Pillar of Yita

”I will have someone reliable deliver the relevant intelligence to you,” Princess Rupert replied with satisfaction. ”As for the second matter, it is actually a personal request.”

Fang Hong looked up and glanced at the other party.

Princess Rupert spoke softly, ”Can you help look after Affia for a while recently?”

”Affia?” Fang Hong was taken aback. A princess needs him to look after her? Did she think the guards in the Royal Palace were just for show? Moreover, even if he wanted to, he couldn’t enter the Royal Palace to meet her, let alone look after her.

But Princess Rupert did not elaborate, she just said, ”In any case, if there’s an opportunity, I hope Mr. Ade can take care of Affia. Recently, I’ve been having a rough time with my father, and I’m worried someone might target her. Affia... In any case, there aren’t many outsiders I can trust right now, but Mr. Ade is definitely one of them.”

Outsider?

Fang Hong glanced at the princess, vaguely feeling she was suspicious of something.

However, she wasn’t forcing anything. Princess Affia’s relationship with the Seven Seas Travel Group wasn’t great, but she was somewhat of a familiar face, and if there was a chance, he’d definitely help. Even if it were a stranger being persecuted, if it happened in front of him, he couldn’t just sit by.

So he nodded.

Seeing him nod, Princess Rupert seemed relieved.

After bidding farewell to the Grand Princess, as he left the courtyard, Fang Hong turned back to ask Miss Tata, who was perched on his shoulder, ”Miss Tata, what do you think?”

”She clearly withheld some information,” Tata’s tone was as calm as ever, speaking bluntly.

”That goes without saying,” Fang Hong sighed and replied, ”I just don’t know what exactly the princess has found out. But it’s fine, everyone’s okay. Miss Tata, you also heard what Bishop Faris said. I really don’t want to get involved in this vortex, regardless of what the motives of the Grand Princess and the King of Sand, Barbaltan, are. It’s a matter of the Royal House of Penelope... But I’m planning to report this to the military, as it’s related to the Blind Followers, who are essentially cultists.”

”Mr. Knight’s handling is impeccable,” Miss Fairy calmly pointed this out.

With the support of Miss Dragon Soul, Fang Hong felt relieved.

However, he glanced somewhat unexpectedly at the two sisters sitting side by side.

Miss Fairy noticed his gaze, was stunned for a moment, then asked, ”What’s wrong?”

”It’s nothing,” Fang Hong hastily replied, ”I just thought Miss Tata might not have said that before.”

”How so?”

”You said ’She clearly withheld some information,’” Fang Hong answered, ”In the past, Miss Tata would have just said, ’She withheld some information,’ at least that’s what I think.”

Tata was taken aback.

”People do change, Mr. Knight,” she replied coolly.

Fang Hong smiled, ”I think it’s quite nice.”

Miss Fairy looked at him unexpectedly, then turned her head away, silently tidying Nini’s flaming braid with a small hand.

The three returned outside the great hall, where Affia was still waiting for them. Seeing him come out, she was a bit puzzled. ”So quickly?” The little princess examined him with an odd look, leaving Fang Hong somewhat puzzled. But fortunately, she didn’t ask much, only said:

”Leaving now?”

Fang Hong nodded.

...

In the courtyard of the Forbidden Palace—

Soon after Fang Hong left, Princess Rupert suddenly turned back and spoke softly:

”Achilles, did you hear everything?”

A moment later, a middle-aged man stepped out from the corridor there, smiled slightly, and nodded at her, ”I naturally heard, Your Highness.”

”So, do you think it’s him?”

Achilles’s light golden curls shone under the moonlight, his face’s contours hidden in flickering shadows, exuding a certain charm. He smiled and said, ”I think Mr. Ade is quite reliable.”

”I think so too,” Princess Rupert also nodded, speaking softly, ”Otherwise, I wouldn’t have entrusted him with this matter. I heard he’s a student of a Master from the Elfendo Council, so young and talented. Meeting such a group of people is also like our mother and Lord Androma sheltering us...”

Achilles laughed and said, ”Indeed. But to be favored by your Highness is also a fortune for him, isn’t it?”

The Grand Princess shook her head gently, ”Achilles, you know that’s not what I mean... I understand what you’re saying, but right now, I really can’t focus on this.”

”That’s alright.” The middle-aged man bowed.

”Regarding the matter of Affia...”

”I’ll find time to tell her,” Achilles replied, ”But no matter what, she is your sister.”

”Indeed.”

”In any case,” she sighed, ”my father’s ideas... might not be entirely correct, our mother couldn’t have done such things...”

Her voice lowered, as if talking to herself:

”But he is my father no matter what, in any case, I’ll find out the truth...”

Achilles looked at her, nodding to show his understanding.

...

Aleph—or rather, Aleph Sali E Ai Penelope clenched a fist, exhaling as if to sweep away the tension in his heart.

From afar, the bonfire’s reflection glowed in his brown eyes, the flames flickering. The Master of Ceremonies brought forth a dazzling spark from the fire, and applause soon followed from the clearing area. His bronzed skin showed no paleness, but his complexion still wasn’t good, even showing a trace of sweat on his forehead, with soft strands sticking there.