Waiters shuttled around, holding delicacies from the north and south on silver plates in their hands, and the heat was rising. The candlelight in the hall was like gold, reflecting on the brown stone walls, where the stones were mined from the rocks in the south of Antuo.
A light brown hand-woven tapestry hangs on the stone wall, which is painted with the glow of night stars and the dust of the sand and sea, things that Istanians love.
The flowing, warm light reflected Prince Aleph's brown, curly long hair, shining with soft luster. He was looking at the girl in front of him in surprise and spoke:
"So your name is Afifah too?"
In crowded places, Afifaro seemed a little reserved, and glanced at Fang Yu uneasily from time to time. Among these many people, the latter and Luo Hao were probably the only people she knew well. But Luo Hao was sitting in another room.
On one side, Miss Naturalist was also sitting with a little girl she didn't know, whispering in a low voice. The little girl would look at her suspiciously from time to time——
After all, everyone in Tianlan is called Afifa. Who knows if she will be the same as that annoying princess?
After hearing Aleph's question, the girl's eyes showed a layer of confusion as she looked at the prince.
She slowly blinked her eyelids slightly uneasily, and the golden candlelight shone in her watery eyes. Perhaps because the temperature in the wine room was a little high, the girl's face turned slightly red.
Fang Yu saw her embarrassment and knew that the other person's mind was as flawless as a blank sheet of paper. He explained in a low voice: "This is His Highness Aleph. He is our friend and a good man."
Afifah looked at Aleph in confusion.
She had heard of His Highness the Prince, who was the eldest son of the King of Sand. As a member of the royal family, there were naturally many rumors about him in this sea of sand - either true or false. But she couldn't imagine that such a
A certain figure actually sat with them. It seemed that Mr. Ed was very familiar with the prince. She thought of the battle with Vanric she had seen, the figure who fought against Nicol Bolas.
I just thought that it should be like this——
As expected of Mr. Ed.
Alef burst out laughing when he heard this: "I'm sorry, my sister is also named Afifah. I thought this name was not very common."
"Really?" Afifah was a little surprised.
"Indeed," Fang Plover replied. Unlike the princes, there is only one Princess Rupert among the daughters of Babartan who is famous far and wide. The name of the eldest princess is known to everyone in the sand sea of Istania.
, everyone knows it, but the other princesses are relatively unknown.
Even though Afifah is the eldest princess's biological sister, this is the case. However, Baggins, a local, has heard of the other party's name.
Afifah was a little embarrassed: "I didn't even know about such a thing... My name was given by Master Albany."
"Albany?" Aleph looked at Fang Plover: "Is it that Albany?"
"The Chief Warder of the Mystics."
Fang Plover nodded.
"So, Afifah is also a mystic?" Aleph asked: "Albany is your father?"
Afifah shook his head quickly and said hurriedly: "Yes, I'm sorry, Master Albenni is just my teacher..."
"Who is Afifah's father?"
"Just an ordinary businessman, Your Highness."
"I heard that the mystics recruit their children from the nobles," Aleph sighed: "It seems that your talent, Afifa, is quite outstanding, so that the mystics are so exceptional -"
Afifah's face turned red when she heard such a compliment.
The speaker is unintentional, but the listener is intentional. It is an open secret that the mystics recruit children from the nobles. They want to seek help from political power. Forming an alliance with the nobles is a simple method. Although on the one hand, they rely on the power of the sand
King Babartan, but after all, he would not tie himself to a chariot.
As for Afifa's talent, Fang Plover has some details in his heart. Although the dragon soul may not be fully awakened, it is already far above ordinary people. But after all, it is the mystics who take a fancy to such potential and treat her like this.
Pay attention to it, or because...
When he was in Bein's prison, Fang Yu heard the other party talk about the dragon soul. But he didn't think too much about it at that time. Now when he heard Aleph mention it again, a strange thought flashed through his mind.
.
He suddenly thought that the importance the mystics paid to Afifa might be because of the dragon soul. But the attitude of Numan and Babartan, the King of Sand, was difficult to explain - but on the other hand, could it be another
What about the possibility? But the natural dragon soul possessed by the girl is just a coincidence?
Various thoughts were tumbling in his mind for a while, ups and downs, but it was difficult to come up with a definite clue. Although he had decided to withdraw from this incident, it was like a kind of inertia, and he would always think about it from time to time when he was distracted.
Let’s take a look at this issue.
Everyone is curious, and Fang Yu was more or less curious about what happened ten years ago.
What's more, he had seen that note once before, and it seemed to have some fate with him.
He couldn't help but glance at his cousin.
Tang Xin had just recovered and was sitting next to her. Her expression was not good and she looked a little depressed.
Fang Yu didn't know why he had offended the other party recently, and his cousin had never been willing to pay attention to him. Although they had argued, bickered and got angry in the past, it was never like this.
