Pillar of Yita

Fang Hong took a light breath, telling himself that it was impossible not to feel nervous. Although such infiltration seemed like routine to him, the kind of chaos that would ensue if he got caught this time was clearly different from before.

He calmed himself down, recalling the words Bishop Faris had spoken to him earlier, words that seemed to have a soothing effect. After all, understanding clearly what he was doing and the purpose behind it left Fang Hong with little hesitation.

He adjusted his headscarf and proceeded along the pre-planned route.

First, he hid behind a palm tree to wait for the guards to pass. About ten seconds later, he heard their footsteps move past him. The guards patrolled approximately every two minutes, a routine he was well aware of; it was much better than some alleyways where guards passed every minute.

After evading the guards, he turned in another direction, heading toward a hedge made of trimmed shrubs. Passing through the hedge, he was suddenly confronted by a tall black shadow accompanied by a striking red light.

”Intruder!”

It emitted a low buzzing voice.

But just as the mechanical words left its mouth, Fang Hong, as if performing magic, conjured a crystal from his hand, pointing it toward the figure. A green light ensued, and the gigantic silhouette halted in place.

This was a Guarding Puppet. Fang Hong looked up at the three-meter-tall copper figure that stood motionless, its chest’s red crystal flickering like an eye. By choosing this route, he was well aware of the traps and guards it housed; he had tested it several times before.

Previously, he had often got ’lost’ in the Royal Palace using the excuse of unfamiliarity, with the library’s Watcher and Aleph testifying on his behalf, escaping danger each time. Back then, he didn’t have any real intentions of entering the Forbidden Palace, allowing them to check him with no evidence found.

Such a large Royal Palace usually only invoked the guards’ laughter toward the ’country bumpkin’ Alchemist lost from the library.

Puppet golems aren’t the Alchemist’s Flexible Constructs; they are the creation of Magic Guided Conductors and do not require human control from behind. While convenient, these creations bear hidden risks. As long as one knows the right command and ’Key,’ they can easily control them—there are ways to make them temporarily cease actions. Though these methods are complex for ordinary people, they pose little challenge for a professional Alchemist.

The crystal in his hand could temporarily disrupt its Magic Transmission for about five minutes. Afterward, the golem would resume its normal patrol with no noticeable issues.

Besides, who would bother inspecting a golem without evident malfunctions?

Passing the golem, there were still a few hounds in the hedge maze behind, though Fang Hong suspected they weren’t particularly trained guard dogs—they might be Hounds of the Royal Household. Dealing with these hounds was straightforward; Fang Hong only needed to unleash Miss Nini.

A little girl with flaming red hair leapt forward, baring her teeth and claws:

”Rua!”

The hounds were instantly terrified, their legs turning to jelly as they dropped to the ground trembling, heads down, not daring to bark.

Fang Hong was very satisfied with Nini’s deterrent power, something Miss Tata couldn’t achieve. The Artificial Dragon Soul was merely in name, lacking true dragon might, but Nini was different. Though named Nini, she was the genuine Nikopolas Soul, the sole true Dark Giant Dragon in seven hundred years—compared to her, Toragotos was just a half-finished product.

Moreover, whether Toragotos was dead or alive remained unknown.

After passing through the hound-guarded hedge maze, the iron fence clearly lay ahead. Previously crossing from here required vigilant attention to the patrolling guards from another direction. But now, through the Clockwork Fairy’s Vision, Fang Hong saw the guards were just turning this way, then heading the other way.

No one would disturb him for at least two minutes.

Fang Hong approached the iron fence, already able to see the serene Royal Courtyard behind it. A white corridor ran through the courtyard, stretching into the distance and vanishing behind the tree shadows. There seemed to be a shimmering water body beneath the Starlight, possibly connecting to an outside lake.

He checked behind him to ensure no one was around, then approached the fence, albeit not immediately touching it. He drew out a scroll prepared earlier, gently chanting to ignite it, as a faint glow emerged from the scroll and covered the fence.

Magic Suppression Scroll.

It was worth seventeen hundred Lycel, acquired from the Woodpecker Brotherhood at a discount, and well worth the value—the fence emitted a faint white glow, indicating it had magic affixed, likely against Invisibility or a magic alarm.

Fang Hong internally expressed relief, originally contemplating saving the scroll, but was glad he didn’t economize.

After addressing the fence’s magic, he masked his face before climbing over the fence, cautiously flipping over it. As it only marked the boundary between the inner and outer Royal Palaces, this iron fence wasn’t particularly high, unlike the towering outer palace wall, thus providing Fang Hong an opportunity.

He jumped off with a thud after crossing, landing in a soft muddy ground. Rolling on the earth, he was unscathed, though moss and mud clung to his clothes.

Dusting himself off, he stood up, then suddenly froze.

As he stood, he realized a figure emerged from the bushes not far away.

The figure, upon seeing him, was evidently startled, letting out an involuntary ”Ah,” causing Fang Hong to pause.

It was a woman’s voice.

And it was one he knew.

No other than the Grand Princess’s sister—Princess Affia.

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