Chapter Three Hundred and Sixty Two The Distance I Pursue
"You have never been to the Sea of Illusion, and neither has Afifa. I have to arrange a guide for you."
"In addition, my father and the others have already left Questac for a day and a night. There is a high chance that you will not be able to catch up with the team."
Before leaving, Princess Rupert stopped them and said this.
Tianlan blinked after hearing this and asked, "Then what should we do?"
"Fly over," the princess replied: "There is a boat in the palace. It was left behind by my mother during her lifetime. It has not been driven in the past ten years, but it has been maintained by dedicated personnel. It is a small boat and may not be suitable for long voyages.
But it should be able to support the journey from here to the Phantom Sea."
Fang Yu and the others looked at each other, and then nodded gently: "I will do as you say, Your Highness."
"Then I leave it to you—"
Princess Rupert hesitated to speak, and finally said softly: "Mr. Ed, please..."
Among the crowd, only Ms. Papamo was confident, patting her flat chest and promising::
"Don't worry, just leave it to us."
"We will definitely rescue Miss Afifah."
"By the way, when I come back, I will talk to Her Highness the Princess about that evil dragon. Because compared to it, the blind followers are nothing at all..."
But Fang Yu only met the eldest princess's gaze and nodded lightly.
…
The princess's boat was parked in a small lake in the Kashan Palace. In order to hide it from others, they had to drive the boat out of the lake first, merge it into an artificial canal, and then take off from the outer city.
Fang Yu asked Sylvester and Tian Lan to stay while he took the others with him.
Tianlan has little fighting power, and the noble lady would rather stay in Questac to stabilize the situation than go with them. Because Tang Xin, Ai Xiaoxiao, and Miss Nightingale are still in the city, and if there is no one in charge here
As for people, once something happens, the remaining people may be like headless chickens.
Although my cousin also has a very good mind.
But compared to this world, she is still just a newcomer after all, and in some aspects, her judgment is far less accurate than Sylvester's.
What's more, my cousin is also recovering from a serious illness, so it's not certain whether she can take charge of the overall situation.
But the only thing that gave Fang Plover a headache was Pasha.
The latter must insist on going with them, for about the same reason as last time - and he can also sail, which is a 'craft' he has learned from Baggins these days.
Because Sylvide wants to stay, Miss Baggins and Siesta will naturally not go with them. Although Her Royal Highness the Princess can help them arrange for another sailor, Fang Plover may not be as good as Pasha if he wants to come.
Reliable. So in the end, he reluctantly agreed to the other party's proposal.
But still the same sentence:
"You must listen to my command," Fang Yu said seriously, "otherwise there will be no next time."
The little boy nodded repeatedly.
Before leaving, Aleph arrived, and so did the earl's daughter.
At the Earl's residence, Ravalli followed their advice and came to look for Alef, asking the prince to help find the whereabouts of Afifah. After the latter heard about this, he naturally obliged and sent people directly.
After going out, it took a lot of effort for the two of them to find out that Fang Yu and his party had arrived at the Kashan Palace.
Before they came, they had roughly heard about what happened. This was what Fang Lu instructed Tianlan to tell the two. After knowing the facts, Lavalie became a little calmer, because beside her father, the earl's daughter or
I guessed something more or less.
But Aleph pursed his lips tightly and just stepped forward and patted Fang Plover on the shoulder.
"I can't live without Questac. My father's side is left to you."
Fang Yu nodded to him.
"You also need to be careful here," he reminded: "The blind followers' first task is to resurrect Descartes, so their first target must be the 'green' fragments in the illusory sea, but from what they saw in Rupert
Judging from the arrangements around the princess, they will definitely be prepared in Questac City——"
"Leave it to me, Ed," Aleph replied: "I will take a good look at Questak. As for Afifah, it's up to you."
"I will take good care of her."
"It's them," Aleph corrected: "And Miss Afifah too. Do you still remember what your father said to you that day?"
Fang Plover was slightly startled.
He remembered what the Sand King said to him sincerely on the night of the Star Ceremony. The other party entrusted him to take care of Afifa, but the tone did not seem to be talking about his lost lover - it was better to say that
One of his own daughters. He felt a little strange at the time, but now, it seems that he has just come back to his senses——
"In the eyes of desert people, having the same name is a wonderful fate."
