pallor as if struck by lightning. However, he quickly steadied himself, his fingers gripping the Scepter of Authority turning white, yet his voice was not loud: ”The criminals say they want to talk with me?”

”Sorry, sir, we couldn’t protect the lady,” the lead knight looked dismal, wiping his face with his hand, speaking with shame. ”But they did say that, and they also claimed they don’t intend to harm the young lady.”

Nulman breathed a sigh of relief and regained his composure, nodding his chin slightly: ”Take me to meet them.”

The knights followed his command, and the group passed through the ruins on the third floor, heading towards the door of Lavali’s room on the fourth floor of the castle. Outside the door that had been smashed open, a group of knights was closely surrounding it, impenetrable. When His Excellency the Governor arrived, the knights automatically parted to create a path.

After a while, the Arcanists also followed, as they naturally could not stand aloof when such a thing happened to their host. Nulman looked at the door, ajar from the impact, and felt a sudden pain in his heart. Despite having many wives and concubines, Lavali was the only child left by the woman he loved the most, and his sole remnant of remembrance for his deceased wife.

He turned his head, casting a cold glance at the Arcanists, more disliking these boastful people at the moment than the criminals inside; it was they who caused trouble, and as far as he knew, these Invokers were not truly lawless rogues; on the contrary, how was their cooperation with the Port Authority in investigating smugglers erroneous?

The middle-aged Arcanist, knowing he was in the wrong, showed an embarrassed look but tried to remedy the situation: ”Sir, our spell might be of help.”

But before he could finish, a knight drew a curved blade and pointed it at his neck, angrily saying, ”If not for you lot, how could such a thing happen?”

”Sir...” The middle-aged Arcanist stiffened, looking only at Nulman.

Nulman coldly replied, ”Before I decide to drive you out, better shut your mouth.”

”Sir, you can’t let those people go,” the middle-aged Arcanist pleaded, ”Our actions must remain absolutely confidential; it’s His Majesty’s orders.”

Nulman sneered, ”What about my daughter?”

”We... might still have a solution.”

That statement was as good as unsaid, and Nulman didn’t intend to listen to him further, walking straight to the door with his armored knights following behind.

Upon hearing voices from behind the door, Fang Hong realized that perhaps the main figure had arrived. He heard people conversing outside, but couldn’t clearly make out the content, feeling somewhat regretful for not tossing a ’Hornet-I’ outside before coming in; however, this was his first time doing such a thing, and in his tension, he inevitably overlooked details.

At that time, fearing the plan would fail, he hadn’t thought about these specifics, and now, these thoughts are merely a sigh over the seventh pancake’s lament.

He looked at ’Miss Lavali’ shivering beside him, taking a gentle breath, loudly speaking: ”Is Nulman Ig Harman Aymur outside?” He was a bit impressed with himself for reciting the full name without error in such circumstances.

But Nulman didn’t intend to waste words with them; the trouble was caused by the Arcanists, and if he pursued accountability, it was understandable, plus he was full of rage, not immediately falling out with the Arcanists was already giving face to His Majesty the King of Sand, he directly spoke:

”How do you plan to leave this place?”

Fang Hong was slightly startled inside, surprised by the straightforwardness.

He was almost inclined to think it was a trap, but even if it was now, jumping into it was inevitable because not jumping would leave no opportunity.

He was silent for a moment, then tried to maintain his voice calm: ”We have an ally in your hands, please bring her here.”

”Alright.” Nulman’s tone was equally calm.

”Also,” Fang Hong continued, ”give us the helm keys and engine Crystal of the Dawood Ship.” The Dawood Ship is the airship docked above the castle; before Nulman arrived, he had already inquired about the airship’s details from ’Miss Lavali’.

But this time, before Count Nulman could respond, the middle-aged Arcanist jumped up as if stung, urgently saying, ”That’s absolutely impossible!”

Nulman lowered his eyelids, looking at him briefly, speaking in a deep voice to instruct his knights: ”Go ’invite’ the Dawood Ship’s Ship’s Officer and Chief Mage.” Ship’s Officer is the term Istania uses for sailors or Ship’s Officers on a ship, and His Excellency intentionally raised his voice a bit for those inside the room to hear.

The middle-aged Arcanist deflated like a punctured ball, realizing His Excellency no longer trusted them completely, the Dawood Ship was theirs, and the ’invite’ for the Ship’s Officer and Chief Mage had an obvious meaning.