Pillar of Yita

She and Tianlan found common interests, and the two quickly became close friends who shared everything.

Tang Xin looked at this scene speechlessly, knowing well that the 'Little Princess' was not tempted by the delicacies at the banquet, but purely found such behavior 'very interesting'.

Rather than eating, it was more about participation in the merriment.

She sighed and glanced to the other side, where Fang Hong was whispering with Hilveld.

"The Earl hopes to have that young man included in the official list for the Continental League," Hilveld looked across the hall, softly replying, "Unlike you all, the Continental League holds significant weight in the Alchemist circles. If that young man can catch the examiners' attention this year, there likely won't be much opposition within the Elders' Council regarding the successor matters."

Fang Hong considered for a moment; the ideas of Lord Earl were surprisingly in line with those of his own Miss Ship's Officer. Both individuals aimed to leverage external forces to persuade differing internal opinions. However, Delice's father himself was the current master of the Rose Workshop generation, and he merely needed the Elders' Council to align with his views.

Hilveld then turned back, "For an Alchemist, strength speaks louder than words. Setting up this banquet and inviting numerous prominent figures from the Southern Region's Alchemy realm, their intentions are clear."

"Because their focus is entirely on this banquet, they're unable to take time to meet with us, and most likely hasn't heeded anything I mentioned in my previous letters. Delice's father might want to meet us after the banquet, but by then it would be too late for Lord Captain—"

Fang Hong couldn't help but ask softly, "What do you plan to do then?"

"Naturally, we'll act first to seize the advantage."

A voice interjected from behind.

Fang Hong turned back to see Tang Xin, wearing an unpleasant expression, coldly and sarcastically stating, "Cousin, you're really slow, Miss Hilveld has spelled it all out."

Hilveld simply smiled softly upon seeing this and stepped back, giving the siblings space. As Fang Hong mulled over her words, he finally gazed into the light-filled hall, which was currently hosting the elite masters of Southern Region Alchemists.

Among these people, he recognized not most of them—

But he was certain many he had actually encountered once, albeit in a somewhat unconventional setting.

Realizing this, he suddenly understood something, instinctively turning back to look at his Miss Ship's Officer. Hilveld's eyes curved into crescent-like shapes, gently nodding at him.

Delice's father surely wanted that young man to showcase his talent at the banquet. If his skills were astonishing enough, he would naturally garner recognition from many masters of the Alchemy realm.

Having external recognition would make it easier to persuade the Rose Workshop's Elders' Council to align with his views.

But what Fang Hong understood was—

Hilveld brought him to this banquet tonight not to meet some Lord Earl, but to intercept, having arranged everything beforehand. Fang Hong looked at his Miss Ship's Officer, noticing those fluffy fox ears seemed to have grown back atop her head.

They even subtly swayed.

"But if Lord Captain is unwilling to take the lead," Hilveld smiled, "we can always wait until after the banquet to meet with Lord Earl and let Hilveld think of another strategy."

Tang Xin turned back angrily, pretending not to see.

Yet Fang Hong shook his head lightly. There was no unwillingness here, just fair competition. If one's skills were inferior, then it's another matter. But at least in the Domain of Alchemy, he possessed some confidence, and the promises he made couldn't remain unfulfilled forever.

The Heart of Fairy is a crucial step in completing the Seven Seas Traveler.

"I'll do my best to give it a try." he replied.

Hilveld nodded.

At this moment, the hall suddenly became lively.

It seemed someone over there announced the official commencement of the banquet. Fang Hong even heard the melodious music starting to play.

But due to their remote position, they couldn't clearly see what was happening in the hall's center. After a while, Gita came running over frantically, lifting her skirt, dispatched by Tianlan to inform everyone else—Delice's father had arrived.

She panted heavily, saying, "Lord Earl is accompanied by a young man."

Fang Hong exchanged a glance with Hilveld and his cousin, thinking it was as expected. Yet the following news was even more astonishing to the three.

People in the central direction of the hall were dispersing, and Fang Hong first saw an Old Dwarf with snow-white eyebrows and a nasal injury, patched in a yellowish hue. He recognized the Sorcerers' Robe the man wore, red with silver thread, the symbol of an Artisan Master.

A Grand Artificer is respected anywhere, even within the Golande Artisan's General Guild. A Grand Artificer is at least the head of a department. In the Southern Region, Artisan Masters are fewer than numbers counted on two hands.

However, Fang Hong hadn't recognized the figure before spotting Delice's father.

The man was quite conspicuous, as Delice followed closely along behind her weathered Earl father. Although the Prime Minister's faction had already labeled him as a rebel, within the Southern Region Alchemist Alliance, such 'rebellion' was clearly disregarded.

Moreover, Fang Hong believed the local Praetor surely had long since known about this banquet, merely feigned ignorance.

In Fanric, the situation naturally differed from Dulun.

Beside Lord Earl stood an effeminate young man with a furrowed brow, his appearance quite refined, leaving an excellent first impression. Even Fang Hong couldn't help but look twice, nearly mistaking him for another revered Handwasher.

He paused for a moment before realizing this was the young man Delice's father brought back from Ye Hua—he was just like him, an Invoker.

Then the Earl spoke, "I believe everyone must be curious about the young man beside me."

He gazed at that young man with a smiling face, evidently quite satisfied: "However, before introducing him, allow me to set a little riddle. I hope everyone recalls something. This matter was indeed a disaster for the Kingdom, an occasion no one wishes to revisit—all that occurred then is too sorrowful to look back on—but allow me to boldly mention it here. Do you remember all that happened in Fenris Isle half a year ago?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Hong instinctively paused. Fenris Isle? Why would the Earl mention such a place out of the blue?

He turned around, seeing Hilveld furrowing her charming brows slightly.

...