Pillar of Yita

”So, who can handle this task?” Fang Hong asked. The hall suddenly fell silent, seeming both empty and vast.

”Not everyone can enter there, Ade,” Ye Hua spoke up unexpectedly, his gaze fixed on that person before turning to Fang Hong. ”However, you and I can.”

”And me,” the man replied calmly, ”Princess can also.”

He spoke while looking at Princess Rupert.

A faint murmur spread like a breeze rippling across a lake, creating waves of whispers.

People asked suspiciously, ”Grand Princess?” ”In all of Quistack, is there no one else in Kashan Palace?”

Even Aleph was a bit perplexed. The prince stood up from his seat and asked, ”Why Rupert? Can’t I go? I am also a member of the Penelope Family. If someone must go into that perilous place, I’m willing to go instead of Royal Sister.”

”This has nothing to do with royal members, Your Highness,” Ye Hua shook his head, ”Pale Glory will select based on different soul characteristics, and few are suitable. Yet, this method was found in the former queen’s notes, perhaps indicating that the Grand Princess is the suitable person.”

Aleph opened his mouth, about to say more, but Princess Rupert had already turned around, ”Aleph, you stay.”

”But—”

She looked at him with her emerald gaze, calm in her eyes. ”Father wants you to stay here; I will go to that place. Thank you, Aleph. But we each fulfill our own duties; it’s all for Istania, this ancient land, and its people.”

Aleph took a breath and reluctantly held back his words, nodding slightly. He turned to look at Fang Hong, not speaking, but his eyes clearly expressed a request for him to take good care of his royal sister.

Fang Hong couldn’t help but smile bitterly; he hadn’t even agreed yet. But everyone seemed to naturally view him as a hero, which might be a kind of trouble. He asked himself if he was willing to go, but Bishop Faris’s answer was already in his heart.

The ideal he pursued, what exactly was it? Perhaps the layers of the Pioneer’s aura are what people deemed ’correct’ and ’duty.’ And who never had a seventeen-year-old spirit, following justice and enthusiasm of the heart, dreaming of that distant hero.

It might sound a bit naive, but he felt he was doing the right thing, and that feeling was just right.

Princess Rupert looked at the man, ”This gentleman...”

”You can call me Star,” the man replied indifferently, ”or Ravac.”

”Star...” Rupert murmured this somewhat peculiar name, while Ravac was indeed the meaning of ’Star’ in the Istania language.

A deep light flickered in Fang Hong’s eyes; Star, it was indeed him, the former leader and founder of the Morning Dawn Star. Yet his weathered appearance suggested that during the Battle of Bain, he was already over thirty, nearing retirement. Was it because of the incident back then that he remained here for ten years?

He had founded Morning Dawn Star, probably even earlier, perhaps when he was still in his prime, around twenty years ago. But how did he transition from a victim’s identity to the military’s so-called ’Wandering Alchemist’?

The Grand Princess might mistake identities, but Stargate Port absolutely wouldn’t, leaving Fang Hong deeply curious, aware that secrets were undoubtedly hidden within. More crucially, it likely involved Captain Kroid and Miss Sicape.

The Grand Princess pondered for a moment before speaking, ”Mr. Ravac, what preparations are required to travel to that world?”

Star shook his head. ”Ready anytime.”

Rupert nodded, ”Mr. Ravac, please give me some time.” She then turned to Aleph and Lady Aierna beside her, ”Aierna, Aleph, please come with me.”

Both were slightly stunned, then followed her words.

Fang Hong knew the Grand Princess needed time to make arrangements here. Although they would cross into another world to confront Dika’s incarnation, it didn’t mean Quistack’s crisis had been resolved.

The outside was fraught with peril, and monsters summoned by Dika could attack Kashan Palace at any moment, especially when its main body was threatened. While the Royal Palace had reinforcements, utilizing the Artisan Association effectively required experience, something Aleph, as the future Crown Prince, clearly lacked compared to his elder sister.

Only by safeguarding the Royal Palace could they focus on fighting Blind God Dika in another world.

And he, too, had many things to discuss with the Seven Seas Travel Group’s other members—

This journey to defy a deity, no one knew what would happen; the adversary might have various methods to seize their Starlight. Reviving seemed fragile in such combat, and no one dared guarantee a safe return.

Logically, any Invoker should think thrice before venturing into such peril. People expressed concern, especially Gita, who frowned and quietly said to him, ”Brother Ade, be careful.”

Fang Hong patted her shoulder, signaling for reassurance.

He quietly listened to his heartbeat, steady and calm, surprisingly without much fear or surprise. Perhaps after experiencing so much, he was somewhat numb.