"What are you looking at?" Tang Xin rolled her eyes at him weakly. She had just recovered and still looked a little weak.
But these angry words made Fang Yu feel a little surprised.
Well, the crybaby is back again——
He looked at the other person a little funny, meaning I just looked at him, so what?
Tang Xin glared at him and then said nothing.
Sylvide looked at the 'brother and sister' with some amusement. She had a good idea of the girl's thoughts.
This may be the last gathering of everyone in Questac.
After tonight, His Royal Highness the Prince would rarely have the opportunity to leave the Kashan Palace - according to him, after his father left Questac, he had to assume the responsibility of the prince overseeing the country.
Nurman, Seniya and all the important ministers will leave the royal capital. Only Sesher will stay. This old patriarch of the Oath Keepers clan will help him master the key to controlling the operation of the kingdom. But there
Before, he still had too many things to learn. Before he could become a qualified king, he had to become a qualified crown prince first.
But how to become a wise monarch who rules this desert, perhaps this long road has just begun...
As for the people of Rufu's Shield, it was just an accident that they came here. It is naturally impossible for them to really become a member of the Seven Seas Brigade, just like Lin Lin and others - after all, Rufu's Shield still preserved the main body during the turmoil.
,zxcThis group of people is just an advance team of this guild.
They may not even stay in Istania, and going to this place is just a useful test. They still have unfinished tasks in Tansnir, and after this incident, it is very likely that they will not
Come back to this place again.
It is said that the forest and others were also divided into two during this period. Some of them still stayed in Tansnir, but some of them had returned to the south. This was partly because after the Seven Sea Traveler left Istania, they
We also need to go to the Treasure Stick Coast. This requires someone to prepare in front and find a safe road to the north.
On the other hand, they plan to recruit some reliable manpower for this team, but now the southern border is in chaos and many people are fleeing from that place.
Yes, the Seven Seas Troupe itself will also start preparing to embark on a new journey after this banquet.
Because of this or that reason.
The atmosphere of the banquet prepared by Prince Aleph was unexpectedly harmonious.
Even the people from Lufu's Shield were involved. zxc dragged the little fat man and Fang Plover to drink several glasses of wine together, feeling tipsy, saying that this was the most interesting adventure they had ever experienced.
In the fortress in the desert, the mystics escaped under the eyes of a governor, and experienced such dangerous and dangerous experiences. The King of Sand, the future crown prince, the princess, the airship, and the giant
A dust storm, except for a giant dragon, could bring an end to this perfect adventure.
Just like the adventure sung in the songs of many poets.
"Ed," Aleph held the wine glass and patted the plover on the shoulder hard: "Unlike my father, I have never been outside Istany, nor have I seen anything outside this sea of sand.
The world. And your world is more like an existence in legends to me. I grew up here, and all I have ever seen is an endless sea of sand. The adventure you talk about, I
I can only yearn for it in my heart, but I can’t really understand it——”
"But just as my father's country is here, I believe that it will also be your kingdom in the future, and you will become the best. I will definitely be able to hear your name here, resounding throughout this continent.
Like Sir Weimar, and Afifah's mother's brother."
The ale in Istania has only a very low alcohol content and is hardly intoxicating, but people still seem to see the future scene from the dreamlike bubbles.
At least the prince's tone was very firm: "We are brothers who have received the blessing of the star together. When that time comes, you must remember to come back. In that case, I, the King of Sand, who has no 'legendary' experience, can be regarded as
Is there some bragging rights?"
Aleph couldn't help but smile.
Everyone laughed.
Fang Yu naturally knew that this was just a joke. He was not arrogant to that extent, but he nodded and said, "Okay."
"Then we made an agreement."
Fang Plover nodded again.
Aleph looked back again:
"Miss Afifah, you have the same name as my sister, and she and I have a very good relationship - Ed is my brother, and you are Ed's friend, so you will also be my sister from now on." He opened his arms and said to everyone
The man said: "Everyone, if you encounter any trouble in Istania, please remember my friend."
Afifa was a little embarrassed.
She looked at the square plover not far away, her eyes sparkling.
Everything that happened at the Star Ceremony has been circulated these days. She had heard the businessmen say on the way here that as a small fan, it was like adding something to the legendary experience of her idol.
A new stroke.
Only someone like Mr. Ed can gain the friendship of the future Sand King in this way, right? The girl's heart was filled with curiosity at this moment.
The group of people from Lufu's Shield, especially the little fat man, were naturally applauded. On the one hand, it was because of Fang Plover, and on the other hand, they really felt that this was an opportunity. They even began to consider in their hearts whether to take Lufu's Shield's
Headquarters established in Istania?
After all, with a future Sand King to look after them, will their guild thrive on this sea of sand?
