Fang Hong and Elisa climbed down the ladder together, arrived at the large arched window, placed their hands on the window frame glass, and looked outside. Separated from the shipyard by just one street, a number of Eye of Revelation magicians suddenly appeared outside, driving away passersby.
He was slightly startled and immediately realized that Miss Nightingale's premonition was accurate; trouble might be brewing. These Arcanists were surrounding the shipyard, and he turned around, noticing that quite a few people had already gathered.
"Mr. Ade, what's happening?"
"Why are there so many Eye of Revelation magicians?"
People asked in some confusion, and most of those inquiring were the shipyard workers.
Fang Hong gestured for everyone to remain calm. He was full of doubt himself; the Arcanists were evidently hostile, yet they hadn't committed any heinous acts at the shipyard, unless the Papalarians really did steal someone's treasury?
But considering that most of the Papalarians' plans were still merely verbal, the probability of this happening was nearly zero.
"Could it be that Her Highness the Grand Princess has changed her mind?" Elisa asked, somewhat incredulously.
But she couldn't think of any benefits for such actions, and with how the Princess conducted herself, she shouldn't do such things.
"It's unrelated to Her Highness the Princess," Fang Hong shook his head, looking at the situation outside the window, "The Arcanists are also divided into two factions internally. Among the three Hall Defenders, at least one leans towards the Stars and Moon Council, and I'm not talking about the one from Istania's Royal Capital. These people here now belong to that faction."
"How can you tell?"
"I recognize their leader; he's from that faction," answered Fang Hong.
Elisa made a knowing expression and didn't ask further. She turned back and changed the subject: "In any case, Lord Captain, what should we do now?"
Fang Hong was about to answer, but suddenly spotted an unexpected person approaching from among the ship workers. "Lady Aierna!" he immediately shouted towards her.
The person approaching was none other than the Chairwoman of the Tansnier Crafting Association. Her Giant Spirit heritage made her stand out in the crowd. At this moment, however, this lady wore a frown, and upon hearing Fang Hong's call, she looked in their direction.
She saw Fang Hong and Elisa by the window and immediately walked over, saying as she approached: "Ade, something's happened."
"What's going on with those Arcanists outside?" Fang Hong felt a sinking feeling as he asked.
"The order came from the Colin People," Aierna's eyes were searching the crowd for a certain Lady Noble, but she didn't find her. She stepped forward, close to Fang Hong and Elisa, lowering her voice, "The Colin People's Envoy Group knows Hilveld is here. The nobles of Quistack sold us out."
"...The Colin People set off from Quistack yesterday, but the information only reached Tansnier today. Her Highness the Princess doesn't trust anyone else and specifically asked me to deliver this message to you." Her eyes looked beyond the glass, outside where the Arcanists were driving away pedestrians, "The Colin People issued an order through the Stars and Moon Council to these people; their task is to hold you off. A fleet from the Colin People is speeding here."
Fang Hong grew more worried as he listened. He knew that back when facing the King of the Sand Thieves, to buy them as much time as possible, a Lady Noble used her friend to trick the Colin People once.
But no one was a fool. It seemed that after realizing what happened, the Colin People followed the clues left to find them.
Fortunately, the Seven Seas Traveler was largely complete, and with the support of the Grand Princess and Prince Aleph, they were not yet cornered, and there was still a chance to turn the tables.
He immediately turned around and said to Miss Nightingale: "Elisa, how's the progress on the upper deck of the Seven Seas Traveler?"
"Basically finished, but—"
"Can it set sail?"
"Not much of an issue, but the stern cannons haven't been installed, and the magical potion cultivation room and nursery are only half completed."
"That's enough," Fang Hong decided on the spot, "Have Bakins and Luo Hao set up the sails at the fastest speed and take as much material as possible... As for supplies... we'll worry about that later."
Since they had planned to anchor for the first trial a week later, the cargo hold was not yet loaded with much food and water, but there was no longer time to prepare.
Yet, this couldn't be helped at the moment.
However, at these words, Elisa appeared hesitant, she looked back at the shipyard workers.
— With just a few of them, it's clear the Seven Seas Traveler cannot be set in motion.
The ship was still in the dock, and it couldn't take off without everyone's full cooperation here.
But they were currently being caught by the Colin People, and Istania, originally part of the Colin Ishurian Alliance, was no longer a royal guest. Would these workers still be willing to take responsibility at this critical juncture?
This was not a trivial matter.
At this moment, Aierna clearly realized this problem as well. Looking at the workers, she suddenly spoke: "Everyone, Her Highness the Grand Princess still supports Captain Ade. My presence here is proof of that. Are you willing to stand with the Grand Princess, or with the Colin People?"
But listening to this, Fang Hong suddenly reached out to stop the Chairwoman from continuing.
He suddenly realized his position; the Grand Princess could help him unreservedly, but he couldn't accept it so easily with a clear conscience.