Chapter 1836 - 354: Bridge XI

"May the Flame of the Holy Fire illuminate your path."

"May the Flame of the Holy Fire illuminate your path, brother—"

The merchant group arrived beneath the southern gate of Quistack, where the companions who traveled together parted ways and bid each other farewell.

A hand, dark-skinned and etched with intersecting wrinkles, extended slowly from beneath a robe, reaching out to Fang Hong—he was a bit startled as he looked up at the deeply lined face of the merchant group leader. The latter offered a faint smile: "Thank you for your assistance on the road, young man... This is your custom, isn't it? Although I'm not really familiar with it..."

Fang Hong paused for a moment, then smiled as well, shaking hands with the other. "It was just a small effort."

The old man withdrew his hand and turned around to gaze at the towering sand dunes in the distant dust, a touch of sentiment in his expression:

"You say it's a small effort, but for those of us who make a living on this desert, it holds a different meaning. Ever since more Invokers appeared on this path, the road has become easier to travel. Although we can no longer earn the exorbitant profits of the past, at least young people can return home alive and reunite with their wives and children."

"The desert has become more connected because of this. In my memory, before the generation of the Sand King before last, this place was just a loose pile of sand—"

He bent down, grabbed a handful of sand, watching the grains slip through his fingers. "Look, just like this sand..."

The old man clapped his hands and straightened up: "But today, it has gradually become like a real kingdom, a place where people can live in peace. Many oppose the changes of the present, but I believe they are just temporarily blinded. The rapid changes in life leave people at a loss, hence the resentment, but one day, people will cherish everything that is hard-won."

"The agreement you signed, and you coming into this world, brought the best changes to all of this—and today's King of Sand and his father are the true masters of this Sand Sea, for they have brought all of this over two generations."

"It's the Stargate Declaration."

"'Stargate Declaration.'" The old man repeated in a deep voice.

"But I hear some nobles do not support them."

"But some people do support them, isn't that enough?"

The old man turned his head back, smiling, "Holy Chooser, isn't it? It's indeed a good name. So thank you, young people."

"Ah, getting old, I'm a bit sentimental all of a sudden—"

Fang Hong was slightly dazed, but then smiled as well.

It was a smile from the heart, yes, the opening of the Stargate brought profound changes, not only altering Eteliria but also Earth, changing everyone's way of life.

Perhaps, the outstanding individuals who made decisions back then could foresee this very moment today: the signing of the Suva Declaration twice, the Invokers in people's eyes pursuing profits, they too would lead to the changes we see today—but as some people say, did it merely 'destroy' the traditional ecosystem of Eteliria?

Yet, there are such good changes, right—even more so, perhaps.

Tradition does not necessarily mean correctness—

Istania's strict hierarchical system, slavery, rampant sand thieves, and the lurking crises within the desert are also a form of tradition. And such traditions have become unsuitable for today, people always long for a better life, rather than rigid stagnation—and in such matters, perhaps only those living here have the most say.

Hearing the words of the merchant group leader, Fang Hong gradually began to understand the true meaning behind the path he insisted on—

In the past, he never thought about giving up, but neither had he thought it through, only feeling that what the Pioneers pursued was a rather sublime ideal.

And what was that ideal?

Today, at this moment, he only slightly understood:

The change brought by the explorers was courage, and also the yearning and drive for a richer life. Moving forward continuously might be a memory rooted in the genes of people, engraved deep in their bloodline the moment they stepped out of the forest tens of thousands of years ago.

"But the sand thieves are really numerous."

Fang Hong recalled encountering a group of sand thieves during his journey to Bain—though both before and after, they were merely a bunch of petty thieves. When he revealed his combat construct, the adversaries were already half intimidated—but indeed, there were quite too many of them, somewhat at odds with his impression of this seemingly tranquil and peaceful land.

The old man responded, "Recently, sand thieves have indeed increased."

Fang Hong looked back at him, a bit surprised.

"Is there a reason?"

The merchant group leader turned his gaze north, remaining silent. Observing his expression, Fang Hong suddenly had a realization.

It's due to the unrest in the south of Colin—

On the surface, it might seem unrelated.

But on this continent, Colin Ishurian is like a vast central empire, its influence radiating to the surrounding areas—Ancient Tower, Istania, Avenquin Elf, and even the descendants of the Giant Spirit on Giant Spirit Island. As the central empire declines, perhaps these signs of decline have not yet appeared in the kingdom itself, but those surrounding areas have already shown some symptoms.

Being amidst it, Fang Hong hadn't realized this point, only grasping it now with the old man's reminder.

He looked back at this historically rich city, a thought vaguely arising in his heart—Is the Star of Calamity approaching, is the emergence of the Holy Relic a sign of looming chaos?