Pillar of Yita

Now we can only hope that it’s not a trap set by the other party, but instead, this young girl is truly that important in the eyes of the Bain People.

Even he seemed a bit uneasy, not to mention the others. Outside, the wind howled fiercely, and the temperature was hardly high, yet Wu Xiaopang was furiously wiping sweat.

But after a while, the knight outside finally brought back some good news:

”The lords have agreed.”

”They have agreed,” Fang Hong immediately turned back to the crowd and said, but he quickly grabbed Wu Xiaopang, who was about to cheer, and said solemnly to everyone present: ”But it’s not time to celebrate yet.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was slightly stunned, as hearing this news made them feel relieved. Because at least it proved that Affia was indeed that important in those people’s eyes, and this lady was willing to help them now. From any aspect, this seemed like a very sure thing.

But seeing Fang Hong’s expression, Luo Hao, Luo Yu, and ZXC were slightly stunned, seemingly starting to vaguely understand.

Only Wu Xiaopang still didn’t understand. Fang Hong began to speak: ”While it’s good the other party agreed to our demands, don’t forget His Excellency the Governor is nominally trading with us, but it’s merely due to circumstances. If you truly believe they will honestly let us leave, you’re all too naive.”

He gestured around: ”Although we seem trapped here, relatively speaking, we’re actually safer because the current environment is relatively static, and the other party believes we won’t do anything rash now.”

Fang Hong looked outside the door and said: ”But once we’re outside, the situation becomes a thousand times more complex. Without barriers between us, it can’t be guaranteed that the other party won’t take action against us. Miss Affia is on our side, but their strength is above ours, and Eteliria also has all sorts of strange spells, making them hard to guard against.”

He paused in his speech: ”And those demands, they seem to be seriously bargaining with us, but they may just be delaying time, preparing traps along the way. If we let down our guard now, the chance of not successfully reaching the ’Dawood Ship’ is very high. Now is not the time to relax; instead, we must be a thousand times more vigilant.”

Wu Xiaopang opened his mouth, only then somewhat realizing.

The previous bargaining over trivial matters with the other party once made people feel like they were on equal footing. But once they came to their senses, they realized they were still adversaries, and the current illusion was merely because Miss Affia was in their hands.

But once the other party seizes the opportunity, they would turn their backs faster than expected. Despite all discussions, they were far from out of danger.

Fang Hong saw the group calm down, then pointed to Luo Yu and said: ”Luo Yu, go and learn that spell.”

Luo Yu merely nodded, although the request sounded alarming, the actual danger was minimal. Unless the other party lost their mind, they wouldn’t take action against him at this moment.

And just as Fang Hong expected, the spell wasn’t a High Rank spell, just a Level IV spell. Luo Yu learned it in a short time once outside, albeit they spent extra time explaining the spell’s precautions, but it only took minutes.

Before long, two Bain Knights escorted this Elementalist back.

When Luo Yu entered, Fang Hong first asked: ”Is it a Protection Spell?”

Luo Yu nodded.

Among them, Gita, a Natural Historian, was an expert in analyzing spell components. She took that spell’s incantations for analysis and concluded—it was indeed just a Protection Spell without any extra components.

As Luo Yu prepared to cast the spell on Affia per instruction, Fang Hong first stopped him: ”Cast it on me first.”

Luo Yu hesitated slightly but quickly responded, nodded, and followed the instruction. The spell merely created a faint light shield around Fang Hong, which appeared prominent in the dark, but would likely be inconspicuous in light.

The group thought Fang Hong was checking if it was a Protection Spell. Fang Hong then said: ”Xiangzi, bring me your sword.”

Everyone was stunned.

Only Xiangzi calmly handed the sword over, as if it were natural. Fang Hong took the sword and, without saying anything, cut his own hand—painfully hissing—although it was just a barely visible small cut on the finger—the group saw his reaction and had some peculiar expressions.

Fang Hong squeezed his hand, barely managing to squeeze out a thread of blood, nodded satisfiedly, and handed the sword back.

”Mr. Ade?” Affia looked puzzled.

Fang Hong shook his head, indicating it was nothing. He merely wanted to see if the spell protected against physical injuries, as they intended to ’hold’ Affia using blades. While they didn’t mean harm, they needed the ability to threaten. If the spell prevented blades from harming her, then once outside, the Arcanists wouldn’t have any threats.

But it appeared the other party didn’t play tricks here.

Fang Hong then let Luo Yu cast the spell on Affia.

Afterward, he instructed everyone:

”Luo Hao, hold your shield in front of Affia, ensuring to block the other party’s view.”

”Gita, cast Mind Protection Spell on everyone.”

”Others surround Miss Affia, positioning her in the center of our group.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Fang Hong had naturally thought about this carefully. Once outside, if the other party had any intentions, their first target would be the one holding Affia, ensuring her safety. Eteliria had various unpredictable spells, but most needed a target. Blocking the view prevented immediate spell casting on the holder.

Similarly, physical means like crossbows followed the same logic.

The remaining concern was area spells, but they would hardly use destructive area spells that could harm Affia too. The likely threat was control type spells, but in the face of Mind Protection, any control enchantment is ineffective. Fang Hong had considered this too.

Having made these foolproof preparations, Fang Hong felt assured of success.

After Luo Yu completed the spell, Fang Hong called both over, glanced at Affia, apologized in a low voice:

”Miss Affia, apologies.”

Of everyone present, Fang Hong was naturally the best candidate as the ’holder.’

Affia nodded slightly.

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