Pillars of Ita

"It's time to set off, alchemist." The boy's words interrupted Fang Zheng's thoughts. He had just sheathed his sword, stood up, and looked towards the port.

From there, one can see almost the entirety of Vo-Salasti, a city nestled among crescent-shaped mountains. The pristine white city floats above the gap between two arched mountain ranges, as if pierced by four heavenly silver nails. In reality, these are four bridges connecting the central city, with the other end of the long, silvery bridges leading to the port areas, each situated between two mountain ranges.

The ship of the Flame of the Covenant docked in the port district of Tarramer, which was certainly not its original name, but rather a name given haphazardly by the knights. They called the long bridge 'Ashrica's Bridge,' a name Fang Zheng had heard of before—the name of the goddess of spring among the four seasons.

The four seasons in the wilderness do not quite match the folklore of Aetaria, but can be roughly considered to be one of the incarnations of Aimee, and also a part of the prototype of the deceased elven goddess Tririel.

The remaining three bridges are 'Tello-Marlo', 'Frost', and 'Kellogg', which correspond to Autumn Trombone, Summer Breeze, and Claw of the Hidden Mist, respectively.

The Saltbone Children's fleet consists of four ships, docked in the adjacent port area, connected to the 'Krog Bridge'.

In other words, the attack by the Ancient Knights, the Flamebringer's Oath, and the Sons of Saltbone will begin from the Bridge of Spring and Winter and continue until they reach the central city and the lair of the undead dragon.

The knights split into two forces, one of which, at great personal risk, attacked the central hall—the lair of the dragon. Their main objective was to distract the enemy and then have the Sons of Salt escort the two cardinals to the central magic tower—the former hub of the fortress's weapons of war—to install the holy relic atop the spire and activate it.

The other force, mainly composed of knights, was divided into fourteen squads and was responsible for heading to the thirteen key nodes on the outskirts of the city. The remaining force was to get as close as possible to the central magic circle of Vo-Salastiel and restart the entire keychain there—that was Fang Zheng's task.

The first detachment of knights was led by Bellel herself. She had changed out of her bishop's robes and into military attire, wearing silver armor trimmed with gold like flame patterns. Her golden hair cascaded down her chest, and the rose-colored greatsword in her hand reflected the sunlight.
"This is a dangerous mission. I cannot guarantee that every one of you will come back alive. Therefore, I will personally lead you forward and stand in front of you. As long as I have not retreated, you are not allowed to have any thoughts of retreating."

The Free Knights appeared to be in high spirits and were completely unconcerned about the impending danger, while the Ancient Knights appeared reserved and very composed.

The boy named Loren told him that Lady Bellel was not a knight, and that the sword in her hand was actually a magic sword.

Even the archbishop was willing to lead from the front, and none of the knights were willing to lag behind. A noble spirit of courage, honor, and mission was passed down through generations in the wilderness.

“Why can’t we also fight to the death, if Bishop Berel were willing to lead us?” the boy whispered. “Oh.”

Beryl pushed through the crowd and walked over. Her blue eyes were fixed on Fang Zheng, like tempered steel. "Neither Lord Ser nor I can take care of you. You must be careful."

Fang Zheng was slightly surprised and looked up at her. This woman had only shown a different attitude towards Marlan from beginning to end, and he thought that she did not care about his identity.

However, he nodded, understanding the other party's arrangement. The sacred artifact was crucial to the entire plan, and it was worthwhile to arrange for a dragon knight to accompany them.

The more the other side does, the safer the others become; they are practically committing suicide. Therefore, they also need a leader who can command respect, and Beryl is undoubtedly the best candidate.

Besides, he wasn't that fragile. It was just that the great explorer and Beryl thought he needed protection. In fact, Fang Zheng believed that the people escorting him were not necessarily more capable than himself.

“Ms. Berel, I can provide you with the necessary information support on the battlefield.”

“Distribute your…wind-up fairies, one for each squad,” Beryl agreed without refusing.

She looked at Fang Zheng again—this was the person Lady Marlan had chosen—and although she didn't understand why the lady had chosen another holy son, his composure did surprise her.

This was by no means a feigned reaction. People going to the battlefield for the first time reacted very differently; some were too nervous, while others were, on the contrary, too excited.

Or rather, these two emotions originate from the same physiological response.

"That's strange." Beryl had no idea that Fang Zheng was a visitor from three hundred years in the future. She was just curious why the lady would turn her attention to Colin-Ishurian, where there had been almost no war in the past hundred years.

They even found this young man.

“Thank you, Mr. St…Ed,” she said softly. “The Oath Court and the Rotao people will remember your contribution and assistance.”

However, Fang Zheng sensed a subtle warning in her words; the bishop probably did not want him to act as if he were the Son of God.

However, it was not just a warning, but also a protection. The existence of two holy sons in the same era was not a good thing for either him or Rotao.

Unable to question Marlan's decision, she could only hint at it to the young man in a more subtle way. But for Fang Zheng, these were all irrelevant—

Because this era had nothing to do with him.

