Pillar of Yita

Soon, Fang Hong put down the cup in his hand and asked, ”Why is Lady Aierna here?”

”I returned to report my duties,” Aierna said carefully, glancing around as if afraid someone might recognize her. ”Communications have been interrupted for more than half a month, and Tansnier couldn’t contact the Artisan Association. Now that the storm has ceased, I had to come back to report in person. In fact, I set out from Tansnier more than a week ago, but I took the land route.”

Mentioning this sandstorm, Fang Hong couldn’t help but ask: ”...So this communication disruption has lasted quite a while. Is it always like this in Istania?”

This communication had been disrupted for almost a month, continuing until now, which left him speechless—no wonder Istania is a border region; who could bear this?

To his surprise, Aierna was taken aback by his question.

”Istania?” The Chairwoman shook her head like a rattle. ”No, no, Ade, you got it wrong; this communication disruption isn’t limited to Istania.”

”Not just Istania?” Fang Hong was shocked. ”Wait, wasn’t it said to be caused by the sandstorm?”

Could the sandstorm have swept through other regions too?

”Who told you that?” Aierna sounded puzzled. ”Generally, that’s the case, but not this time. The communication disruption began north of Colin, and now places like White City are paralyzed. The Guild has kept the last communication letter from a month ago, which mentioned this matter.”

”Of course, the sandstorm here in Istania had some effect, too. The combination of both factors led to the current situation. However, the sandstorm itself is just the result, not the cause. I heard it was due to certain changes in the Ether Sea.”

”Oh right,” she added, ”these things were discovered by the Stars and Moon Council, so outsiders like you might not know yet.”

Fang Hong was left in a daze.

Does this mean communication across the entire Colin Ishurian is down at the moment?

He couldn’t help but instinctively think back to the recent Stargate incident that left many travelers stranded. Tang Xin and her family, as well as Ai Xiaoxiao and her parents, were stranded in Eteliria because of this. The Ether Sea is another name for the Ether Realm; what changes could occur in the Ether Realm? Such things have seemingly never been heard of in the past thousand years.

He couldn’t help but worry for a moment, instinctively thinking that there might be an issue with the Stargate.

But wanting to contact Su Changfeng for clarification, he took out the Communication Crystal and then remembered that communications had been cut off.

However, Aierna didn’t know the rich inner thoughts he was having.

”Oh, by the way,” the Chairwoman looked at Fang Hong, curious, ”I only heard from the Grand Princess that you went missing in the sandstorm. What happened afterward?”

Fang Hong was slightly startled, only then reacting. It seemed the Princess hadn’t told this Chairwoman the truth, but thinking about it, it was understandable.

And he didn’t plan to expose it, simply saying: ”It was alright, nothing major happened.”

”Thank Angina for that,” Aierna sighed with relief, looking at Fang Hong. ”It’s good you’re alright. I actually intended to ask the Artisan Association for help searching for your whereabouts. The Association has branches everywhere, and I thought that with more hands, we might get some information. Everyone is very worried about you—”

Fang Hong felt a slight, gentle wave of emotion in his heart.

He could hear the sincerity in this Chairwoman’s words. Since arriving in this place, he had received help from many people, and this genuine kindness somewhat diluted the human malice he had sensed from the Wanderer not long ago.

Perhaps the world truly is like this, with both good and bad. But overall, there are more good people.

Perhaps that’s why it’s worth protecting.

Lady Aierna looked at him with some concern: ”By the way, what brings Ade to the Artisan Association?”

Fang Hong had actually come here looking for the Princess.

During a previous celebration, the Princess told him that Hilveld and others were currently in Quistack City, but Achilles was responsible for arrangements, so even the Princess didn’t know the exact address of the Seven Seas Brigade.

Today, he came to this place to get the address of the Seven Seas Brigade’s members from the Princess’s people at the Artisan Association.

Unexpectedly, he ran into an acquaintance.

After hearing his explanation, Aierna put down her cup and said with some surprise, ”So Ade hasn’t met Hilveld and the others yet? I actually know where they are; shall I take you there?”

Fang Hong was slightly startled, ”Lady Aierna knows?”

”Of course,” Aierna replied. ”Your ship’s officer lady, the messenger connecting to Tansnier, belongs to the Artisan Association and is under my leadership. I’ve been in correspondence with them several times in just a month. Naturally, I know where they’re staying.”

”But isn’t Lady Aierna here to report your duties?”

”Reporting, that can be done anytime,” Aierna blushed again, having already been noticed by many when she met Fang Hong at the Artisan Association earlier. Anyway, today didn’t seem like a good time to go back, so this matter could wait.

Overall, she even preferred to risk being disciplined for delaying her duty report—better than being recognized by others publicly.

The mere thought of her past embarrassing incidents being known by Fang Hong and the others made her feel like she’d rather find a hole to crawl into.

Lady Giant Spirit wandered in her thoughts.

Little did she know, Achilles had already packed her off and sold her out.

...