Pillar of Yita

Later, they defeated Blind God Dika in Istania, completely driving another dark force back home. These consecutive events greatly eased the urgency he felt after the series of events on Fenris Isle.

He thought they were finally ahead of the Dark Followers. Not to say that they were the saviors of Colin Ishurian, but at least they had made a small contribution. However, just as they were fighting life and death with the Wanderers in Idus, the Dragon Worshippers managed to spare manpower to carry out plans in Nogness seamlessly.

By the time they discovered this plan, almost half a year had already passed.

And this was just them — how many people still hadn’t realized the threat of the Dragon Worshippers?

How many Dragon Worshippers are there really? The Seven Seas Travel Group discovered their plans in Idus, Fenris, Dolifen, and even Nogness. But what about other places? In Eis, in the Ancient Tower, in Tarun, or even in Kapuka, Scepter Coast, Ishurian, and Saint Hugon — is it really that there are no Dragon Worshippers?

He now dared not be so sure.

”Ade.”

At this moment, the Big Cat People suddenly spoke: ”In fact, there’s something I’ve always wanted to talk to you about, but until now, I hadn’t found the right opportunity. But today, here, I guess you’ve realized something too, so let’s talk.”

Fang Hong was slightly taken aback and looked up at the other person.

The Big Cat People stroked his whiskers, fell silent for a moment, then squinted his silver-gray pupils and spoke: ”We traveled all the way from Traveler’s Rest and experienced many things. The purpose of our journey has greatly changed. Although along the way we often dealt with these dark followers, and indeed they can be considered as enemies of the Lady—”

He paused: ”But Ade, fighting against dark forces is not a brief affair. Light and darkness have been in a constant struggle, possibly lasting tens of thousands of years. Thus, what I urgently want to know is, little guy, what are your thoughts?”

Nini seemed to understand the Big Cat’s words and lay on Fang Hong’s shoulder, lifting her head to rub Fang Hong’s face — a slightly uneasy voice said: ”Papa.”

Yet Fang Hong seemed oblivious as he looked at the Big Cat, asking: ”I don’t quite understand your meaning, Mr. Reed.”

”My meaning is very simple,” the Big Cat People replied: ”Even I can’t constantly be looking to bother these dark followers, of course, with some exceptions, like Miss Mei, perhaps her sense of justice drives her to do so and she has the motivation—”

”But,” he changed his tone: ”What about you, Ade? You are not a Paladin. Of course, that doesn’t mean what we’re doing now is wrong— but the Seven Seas Travel Group was founded partly to fulfill your and others’ wishes and ideals, and partly to find your Miss Hilveld’s father, Sir Mawei.”

The Big Cat glanced at the Lady Noble beside him, Hilveld only slightly smiled.

”But...”

”It’s not but, Ade,” the Lion Paladin shook his head: ”Haven’t you realized yet? Against the Dragon Worshippers, whether it’s your Strength, or the Seven Seas Travel Group, it’s insignificant. But the Dragon Worshippers are merely one branch of the Dark Force. Even if you act like a Firefighter, rushing to extinguish the fires ignited by the Dark Followers everywhere, exhausting your time and effort — you still might not be able to extinguish every fire point.”

”But what should I do, Mr. Reed.” Fang Hong was also a bit annoyed, but he couldn’t help it, with so many dark followers in this world. The natives aside, even the Invokers came to add chaos, it’s already the twenty-second century, and there are still people believing in cults; compulsory education was truly a waste.

”Fool,” Tang Xin couldn’t stand it anymore and couldn’t help but support her forehead: ”Mr. Reed’s words are so clear, yet you still don’t understand? This isn’t just your business, the actions of the Dark Followers threaten everyone, whether native or Invoker.”

”Lady Marlan and the military must be blind, chosen you as their spokesperson, Lady Marlan has countless knights; could Mr. Reed be inferior to you when it comes to fighting evil?” She shook her head and sighed: ”Lady Marlan doesn’t need a knight but an Elect, someone who can rally people. You have so many resources, so much Strength, yet still think of facing the Dark Followers alone, totally misguided by the fantasy of being a Savior and unable to extricate yourself!”

Fang Hong glared at Tang Xin, what did he do wrong? Working hard as a Firefighter, extinguishing fires from Fenris to here, and it turns out he was wrong? This reason, he couldn’t accept. But he finally understood his cousin’s meaning:

”You mean to say, let me make these... these things public here?”

”Of course,” Tang Xin replied: ”In the past, the Seven Seas Travel Group couldn’t do so because our power wasn’t enough and we lacked credibility. But now it’s different, the events in Dolifen and Istania have spread widely, and with the completion of the Seven Seas Traveler, we also have the ability to protect ourselves. Why not involve more people? Although some Invokers have turned to the Dark Saints, most Invokers are still reliable, considered as our own people — whether for interests or some other reasons.”

Fang Hong was slightly taken aback but suddenly realized, he then looked somewhat enlightened at the Big Cat, couldn’t help but ask: ”Then why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

”Because you’re a fool,” Tang Xin rolled her eyes, ”who’s the Captain, you or me? Why not hand over the Captaincy to me, and I’ll go and be with your Miss Hilveld.”

That wouldn’t do, Fang Hong pretended not to hear these words immediately. But the Big Cat beside him chuckled: ”These matters are best for you to realize yourself since it concerns what the Seven Seas Travel Group should do in the future, what our goals are. Today just happened to be a good opportunity to say it.”

Fang Hong couldn’t help but feel enlightened, indeed, he could completely use community involvement to disclose the conspiracies they discovered about the Dragon Worship Sect. The actions of the Dark Followers harm everyone’s interests, and they themselves are valuable targets. With collective effort, these people would eventually be engulfed by the power of people’s war.

By then, they wouldn’t be defending but would be switching between attacking and defending. But how exactly to maneuver, he hesitated for a moment, pondering: ”But I still have to consider how to do it properly.”

”That’s your business, our Lord Captain, naturally, it’s up to you,” the Big Cat People looked into the depths of the canyon: ”But now that we’ve made it here and found these people’s tracks, the remaining matters don’t require others to handle anymore.”

Fang Hong nodded but then asked: ”Mr. Reed, do you think we can uncover these people’s true purpose by continuing to investigate?”

”Not necessarily,” Reed shook his head, ”but since their camp is here, it suggests that the place shouldn’t be too far, as to what we’ll discover; we just need to take a look, don’t we?”

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