Pillars of Ita

"Tangtang!" Ai Xiaoxiao ran after him and complained to her friend out of breath, "Why didn't you wait for me?"

Tang Xin turned around and glanced at the other person. The girl seemed to have changed significantly over the past year. She had become taller, more upright and more heroic, like a sapling sprouting branches, forming buds, and about to bloom.

But the bigger change was in her temperament. Everyone thought that she had become a different person since returning from the Star Gate. She became more silent and capable, and apart from occasionally paying attention to super sports, she seemed to have no interest in other things.

Ai Xiaoxiao seemed to be the same as before, just as her name suggests, a small one. When standing next to her old friend, she was just as tall as her old friend's ear, like a delicate porcelain doll, and had to tilt her head up to look at her.

She knew that the reason why her friend had changed so much was because she wanted to return to that world - was her cousin so charming? Ai Xiaoxiao's mind was full of random thoughts, but thinking back, she actually wanted to go back to that world and take a look.

I still remember that I cried my eyes out on the day I left, and that incredibly pretty ship officer lady comforted them with kind words - Oh, I wonder how my cousin and the others are doing. Before, they would use the communication between the two worlds to contact everyone on the Seven Seas Traveler, but the communication between the two worlds has been interrupted for several months.

"I'm going to purchase some supplies. Why are you following me?" Tang Xin looked at the little princess. She looked very cute as she was panting. The mist she exhaled condensed into a ball of white frost in the cold air.

"I'm just bored." Ai Xiaoxiao patted the snowflakes on her gloves and said, "Many places are blocked, and I can't go to the places I usually like to go."

There was a snowfall a month ago. In fact, it rarely snows in the city where the two live, let alone in September and October. The scope of this snowfall was not ordinary large. Moreover, the southern cities have no heating systems and no backup emergency plans. The accumulated snow almost brought the city's operations to a halt.

In fact, since August, an abnormal and drastic drop in temperature has hit most parts of the northern hemisphere. The news called this abnormal drop in temperature a "cold wave", and media from all countries claimed that it was related to the unusual ocean temperature difference this year.

Only some authoritative scientific institutions and experts have stated that the temperature change may be related to the change in the relative coordinates of the star gate. However, such remarks have not attracted much attention. Instead, they have gained a broad mass base in the country through the guidance of official media.

Compared with other countries, Tang Xin could clearly feel that the authorities seemed to be preparing something.

However, compared with those major aspects, the biggest impact is on all aspects of personal life. The large-scale blizzard paralyzed the transportation system, especially for cities in the south. Supplies became tight within a month and a half. In order to stabilize prices and maintain order, many places temporarily returned to the supply system.

Students like them can only purchase supplies at a few designated places with their student ID cards.

Of course, there is still a big difference compared to the real wartime system. After all, the scarcity of materials is only relative. At least people can still maintain modern life, but life has become more troublesome than before.

Most people think that such days will only last a few months, so they only have minor complaints.

Tang Xin didn't have any unique opinions, and she wasn't thinking about that. It was just that because she had to go to the military recruitment office for testing twice a month, she could clearly feel that the atmosphere there was different from before.

Everyone became visibly busy and nervous, with fatigue from working overtime on their faces. More people appeared there, and many people in military uniforms were coming in and out without saying a word.

However, there might be confidentiality regulations involved in this, so she didn't dare to ask more questions.

The two people were walking on a path that they often traveled back and forth on a daily basis. It was a small park near the campus. The purpose of this trip was to cross the park and then walk across a commercial street, where there was a government-designated material distribution point.

The distributed supplies will be delivered to various blocks through the streets, but they often go there to recruit volunteers, so they are familiar with the place. In fact, before the blizzard came, the small park behind the campus was not unfamiliar to the students.

Even Ai Xiaoxiao knew that this was a holy place for boys and girls to date. In the center of the park, there was an island connected to the lake by a bridge. However, the lake was frozen. In order to avoid accidents, the school issued a temporary notice to block off the area.

But the park has changed again in the past few days. First of all, there are fewer people. After the central area of ​​the lake was blocked, there is actually only one small path that can quickly pass through the park, located in a sycamore forest. Of course, the drop in temperature has made the trees here bare, and there is not much scenery to see.

There were almost only two people left in the park, their footsteps rustling in the snow. A thick white fog was rising in the direction of the lake. In fact, the fog enveloped the entire forest, and the trail was covered on both sides. Such fog would rise almost every morning these days and would not dissipate until after dusk.

