Pillar of Yita

Fang Hong was slightly taken aback when he heard this. It’s not surprising that this Prince knows Luo Hao and his entourage. After all, he had Lavali help find people, and the Earl’s daughter probably wouldn’t do it without royal support. Perhaps Affia’s identity is somehow related to that King of Sand, Barbaltan.

Over time, it became quite normal for the Prince to know all this, especially since he is gradually taking charge of affairs inside and outside the Royal Palace.

However, it seems he has already met the others first.

Fang Hong looked ahead and indeed saw Lady Noble not far away with the others.

Hilveld had apparently already noticed him and had a slight smile in her eyes.

”Lord Captain.”

”I’m back.”

Hilveld slightly moved to the side, allowing Fang Hong to see Luo Yu, Luo Hao, Gita, and several others standing there.

Even several members of Shield of Lufu were in this place, not just Wu Xiaopang, ZXC, and others who departed on the Dawood Ship; other Shield of Lufu members stranded in Tansnier and Bain were almost all here now.

This was indeed the agreement with Count Nulman. He brought back Affia, and the other party returned the Shield of Lufu members. It seems the party truly kept their promise, not only releasing these people but also sending someone to escort them to Quistack. However, Fang Hong felt a little speechless, as the Governor of Bain seemed to act redundantly.

He probably thought the Shield of Lufu members also belonged to him.

Beyond these individuals, Miss Affia was also among them.

Fang Hong was slightly taken aback when he saw her. He thought Count Nulman and the Arcanists would take her away, but suddenly realized—perhaps Affia still didn’t understand her role in this event, nor did she realize how important she was to Mr. Ade and the Earl.

She probably still considered herself just an ordinary person.

And for unknown reasons, neither the Governor of Bain, the Arcanists, nor King of Sand Barbaltan seemed to have any plans to inform her of this.

Fang Hong suddenly remembered what King of Sand Barbaltan told him not long ago—it seemed the other party asked him to help look after her?

It turns out it wasn’t just casual talk.

”Mr. Ade,” Affia’s face was slightly flushed this time, ”thank you.”

...

Achilles was slowly passing beneath the colonnade, observing the palace servants passing by. Most people knew his identity and knew he would pass through here daily, going to meet the Grand Princess—whom is under soft house arrest—or leaving the Royal Palace here.

Day after day, nothing seemed abnormal—only sometimes he’d leave early, sometimes late. The King of Sand only had the Princess under house arrest within the palace, allowing her to communicate and receive information from the outside world, which permitted Achilles to enter the Royal Palace without much obstruction.

Only today felt particularly different—

The difference wasn’t with himself.

Rather, it was the noticeable presence of people who didn’t belong here—those coming and going were northerners—Colin People.

Achilles silently observed the Colin emissaries who clashed with the locals, quietly pondering. The appearance of these people was unexpected, but exchanges of emissaries between the northern Kingdom and Istania were not uncommon.

Even though there were indeed more emissaries this time.

Yet what does that have to do with him?

Achilles recalled the messages he received and slightly shook his head.

While pondering, a delegation of Colin emissaries approached from the front. Amidst the long line, some familiar faces were interspersed—that of King of Sand’s courtiers. He had seen these people before, but they may not recognize him; these prominent Nobles likely overlooked him as just an insignificant Court Alchemist.

Perhaps he was close to the Grand Princess, but so what? Maybe someday Princess Rupert would become the next King of Sand, bringing him fame worldwide. But for now, the next King of Sand has already been chosen, and it is decided to be unrelated to the Grand Princess.

Being the Crown Prince, Aleph holds some renown among courtiers and the populace, deservedly so.

Yet none of this stirred anything in Achilles’ heart; it was not what he pursued. He only slightly raised his head, looking towards the long procession ahead—besides the Colin people, this delegation appears here every week.

As it was the time when the court assembly concluded.

He would pass through the colonnade daily at this time, heading to the outer gates of Kashan Palace—

Soon, he saw the faces appear among the crowd.

First was Saisheer, the old Clan Leader of the Oathkeeper Clan whose gaze didn’t linger upon the Court Alchemist, perhaps not even noticing him. Then Count Nulman, similarly stern-faced, passed through the colonnade—whatever happened, the Governor of Bain seemed rather unhappy.

Finally, was the newly appointed Left Minister of the Sand Kingdom by the King of Sand.

Seniman slightly lifted his eyelids glancing at him, his cloudy gaze lingered upon the Court Sorcerer for a moment.

During that moment, Achilles’ gaze also landed on him. Their eyes met briefly, nodding slightly imperceptibly, but without pausing, they passed each other.

After the delegation passed, Achilles stopped, glanced back. The courtiers’ party had disappeared at the other end of the colonnade, moving until the end. The Left Minister of the Kingdom never looked back.

He lowered his head, pondering for a moment, then continued forward thoughtfully.

...