Pillar of Yita

He was indeed the pride of the Istania people. Although he was not as globally renowned as Hilveld’s father—Sir Mawei, as the discoverer of the three Abyssal Sea entrances of Colin-Ishurian, he was by no means obscure in the geographic history of Colin-Ishurian and even Eteliria.

He didn’t expect that the birth mother of the Grand Princess was actually Gayaxi’s sister.

No wonder she was so obsessed with adventure.

Having such an outstanding brother, she would more or less be influenced.

Just like Hilveld, with such an outstanding father, he subtly became an excellent captain himself — if not for him, Fang Hong believes the Noble Lady would have been a better captain, and even now, he doesn’t think he is much better than her in this regard.

This perhaps is due to being accustomed to what one hears and sees.

However, upon hearing that this Queen had joined an obscure small Adventure Group, for some reason, Fang Hong suddenly felt a subtle emotion.

Could it really be such a coincidence?

He couldn’t help but tentatively asked: ”May I ask, what was the name of the Adventure Group that the Queen joined?”

”It’s not a famous Adventure Group,” Nulman didn’t care much about this question and casually replied: ”It seems to be called something like the Tulip Adventure Group, a group established by the Invoker, but it was disbanded seven years ago because its founder left. The only known fact is that the founder was female, and most of the members were as well —”

Fang Hong finally sighed in relief.

Thank goodness it wasn’t the Morning Dawn Star, otherwise it would have been too much of a coincidence.

Ever since the last phone call with Miss Sicape, he had become somewhat paranoid.

”What happened after?” But Fang Hong couldn’t help but be captivated — he himself loved adventure and naturally resonated with the Queen’s ideals.

”Mr. Gayaxi left this world due to disease seven years ago, and the Queen passed even earlier than that.”

The Earl’s tone was somewhat indifferent. After all, those were facts that had already passed, and people always need to look forward. ”And His Majesty still fulfilled his promise to the Queen. He expressed his intent to pass the throne at yesterday’s Star Ceremony — twenty years, that was the time limit he agreed upon with the Queen. After that, His Majesty should start forming a fleet and send someone to lead it to the Second World...”

Fang Hong was taken aback.

This wasn’t what he had heard before.

He couldn’t help but subconsciously ask: ”What about the Blind Followers?”

Count Nulman looked up at him: ”The Seniman you met yesterday, I might not have told you his true identity, he is indeed one of the ’Servants’ of the Istania Blind Followers.”

Servant.

Fang Hong had heard of this concept, equivalent to the Bishop of the Oulin Gods’ church area, it was rumored that the Istania Blind Followers followed the instructions of a total of four ’Servants,’ but he didn’t expect that one of them would actually be in the Royal Palace. Fang Hong looked at this Lord Earl, and since Nulman knew this secret, the King of Sand certainly wouldn’t be unaware.

He suddenly realized why that old man always opposed him, because they were originally rivals, the old man perhaps thought he was the culprit who did away with those Blind Followers in Tansnier.

But what he didn’t quite understand was why this Governor of Bain wanted to tell him these things?

He couldn’t help but look at him.

At this moment, Nulman calmly said: ”Mr. Ade, let’s continue discussing matters concerning the Princess... The Princess has some doubts about the Queen’s death, and it’s understandable, after all, she was only nine years old when all that happened ten years ago. The tragic death of her mother must have left an indelible shadow on her heart —”

”But some things are not necessarily true just because you see them,” he paused, reached out to lift the curtain, and gazed out of the carriage window: ”Your covenant with the Grand Princess, His Majesty does not intend to scrutinize deeply... But the peace and calm of Istania have lasted for many years, and I believe many people hope it can continue.”

The Earl turned back: ”I’m not asking anything, just hoping Mr. Ade acts following his true principles before acting. I believe the saviour of Dolifen, the hero of Fanric, wouldn’t understand what is truly worth protecting.”

Fang Hong felt slightly surprised.

What does this have to do with the current situation?

But he could vaguely guess some, after all, the Grand Princess had quite a reputation in Istania, and the King of Sand had always groomed her as an heir, under her command must be impressive strength — from the fact that she was under house arrest in the Royal Palace, yet could keep track of the happenings in Quistack clearly demonstrated this.

If the Grand Princess bears a grudge against the King of Sand because of this, Istania might indeed spiral into an irremediable situation.

But how likely is that?

Fang Hong always thought that with the Grand Princess’s rationality, she would never act so.

Moreover, why doesn’t the King of Sand allow the Grand Princess to investigate this matter? According to the Lord Earl, wasn’t the King of Sand deeply in love with the Princess’s mother? If so, he should also be resentful of the attack that happened ten years ago?

Where exactly is the contradiction in this?

He really couldn’t figure it out, no matter how much he thought about it. And judging by the Lord Earl’s attitude, it seemed he didn’t intend to explain this point either, actually, Nulman had already said quite a lot, certainly with the King of Sand’s approval, otherwise, why talk to him, a ’person unrelated’ about these things.

He pondered for a while, and also felt a bit troubled. But all in all, a covenant is a covenant, emotion is emotion, he decided to lend the Grand Princess a final hand, once he went to Bain and found that person, everything here would be none of his business.

Bishop Faris was correct, dealing with cultists is still simpler, getting involved in royal disputes is too complex for them.

Thinking of this, he also relaxed.

At that moment, the carriage had reached the White Maiden Square, which was already quite close to the Holy Sanctuary of Marlan.

Only then did Count Nulman bring up the main topic. Fang Hong was somewhat surprised; although the other person showed concern for Miss Affia, it seemed he wasn’t too worried about her staying with him, instead opening with:

”It’s just as well Miss Affia is not in the Royal Capital at the moment...”

”Then please take care of her in advance, Mr. Ade.”

”Miss Affia has some kinship with His Majesty, I hope Mr. Ade can take good care of her during this period.”

Some kinship, this Fang Hong had vaguely guessed, though he couldn’t help thinking of Princess Affia, and didn’t know what relationship the two had.

However, he originally thought this was the reason the other person arranged to meet with him, but now it seemed, yet again, it was not.

...