Just as he closed the communication, the crystal in the darkness lit up again, and Fang Hong couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
He picked up the crystal and instinctively glanced at the nearby communication ID, discovering it wasn't Sophie, but a peculiar number. Yet upon seeing this number, a look of realization flashed in Fang Hong's eyes.
It was someone from the military.
He lightly pressed his thumb on the smooth surface of the crystal. First came a burst of static noise from the other side, and after a while, Su Changfeng's voice sounded: "Ade?"
The military actually already knew his real name, but both sides had agreed to continue using this ID for him in Eteliria. Although Fang Hong felt this was somewhat unnecessary, he didn't oppose it.
"I'm here."
There was a moment of silence before the other side asked: "What's the situation over there?"
Fang Hong had already anticipated that the military would contact him. The other side obviously wouldn't believe only the words of the Super Competitive League and would turn to him for verification. But he originally thought this contact would happen much earlier; he didn't expect it to come only now.
He calmed the emotions stirred by the news from Sophie before recounting the events from Quistack to Orlenze.
This included the conflict with the Descendants of Flor, the issues between the Colin People and Hilveld's father, and the reasons and consequences of his decisions then. Some parts he had mentioned before, while others he brought up for the first time.
Su Changfeng listened quietly, showing no surprise.
"Ade, we've already investigated the situation in Istania. Your actions in Tansnier were somewhat rash, but not unwarranted. The political situation between Colin and Ishurian is unstable, with all sides involved, and the Invoker inevitably becomes a driving force within this environment."
"We hope to restrain the actions of the Invoker, at least not let most of them become tools for some people's ambitions, staying true to the essence of the 'Stargate Declaration.' But this doesn't mean that every action needs to be timid and overly cautious. As long as what's done is right, some people will always be your firm support, so there's no need to worry—"
He paused, "That's what I wanted to say, do you understand what I mean?"
Fang Hong nodded.
But he wasn't really worried about the small trouble he caused in Tansnier, even though the Super Competitive League still made an issue of it. What he truly worried about was Hilveld; once involved in the political conflict between Colin and Ishurian, it would mean endless storms and whirlpools behind it.
He wasn't afraid of trouble, nor did he fear danger, but he worried that someone might escalate this matter to a higher level. Hilveld and her father's identity in this vortex were so sensitive that, as the opposition of the Colin Royal Family, exposure would push them to the forefront of the storm.
What if the Super Competitive League uses this as a pretext to force the Seven Seas Travel Group to hand over Miss Ship's Officer? What would he do? On one side is the righteous cause of the 'Stargate Declaration,' and on the other is a lover and promise. He never thought that the actions of the Colin Royal Family and the Prime Minister were morally right.
"The 'Stargate Declaration,' wasn't it a manifesto in pursuit of the future and justice? When did it start serving greedy and selfish people?"
Bishop Faris and the Big Cat People had already given him the answer—
At this moment, Fang Hong looked towards Su Changfeng on the other side of the communication window, hoping to get an answer from this soldier from his country.
Su Changfeng seemed to see through his thoughts, "You want to ask about the matter of that Miss Ship's Officer on your ship, right?"
Fang Hong nodded.
But Su Changfeng looked at him and suddenly asked another matter, "Be honest with me, are you and Sophie plotting to deceive me?"
This sudden question nearly frightened Fang Hong into shutting off the communication crystal directly.
"Well, well," Su Changfeng saw his expression, and how could he not know what happened? Immediately, he was so mad, "Do you not know your own name? You even dare to trick me?"
It wasn't his idea, it was that of his precious daughter, Fang Hong felt like crying without tears. Moreover, she acted first and alerted him later, not having consulted him at the beginning. However, you provide me no benevolence, I offer no loyalty, and in the spirit of self-preservation, he shamelessly sold her out immediately.
After hearing the whole story, Su Changfeng shot him a vexed glance, "Of course I know it wasn't you who came up with the idea, otherwise, you wouldn't be looking at me through the communication channel."
Fang Hong wiped a sweat, thinking he was lucky; if Su Changfeng had come to him, he wouldn't have escaped a beating. Though Su Changfeng was over forty, as the first generation of Invokers in the military, he had none of the restrictions the later ones using the Starlight Device had — to beat him up was no issue at all?
He secretly prayed for the princess of Silver Vislan, then pretended to be obedient and kept silent.
Su Changfeng slightly calmed himself before looking at him, "So, your relationship with your Miss Ship's Officer?"
Fang Hong heard the implication in his words. He hesitated for a moment but quickly resolved himself and nodded.
Su Changfeng watched this scene and couldn't help but sigh — probably troubled by his daughter's affairs, but he soon fell back into silence.
After pondering for a moment, he finally said, "Affection, even marriage, between Invokers and Natives isn't unheard of in the past, but have you considered the differences in status between you two?"