Such heavy fog would have caused many traffic accidents under normal circumstances, but fortunately, the traffic in the city was almost non-existent due to the snowstorm, so there was not much impact. However, the abnormal climate did cause a lot of reports.

"The weather has been so weird lately." Ai Xiaoxiao stamped her feet and asked, "Have you heard, Tangtang? There have been a lot of protests lately."

"protest?"

"It's those bored people who think the government should withdraw from Stargate cooperation... conspiracy theories, you know."

Tang Xin did know about those doomsday theorists. At first, similar arguments only appeared on the Internet, but recently they have intensified and have even become a reality. These people often have financial support. The authorities arrested a group of rumor mongers not long ago, but with little effect.

However, the abnormal weather did make similar remarks spread widely, and even some ordinary people believed them. While the two were talking, suddenly there was a "pop" sound and something fell at Ai Xiaoxiao's feet.

Ai Xiaoxiao looked down and found that it was a bug. It looked like a large longhorn beetle. She was not afraid and stretched out her foot to poke it. "Hey, how can there be a bug in the middle of winter? Isn't it afraid of the cold?"

Tang Xin really wanted to remind her friend that it was only October, but when she looked around, she saw a man in a gray windbreaker and a hood walking towards her from the opposite side of the path, and she closed her mouth involuntarily.

This path in the park is often walked by people, so there was nothing strange about seeing people there, but their attire was really eye-catching. At least in her country, she seldom saw people wearing such "strange clothes". The high collar of the windbreaker and the hat that was pulled down deliberately seemed to cover the face, which made it hard not to attract people's attention.

If it were in the past, Tang Xin would definitely be indifferent to this. After all, no matter how strange the outsiders' clothes were, it had nothing to do with her. However, under Bai Jia's introduction, she had participated in military training for more than half a year. The military has always had special courses for the training of the Chosen, including anti-reconnaissance.

Tang Xin always felt that there was something wrong with the person who came. It seemed that there was always a vague gaze falling on her and Ai Xiaoxiao. When she looked over, the other party seemed to have noticed Tang Xin's probing and took out an object from under his coat.

He threw it lightly, and the thing spread its wings and flew towards Ai Xiaoxiao and Tang Xin.

"Drone?"

But Tang Xin had never heard of any civilian flapping-wing drones on the market. However, Ai Xiaoxiao at the side widened her eyes, because she was very familiar with that thing - Fang He gave her a model of a clockwork fairy before leaving, and it was exactly the same as the one in front of her.

The scale model was projected out after she returned to the star gate. It was very lifelike. The only difference between it and the one in front of her was that it could not fly.

"A flying clockwork fairy?" Ai Xiaoxiao couldn't help but said with her eyes wide open.

Tang Xin had already reacted with a start. An incredible feeling of uneasiness rose up in her mind. The incredible thing was that this clockwork fairy was not the world on the other side of the star gate. But that thought only existed in her mind for a moment. She immediately reacted and realized that the visitor was not friendly. She grabbed the hand of a close friend and ran away:

"Little princess, run!"

The other party released the clockwork fairy right at the start, probably because he realized that he had aroused his suspicion and there was no way to control him and Ai Xiaoxiao in the first place, so he sent out spies first to prevent her and Xiaoxiao from escaping in the dense fog.

Fortunately, she was well aware of the capabilities of the clockwork fairy in the world behind the stargate, thanks to her useless cousin, the annoying pigeon. She became interested in alchemy mostly because of him.

Back in Ataria, she had carefully observed the clockwork fairies more than once, and also observed how the craftsmen and her cousin used them. Most of the craftsmen used them clumsily, just like the one that was chasing them from behind.

If it was her cousin, she and Ai Xiaoxiao would have a hard time escaping. Fortunately, Tang Xin had only one thought in mind, to take Ai Xiaoxiao through the bushes on one side of the park. The low trees would interfere with the flying performance of the clockwork fairy. If it flew low -

There is a holly forest on one side of the park, and through it is the parking lot outside. There was a safety incident in the nearby block due to snow accumulation not long ago, and the authorities blocked that area. There might be police officers on duty nearby.

This thought flashed through Tang Xin's mind quickly. She pulled Ai Xiaoxiao's hand and crouched down to get under the holly bushes. She looked back and saw that the clockwork fairy had to lower its altitude to prevent losing the two people in the fog.

Without thinking, Tang Xin picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at the buzzing construct. The clockwork fairy slightly deviated to avoid her stone, but the next moment it crashed into the nearby bushes.

