Pillar of Yita

Aleph turned around, as if looking for someone in the crowd, but his gaze swept over each person without finding anyone, leaving him somewhat disappointed.

But then, a voice came from behind him.

”Brother, it’s almost your turn, why are you still here? It’s really making me anxious.”

Aleph was startled and turned back, only to find his half-sister, Affia, standing not far away, waving to him.

The young man, as if finding his anchor, let out a breath, glanced around, and inconspicuously moved closer. He looked at his sister and softly asked, ”Affia, what are you doing here? Didn’t Father forbid you from attending this celebration?”

”If I didn’t attend, wouldn’t you mess everything up?”

Affia rolled her eyes.

She had just sent away that audacious fellow—she had never seen someone so bold—an Invoker from the natives actually sneaked into the Royal Palace, treating the Royal Household as if it were nothing. But on second thought, considering she was also a member of the Penelope Family, she didn’t know what to say.

Yet, thinking that the person came for her sister, she felt a bit unsettled, wishing the person she liked could be just as bold. However, that big man had to be bossed around by a little girl. Every time she thought of Tianlan, she couldn’t help but feel a gnawing resentment.

Fang Hong’s bold action seemed to have given her courage, reminding her of certain matters at the celebration. Although Father ordered her not to attend, she wasn’t exactly an obedient girl. She thought that if she didn’t come, someone would probably accomplish nothing and spoil everything.

And sure enough, upon seeing, it was true.

She glared at the somewhat dejected Aleph and said irritably, ”Listen to me, Aleph. Although you angered Father last time, that was a long time ago. Now everything is in the past, and it’s the best time to mend your relationship with Father. If you keep hesitating, you’ll probably just make Father angrier.”

Aleph was silent for a moment, ”I understand, Affia, but...”

”But, but, but, how are you different from anyone else? I have so many brothers and sisters, aren’t you all Father’s children? Your mother’s origins might be lower, but what does that matter? You are the eldest son of the King of Sand, Barbaltan. In the future, if it’s not my sister, it will be you who might inherit the throne. You should be proud of this.”

Affia, seeing him like this, couldn’t help being angry at his lack of progress and spoke irritably.

She paused for a moment and then said, ”This time, when I went to Idus, I met an unusual fellow. He’s nothing like you, he doesn’t care about origins at all, hum...”

She didn’t finish the sentence. Although she was only a half-sibling with her brother, he had always treated her well. If it weren’t so, she wouldn’t bother with these matters.

Aleph listened and then said, ”Affia, I heard you encountered some trouble in Idus.”

”Just a little trouble,” Affia fiddled with her braid, ”It’s already resolved.”

”That’s good.” Aleph also smiled, feeling a sense of peace seeing his sister—speaking of which, she helped prepare his gift. Father loved collecting things from Alchemists in his youth, supposedly because of the sisters’ mother’s influence.

He had seen the Queen a few times in his childhood, only remembering her as quite kind, a pity that good people don’t live long.

He seemed to settle down and also said, ”Speaking of which, I recently made a friend, an Invoker—”

”Let’s talk about this later,” Affia had no interest in Invokers, ”Anyway, quickly go over there, the Star Ceremony is about to start. If you’re late again, someone will say you’re being disrespectful to Father.”

Aleph turned around, looking towards the high platform, and gently nodded.

...

The murmuring and buzzing discussions echoed in the hall.

The light hung down from the arching ceiling, like dazzling golden radiance, illuminating the marble floor.

King of Sand Barbaltan surveyed his ministers and children with calm eyes, wearing a long robe—as the days of his youth were long gone, the suits of armor were replaced by this so-called kingly attire—which in his eyes, seemed indifferent.

He rather missed the days of skirmishing with smugglers and slave masters when the former king was still alive.

But one must grow old, after the golden years passed, he no longer had the vitality, and after passing the age of fifty, Barbaltan clearly felt his energy waning.

Yet fortunately, he still remembered clearly, his mind not clouded—his allies and enemies were still distinct.

He recalled recent events, some trivial matters that seemed to tug at his thoughts. The King of Sand slowly withdrew his gaze, falling on the gifts before him.

For the master of Istania, these gifts were insignificant, merely representing the so-called respect from his children under his knees. As for how much genuine sincerity behind these respects, in this Royal Household, it was truly questionable. Fortunately, the King of Sand didn’t care about this.

At least the superficial appearance was there, that was enough.

His gaze fell on one particular gift.

It was a Magic Guided Reactor.

To be precise, an antique.

In his youth, he was quite obsessed with this thing, as to why, he didn’t seem willing to recall. Over the years, with the increase of age, past hobbies gradually faded, the heart like a dead still lake, perceiving no change. Interest turned into deadwood, utterly bland.

However, this Magic Guided Reactor caused his gaze to move slightly.

The Tower-Style Magic Conductor Furnace in Eteliria wasn’t abundant, yet not rare.

But the works of the Emerald Bird Workshop held a rather special recall for him.

Few knew this, except his only pair of daughters, yet they were not present. Thinking of this, the supreme of Istania couldn’t help but slowly raise his head, gazing upon his sons, particularly on the one in the forefront.

Hesitating for a moment, he slowly spoke:

”Aleph.”

...