Pillar of Yita

More people squeezed through the gaps beneath the tree wall.

Amatoran grasped the combat axe with both hands, hesitated several times, and finally lowered it. ”Relay the command, we’re leaving this place.”

Alice gazed at the giant tree Long Branch had become, and froze for a moment: ”But it...?”

”Don’t worry, human.” Short Beard said in a gruff voice, as a shadow of deep blue descended swiftly from above the canyon. The Tree People swung their long arms and smashed it back into the stone wall, shattering it.

It turned back, a serene expression on its silent face, ”We originate from a seed, born on this land. But Ether’s cycle will eventually return to this earth, connecting it with you, with our mother. Return is not an end; every life has a day to say goodbye.”

Alice gently opened her mouth.

Amatoran laid down the combat axe and said in silence: ”Let’s go, let’s have a look at that forest.”

The people began to retreat in an orderly manner, while the members of the Hydra Guild were in shock, sending someone to inquire what had happened.

But everyone heard an ancient blessing that echoed long in the canyon:

”May ancient wisdom guide you.”

”May life and earth be with you.”

Short Beard turned back silently for a final glance at the canyon. People turned their heads in the same manner, seeing on the other side of the canyon that massive monster emerging, waving its claws, stirring a rain of stones.

Yet, the rain of stones all fell upon the tree wall.

The warriors each glanced at the shields in their hands.

...

”There’s a battle ahead.”

In the darkness, a Big Cat People slipped out from a side path like a ghost, bringing back news from the outside.

This was the second layer beneath the mining area, where narrow crevices formed the cave landscape, and they were hiding in one of the cracks.

A parchment map was spread flat on the rock, beside it was a glowing three-dimensional map, useful yet unsafe in the darkness.

Hilveld lit a crystal, using a quill to trace the map layer by layer onto the parchment. It was a process of practice making perfect, not taking too much time for her, and could be completed during rest.

Meanwhile, the sudden appearance of the Lion Paladin drew everyone’s gaze. The Paladin planted his holy sword on the rock, struck a flint to light a pipe, and took a puff.

Holding the pipe in one hand, he glanced at the three-dimensional map and said: ”There are three forks below the canyon ahead. People are fighting in that direction; they seem entangled by those construct beasts.”

”Those are our people.”

Time Reflection spoke up hastily but, noticing everyone looking at him, became a bit embarrassed and softened his voice, ”If it’s too troublesome, then... forget it...”

”I haven’t asked,” the Big Cat People looked in this direction and suddenly asked: ”Who are you?”

”We are from the Holy White Stone Guild and also have people from the Hydra Guild.”

Just then, a line of text appeared in the chat channel, reflecting in everyone’s vision.

Gita: ”I’ve heard of these two guilds. They are quite famous in the southeast region of Nogness, a place called Holy Relic Harbor, located at the southernmost part of the Old World’s Ladder and the border with Asuka.”

Though the Big Cat People couldn’t see the text, he read something from Fang Hong’s knowing gaze.

”And you?” Time Reflection asked, looking at them.

”You may consider us as people coming to support you,” Reed replied, ”but we have our own purposes, though not malicious towards you.”

”Mercenaries.”

Time Reflection nodded, ”I get it, the people from the forward camp sent you.”

The Big Cat People looked at him, nodded. This curious misunderstanding he didn’t plan to break; as the other party thought him a Knight of Virtue, every word he said corroborated.

So be it.

”We can go help your people, but we need the ores down there as compensation.”

”I can’t answer you on behalf of the Captain, although there’re plenty of ores below, they might be worthless at this time.” Time Reflection shook his head.

”It’s alright,” Fang Hong spoke this time: ”We only need you to keep it confidential for us.”

”Confidential about what?”

”I hope you temporarily refrain from contacting your guild, and hand over your communication crystal to us, can you?”

Time Reflection hesitated for a moment and finally nodded: ”You saved my life, I’m willing to trust you.”

Fang Hong found it amusing, such a person was quite interesting.

Yet, they indeed bore no ill will, only doing so for self-preservation.

...

After leaving that crack, they didn’t walk far before they saw flashes of combat in the distance below the canyon, the flames of magic flickering unpredictably in the dark.

However, what drew attention was a towering Grey Treant in front of those people, angrily swinging its arms, blocking the construct beasts ahead.

With it covering the front, the Invokers in the back were able to form ranks with ease and engage in battle with the Crystalysis Beast.

But the situation remained precarious, as more and more ghostly blue phantoms appeared on both sides of the canyon, posing a serious threat to the other side.

But truly fatal was the crab-shaped Crystalysis Beast, capable of using magic-like ranged attacks, sharp stones shooting like raindrops into the ranks of the Invokers, creating several bursts of white light.

The Big Cat People and the others watched from above.

Fang Hong had someone relay a message, inquiring Time Reflection about the treant’s matters, only to find that the latter was unaware. This wasn’t beyond his expectations—

It seemed those Grey Treants had approached the Holy White Stone and Hydra Guild people as they had approached him, only using different methods.

The Big Cat People suddenly spoke:

”Their numbers are more than we imagined; I might have made a mistake earlier with Parker.”

Fang Hong was momentarily taken aback before realizing: ”Are you saying that the footprints of those twenty-plus people earlier possibly weren’t left by them?”

The Big Cat nodded, ”Not possibly, but almost certainly. The time those footprints were left might be even later than we thought.”

Fang Hong was silent for a moment, frowning, unable to pinpoint the crux of the problem immediately.

Whose footprints were those then?

Hilveld had already begun to laugh, her laughter always enchanting.

”Interesting, the people passing later didn’t save him,” her spirited eyes hid another layer of meaning, asking in an insightful tone: ”Maybe they didn’t notice, or couldn’t spare the effort, what does Lord Captain think?”

Fang Hong knew she was referring to Time Reflection, but discerned a hint of intrigue from Miss Ship’s Officer’s tone.

Of course, growing up in such an environment, the Noble Lady would always think deeper and further ahead at any shred of clue.

But it indeed raised suspicion—

”I suggest you discuss this matter later,” Reed interrupted their conversation, ”if you delay any longer, those people might be in trouble.”

He meant the people from the Holy White Stone Guild below.

Fang Hong glanced in that direction, ”Actually, the small Crystalysis Beasts don’t pose a threat to them; we only need to handle the big one for them.”

”Hmm—” The Big Cat People made a non-committal noise: ”It might be a bit tricky.”

”Would direct combat be too difficult?”

”Its level isn’t low.”

”Perhaps we could try a different tactic?”

Reed sheathed the Holy Sword, inserted it behind him, and shook his head, ”No, let’s give it a try.” With that, he lowered himself and crawled towards the cliff in that direction.

Meanwhile, Fang Hong’s gaze scanned the cliff, suddenly locking onto a protruding sharp rock.

Perhaps it was time to use an old trick.

He thought.

...