Pillar of Yita

The scenery on the distant pavilion, perhaps occasionally includes a servant passing under the palm trees, along with the wide robes, which are not commonly seen outside the Silver Sand Sea.

The hollow railings there are, of course, painted white.

This place features quite traditional Istania-style architecture, with an environment far more conservative than the Sand Lodge; beneath the pavilion, just a low table, and a thick animal fur carpet spread out—Fang Hong and Aleph sat opposite each other on the floor, with a checkered cloth atop the low table, stacked with plates holding food, fruits, and vegetables, and a basket filled with flatbread, piled like a small mountain, abundant in quantity, as is the usual tradition of the Desert People.

This was the second meeting between the two.

Aleph was sitting across the low table, with eyes like brown gemstones, looking at him with a hint of anticipation, and said, ”Ade, Master Berlede has returned to Quistack.”

”He heard you repaired the Tower-Style Magic Conductor Furnace and hopes to see you.”

”So do you have time?”

The other’s gaze was earnest, clearly hoping he would agree.

To be honest, Fang Hong felt slightly embarrassed. That day he helped the other with a small task with some purpose in mind—at least that’s how he saw it, but the gratitude expressed by the other was unexpected—at least judging by the attitude, he truly seemed to regard him as a friend.

However, he quickly calmed down; he indeed had some intentions, but they weren’t that unspeakable. At most, he was merely fulfilling his duty to the Princess, and didn’t plan much beyond probing for information about the Royal House of Penelope.

Given that he was in an unfamiliar place, perhaps making some friends wouldn’t be bad.

In fact, earlier that morning, the other had a servant deliver a letter to him saying they had matters to discuss.

Prior to this, he definitely wouldn’t have had any inclination to agree, full of concerns, but after a couple of days, his investigation in the city had hit a dead end, with the Royal Palace offering no hint, and he had practically explored all gathering places in the city, finding not a single rumor about the Grand Princess.

Helplessly, everything seemed to return to the starting point.

He arranged with the other’s servant to meet at the tavern three days prior, which was exactly the current location.

But Fang Hong hadn’t expected that the ’important matter’ would turn out to be just this.

Thus, he somewhat helplessly asked:

”Who is Master Berlede?”

”That’s my teacher,” Aleph answered, ”He is the Court Alchemist, you may not have met him.”

Fang Hong had indeed inquired about such a person before, but the Istania Artisans’ Guild didn’t acknowledge anyone by that name, thought it to be perhaps some kind of noble alchemist—yet unexpectedly, actually a Court Alchemist. But then, Court Alchemists belong to the category of noble alchemists, just exclusively dedicated to the Royal Household.

Upon hearing this answer, he was suddenly taken aback: ”A Court Alchemist?”

Aleph nodded slightly.

”But you say he is your teacher?”

”Indeed, my full name is actually Aleph Sali E Ai Penelope.”

”Aleph Sali E Ai Penelope, this name is...?”

Fang Hong’s tone carried a hint of surprise.

Aleph then set down the wine cup in his hand, smiling lightly: ”Ade should have heard the surname Penelope, it’s actually nothing peculiar, I originally didn’t plan to hide it, you just didn’t ask then. I am indeed a member of the Royal Household, to be precise, the King of Sand Barbaltan is my father.”

Fang Hong opened his mouth: ”So you are the Prince?”

Aleph nodded.

Though such words were stated, within the speech, there was no sense of pride, Fang Hong even detected a twinge of concern.

This thought merely flashed through his mind, then he couldn’t help but be surprised, marveling at his luck. Seeking matters concerning the Grand Princess, he casually interacted with someone appearing to have ’some status’ in the Adventurers’ Guild, who now turned out to be directly a member of the Royal Household, a Prince indeed.

For a moment, he felt somewhat at a loss for words.

But upon further thought, Fang Hong realized, whether this is considered good luck remains highly uncertain. The other is a member of the Royal Household, yet currently entangled in this vortex, compared to those uninvolved nobles, can be regarded as a direct party to the matter. Would probing him about matters within the Royal Palace arouse his suspicion?

Sometimes possessing relevant information, compared to lacking it and merely spreading hearsay, the degree of sensitivity to a matter cannot be equated. The other being a Prince wouldn’t be oblivious to events in the Royal Palace, after all, one side involves his father, and the other his sisters.

Calling him a direct party seems quite fitting.

Fang Hong pondered briefly on this side, while Aleph, noticing his newfound friend’s concerns, couldn’t help but ask:

”What’s wrong, Ade?”

”Nothing, just feeling thoughtful,” Fang Hong shook his head and replied.

He naturally wouldn’t disclose his inner thoughts.

”Feeling thoughtful?” Aleph indeed regarded him somewhat strangely.

He envisaged several potential reactions upon revealing his identity, but never imagined the phrase ’feeling thoughtful.’ However, Fang Hong’s demeanor did pique his curiosity; having encountered Invokers before, unlike the Native’s reverent admiration, they often expressed at least some curiosity.