The girls giggled incessantly.
However, after the joke, these noble girls were quite perceptive and excused themselves to leave—though a few bolder ones turned back to throw Fang Hong a smoldering glance.
Barbaltan watched the girls' departing backs with some sentimentality.
"Actually, it's not unimaginable for a Holy Chooser to pair with a Native," the King of Sand said with a hint of teasing, looking at him. "They are all the second daughters of various families. If you fancy any of them, I can pass on the word for you. After tonight's ceremony, their families wouldn't object—"
"Actually, the eldest daughter of the Count Nulman is not bad at all, but unfortunately, she is his prized jewel, he may not be willing."
He then looked towards Count Nulman beside him.
Lavali, standing by the Count, was startled, her face turning pale. But Fang Hong quickly said, "Your Majesty, you jest. I already have a girlfriend."
"Having a girlfriend is not an issue," Barbaltan laughed but did not pursue the matter: "Mr. Ade, Aleph regards you as a friend. I will soon pass the throne to him—though my son may not be very accomplished, he can be a reliable friend. Do you have any plans to stay in Istania to help him govern this country?"
The notion nearly caused Fang Hong to bite his tongue.
What on earth?
The King of Sand, Barbaltan, was actually suggesting that he, an Invoker, a rookie of the Alchemists Association, remain to assist the future king of Istania in governing this kingdom above the Sand Sea?
What kind of concept is this?
This position should at least be on the level of a Prime Minister, though Istania does not have this position.
For a ruler to find an assisting minister for their successor is not surprising. But what was he? A stranger who had just arrived, not even reaching Level 30, it seemed quite unreasonable, didn't it?
Indeed, before he could respond, a stern-faced old man behind Barbaltan stepped forward, decisively saying, "Your Majesty, this must not be."
Seeing this guy, Fang Hong silently cursed.
Although, of course, he could not stay to be any 'Prime Minister', this old guy had been showing discontent towards him from the start, and now, predictably, he was the first to speak ill of him. And he seemed so innocent; Fang Hong had not offended this old man before, so what right did he have?
Barbaltan was not surprised, only asked, "Why?"
The old man's eyes gleamed coldly as he glanced at Fang Hong, bowing: "Your Majesty has forgotten the military intelligence that Count Nulman brought recently. This man had led people to attack Bain Fortress not long ago; who knows whether he is friend or foe? Moreover, the Holy Choosers are historically unruly, so what qualifications do they have to help His Highness Aleph govern Istania?"
"Finally, Affi—"
"Enough, Seniman," the King of Sand interrupted the latter, this was the first time Fang Hong learned the old man's name, but he thought hard and could not see the connection of this name to himself. Barbaltan continued speaking: "I understand what you're saying, but I was merely asking. Ade may not truly stay."
"Indeed," Fang Hong quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I have other matters and won't stay long in Istania."
Seniman was clearly a bit unwilling after being rebutted.
However, hearing Fang Hong say he wouldn't stay long in Istania, he reluctantly stepped back in silence.
"It's alright, I know you people," Barbaltan patted his shoulder. "But just remember you have come to this land, remember this evening's ceremony, remember Aleph as a friend. The future is wide open for people like you; to keep someone chosen by the Stars in Istania was always a mere luxury anyway."
When he heard the words 'chosen by the Stars', Seniman behind the King of Sand was visibly startled, looking up at Fang Hong.
Fang Hong himself was taken aback.
He knew where this saying originated, the Lizardmen had mentioned it to him more than once, but had never explained it.
Kalatu and Tang De had occasionally spoken to him about it too.
But how did the King of Sand know?
Barbaltan glanced at Saisheer beside him, and upon seeing the elder Clan Leader of the Oathkeeper Clan, Fang Hong suddenly understood. Because he had contacted the Pale Glory and left behind that peculiar Crown Mark, Mazak chose him as the heir of the Ring of Golden Flame, Saisheer surely knew that.
This meant the King of Sand also naturally knew of his identity.
It seemed he finally understood. This might just be the real reason for the special honors he received that night—though looking at this king, he still didn't quite grasp whether he truly believed in such a vague prophecy.
Even he himself didn't know what the Pale Glory would truly bring him; it was all just the Lizardmen's absolute claims.
Mazak's choice perhaps played a part, but everything seemed like a mixture of chance and luck, whether it was disrupting Dolifen's plan or fortunately defeating the Wanderer.
In fact, each time was nearly a failure; if it hadn't been for Dicet and Princess Briana last time, or Kalatu and Tang De this time—each time having someone to clean up after them, who knew how it would have ended.
In summary, Fang Hong didn't truly believe himself to be any Chosen One, perhaps similar to Marlan's Holy Chosen—the Chosen were many, he wouldn't be the only one who contacted the Pale Glory. As he knew, Miya also possessed that half Crown, and maybe among these people, one truly was the so-called chosen by the Stars, but that didn't mean it was necessarily him.
A person might be lucky for a moment but cannot fortunately sustain it for a lifetime.
Being treated differently by the King of Sand for such a reason made Fang Hong honestly feel a little uneasy.
Bain Fortress having been tumultuously disturbed by him was a fact, and that Miss Affia, who seemed very important to this King of Sand, was still in his hands—as far as the king saw it, surely that was the case?
Could the king really have no resentment over this matter?
Fang Hong couldn't help but feel a little uneasy thinking about it.
...