Pillar of Yita

”Your Majesty,” Saisheer’s tone carried a hint of annoyance, ”it was the former king who saved Quistack, saved them all, and yet they show no gratitude, even causing trouble at this critical moment.”

Aleph smiled and shook his head.

”I understand, Saisheer,” he turned around, looking into the wise eyes of the old minister, ”rest assured, I will handle everything sensibly, just like my father expected of me—”

”Everything will get better, Saisheer.”

”...My father, rather than saying he saved this city, it would be more accurate to say he redeemed himself.”

The distant chime of the bells melodiously traversed half of Quistack—

That old bell tower surprisingly became one of the few structures preserved amidst the war.

Aleph quietly listened to the sound once more and murmured, ”Everything will get better, the future of the Istania people will be brighter than today, I promise you, father.”

...

”Move a little closer, no no no, a bit more to the left, careful! Softer!”

Fang Hong dared not take a big breath, craning his neck to watch the suspended item in mid-air — outside the massive crystal, there were tightly packed copper pipes and complex magic-guided mechanisms, half crystal and half mechanical parts.

It was none other than the core part of the Seven Seas Traveler — the Heart of Fairy and the Magic Guided Engine. If the entire ship had a mishap, he could build another one. But if anything went wrong with this, he truly wouldn’t know where to find a replacement.

He carefully gestured with his hands, for this day, they had rehearsed countless times, until the crystal swayed and was embedded into the ship’s hull, making a mellow humming sound.

The sound of the metal mechanism closing was so ordinary, yet to everyone present, it sounded crisp and pleasant, like a heavenly melody.

”Yay, success!”

Tianlan and Ai Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but jump and high-five, the two young girls almost hugging each other.

Not far away, the Earl’s daughter, Lavali, watched the scene somewhat dazedly, realizing that the young man would soon truly become a captain. She turned back to look beside her, to Miss Natural Historian whose eyes also contained radiant light — her hands clasped together, staring blankly.

”Miss Gita, when the ship is completed... you’ll be leaving too, right?”

Gita turned around, her dark eyes flickered with a hint of joyous brilliance, ”Yes, Miss Lavali, thank you.”

The Earl’s daughter opened her mouth, feeling a bit sour in her heart for a moment, but when she saw the deep joy shining from Miss Natural Historian’s eyes, she couldn’t find the words to speak.

Forget it, it’s enough that Miss Gita is happy.

”But don’t forget Istania.”

”And, don’t forget me...”

”How could I?” Gita said somewhat surprised, ”Of course I won’t forget.”

Indeed, this place held everyone’s deepest memories.

Fang Hong wiped his sweat, listening to the tremendous cheers within the shipyard, feeling a momentary peace in his heart.

He suddenly turned around, looking at the noble lady standing behind him, seeing Hilveld’s eyes filled with a faint smile, silently mouthing:

”Lord Captain.”

The Big Catfolk supported one hand on the shipworker’s frame, with the other hand he took out a pipe from his pocket, holding it in his furry palm. He thought about it for a moment but didn’t light it, instead, he looked at the Elf Miss beside him.

They exchanged a glance and slightly smiled at each other.

The shipyard’s door opened at this moment, Xiangzi and a certain Madam Chairwoman holding a letter walked in from outside, a bit surprised about what everyone was celebrating.

Meanwhile, the Little Princess stood on her tiptoes, looking at the scene inside from outside the shipyard, feeling somewhat absent-minded, her gaze inevitably falling on Luo Yu beside her.

”Your Highness Princess,” Luo Yu holding a stack of books, politely greeted her — he had heard the Seven Seas Traveler had completed its final assembly, and was rushing over from elsewhere.

Unexpectedly, he encountered the Little Princess on the way.

Shouldn’t she be in Quistack?

”Luo Yu,” Princess Afeifa’s voice was soft, ”I came to say goodbye to you, are you really not considering staying in Istania... is the ship really that good?”

She hastily added, ”Of course, I know Captain Ade is a very good captain, but...”

Luo Yu hesitated for a moment.

But he smiled, ”Your Highness Princess, I understand your thoughts, but I already have someone I like, I’m sorry.”

The Little Princess opened her mouth, tears almost welling up, but she blinked hard, holding the tears back within her reddened eyes. She had vowed to her father king that she would not easily cry again, the man who watched over her growth, silent as a mountain, was gone, but that vow remained forever in her heart.

She held back her tears, bit her lip, and nodded forcefully.

”It’s okay, I understand...”

”Thank you, Princess Afeifa.” Luo Yu politely nodded to her, turning to leave.

Afeifa watched him leave.

Her father king had left, and now the one she liked was leaving too. She turned silently, feeling somewhat alone.

A nut rolled to her foot, a shadow rushed over clumsily, hesitating before her, ”Your Your Highness Princess.” The voice stuttered out a sentence, then stepped forward to pick up the nut with their hand.