Aleph slowly replied: "I don't have a deep impression of the princess, but Afifah has always had a good relationship with me. In fact, the moment I saw the girl, I felt cordial in my heart, so I said that at that time."
if."
"Afifah is my sister and so is she."
"My father must have finally understood this."
"Then do you remember what you promised him?"
Fang Yu looked at the eldest son of the king and nodded slightly.
What he didn't expect was that Princess Rupert failed to understand everything, but it was the prince who saw the King of Sand's thoughts.
As Count Nurman said, the Supreme One above the Sand Sea may have already accepted the failure of all this - he treats Afifah just like another daughter of his. Let her learn among the mystics.
, growing up without being disturbed by the outside world, even she herself did not know her own life experience.
With such meticulous care, is it really like what the eldest princess sees, and what she is looking for is just a substitute for her own wife?
Since he has already accepted all this——
So what is this King of Sand pursuing now?
Or is it just as Deran said?
With these thoughts in mind, and under the gaze of the other party, Fang Plover turned around and walked towards the boat.
Everyone has already boarded the boat.
As the princess said, it was just a small boat.
It is even much smaller than the Seven Seas Traveler under design. The first impression given by people is that it is compact, but although the sparrow is small, it has all the internal organs. There is a tall mast in the center of the ship, and the snow-white sail is like a feather wing.
, there are beautiful patterns painted on the hull, which seems to carry a girl's past dreams and yearnings - it is not as luxurious as a royal item, but rather simple.
Ms. Papamo climbed to the top of the boat and lowered the sail...
For ten years, it has been parked motionless in this place. Although it has been well maintained, it is not a new ship after all. Therefore, just completing the preparations before setting sail is enough for everyone to set off from the sunset.
I was busy until the silver moon rose - until the frost-like twilight enveloped this city in the desert.
The last one to arrive was Princess Afifah.
She seemed unusually taciturn. She walked into the boat and didn't say much.
Fang Yu saw the little princess lowering her head and her eye circles were a little red, as if she had just cried.
But in front of her sister and Aleph, she still acted strong, biting her lip and saying nothing.
Princess Rupert looked at her sister and couldn't help but sigh softly. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end she didn't speak.
The guide arranged by Her Royal Highness the Princess is an old acquaintance, Mr. Hummingbird of the Woodpecker Brotherhood.
When the latter saw Fang Plover, he took off his hat and signaled to him: "We meet again, Mr. Ed."
Fang Yu looked at the other party suspiciously: "Why are you here?"
The latter said with a smile: "Her Royal Highness the Princess is also our regular customer."
"Mr. Alfond is from the Temple of the Goddess of War. Apart from the Oath Keepers, they are the only ones who are completely reliable right now." The eldest princess explained at the side.
Only then did Fang Plover understand.
Only then did he remember that his first contact with people from the Woodpecker Brotherhood was introduced by Bishop Farris.
It is a matter of course that these Questac's demons, demons, and snake gods are related to Her Royal Highness the Princess, whose hands and eyes can reach the sky. With the people around her also being infiltrated, in order to avoid the eyes and ears of the blind followers, the other party started from
Choosing someone from among the forces of the Goddess of War Temple is an extremely wise choice.
And he also just learned that this Mr. Hummingbird named Alfond is not only an information dealer - he is also a qualified warlock.
Although the other party was dressed like a ranger, it seemed to be just a disguise. I saw the other party skillfully took over the magic engine from Luo Yu, and then fiddled with it a few times. The boat swayed slightly, and then emerged from the lake.
Soaring into the sky.
"Mr. Alfond was once an outstanding warlock," the eldest princess said, watching the scene below: "His mentor was also my mother's mentor. He knew where the phantom sea was and could avoid it.
There are some potential dangers along the way.”
"Potentially dangerous?"
Fang Yu suddenly realized that he seemed to have overlooked something.
But Alfond stepped in with a smile: "It's just a little trouble, Mr. Ed."
Fang Yu looked at this man suspiciously.
I hope so.
…
Ships cannot take off within the lake, so they must first drive along the lake shore into the canal, pass through the locks, enter the inner city, and finally reach the outer city, and take off from there.
