Pillar of Yita

Fang Hong himself tends to believe that this legend was fabricated by the Ancient Tower Temple to prove its legitimacy. Of course, he only dared to think this in his heart; otherwise, Lady Marlan and the Ancient Tower Temple would make him suffer.

”What’s left of the Black Fir Commerce Guild?” he asked.

”It is a guild jointly established by several great noble families, and it has developed the best among the three major guilds,” Hilveld replied, ”As for some small and medium-sized commerce guilds, they are not worth mentioning.”

Fang Hong nodded upon hearing this. If these three major guilds were open for business, then as Miss Ship’s Officer said, there was nothing to worry about.

At this moment, Luo Hao suddenly interjected: ”In fact, the reason why the three major guilds are like this is not just for profit. Among the Ancient Tower populace, there is no fondness for the Colin Kingdom, but the nobles of both countries hold different views. Don’t forget, the ruler of the Huntington Dynasty is a descendant of Duke Hesen, and they are truly Colin People.”

He continued: ”Although today’s Ancient Tower Royal House came to power by rebelling against tyrannical rule, the ’Usurper’ Charlie was not of common birth. There were no nobles in Ancient Tower itself, so his ancestors must have been nobles from some branch of Colin. In fact, most of the Colin Nobility recognized this, otherwise, there would not have been subsequent alliance marriages.”

The Duke Hesen he mentioned was the first ruler of Ancient Tower. Historical records of the Ancient Tower People document that this Duke crossed the sea and led his army deep into the territory to establish a Duchy in today’s Iron Fort area.

That’s the origin of today’s Ancient Tower Kingdom, and hence Duke Hesen is called the Conqueror, a story that unfolded only three centuries ago.

As for the ’Usurper’ Charlie, he is the ancestor of the current Ancient Tower Royal House and has been deceased for over forty years. He was a vassal of the Huntington Dynasty and usurped his Family Head’s throne, earning that title among the Colin Nobility.

However, that was the affairs of past generations. The last monarch of the Huntington Dynasty died at the hands of mobs, and none of his family survived except for those compelled to acknowledge Charlie and his descendants’ right of succession by the Colin Royal Family.

Fang Hong had learned of this history through the community. But standing in Ancient Tower now and reflecting on what he saw before him, he felt a different impression.

Like in all port cities of Eteliria, the commerce guilds were not far from the dock area, and the emblems of the three major commerce guilds were positioned in the most prominent spots here.

The emblem of the Stag Commerce Guild was a stag’s head with long antlers and dark eyes, hanging on a sign. It didn’t seem like a wooden sculpture but rather a taxidermy specimen. The emblem of the Tulip Commerce Guild was the most ornate among the three. Though it was just a blooming tulip, it was elegantly outlined with gold foil over silver powder, appearing magnificent yet not vulgar.

Only the emblem of the Black Fir Commerce Guild was the simplest, merely a black fir leaf. But although the emblem was simple, the guild hall of the Black Fir Commerce Guild was the largest and most grandiose, making it crystal clear who was in charge here.

But beneath these three commerce guild emblems, Fang Hong spotted an ’old acquaintance.’

At Traveler’s Rest, in both Elpaxin and Golande, he had seen that emblem—actually just a black goat’s head carved into wood, plain and ordinary. The Black Goat Commerce Association’s main business was around the Cloud Sea; he once saw the same emblem in a small town north of the Masongke Creek base, but never further south.

Yet Fang Hong never expected to see the Black Goat Commerce Association’s emblem here once again. Although it made sense upon reflection—this port was indeed around the Cloud Sea—the fact the Black Goat Commerce Association extended its business to Ancient Tower still somewhat surprised him.

Seeing this black goat, he couldn’t help but recall the unsmiling middle-aged man he met at Traveler’s Rest, the initial journey of the Seven Seas Travel Group, Dolifen’s various experiences, and also the young man named Luen from thirty years ago.

When he turned back, he noticed the others in the group looking at him—Luo Hao, Tang Xin, and Elisa hadn’t experienced what happened in Dolifen, but Tianlan, Gita, and Pakro Feather remembered it clearly.

”It’s the Black Goat Commerce Association!” Tianlan couldn’t help but whisper in surprise, ”I didn’t expect to encounter a guild run by acquaintances here. This is great; regardless of whether Sister Hilveld’s three major guilds are willing to do business with us, at least we can rest assured, and maybe we could even get a discount or something.”

Fang Hong glanced at the young girl speechlessly. Although they had crossed paths with Luen in Dolifen once or a few times, the other party hadn’t said much to them throughout. Even if Mazak’s connection warranted special treatment, it’s not certain Luen was in this place.

They knew the Chairman of the Black Goat Commerce Association, but the ordinary staff might not recognize them. As for discounts, that’s just wishful thinking.

Of course, Tianlan did have one point correct. With the Colin People having a commerce guild branch here, it indeed saved them a lot of trouble.

After all, the saying ’big stores bully customers’ is not just for words; the three major local guilds might well fleece these outlanders unfamiliar with the locale like fat lambs.