It crashed against the tree trunks and branches, fell from mid-air, and flapped its wings in vain to try to fly again, but Tang Xin rushed over in two steps, snatched the clockwork fairy, threw it to the ground, and then stomped on it to pieces.

She looked back and found that her friend was not afraid at all. Instead, she was a little excited. Ai Xiaoxiao was slightly out of breath, her face flushed, and she looked at her with sparkling eyes, and said breathlessly:

"Tangtang, you were so handsome just now."

"You're so handsome," Tang Xin said unhappily, looking behind her nervously - the man didn't catch up, but this didn't mean the crisis was over. Although she didn't know why the man came and why he wanted to harm her and Xiao Xiao - the man who controlled the clockwork fairy couldn't move, they must have other people nearby. "Come with me," Tang Xin grabbed Ai Xiao Xiao's hand, "It's not safe here, let's find a way to get back to school, there's a parking lot outside, and there are more people on the main road there."

She had a hunch that these people were deliberately blocking her here. They certainly didn't want to expose their incredible methods to outsiders. After all, this was not the world behind the star gate, and clockwork fairies were still too incredible.

  But she really didn't have time to think about the reasons behind this. Why could an ether-driven construct from another world be used in the world outside the star gate? And who were those people? Was they related to her cousin?

Tang Xin raised her head and looked forward. The park itself was actually not very big. After passing through the holly woods, she could already see the temporary parking lot outside. It was looming in the thick fog. There was a yellow and black horizontal fence outside, and the main road was outside.

But at this moment, she saw a man wearing a gray windbreaker standing outside the parking lot, blocking her and Ai Xiaoxiao. He even had a gun in his hand, with the black muzzle pointing at her and Ai Xiaoxiao.

At that moment, Tang Xin felt that her blood had frozen. After all, she was still just a student, an ordinary girl. Even though she had received some training as a Chosen One, she was still just an ordinary person.

Moreover, even if he is the Chosen One, he will inevitably feel terrified when facing the black muzzle of a gun. After all, this is not the world on the other side of the star gate. Everyone has only one life and there is no chance to start over. I have never heard of anyone who can resist bullets with his flesh and blood.

She stopped subconsciously and stretched out her hand to block Ai Xiaoxiao.

But at this moment, a beam of light suddenly came from the fog, like a golden sword, shining on the man in the windbreaker. The other party was slightly startled and turned back subconsciously.

The next moment, the sound of wheels rubbing against the ground was heard from the fog. A military warrior broke free from the fog and slammed into the man. The man's body flew out at a weird angle and landed not far away like a kite with a broken string, rolling a few times.

  The military vehicle braked suddenly without turning off the lights, then the door opened and a tall woman jumped out. Ai Xiaoxiao looked at her in shock, but Tang Xin recognized her identity at a glance - even though they had never met in real life:

"Bai Jia?"

"Hey, I'm glad you recognized me," Bai Jia opened the holster, took out a gun and held it in his hand, looked around, and then walked towards the man - Tang Xin could see clearly that there was not a human face under the windbreaker and hat.

It was a machine, but different from the intelligent robots and androids they saw behind the star gate, the other party's technology seemed to be of another type, more like... more like a humanoid construct. The red crystal visual crystal that shattered into pieces on the ground explained everything.

Tang Xin finally understood why the other party had to cover his face, but looking at the remains lying on the ground, she felt as if she were in another world. She couldn't help but look at Bai Jia and asked, "What is going on? How did you know we were here?"

"It's all messed up," Bai Jia shook her head. "Our people have been to your school and learned that you had just left school not long ago. I didn't know you were here, but I sent people in various directions. I just happened to run into you."

"To be exact, it was our drone that spotted you," Bai Jia added, "The fog was a bit thick, which delayed us, but luckily I made it in time."

"So what happened?" Tang Xin silently looked at the pistol that was knocked aside. She felt a sense of fear and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. "Who are these 'people'?"

"We're here for you and your brother," Bai Jia said succinctly. "We've also sent people to your parents' place. It's not convenient to talk here, and it's not safe either. You guys get in the car first, and I'll take you to a safe place. This area has been blocked by our people, don't worry, the rest of you won't be able to escape."

Tang Xin nodded slightly.

She looked at Ai Xiaoxiao who was standing beside her. The little girl was obviously completely frightened. She never expected that she would be involved in a scene from a TV drama, being pointed at with a gun. It was the first time in her limited life that she had experienced such a thing.

And it’s best if there isn’t a next time.

"Little princess?"

"I... I'm fine," Ai Xiaoxiao replied stutteringly, "Tangtang, I'll go with you..."