The woods darkened and lights were lit. In order to facilitate their movement, it was announced in advance that overhaul work was being carried out. The lakeside was brightly lit all night, and outsiders did not doubt his presence. A series of arrangements made during the day finally
It worked at this moment, everyone worked together - with the help of Sesher, the eldest princess easily replaced the manpower sent by the Artisan Association with people from the Oath Keepers family.
The person responsible for covering up the situation at the Craftsmen's Association was Ms. Erna who came here.
People on the shore watched the erected sail getting further and further away——
LaVallee felt slightly uneasy watching this scene and couldn't help but turn around.
Aleph gently patted the latter's shoulder and comforted her - although there were some problems with the orientation of the earl's daughter, this did not hinder the friendship between the two.
Soon the only sound left in the darkness was the sound of water.
Aleph also silently watched the shadow disappearing in that direction.
"Excuse me, Ms. Elna," Princess Rupert was thanking the djinn female guild leader: "I shouldn't have brought you into this, but we couldn't think of a better candidate at the moment."
Erna shook her head indifferently, with just a hint of worry in her eyes. "What are you talking about? I also grew up in this place, and I can't go back to the Island of the Giants like I did in the past. And in Cuesta
The experience of studying in Ke is still vivid in my mind, and there are many people who have helped me in this city... This matter is so serious, and I don’t want them to be involved in this huge whirlpool.”
She paused.
"And since the Giant War, the Dark Believers have always been the enemy of civilization. The history of the alchemists is not the history of fighting against them. How can I be second to others? How can I serve Her Royal Highness the Princess? Every Ques
Everyone in Tucker is happy with it.”
"Excessive praise, President Elna." Princess Rupert said softly from the side.
But Erna was very serious: "Your Royal Highness, the story of you and your mother is familiar to every Istanian."
Princess Rupert turned back and looked at Aleph, who was only one year younger than her.
She stared at the dark shadows in the woods behind her and replied softly: "Actually, I have heard of you, Madam President."
Erna couldn't help but blush after hearing this.
She had no reputation, so how could the other party have heard of her? However, during the time when Questac was studying, she was quite famous.
But she would rather not have such a 'fame'.
She said: "...Those rumors may not be true, Your Highness."
Princess Rupert couldn't help but smile slightly.
She watched as her youngest brother, the future Sand King of Istania, left Lavalli and walked towards her.
The eldest princess hesitated for a moment before speaking:
"I'm sorry, Aleph, there are some things I didn't tell you."
Aleph was silent for a while, then nodded slightly: "I understand."
"But my father has given all this to me."
"Whether it's power or responsibility."
He took a gentle breath: "Therefore, Istania's future, and the future of this city... I will be responsible for the affairs between you, Afifah, and the princess, and one day the truth will come to light -
—”
"I promise you that."
Rupert blinked slightly.
For a moment, she thought she saw the King of Sand.
…
In the darkness, everyone on the boat watched silently as the lock rose not far away and made a low roar.
The lake water roared, rolled out, hit the side of the boat, and made the boat shake slightly.
But fortunately it is suspended on the water and does not shake too much.
Fang Plover looked at the hands in the darkness and understood that they had naturally been replaced a long time ago - the ones guarding there now should also be the hands personally assigned by Sesher and Aleph.
In fact, since the right minister and the crown prince had already closed the city gates during the day and strengthened the martial law in the city, the order in the evening did not actually cause much disturbance. Even if the blind followers knew the news,
He would probably only laugh sarcastically, understanding that this was the consequence of the hijacking last night.
But what good would that do?
The people have already been replaced from Questak, and they should be almost reaching the Sea of Illusion at this moment.
At this moment, the twilight is low and low, and there is almost only the last dark red glow left on the horizon.
In the other direction of the Kassan Palace, standing on the palace wall, Achilles was looking at most of Questac, silently counting the time in his heart. After a while, he turned around,
With dark eyes, he looked at the brightly lit Kashan Palace in that direction - how long have he been here?
ten years?
Twenty years?
A look of hesitation flashed in his eyes, and the face of Her Royal Highness the Princess flashed past in his thoughts.
But soon, everything turned into darkness.
The alchemist silently took out an object from his chest. He considered it for a moment, then sighed softly and took it back. He took one last look at the grand scene in front of him, as if he wanted to remember it in his heart.
After that, he silently walked down the city wall.