"Ms. Beryl actually took the liberty of speaking with you." Loren looked at him with some envy.

Is she famous?

“That’s an archbishop, and not only that, Lady Beryl is the chosen one of the Delirium Covenant.”

Fang Zheng then revealed a surprised expression. The person chosen by the Three Saints Covenant, isn't that the next Great Guardian?
Rotao has three supreme lineages, one of which is the Delirium Covenant.

In fact, three hundred years later, among the twelve pillars, only delirium, repentance, density, and covenant existed. However, in the era of Berel, there should also have been the pendulum of silence.

Those chosen by the Covenant will invariably become the guardians of the Temple of Miro, yet he had never heard of Beryl or her family.

Moreover, the oath of silence was not chosen for this lady.

The silent pendulum originates from the path of blood.

“In truth, I should thank you,” Loren said to him again. “You are an Ishrian, and all of this should have been none of your business. Thank you for your help at this time.”

"I guess that's why Ms. Beryl made a point of talking to you a little longer."

The young man sighed, "Ever since Master Flamel was injured, our offensive has stalled. I've heard that this fortress only appears for a limited time, and we don't have many opportunities left."

"If it doesn't work this time, there will be another time."

“I might not be there next time. Ten or twenty years from now, I might not even still be in the guard. If we can win this battle, maybe I can bring my family’s name back to the Pillars of Stars.”

Fang Zheng looked at the other person, knowing the outcome, he couldn't say whether this might not be a bad thing. The plan of the Flame Tower was said to be a Pyrrhic victory, but in reality it was a crushing defeat. After today, who knows how many people will be left here.

But he couldn't turn the illusion into reality. Even if he did change the outcome, he could only change the outcome three hundred years later.

Everything that happened here in history has already truly happened, and there will be no chance to rewrite it.

Beryl, Loren, and Selgios—these names, some famous and some obscure in history, have all perished in the dust of time, regardless of their fates.

"Why are you spacing out again?" Loren looked at him with some curiosity. "Are all alchemists like this?"

Fang Zheng shook his head.

“Then follow me,” the boy said. “I keep my word. Don’t let my appearance fool you. I’m actually the best fighter in our area. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have joined this expeditionary force.”

“I’ll take you to meet the others, our captain. He’s an ancient knight, though of course, that knight is only temporarily serving as the captain of our squad.”

"One day I will also become a knight of ancient traditions. Don't worry, we will definitely escort you to your destination. Even if we encounter any trouble, I will try my best to let you go first."

He patted his chest and smiled: "I am a knight, this is my mission."

Fang Zheng, seeing the boy's confidence, simply handed him a wind-up fairy.

"what is this?"

“A communication device,” Fang Zheng thought for a moment, then gave up on explaining, “I will use it to transmit information from the battlefield to you. Here are some more; please distribute them.”

Loren tried to explain, but Fang Zheng interrupted him, "This was promised by Ms. Beryl."

"Good."

The boy shrugged and picked up the wind-up fairies.

……

The long, drawn-out sound of bugles echoed through the port area.

As the knights set off to the sound of horns, Fang Zheng could only see banners unfurling in the wind, breaking through the mist, with the square flags in front slowly merging onto the silver bridge.

"Here they come."

He suddenly heard Loren's voice beside him, and the boy seemed eager to try.

Fang Zheng followed the other person's gaze and saw a tall white wall standing in the mist at the other end of the long bridge. A ray of dawn sunlight was breaking through the clouds, like a spear hitting the top of the wall.

The ever-changing beam of light etched a mark on the pristine white stone wall. And a shadow was crossing over that patch of light.

Fang Zheng then realized that each black dot in the shadows was one of the creatures he had seen flying in and out of the sky island the day before. They were winged monsters that looked like gargoyles.

But it's hard to really describe the true form of these things; they are only slightly like gargoyles, but unlike them, they are constructed from a semi-solid, asphalt-like shadow.

Each time these creatures flap their wings, a part of their body detaches from them, only to re-merge, like a mass of black liquid constantly twisting in mid-air.

A distorted shadow, barely recognizable as its original form.

When they took flight, they covered the entire port area like a dark cloud.

These monsters first crashed into the foremost ancient knight, then scattered and swept towards the back of the group.

"Lower your head!"

Loren let out a low shout. Instead of using his steel sword, he switched to a spear, pointed it halfway to the sky, and then thrust it forcefully.

A strange force struck the spear tip, causing the spear to swing sideways and drag the creature stuck in it to the ground.

The boy dropped his spear, drew his longsword with a backhand, and slashed off the head of the grotesque figure. The hideous head screamed and rolled to the ground.

Fang Zheng saw a knight pierce a monster with his sword, severing one of its wings, then grab it and push it off the bridge.

The monster tumbled in mid-air, its head merging into the shadows before sprouting another wing, while a smaller head grew from the severed end of the original wing.

It flapped its wings and rolled in the air a few times, regained its balance, and flew up again.

These monsters are immortal?

Fang Zheng couldn't help but turn around and saw that the monster that Loren had killed had also grown a head again and was screaming as it pounced over.

