Pillar of Yita

Four thousand feet away, Ye Hua was drawing out a second arrow. The red glow swirling within the clouds didn’t strike down with lightning this time, giving him a slight surprise, but despite the surprise, his heart remained unwavering. He knew that if he delayed any longer, his little friends might be in danger.

But at this very moment, the clouds began to stir.

A blood-red lightning bolt struck down directly.

In Fang Hong’s astonished gaze, the lightning struck Mahazar directly, turning him into a pile of ash in an instant.

...

”Mahazar is dead?”

When this news reached Elisa, Princess Rupert’s mind almost fainted for a moment. She took a breath, looking at Miss Nightingale who had not long ago left her and now returned. Her tone was slightly trembling, almost like questioning, until Elisa gently nodded, and she realized it wasn’t an illusion.

This news spread like a plague on the battlefield. Many saw the shattered dragon horn trumpet and Shalkwen’s corpse—items that never left Mahazar in life. Upon their appearance, the sand bandits understood that the arrogant desert lone wolf was indeed killed.

”But the situation hasn’t changed much...” Elisa bitterly smiled, finally understanding why Her Highness had sent her away. ”The outer sand bandits scattered upon receiving the news, but the inner city sand bandits went mad, launching fierce attacks on various parts of Kashan Palace. They probably thought that with the King of Sand Thieves dead, they too had the chance to ascend to that position. These people are simply insane...”

Princess Rupert was not surprised at all, appearing rather calm. She quietly commented: ”These people are desperados by nature; the closer they are to extinction, the more frenzied they become. Besides, victory is within reach. Everything in this palace is what they’ve been dreaming of.”

”At this rate,” Elisa was a bit anxious. ”It may not hold for much longer...”

Princess Rupert looked at her: ”What are your plans? If you wish to leave the city, I can find someone to help you, but given the current situation, I can only do my best.”

Miss Nightingale just gently shook her head: ”Without Captain’s orders, the Seven Seas Travel Group will most likely stay here.”

The Grand Princess was silent for a moment.

Kashan Palace was long devoid of disputes; ministers clearly divided into two factions, one lifeless, waiting passively for fate. The other, under the rallying of Saisheer and Prince Aleph, ascended the city walls, helping organize the final line of defense with the guards.

Though this defense is as thin as a cicada’s wing, under the rushing flood, it can’t escape destruction.

”What’s that?” Suddenly someone called out softly.

Blood mist rose like a column of smoke, connecting straight to the clouds, linking with the blood-red halo within them. Only now did someone notice this terrifying scene, but no one could say what truly lay behind all this?

But Princess Rupert just calmly watched this scene.

She suddenly turned around: ”What kind of person is Captain Ade...?”

”He...”

Elisa instinctively wanted to say he was a fool.

But looking at the scene in front of her—the sand bandits surged like a tidal wave, rushing toward every corner outside Kashan Palace, while the dark red clouds churned in the sky, blood-red lightning spreading within, like signs of an impending apocalypse.

She suddenly realized she might not have much chance to converse with the Grand Princess anymore. A silent emotion rose within Miss Nightingale, she glanced at Rupert and answered: ”...the captain is somewhat idealistic.”

”Idealistic, huh?” The Grand Princess sighed softly: ”Sometimes we find it too naive, but perhaps only idealism can bring miracles to people in dire circumstances—”

Her voice was soft, like a gentle chant. ”I just wonder, whether Lord Androma and Lord Marlan still shelter this land.”

A bright silver light appeared at an unnoticed corner of the battlefield.

Count Laval braved the pre-dawn storm, using one hand to tidy his sparse hair on his forehead, reluctantly mounting his horse. If not for that thing, why would he bother with this trifling matter?

Thinking of this, Lord Earl glared fiercely at the girl before him, scaring Florence into shivering.

Lord Earl lightly coughed, then stretched his tone saying: ”Florence, unfurl our flag, go tell everyone on this battlefield, the Colin people have arrived.”

Florence nervously responded: ”Yes, Lord Laval, no... no, Sir Captain...” while clumsily unfurling the flag, but in her nervousness almost got tangled in it, stumbling to the ground.

Count Laval shook his head, snatched the flag, secured it atop the flagpole, and with a wave of his hand, the flag unfurled.

The flag billowed, revealing a silver anvil, sparks scattering like stars across the sky, the azure crown illuminating the world, a sharp sword waving in the wind. That bright silver flag momentarily drew everyone’s gaze, both near and far sand bandits seemed to finally notice the few people at this corner of the battlefield.

Beneath the waving flag were rows of knights clad in silver armor, eyes as icy as the icy wind beneath their helmets, pressing down the visors one by one, leaving only gleaming eyes. On their chest armor, there was an emblem of roses and a giant dragon, beneath the spread wings forming a strange flame mark.

Its name is, Liming.

...