Pillar of Yita

As soon as the words were spoken, he pulled the trigger.

But before the flames could shoot out from the gun barrel, a loud bang exploded from a corner of the distant courtyard, a flash of fire streaked by, and Herman felt a tremendous force strike his arm, sending him flying and crashing to the ground.

Only then did the assassins behind him awaken from their dreams, frantically drawing their weapons. But the Royal Guards swarmed in from the four corners of the courtyard. These assassins, despite their lethal skills, stood no chance against the overwhelming numbers of Imperial Guard Knights surrounding them.

In mere moments, more than ten assassins fell as souls under the Long Halberd.

Herman’s fate was unknown; only Achilles fled to a corner of the courtyard, but that place was merely a sheer cliff, facing the lake shore below. He knew he could not die here; with the Grand Princess’s meticulous plans, there would surely be arrangements at the Resurrection Point.

But as he was about to leap, a flash of fire again emerged from the direction of the previous gunshot in the courtyard, and the lead shot hit the Alchemist in the back. He staggered, crashing into a decorative flowerpot, then rolled along with the shattered debris, down onto the cliff below.

Princess Rupert watched the scene silently, her expression unchanged.

But her bitten lip had long bled.

After a while, she turned her head and thanked Hilveld coming out from the flowers.

”Thank you for the rescue, Miss Hilveld.”

Miss Ship’s Officer put away the silver handgun, offering a slight smile.

But she did not speak.

Elisa, on the other hand, sighed watching this scene, what a pair, ending in such a tragic way. That gentleman Achilles might still have a chance to revive, but after experiencing such things, the result was already predestined.

To ease the unsettling atmosphere, she asked softly:

”Are things settled here, Princess? Have all arrangements inside the city been made?”

The Grand Princess nodded lightly.

”But the Sand Thieves couldn’t enter the city, I’m afraid they won’t let this lie.”

”Father took nearly half of the troops, leaving Quistack vulnerable. If the Sand Thieves learn of the city’s situation, they will certainly launch a strong attack.”

Miss Nightingale, of course, knew this too.

Nevertheless, she considered it to be fine; what combat power do the bandits have? Perhaps they might exploit a regular army in a field battle with numerous numbers, but an assault on a city requires skills beyond their capability.

Even if the King of the Sand Thief descends himself, it would likely still be the same.

”Just endure through tonight.” she replied.

The Grand Princess nodded, but her face didn’t appear any better.

Elisa saw this and didn’t think much of it, assuming that after experiencing such an event, one’s mood would naturally be somewhat low.

...

Fang Hong watched the moonlit armies clash in battle.

Under the serene glow of the cold moon, the cries of battle almost shook the entire valley, while the armies with different colored flags intertwined like two giant beasts tearing at each other.

Both beasts were already battered, but one was clearly defeated, retreating bit by bit, losing its ground. The snow-white tide representing Istania was scattering the multicolored army of Sand Thieves, as if just a short moment more would seal the battle’s fate.

Victory was nearly within grasp—

The original plan of the King of Sand, Barbaltan, was to eliminate the main force of Blind Followers in the Phantom Sea. Although he was caught off guard by Seniman’s scheming during the summoning ceremony, thanks to the involvement of Fang Hong and his group, the situation inside the hall broke through, and the ambushed army outside was a feast prepared for these invading Sand Thieves.

Others only knew that the King of Sand, Barbaltan, defied opposition to rally most of the forces northward to defend against the disturbance of Sand Thieves, thus leaving other directions wide open. But secretly, Nulman had received instructions to rearrange the stations for these Imperial Guards, waiting for those oblivious Thieves to stumble into the trap.

Even Seniman was kept in the dark, and only a few close ministers were aware, let alone these invaders.

Thus, when two knight armies emerged from one side of the valley, the outcome was already decided.

Regardless, it was Fang Hong’s first time seeing the King of Sand in such a manner.

Barbaltan led a group of knights charging on the battlefield. No matter where the opponent was, Governor Bain always trailed behind him.

Two men, seemingly unstoppable.

This was probably the origin of that legendary title of the King of Sand.

He realized the opponent’s legendary reputation originated from the great war thirteen years ago. And from the war against the Slave Masters, rebelling against the rule of the Royal House of Penelope, but after Istania returned to Peace, few remembered all this.

The king seemed aged but he was still there.

”Will Father win?” Princess Affia asked softly by his side.

Fang Hong looked at the battlefield, now a scene of wind clearing the clouds, and nodded gently.

He wasn’t adept at such scenarios; commanding armies was better left to professionals. After rescuing this King of Sand from the hall, everything was bound to be solved, though there might still be obstacles and another Miss Affia’s whereabouts remained unknown.

But the greatest crisis had been resolved.

The rest seemed to be clearing the aftermath.

After this, Blind Followers should severely be weakened.

And beside him, Affia nearly murmured in gratitude: ”Thank you, Captain Ade.”

She almost couldn’t hold back her tears, unexpectedly rescued by the person she originally disliked the most.

Fang Hong was about to reply when he suddenly heard a rustling sound from the Communication Crystal:

”Ade, found something related to Miss Affia, you better come over to see.”

It was Luo Hao’s voice.

...