Bai Jia frowned. Originally, she meant to place the two of them separately, but then she thought that this little girl was also related to the Seven Seas Brigade, and would go to that world to become a Summoner sooner or later, so she turned a blind eye and nodded.

……

The 'Grey Deer' slowly sailed into the harbor.

It was a large three-masted sailing ship, an armed merchant ship with twelve small-caliber magic cannons mounted on each side. They were very common on the Cloud Sea, but in the Saint Hughes region, anyone with a discerning eye could tell what this type of ship was used for at a glance, not to mention that the black flag on the mast had not yet been lowered.

They left the Seven Seas Traveler in Navarta because the ship needed at least an overhaul and biological control, and the Seven Seas Traveler was now quite famous, so it would not be appropriate for them to sail this ship around Saint Hughes in such a brazen manner.

Catherine told them that although Balossa was missing, this was at least still the territory of the Blood Shark Pirates. Many people had witnessed them taking away the pirate king, and the news might have spread to the area around Cape St. Hughes.

Whether they are his loyal subordinates who want to come and rescue Balosha, or those competitors who want to get a piece of the pie, there are many such people in this lawless place. To be on the safe side, it is better for them to change their appearance before going out.

What Fang He was more worried about was not the pirates, but Mia's affairs. Although he had downplayed it in Storm Islands and Minmir, he had heard about how big a thing had happened in Covenant Mountain. The wanted warrant for this sea witch was no ordinary one.

That was issued directly from Stargate Port.

If the communication between the two worlds is restored, he must report the matter to Su Changfeng first. On the one hand, it is to ask for official opinions, and on the other hand, this is actually Miya's own "intention". According to her, she intends to contact Star Gate Port.

In short, for many considerations, they temporarily left the Seven Seas Traveler in Navalta, Catherine's private shipyard. Tracy, Baggins and others also stayed to carry out a thorough inspection of the ship.

Regardless of whether the new ship can be built in time or not, in the worst case scenario, the Seven Seas Traveler must be maintained at a minimum condition that allows them to go on the next adventure. If the shipbuilding plan is stranded, they must use the Seven Seas Traveler to travel to the second world.

However, since Navarta had few manpower at the moment, Mia also stayed there. No one was more suitable than the witch of the sea to guard a place, and only she could watch over an anchorage and a shipyard in Saint Xuan.

Although according to Catherine, not many outsiders know about the secret anchorage.

Fang He himself, took Elisa, Luo Hao, the Paparal people, and the box to the freeport of St. Hugh's, the holy land of pirates. They picked out an armed merchant ship named "Grey Deer" from Catherine's shipyard, recruited enough people from the nearby ports, headed north, and arrived at this port a week later.

When the ship docked, Luo Hao was the first to jump down from the mast and came to their leader - Fang He was silently observing the busy scene in the port. This pirate free port was just as he had imagined, full of vitality but chaotic.

Within half an hour of the ship docking, he saw several conflicts, but the pirates abided by the rules of the port - the Pirate Code. Most conflicts were resolved at a reasonable point, and the rest were resolved in the arena in the port, where the pirates had to take their own life and death risks.

He had nothing to do because the nominal captain of the ship was Catherine, and most of the sailors listened to her. The female pirate was an experienced captain and in many ways more familiar with everything on the sea than he was, so he couldn't get involved.

On the contrary, I learned a lot.

"Captain, the Holy Mystery Society's temple is right in the center of the port," Luo Hao looked at him and said, "Who else are we going to meet besides them?"

They had only two main purposes for this trip.

One of them was for the shipbuilding plan of the Seven Seas Traveler. In addition to the mithril for the ship, building an airship also requires materials from all aspects. Those materials are not rare in places with developed shipbuilding industries, but in a place like Saint Xuan, they can probably only be found in this free port.

In addition to the basic ship materials, Fang He also has some small plans of his own that also require several special materials. Among them, the Sky Sea Scales of the Floating Island Whale may only be in the hands of the Holy Secret Society mentioned by Catherine.

Another purpose is to gather information.

"The blood moon has lasted for nearly half a month," Fang Yu said, "but apart from two or three heavy fogs recently, there haven't been any other changes. Varta is isolated from the news, but it's different in a news distribution center like Freeport."

What he was more worried about was actually the blessing on Sylvie. Although the ship officer had woken up, Narsu's blessing on her seemed to have erupted. The scales on her forehead and hands were increasing day by day and becoming more and more obvious.

Fang He wasn't sure whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.

...(End of chapter)