Miss Hilveld subtly hinted that in Eteliria, close companions would share with each other what they are capable of, but not why they are capable of it.

Everyone has their own secrets, and that is the bottom line.

Miss Gita realized she might have crossed a line and blushed embarrassingly. It wasn't intentional. Yet, as she watched the noble young lady standing up for Fang Hong, a hint of defiance crept into her heart. Biting her lip, she asked, "But how does Miss Hilveld know about these things?"

Miss Hilveld's eyes sparkled, and a faint blush tinted her cheeks as she offered a slight smile. "You'll understand when you grow up, Miss Gita."

Miss Gita's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at her and then at Fang Hong.

Fang Hong, too, was staring dumbfounded at the noble young lady—wait, what did that mean? What had just happened?

"See, I knew there was something off about this woman," Luo Yu murmured suspiciously, frowning as he spoke softly to Tianlan.

"You find problems with everyone." Tianlan scrunched up his nose and snorted dismissively. "Can't you think positively? How could Miss Hilveld, as beautiful as she is, possibly have any issues?"

That logic seemed so valid that Luo Yu, for a moment, didn't know how to counter it.

Atira shook her head at both of them and walked to the window. After looking outside, she turned back and said, "Luo Yu and the others can stay in the group for now, until the Trainee's ordeal is over, but there's no need for Reed, Miss Xiesta, and Miss Hilveld to get involved when it comes to tasks related to the Spire."

"After the investigation task, we just have some reports to write, Sister Atira," Miss Gita replied. "After scoring three hundred points, we'll need to wait for the Obelisk to appear to evaluate our findings. That's still a long time off—probably until late in the Ceremony Month, December in Eteliria, when the Southern Heavenly Seat and the Star of God's Choice appear together in the sky."

Hearing this, Miss Hilveld slightly furrowed her brows but said nothing.

"What's wrong, Miss Hilveld?" It was Fang Hong who noticed her expression.

"Nothing," the noble young lady shook her head and flicked a strand of hair beside her ear. "It's just that this rumor seems to come from nowhere, a bit peculiar."

"Well, that is true." Fang Hong was reminded once again of the Hailin Crown and wondered whether things in Eteliria were always this complicated, or if it was his lack of understanding of the First World, or being in a changing situation which kept them from knowing?

He looked down at the back of his right hand—where he wore a thick glove, but he could still feel the presence of the mark.

Miss Hilveld's gaze was fluid like water, subtly glancing at him. "Thank you for your concern."

"Huh?" Fang Hong's face flushed red. It wasn't real concern, just a casual question, but with the noble young lady mentioning it, it suddenly seemed as if he was always keeping an eye on her.

Upon hearing Miss Gita's comments, Atira promptly nodded. "The Black Goat Commerce Guild might also start unlocking the gates to the ruins deep in the marshes at that time. We still have plenty of time, as it's not yet fall, and we have several months to make our way to Golande."

She placed her hand on the window glass, glanced outside, and then turned back to look at Fang Hong. "So, what are your plans now, Ade?"

"Plans?"

"Yes," Miss Gita whispered. "On our way back, the streets were full of soldiers from the Silverwind Knights and some sneaky people. They must have been looking for Brother Ade."

"The Inner City is also under martial law," Luo Yu added. "When I was coming back from the customs beast pens, I saw the number of soldiers switching shifts had multiplied."

"So what?" Parker retorted nonchalantly, spreading his hands. "They are really dumb. I just won't leave the city."

Having said that, he felt everyone was looking at him as if he were an idiot.

"What did I say wrong?"

"You would have spoiled everything! Parker, how long do you plan to stay here, a few months, or a few years?" Tianlan snapped, bursting his bubble.

"Uh," the Papalarian scratched his head. "Well, I still have a plan. Let's think, we could directly take a ship to Fenris Isle—I heard there's a Green Dragon there immensely rich, we might—I mean, we could catch a regular ship from there to Golande."

"I guarantee that we'd be caught even before boarding the ship unless you plan to stuff yourself in barrels, pretending you're a barrel of pickles or potatoes, and then enter through the cargo channels straight into the hold, hoping that by sheer luck, a worker places your barrel at the top and doesn't suffocate you. It would take Atira and the others days to find you among thousands of such barrels," the Lion Person advised gallantly.

Parker paused for a long moment and then responded, "Then, I think not."

It was then that Miss Hilveld suddenly spoke, "Princess Briana will help us find a ship, the Berio, a cargo ship from the Cloud Bay Cargo Company. It has no obvious connections with Elves or the Artisan Association, so it should not arouse suspicion. However, its Captain owes the Elves a favor, and the Princess will arrange for him to dock at Short Bay for half a day—under the pretext of repairing sails, giving us a chance to board."

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