Pillar of Yita

As they entered the town, everyone noticed the giant stone arch on top of the stone walls.

Luo Hao raised his head and looked at the section of stone wall connected to it. They were all built from huge river stones collected from the mountain streams in the Forest. It is said that more than ten thousand stones were used to build this fortress, but now it’s lucky if a third remains.

But Luo Hao wasn’t concerned about this; his gaze fell only on the collapsed low walls—low only compared to the solemn city structures like those of Gula Port, Elpaxin, and Charter City. It was still five to six meters high, and one needed to look up to see the full view.

However, on those low walls, the gigantic stones were scattered all over the ground, rolling down from the broken wall to form a gap. It seemed as if some giant beast had crashed into it, causing an entire section of the wall to collapse, with stones rolling down to form a stone slope.

Such a sight was a common occurrence on these walls, even from a distance.

”Ade, look over there.” Hilveld obviously noticed this too, pointing in that direction, softly speaking to the others.

Fang Hong looked in that direction and was somewhat surprised. The gaps in the stone walls were almost brand new. Could it be that Grey Owl Town had been attacked before their arrival?

From the size of those gaps, even if the attacker wasn’t a Dragon Beast, it wouldn’t be far off. But they had been trekking the whole way, trudging through the snowstorm, not a pleasant journey, and had no time to explore the community, thus unclear about what had happened in recent days.

He turned around, gave his Miss Ship’s Officer and Luo Hao a look, and signaled for them to enter the town first. Find a place to rest, get some food, and then find out what has happened recently.

However, entering the town, the atmosphere became noticeably more serious and solemn. During this season not suitable for excursions, there were hardly any people on the streets, only a few knights in black and white robes pointing at them.

Fang Hong couldn’t recognize the knights’ identity at the moment, but he asked Gita and Miss Fairy, and neither knew.

Hilveld was equally puzzled and shook her head at him.

”Better keep moving,” Luo Hao looked in that direction and said, ”Seems like they aren’t too welcoming of us.”

If Grey Owl Town indeed encountered an attack from a Dragon Beast, it’s understandable for the locals to heighten their guard, but they hardly resemble Nikopolas’s henchmen? These folks seemed overly paranoid.

But Fang Hong didn’t intend to cause trouble, leading the group down a different route, stopping a passerby to confirm the direction, finally finding an inn called ’Smoke and Tea.’ Before entering the inn, Fang Hong glanced at the sign, thinking if Big Cat were here, it surely would like this inn.

Inside the inn, the group found it equally empty; not even a lamp was lit in the lobby. Outside was gloomy, making the inn even darker. Fortunately, there was still a man behind the counter sorting things.

Fang Hong was puzzled, ready to ask, when suddenly noises arose from the street outside.

Everyone stopped, turned back, and saw that the previously deserted street was somehow filled with people coming from the end of the street, converging into a stream heading in another direction.

The crowd moved slowly, passing outside the inn’s door. Most held their heads high, looking ahead, as if something was there. Crowds were maintained by over ten knights in black and white on each side, wearing silver armor and swords at their waists, walking past the inn door without looking around.

The crowd seemed neither whispering nor shouting loudly. Besides steps, there were few other noises on the street. Fang Hong was astonished, thinking possibly there’s a local custom unknown about Gula, but what parade or celebration is this?

But from the crowd’s demeanor, everyone looked solemn, not a festive atmosphere, resembling more of a religious ceremony.

Fang Hong stared at the last few passing through the street, along with a squad of knights bringing up the rear, their steps echoing. As Fang Hong watched them leave, he finally turned back, planning to ask the innkeeper what’s going on outside.

However, upon turning around, he found that the man behind the counter had stepped out, seemingly about to go out.

Fang Hong was taken aback and quickly stopped him: ”Wait, we need to book a room.”

”Let’s talk later, folks.” The man did not seem impatient, only gazed outside while answering them.

”What’s going on outside?”

”Caught a Dragon Worship Sect spy, going for judgment,” the man answered, ”Everyone’s required to be present. Soon Raven Knights will come for checks. Even though you’re Outsiders, the same applies. Why not join me?”

Fang Hong was perplexed:

”Raven Knights?”

He instinctively looked outside the street, but the crowd had already vanished beyond the street’s other end, including those black and white knights. After the crowd left, it seemed tranquility returned once more.

He pointed outside, asking the innkeeper, ”Do you mean those knights earlier?”

”Not them, folks,” the man patiently replied, ”They’re Crow’s Claw Guard; Raven Knights are Holy Sanctuary’s Guardians, far more prestigious.”

”Crow’s Claw Guard, Holy Sanctuary’s Guardians?”

Fang Hong was totally confused—does Eteliria have such a Holy Sanctuary, or did they cross into some other world amidst the snowstorm?

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