Pillar of Yita

”You mean we should change our base of operations?” Luo Hao asked.

The others also looked over.

Fang Hong nodded, ”We’ll disguise ourselves first, then check out in batches, and use our disguised appearance to find the next base. This way, we can minimize the risk.”

”But I have one more concern,” he glanced at the others, having reviewed the problem-solving process and discovered an important oversight, ”Captain Bozuo and his deputy have seen us, and although I don’t think the old captain is that type of person, we are used to not relying on others. So from now on, we should make the most of our time.”

”Then let’s split into three groups,” Luo Hao suggested, ”negotiate with that guild, investigate the informants that the Descendants of Flor have bribed, and contact the Thief Guild for possible smuggling. Lastly, procure supplies and gather intelligence.”

”These three tasks vary in difficulty, and everyone can join based on their abilities. But sneaking back onto the Seven Seas Traveler should be handled by someone with a secure identity, with caution.”

It was clear that most of them agreed with this plan.

They discussed it and finally decided that Tang Xin and Hilveld would handle the negotiations.

The plan was proposed by them, so it would be most stable if they executed it. Although Miss Ship’s Officer’s identity is sensitive, her disguise skills are top-notch and have been tested multiple times.

This group would include Fang Hong acting as their escort, ensuring their safety.

Accompanied by Gita and Luo Yu as the spell group to provide backup, just in case something goes wrong.

The infiltration group was led by Luo Hao, including major members Pasha, Ai Xiaoxiao, and Lady Papamo.

This chubby fellow from the military was quite reliable, and he had decisiveness, while the others also had secure identities.

The remaining members would disguise themselves and operate in the city, responsible for procuring supplies and gathering intelligence.

Notably, Elf Miss volunteered to take on the task of liaising with the Thief Guild.

She only asked for an assistant, Tianlan.

Fang Hong’s ideal candidate was Miss Nightingale, but since Miss Atira volunteered, he certainly wouldn’t object.

Speaking of who was the most reliable in the team, the first that popped into Fang Hong’s mind was probably Elf Miss.

If there were no Elf Miss or Big Cat People’s Seven Seas Travel Group, would it still be considered the Seven Seas Travel Group?

Finally, everyone was assigned tasks they wanted. Only the tall and mighty Lion Paladin raised a question at this time:

”Speaking of which,” Reed said, stroking his chin with a big paw, ”Ade, how should I disguise myself?”

”That’s simple.”

Hilveld and Miss Atira exchanged a smile. Fang Hong rarely saw such a mischievous expression in Miss Atira’s gentle smile.

”Remember the mushrooms on Fenris Isle?” she asked.

Tianlan’s face turned red instantly, ”Ah, Miss Atira, why did you mention that!?”

Elf Miss shook her head with amusement, looking a bit pityingly at the Big Catfolk.

”Wait, wait...”

Reed’s smile froze, and the pipe he had just taken out dropped to the ground.

...

Sillian looked down at the time, the copper pointer on the old pocket watch just passed between the moon and star. According to Eteliria’s timing, it was morning.

The sky was just starting to brighten.

He wiped the stained glass and looked up.

A few Holy Choosers were smiling and chatting with him, ”Mr. Sillian, when do you plan to marry off your daughter, please encourage Miss Beiji to consider someone from our guild.”

They were a group of young people.

Sillian frowned at them, speaking in a not-so-friendly manner, ”Shoo, shoo.”

The young folks laughed.

”Miss Beiji is recovering well, soon she’ll be just like us.”

”Yes, Miss Beiji is so cute, she might be the most beautiful bride in town someday.”

”Ah, if Miss Beiji is my wife, I’ll die happy!”

Sillian looked at these young folks, shook his head, and after a while, he too chuckled.

He knew they meant no harm. Although outsiders often held suspicions about the Invokers, it was indeed these people who took him in, a crippled man from the battlefield, and treated him as one of their own.

His younger daughter had been frail and sickly since childhood due to physical reasons, which was a heavy burden for their already struggling family to bear just to keep her alive.

The middle-aged man lowered his head and seriously wiped the fog on the glass cover of the watch again.

But he never really felt anything about it, only that he owed his daughter somehow.

”No need to be so precise,” the young folks said, ”the other party might not be punctual either.”

But Sillian shook his head, ”These Earth Origin Crystals are very important to the guild. If we sell them at a good price, the guild will have a much better time next spring.”

Some of the young folks chuckled, ”You seem more concerned about the guild than we are, it’ll be different next year anyway.”

The Super Competitive League had enforced a rule that all Free Guilds, regardless of size, must have a footing on Earth.

Though the rule hadn’t yet crossed the Southern Region, Sillian had heard of it long ago.

Although such matters were distant for him, the Super Competitive League and another world seemed like fairy tales to other natives.

”Mr. Sillian, I heard Miss Beiji has a brother?”

Someone asked.

Sillian nodded.

At that time, the young folks lowered their voices. He looked up to see an ominous face approaching beneath the dawn’s light in the east.

Someone patted him on the back, ”Mr. Sillian, be careful.”

The young folks whispered behind him, ”That guy only wants to cozy up to the Descendants of Flor. If you ruin his plans, he might come after you in private.”

Pairs of eyes turned in that direction.

”Disgusting,” someone muttered, ”I don’t know why the Chairman tolerates such people.”

Sillian turned back, ”The Chairman has his own judgment, and if the Descendants of Flor offer a higher price, I don’t mind selling to them.”

”Yes, yes,” the young folks chuckled, ”we all know Mr. Sillian is Lord Chairman’s loyal dog.”

The middle-aged man straightened up, too lazy to tell these fools that this was a soldier’s sense of honor.

...