Pillar of Yita

However, just as he was about to turn around, a voice echoed in the hall:

"If Rolin really is the person of prophecy, it's indeed a great fortune for the Southern Region Alliance, but prophecy is prophecy, and tradition is tradition." The voice replied indifferently, "Prior to this, every heir to the Rose Workshop, including Lord Earl himself, has never made any exception—if the Earl makes an exception for Rolin, it might not be a good thing for this young man."

Upon hearing the voice, everyone involuntarily turned their heads to look for the speaker. When the crowd parted, they finally saw the person who spoke—a one-eyed man with an eye patch, a crippled leg, leaning on a cane, yet he was also an elder.

Despite his physical disability, everyone around dared not show any disrespect, just because he was the former Speaker of the Elfendo Alchemists Alliance. It was rumored that he hadn't managed internal affairs of the alliance for many years, like Ande, focusing solely on Alchemy.

No one imagined that he would appear at this moment.

Even Count Westwood Sibika seemed a bit surprised and respectfully bowed to him, "Mentor, what brings you here?"

Everyone knew this old Speaker was like half a Mentor to the Earl.

"I heard there was a talented young person," the elder glanced at Rolin and then smiled slightly, "so I came to have a look."

Only Ande seemed a bit surprised by this scene. He knew very well the character of this old fellow; apart from money, perhaps only Alchemy could interest him. Why would he leave his workshop for some talented young person?

He didn't believe it.

Just then, he suddenly realized something and couldn't help but glance towards the hall.

But of course, he didn't see Hilveld and Fang Hong.

Regarding his mentor's opinion, Count Westwood Sibika dared not disrespect. He thought for a moment and also believed what he said made sense. The tree stands highest in the forest, but the wind will destroy it. Making an exception for this young man, who he favored, might not necessarily be beneficial.

He contemplated for a while and then nodded, "The Mentor is right, we should still adhere to the traditions of Elfendo, and invite everyone to witness."

As soon as he spoke, discussions erupted in the hall.

And Fang Hong, after listening to their conversation, couldn't help but ask Hilveld, "What is Elfendo's tradition?"

"It's an assessment ceremony for the heir of the Rose Workshop," Hilveld said while looking at the center of the hall, her eyes flashing like a shallow sea, "where twelve Masters witness together to confirm whether the assessor has the qualification. Of course, nowadays, the Southern Region cannot gather that many Grand Artificers and Great Alchemists, but it's still required to complete the test under the witness of the highest seven of the Elfendo Council."

"The highest seven?"

"Master Ande is one of them, but he was the Speaker two terms ago. The previous Speaker, who spoke earlier, is Delice's father's Mentor, highly respected. And the current Speaker is Sonan Steelbrow, plus four department heads from the Elfendo (Southern Region) Alchemist Alliance—Delice's father is one of them, and Pudra is also one of them, he is the head of the Magic Potion Studies department."

"So Delice's father is the head of the Fairy Master department?" Fang Hong asked.

Hilveld nodded, "Additionally, there are the Crystal Division and Combat Artisan Department. The Southern Region Alchemist departments aren't as detailed as the Artisan Association."

At this time, Tang Xin couldn't hold back and asked, "Isn't this assessment too much of a joke? If the heir harbors malicious intentions, wouldn't it be extremely unfavorable to you?"

"It's not necessarily so," Hilveld replied, "the assessment is only one aspect, and it also requires participants to swear on the Oath Stone of Elfendo, never to violate the founding principles of the alliance."

"What good is that? It doesn't guarantee that the person won't become corrupt in the future."

Hilveld simply smiled slightly at these words.

Fang Hong then replied, "Tangtang, there's no such thing as perfection in this world, and the Southern Region Alliance has existed for so long, it surely has its set system of supervision."

Ai Xiaoxiao heard this and looked at her 'cousin' with a bit of reluctance.

Tang Xin bit her teeth, her cold gaze piercing him like a thousand arrows, "Pigeon Fang, alright, you're siding with outsiders now—I'll remember this!"

But Fang Hong was obviously oblivious, as he just realized that the teacher of Count Westwood Sibika, the former Speaker of the Southern Region Alchemist Alliance, was likely the 'lord' Hilveld had previously asked Delice and the Uncrowned Crown to contact.

It appeared that the other party was prepared, and if the Earl nominated Rolin, this 'lord' would find a way to lead the nomination towards an assessment. And surely if he could participate, Hilveld could also make arrangements for his involvement.

But the current situation was different from before; having the prophecy attached to him, he would find it not so easy to participate in this test.

He couldn't possibly reveal the secrets of the Type-One Crystal, or claim himself to be the Savior of Fenris Isle, could he?

Both matters couldn't be easily exposed in front of Dragon Worship Sect believers.

He looked towards Hilveld, curious about what method she might have devised.

And at this moment, Phales was evidently also a bit curious. For he saw his friend, who had been worry-ridden earlier, suddenly relax his expression after a servant whispered a few words to him.

Even a slight smile, with an inscrutable appearance.

And you can never underestimate a Dwarf's curiosity; Phales was curious to the point of feeling like a cat being scratched, eager to go up and ask what happened. But just then, Ande suddenly stepped forward and spoke:

"Speaking of assessments, I also have an idea."

The Earl was slightly taken aback, turned around to look at him and asked, "Master Ande, what is your view?"

Ande smiled slightly, "Rather than a private assessment, why not make it public? That way, there would be no doubts about Rolin being the Earl's heir. So I have a suggestion here, the exhibition matches of the Continental League are now taking place in Fanric, and since Rolin is interested in the Continental League, why not hold the assessment during the competition?"

"If Rolin can win the final victory of the competition, outclassing the talents from various places, he can showcase the prowess of our Southern Region Alchemists, and at the same time, granting Rolin formal qualification would be legitimate, without attracting gossip."

"More importantly, after this competition, people will have a direct understanding of the Earl's heir's caliber, achieving multiple goals at once."

Ande systematically listed his reasons, as if he had already considered them deeply.

And Count Westwood Sibika's heart could not help but be slightly moved when he heard these words.

...