But the spear remained on its body. Loren grabbed the shaft with one hand and swung his sword with the other, severing its second head once more.

The monster seemed to want to revive, but a beam of golden light shot from the side and struck its writhing body, which immediately emitted a 'squeak' sound.

The next moment, it was burned to ashes.

Fang Zheng looked in that direction and realized that most of the knights in other directions had already dealt with the enemy; the one who made the move was a priest from the Flame of the Covenant.

The enemy didn't even glance in that direction, but immediately rushed to other battlefields.

Those monsters seemed truly formidable, but in reality, they were no match for the Knights of the Flamewreath. Not to mention the Knights of Ancient Training, even the Free Knights of Duro were not at a disadvantage in a one-on-two fight.

The knights' ranks parted the sweeping storm like a gleaming blade.

The shadow, like a splash of black water, crashed against this incredibly sturdy shield and instantly scattered.

These are just appetizers.

Loren checked his spear before sheathing his sword.

He glanced around the battlefield and, finding no other area requiring his intervention, returned. The other man said:
"These aren't really the dragon's minions; they're just creatures that spawn from the darkness. They harass us every time we try to get close to the city walls."

"Like bats living in the shadow of city walls."

He turned his head: "Our fleet is about to begin moving."

After releasing the knights, the Skyfire Court's airships began to rise one by one, flying towards the fortress. Fang Zheng had actually been somewhat curious as well, why didn't the Skyfire Court's air fleet directly attack the city?
But he soon realized he was terribly wrong.

The Sons of Saltbone and the people of the Flame of the Tower have fought countless battles with this evil dragon here, and both sides know each other inside and out.

Fang Zheng first heard a muffled rumble, and several cracks appeared in the towering city wall in front of him—at first he thought that these ancient walls could not withstand the damage and would collapse at any moment.

But to his surprise, the thick walls began to slowly rise, revealing the mechanical structure beneath. At that moment, he understood why Vol-Salastiel was called the war fortress of the elves—light blue light and shadow rose from the rising walls.

At that time, the floating fleet of the Flame Tower had just finished lining up, and then the thousands of cannons in the fleet began to roar and fire.

Fang Zheng saw a dazzling ray of light pass over his head and strike the rising pale blue light shield. Countless sparks exploded on the city wall, but they could not shake the shield of Vol-Salastir in the slightest.

The deafening roar almost shook the earth. Fang Zheng saw Loren's mouth opening and closing in front of him, but strangely, he couldn't make a sound.

The entire earth seemed to be plunged into an extreme silence.

He couldn't hear what the other person was saying at all.

The boy used a combination of gestures and explanations before Fang Zheng finally understood what he was trying to say:
"There are at least four more rounds of firing. After that, the shield's protection will weaken, and the fleet's firepower still won't be able to penetrate it, but at least we can get in."

"What happens after that?"

Fang Zheng asked.

The Flame of the Tower's fleet consisted of twenty-one ships, carrying over a thousand knights and four thousand squires. The fleet included two second-class battleships and one first-class battleship.

This is almost the configuration of a main fleet. The five rounds of salvo from the main fleet could not even make the main shield of the fortress overheat. What level of protection does the Vo-Salastiel have?

“They will keep firing after that,” Loren replied, “mainly to keep the city’s maze operational so we can breach it from the inside.”

"Once the other thirteen squads reach their designated destinations, it will be up to us. We must gain control of the main magic array so that the fleet can join the final offensive and defensive battle."

Fang Zheng nodded, meaning that the main shield of the Vo-Salastiel was completely resistant to the continuous bombardment of the main fleet from three hundred years ago.

The only way to break through was from within, which is why the offensive could not continue after the fleet's master craftsman Flamel fell into a coma.

"Look over there."

Loren suddenly said.

Fang Zheng looked in the direction he was pointing, his gaze passing over the shadow on the high wall.

And after the shadows fell, after the bombardment of the Rota'o people, the smoke and fog finally dissipated, revealing the majestic fortress, the main body of Vo-Salastiel.

The pure white fortress suspended above the cloud ridge was like a pearl in the morning mist, unforgettable at first glance, but above the crown of this pearl.

Fang Zheng witnessed a scene that he would never forget.

It was a monster beyond words, perched atop the vault of the city's tallest building, its size almost equal to a third of the city itself.

The monster's half-melted body flowed down from the highest point of the city, clinging to the port like black pus, as if it had become part of it.

But even from that decaying form, Fang Zheng could still catch a glimpse of the twisted creature's true form—from its half-open wings, from its festering scales, and even from its pupils that shimmered with golden flames.

It was a dragon, a dark dragon.

Its rotting half-face melted away atop the highest point of the fortress, atop a golden dome, where a dragon's head, oozing black pus, rolled its eyelids amidst the rubble—

Each time the dragon's eyes opened and closed, they flashed with a chilling light.

Fang Zheng discovered that he had actually recognized the identity of this giant dragon.

And the other party recognized him immediately.

"It's you--"

"Little fellow of Idus."

...(End of chapter)