Pillar of Yita

”After my mother died, the previous Governor of Bain was involved in investigating that attack. Nulman was indeed his son, so it’s not surprising he swore allegiance to my father. The ’Eye of Revelation’ was beyond my expectation, but it’s only natural for my father to have some informants. However, putting these two things together makes me think of some rumors... In any case, I can roughly guess the role the Blind Followers are playing behind the scenes.”

Princess Rupert spoke in an unhurried tone, narrating what she knew. Her demeanor was calm, as if she were discussing something unrelated to her.

Fang Hong listened quietly on the side, sensing that the Grand Princess wasn’t divulging everything, perhaps because it involved royal secrets, or perhaps she had her own covert means. But then again, this could be understood, as both parties hadn’t reached a level of complete trust. In other words, he also had his own channels of information.

He could investigate the Blind Followers behind the scenes, and naturally, she could too. Compared to him, a stranger in a foreign land, this Grand Princess, rooted here, would naturally have more means. Even if she only realized it later, returning to the Royal Palace should have made her respond. She could contact the outside world through Achilles, indicating she wasn’t entirely confined within the Forbidden Palace.

”Then what do you plan to do, Your Highness?”

Fang Hong asked tactfully. The implication was that he could do a small favor for her, within his ability, looking at it as a favor to the Seven Seas Traveler. After all, should something happen to the Grand Princess, Tansnier would find it troublesome. But this did not mean he would meddle in court intrigues, as he believed the Grand Princess was wise enough to understand his words.

Sure enough, Princess Rupert smiled. ”Thank you, I do need Mr. Ade’s help with a small matter.”

Fang Hong looked at her, not in a rush to speak, just waiting for her to continue.

”Though called a small matter, it is actually two things. First, help me find someone. He’s in Bain, so it might trouble Mr. Ade to return to Bain once more. I haven’t even told Achilles about this, only Mr. Ade, not because I don’t trust him, but because there’s my father’s spies around him,”

The Princess looked at Fang Hong with bright eyes. ”Of course, another reason is because I trust Mr. Ade’s character.”

Seeing the smile at the corner of the Grand Princess’s eyes, Fang Hong suddenly thought of his Miss Ship’s Officer. Such methods to win people’s hearts had been tested on him by noble ladies many times and never failed. But thinking of that girl with a smile squint, Fang Hong felt a sudden burst of warmth.

When this equally beautiful Grand Princess used such a method on him, he felt nothing.

He asked, ”And Your Highness’s commission?”

”I was just about to discuss it with Mr. Ade. I’ve already got some clues about the matter, thanks to Mr. Ade and your companions’ help. The commission can be put aside for now,” Princess Rupert said with a smile, ”or rather, the task is finished. Mr. Ade can rest assured about the shipyard matters; I will instruct them per our agreement to complete the final tasks.”

She blinked. ”Though I’m currently under house arrest here, I can still find a way to order Abed around. They will give me face.”

Yes, who wouldn’t give face to a princess, especially the cherished jewel of the King of Sand, Barbaltan? However, the Grand Princess’s implicit meaning was that even within the confines of the deep palace, she could still influence Tansnier. If she could have the shipyard help, she could also have them not help.

This thought flashed through Fang Hong’s mind, but what concerned him more was another matter:

”Does Your Highness already have a clue?”

Princess Rupert nodded.

”May I ask about it?” Fang Hong was genuinely surprised. While he had uncovered some inside information recently, the attack ten years ago was still a complete mystery, apart from the known involvement of the Blind Followers. There was no clue about the Wandering Alchemist.

Who ultimately gave the order back then, who orchestrated it, and who else was involved was still a mystery. The other party said they appreciated their help, but he really wasn’t sure what help he had provided.

Asked about this, Princess Rupert simply smiled faintly: ”When the time comes, Mr. Ade will naturally know. At that time, Mr. Ade shouldn’t have left Istania yet.”

Hearing this, Fang Hong was even more curious. If she didn’t say it now, was she planning to make it public? After the task ended, the Grand Princess naturally had no reason to tell him anything, especially since these were royal secrets. Yet she said that when the time comes, he will naturally know, implying she might make it public?

But Fang Hong wasn’t nosy and didn’t ask more; it was professional etiquette for an Adventurer. Since the other party said the commission had concluded and they wouldn’t miss out on the promised items, he had nothing more to concern himself with. Having listened to Bishop Faris’s words earlier, he intended to extract himself from this vortex and leave. He got involved because of the Blind Followers, but he did not want to be drawn into royal disputes.

Since the Grand Princess said it would be clear when the time came, it’s best to await the result.

And truthfully, the outcome didn’t matter much.

Returning to Bain sounded a bit troublesome, but everyone on the Seven Seas Travel Group was fine. After he met up with the others, after dealing with matters here, finding someone was merely convenient. So he hesitated for a moment, then nodded: ”Understood, I will head to Bain after leaving Quistack; what about the other matter?”