After clarifying the connections between these things, Fang Hong had an understanding in his heart——since he couldn't avoid it, he had to face it.
He couldn't help but silently touch the faint silver mark on the back of his hand, then he lifted his head and asked, "So, Mr. Kalatu, what exactly can the strength of Pale Glory do?"
Kalatu and Tang De exchanged a glance.
He turned back and seriously replied, "As for where the Holy Relic left by the elves ultimately points to, we currently don't have a definite answer, but it can be confirmed that it should be related to the Stairway of the Sea."
"Stairway of the Sea," Fang Hong said in some surprise. He knew that when Kalatu mentioned the Stairway of the Sea, he was certainly not referring to the Continental Bridge from the First World to the Second World, so there was only one possibility left: "Does that refer to the gateway to the Third World?"
The Archmage lightly nodded.
Fang Hong involuntarily glanced at Hilveld—he hadn't expected that what Princess Briana mentioned, and the guesses in Hilveld's father's notes, were true, that the Elf Holy Grail—and even his Hailin Crown—were all related to the entrance to the Third World.
And in Hilveld's bright eyes, in the darkness, there was only a faint glimmer—her heart was filled with a unique delicate elegance that belonged to a young girl, and if all this were just a coincidence, then there was surely a covenant in the dark—causing the two to meet.
The lost Elf Holy Grail and the ancient legend of the Hailin Crown seemed to illuminate each other at this moment.
So...
"...Is it you, Father?"
Hilveld's heart was quiet, her long eyelashes lightly quivered as she blinked.
Fang Hong seemed to sense her intention, sending over a firm gaze, it was a promise between the two of them, which they had long agreed upon. However, Fang Hong still couldn't help but feel somewhat stirred, not just because his goal happened to align with hers so coincidentally.
More importantly, the Second World he longed for had not yet opened its doors to him, yet there was already a vast New World waiting for him to explore. Starlight shone above the Cloud Sea, filling him with a strange sense of peace, as if he heard a light song above the clouds—
That was the romance of a boy.
And a man is always a boy.
Tang Xin glanced at the two a bit sourly, feeling a sense of loss, as if something she held from childhood was quietly slipping away.
She gently bit her lower lip and turned her head. The moonlight streamed through the window panes, casting lines upon her fine features, which were somewhat pale yet also carried a certain coolness and allure. Ai Xiaoxiao turned back, somewhat worriedly looking at her friend.
But at this moment.
The inappropriate voice of the Sorcerer-Ghoul Tang De rang out in the darkness: "But for you, talking about the Third World now is a bit too far-reaching. Being overly ambitious isn't a good thing—"
"Indeed," Kalatu nodded, "I will wait for you in the Second World, but for now, your goal is here."
The Archmage once again looked up at the map, seeing the long bridge that crossed the southern continent, leading to the edge of the Cloud Sea—the gateway from the First World to the Second World—the Heaven Stairway, the First Continental Bridge.
He silently watched for a moment before turning back:
"However, even so, time is still too tight for you right now."
"So Kalatu and I plan to give you a little bit of help," Tang De spoke again: "Don't look at me like that, don't think too much—we are not your babysitters, here to meet your every need. Kalatu may have that good temperament, but he is currently still in the Second World."
"As for me," the Sorcerer-Ghoul spread his skeletal arms, "I have my own matters to attend to and never have the patience for that."
"Then, what can you help us with?"
Tianlan, the little girl, seemed to sense some opportunity and keenly interjected: "Verbal help, we don't lack that. The Elfendo Council said they'd offer us help within their means, but even Count Westwood Sibika turned out to be a traitor."
"Hmph!"
She even let out a soft snort to show her disdain.
Fang Hong then remembered that he had not yet informed the Elfendo Council about Count Westwood Sibika's matter. He also looked at Hilveld and Delice, who remained on the ship and hadn't woken up since then—even if she woke up, how could he explain about her father?
The Wanderer was not the real Count Westwood Sibika; the true Lord Earl had likely been replaced by the Wanderer as early as the first journey to Idus—and perhaps even earlier. But to suddenly let such a young girl understand all of this, especially when it was about her closest kin, seemed too cruel.
Tang De stroked his bare chin with his bony hand, looking playfully at Tianlan: "Little girl, are you negotiating business with me?"
"So what if I am?" Tianlan puffed out her chest, "I am the finance manager of the Seven Seas Travel Group."
"Sounds impressive," the Sorcerer-Ghoul's hollow jaw exaggeratedly opened and closed, smiling without a sound: "Unfortunately, what we are about to discuss does not involve money."
"Tch," Tianlan said, as the light in her eyes faded nine-tenths upon hearing that it wasn't related to money, responding disinterestedly: "Talking big."
"Tianlan."
Atira finally spoke.
Tianlan then reluctantly stepped back.
Fang Hong looked at Tang De. It was only then that Tang De responded: "Kalatu and I have devised a small plan for you all, which we think might be of some help—"