But zxc looked at Fang Plover, and of course he understood that His Highness the Prince was actually looking at someone else's face.
The end of the banquet came quietly amid laughter and laughter.
Just like in this world, there is always a feast that never comes to an end——
…
The golden starlight seemed to be hanging down from the curved sky, falling on the brightly lit Kashan Palace, reflecting each other.
In the dark night sky, above the cool sea of sand, they looked like a pair of twin stars in the sky and below.
Dots of torches lit up.
The swaying firelight, densely packed, was like a flaming sea of light - the firelight illuminated the serious face of Babartan, the King of Sand - in another world, he could not even be said to be old, maybe still in the prime of life.
But in the desert of Istania, the wind and sand seemed to have eroded time and turned the king's temples white. Every wrinkle on his face wrote down his thoughts about this kingdom in the desert.
Do your best every time.
Good wine and delicacies can no longer bring back the lost time of this king. He can only recall the past time in silence. Every sword flash in Nognis now seems like a dream, sometimes sometimes
It's heartbreaking, but sometimes it brings back memories.
The knights of the sand were wearing armor, and the courtiers had already arrived. There were many servants and guards in the team, and they lined up from the square to outside the palace.
There are still seven hours until dawn.
The time officer has reported the time for the third time.
The advance team has already set off, and two armies composed of palace guards are already staying outside Questac, waiting for the moment when the king sets out. In addition, there is another army starting from Bein and will be in the Fantasy Sea.
Join them above. This trip was scheduled two months ago.
The person in charge is none other than the Governor of Bein, Count Nurman-Ig-Imoiben.
"Is everyone here?"
"Lord Seniman is still on the way."
"Huchak is not here either."
"Everyone else is here."
"Is everything ready?"
"Everything is ready."
People asked and answered questions.
Only Seychel asked among the crowd a little anxiously.
"Where is His Highness the Prince?"
"Which prince?"
"Of course it's the current crown prince, Prince Alef."
"His Royal Highness seems not to be in the palace."
Babartan looked in this direction and said, "Don't worry about him, Sesher."
"But Your Majesty." The old patriarch looked at the King of Sand with a little surprise. This was not like the other person's character: "Your Highness, he..."
"He has gone to see his friends," replied Babartan, "and will be back before dawn."
He raised his head and looked into the distance: "Just like you and I both have our own things to do, Aleph also has his own things to do, just like a kindergarten teacher will one day grow into a lion.
He will also give birth to his own minions and judgments."
"We can't restrain him for a lifetime. Let's go to the Fantasy Sea. You understand that I have some matters of my own to deal with. The knot in my heart from ten years ago is like a nightmare. I have been waiting until today for this kingdom.
.As the king of Istania, I understand that I have to sacrifice something, but when things come to a close, I still decide to be willful for once——"
"He," the King of Sand's voice paused slightly: "Just like when we were young, I was often willful when I was young, but when I got old, I was timid. After her accident, I didn't dare to risk it all... And Ale
Husband, this is the time for him. Let him go, and his friends, you also know, they may be able to help Istania in the future."
Secher opened his mouth, and finally nodded silently.
"Secher," Babartan said again, "We have known each other for twenty-five years."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Sesher lowered his head and replied softly: "Under the leadership of the previous patriarch, I moved to Istania with others. At that time, the old patriarch designated me as the guardian of the Oath Keepers clan.
"If it weren't for your Majesty's help, it would be very difficult for me to get to where I am today."
"When I first met Your Majesty, I was no longer young, and today, I am even more old -"
"Who isn't?" Barbartan smiled and said, "Questac is left to you, take good care of Aleph."
The old man raised his head, looked at the monarch he was loyal to, and nodded slightly.
…
Firelight flickered in the darkness.
Like stars falling on the horizon, they flicker and fade.
The young soldier, holding a spear, stood on top of the city and looked quietly in that direction.
"Is that your Majesty's residence?"
The veteran beside him only glanced in that direction and shook his head: "Your Majesty has not left Kashan Palace yet, and the guards on the left and right are not allowed to use their guns at this time. Besides, they are in the north of the city and cannot be seen in this direction.
"
"...That's all?"
The veteran's dark eyes reflected the flickering light. After a while, he said slowly:
"That's the Sand Bandit."
"Sand pirate?"
The young soldier's voice was a little surprised: "Are they crazy, coming to Questac at this time?"
"Who knows," the veteran replied: "Maybe they came to see the situation. They probably thought that after His Majesty left, the defense of the royal capital would be empty."
"Of course, those vultures in the desert... they may not necessarily covet our place, but they may take this opportunity to attack the areas around Questac."
"Is it that serious?"
"There are indeed more and more sand pirates recently..."
The veteran looked in that direction and muttered to himself.