Chapter 2312 - 102: Crow's Prophecy V_3

Fang Hong heard Hilveld's direct confirmation of their actions for the first time, and couldn't help but ask in some surprise: "Hilveld, you're not just comforting me, are you? You know we're wasting a lot of time in this place?"

"Wasted time is rewarding," Hilveld blinked, "Winning over the enemy's enemy is a very efficient strategy."

"Enemy of the enemy?"

Lady Noble smiled lightly: "Of course, we haven't publicly broken with Crow's Claw Sanctuary yet, but the Sanctuary is unlikely to think much of forces like ours. Since they offered an olive branch to the Rainbow Alliance and Descendants of Flor, naturally they're against us. Lord Captain, haven't you figured it out? There's an irreconcilable conflict between Free Summoners and Alliance—"

Fang Hong blinked: "Hilveld, is this how you see it?"

Hilveld smiled and nodded: "Otherwise?"

"Alright, alright then..."

Miss Ship's Officer looked down, laughing lightly, like a little fox.

...

"Shaya?"

Red Leaf struggled to recall information about the owner of this name: "I seem to remember that woman; she's from the other side. I only remember her being aloof, even arrogant. Honestly, I quite dislike her... If it wasn't hearing you mention her, I really find it hard to believe she would choose this... Shaya..."

"It shows that anyone can change." Fang Hong typed word by word.

He paused, feeling slightly surprised at heart, originally intending to confirm with Red Leaf about something Shaya said about Tabopolis, yet unexpectedly learned some original matters of the other party.

But even someone like her is willing to take responsibility for a group of unrelated people. Is this due to different circumstances leading to a change in mentality? Or because there exists kindness and warmth within people's hearts?

After a long while, Red Leaf finally typed:

"Does she need help?"

"Their situation is indeed very difficult."

"Will you stay to help them, Ade?"

"I can only offer some help within my capabilities."

":)," Red Leaf sent over a smiling emoji: "I figured you'd respond like this, after all, you're the hero everyone expects."

"Don't joke with me, Miss Red Leaf."

"I'm serious," Red Leaf paused, "Do you need our help? Miss Yugudola is back at the Northern Territory now."

"You're willing to help them, aren't you their mortal enemies...?"

"What do you take us for? We left the Northern Territory for a while, indeed didn't expect the situation to develop like this. We're only differing in viewpoints, not enough to be enemies, besides Tabopolis no longer exists... Shaya... hearing you say this, I actually admire her quite a bit now..."

"If you're willing to help, that would be great," Fang Hong typed quietly: "I can lend a hand to Shaya, but the Northern Territory isn't just these refugees... I can refrain from judging Crow's Claw Sanctuary's actions, since the Northern Territory needs such a force right now to counter Nikopolas, but some organizations claim to be civilized, yet for their own little interests, they ignore the current disaster—they could obviously do more."

Red Leaf paused, sensing an underlying message in his words, and couldn't help but ask: "Ade, do you plan to do something?"

"Not very clear. Honestly, I can't rely on those people either, and I don't know what I can do... It just bothers me somewhat, Miss Red Leaf."

"What's wrong?"

Fang Hong fell silent for a moment, he had been pondering this question ever since being in the camp, yet hadn't found an answer.

"...I see good people bearing burdens they shouldn't bear, Miss Red Leaf, while those truly capable show indifference. Everything they possess is almost all due to the Pioneers' grace, but what have they given back to this world?"

"The justice we originally believed in, how much remains... for us to squander?"

"...What people should support is the glory belonging to the Invoker, but seeing those people's actions now, are they still worthy of it?"

He shook his head: "If I hadn't come personally to see this world, and realized these truths, I honestly wouldn't have known what's behind the Stargate has become like today..."

"..." Red Leaf silently hesitated for a moment, then typed: "Ade, but you already knew these things. After Morning Dawn Star, you should know, there's still a beautiful side to this world. Moreover, aren't there still us, and Miss Yugudola, not everyone has turned into that, there are still people different from them even within the Grand Guild."

Fang Hong recalled Odin, recalled Ye Hua, recalled Lady Nether and Miss Leia, indeed, there are such people within the Grand Guild.

But what can that change?

...Besides, even among these people, they've become fewer and fewer.

Fang Hong silently raised his head, realizing he had unknowingly left the inn and arrived at the square where Crow's Claw Knights had executed 'Nikopolas Followers' a few days ago.

The Knights hadn't removed the gallows from that day; it stood lonely in the center of the square, snowflakes drifting down, leaving a thin layer upon it.

The empty noose, like a gaping mouth, invisibly mocks this cold, indifferent world.