Pillar of Yita

”Three days later, there’s a convoy transporting supplies for the Temple heading to Quistack. I will arrange for you to leave with that convoy.”

Mayer Hill said calmly, his tone suggesting he had long considered this matter.

Fang Hong was a bit surprised. ”Heading to Sand Capital...” But his immediate priority was to return to Tansnier and find out if the people on the Dawood had made it safely. He also needed to report his findings here to Her Highness the Princess, fulfilling his duty and providing an account to his employer. ”Can I leave midway?”

The elderly Knight looked at him. ”The convoy will not change its route for just one person. But if you have confidence in crossing the desert, I will instruct them not to hinder you.”

Fang Hong was stunned for a moment. He had traveled back and forth across the Silver Sand Desert with others from the Seven Seas Travel Group, but that was with Mr. Greyrock; traversing the Sand Sea on foot was a different matter. The journey from Bain to Sand Capital did not align with Tansnier, spanning over a hundred-mile distance, and even locals needed to navigate with detailed geographical knowledge, let alone someone unfamiliar with the desert?

”So, I suggest you reach Quistack first, and then take a ferry from there to Tansnier.” Mayer Hill said matter-of-factly.

”The ferry tickets aren’t cheap...” Fang Hong swallowed these instinctive words. He looked at the composed Mayer Hill, but his heart was still filled with doubts. ”But I still want to ask, Knight Mayer Hill, aren’t you at all curious why Governor Nulman is pursuing me? Is it merely Lady Marlan’s Divine Oracle that makes you overlook this fact?”

”I roughly know some reasons. The events at Bain Fortress a few days ago had so many witnesses that they couldn’t be concealed, even if I hadn’t deliberately inquired, I did hear some rumors.” Mayer Hill thought for a moment, then answered. ”Regarding why it needs to be done, it’s a combination of both reasons.”

”A combination of both?”

”The Divine Oracle from Lord Goddess is only one aspect. She only manifests for those pursuing justice, but that’s just one part of it,” Mayer Hill answered indifferently: ”Moreover, I know more or less about what His Excellency the Governor and King of Sand are doing.”

Fang Hong’s eyes widened slightly, his tone somewhat incredulous: ”You know?” A hint of surprise flashed through his mind as he sensed that Mayer Hill had respect for Nulman but seemed less enthusiastic about Barbaltan, the King of Sand. He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination but noted this detail.

”I know some things.” Mayer Hill’s silver-grey eyes looked at him. ”Lord Goddess manifesting here should also be related to this matter.”

Fang Hong wanted to speak but hesitated. He certainly wanted to ask, but worried that such confidential matters wouldn’t be easily disclosed to him.

Mayer Hill noticed his hesitation and proactively spoke: ”Actually, there’s nothing particularly grand about it. Seeing your appearance, you should already know some of the inside stories. Specifically, it’s related to Blind Followers, although I don’t know much, the King of Sand is likely trying to use those people. His Grace, the Bishop is quite dismissive of this, if you’re interested, once you reach Quistack, he will tell you more.”

Fang Hong silently nodded.

So it’s Blind Followers.

And Barbaltan is using Blind Followers?

But what is the King of Sand using Blind Followers to do? Why does he want to use them?

Fang Hong’s mind started forming a vague outline, but there were still many details to fill in—about the attack ten years ago, the relationship between Her Highness the Princess and the King of Sand, Barbaltan’s purpose with Blind Followers, and—Affia. But he knew that the extent of what this elderly Knight knew was probably limited to this. Mayer Hill might have learned these things from that Archbishop, yet the Marlan Temple’s attitude towards Barbaltan seemed somewhat unclear.

Logically, the Dark Faith’s Blind Followers and their master—Blind God Dika—should be enemies of the Oulin Gods. Similarly, secular kings colluding with Cultists should be targets for the Sanctuary’s crusade. But Mayer Hill and His Grace, the Bishop’s attitudes suggested otherwise.

Could he be mistaken? Were the Arcanists intervening not to kill and silence, and was that silver cube not a Blight Object?

Thinking of this, his curiosity about Barbaltan’s motives grew stronger.

But curiosity was secondary; the depth of his involvement in this matter placed Her Highness the Princess’s commission second. More importantly, the Blind Followers and their patron Blind God Dika were connected with the matters Tang De and Kalatu mentioned, whether due to vigilance against Dark Followers or unease about the ’Star of Calamity’ incident, there were reasons to pursue this line of investigation.

Fang Hong lowered his head to ponder for a moment, then raised his head again. ”Mr. Mayer Hill.” The flickering light of the oil lamp swayed in the darkness, reflecting a tiny bright spot in his eyes.

The elderly Knight just watched him silently.

”Do you know about Arcanists and can you tell me about them?”

”You mean Eye of Revelation?” Mayer Hill responded: ”They were originally followers of Androma, but after leaving due to dissonance with the main sect, they became today’s Arcanists. The so-called main sect is the mainstream belief of today’s Androma sect, pursuing the teachings of this Master of Death on death, return, and rest, which is one of the most prevalent beliefs in Istania.”