The old man laughed heartily: "I don't believe you, you've always been cunning since you were a little girl, Hilveld."

Hilveld rarely felt embarrassed, her face turned slightly red, and she couldn't help but glance at her captain.

But Fang Hong clearly agreed, thinking that his Miss Ship's Officer should have a pair of fox ears instead.

The noble lady saw his expression and knew what he was thinking, she couldn't help but squint her eyes dangerously.

Meanwhile, Ande Ulriel watched the interaction between the two from the side, clearly having paid attention to this group of three—Fang Hong, Luo Yu, and Xiangzi, with Tata hidden inside Fang Hong's hood, not revealing herself.

The old man smiled and said, "Well, since the little girl from the Albert Family is here to visit this old fellow, let's not dwell on these gloomy topics." He pointed to Fang Hong and the others: "Would you like to introduce them to me, these must be the Holy Chosen?"

Hilveld finally nodded: "This is Xiangzi and Mr. Luo Yu."

"And this is..."

She paused, looking at Fang Hong: "His name is Ade..." The young girl suddenly took Fang Hong's hand, pulling him in front of Ande Ulriel without saying a word, her face slightly red.

Fang Hong was completely taken aback, his mind buzzing, utterly bewildered.

Ande Ulriel looked at the young couple, glanced at their joined hands, and couldn't help but smile, clearly understanding something.

"You've grown up, little girl from the Albert Family," the old man smiled slightly: "It's a pity your father has not returned from the Second World yet, but as an old friend of your grandfather, let me test this young man for you."

Hilveld covered her mouth with a light smile, making no response.

Fang Hong's mind was a jumbled mess, not understanding what was happening, his ears buzzing.

The legendary elderly Alchemist, with discerning eyes, glanced at Fang Hong's right hand, settling on the metal glove there, suddenly showing a hint of amusement.

"Alchemist?"

"Huh?" Fang Hong was utterly confused.

But the old man had already seen the heraldry on his chest.

Alchemists from different places had distinct heraldries, a gleam of understanding flashing in the old man's eyes: "Kapuka Society?"

Fang Hong then came to his senses, nodding mechanically.

Ande Ulriel found it somewhat amusing that this young man was from the same background and seemed to have surpassed the apprentice stage, although it was an undisputed fact that the Holy Chosen advanced quickly in the initial stage.

But he, being knowledgeable and experienced, naturally understood that at Fang Hong's age, he was already outstanding among the Holy Chosen.

"Since the little girl's intended is an Alchemist, what a coincidence," Ande Ulriel replied with a smile: "Recently, we old folks have come up with an interesting thing, young one, how about a few games of chess with me?"

"Chess?"

Fang Hong, although a bit confused, wasn't slow witted.

Eteliria had several types of Beast Chess, along with some chess games introduced from Earth, which had become prevalent on the floating continent over half a century. However, since the other party mentioned alchemy, it certainly wasn't an ordinary chess game.

But weren't they here for identifying magic items, how did it turn to playing chess? Fang Hong couldn't help but look back at Hilveld, but the noble lady only smiled slightly, completely ignoring him.

Fang Hong was utterly confused, not knowing when he offended this young lady.

And the old man apparently didn't give him a chance to refuse, he turned around, leaning on his cane, and said to the Dwarf Goblin: "Lulu, take us to the basement."

He turned back: "Little girl from the Albert Family, you and the others come along too."

Hilveld nodded.

The Dwarf Goblin led the group through a corridor, with sunlight from the arched windows falling on the carpet. Hilveld looked at the snowy scene outside and finally asked: "Are there other guests at the manor?"

Ande Ulriel also glanced at the carriages outside the manor and nodded: "They're from the Tongwan Family," the old man sighed: "The Dwarves and gnomes are engrossed in technology, completely ignorant of the intrigues of the human world. This time, my old friend has been used as a pawn—"

Fang Hong, with a great understanding of Colin Ishurian's alchemist landscape, and Hilveld, coming from the noble circles within the kingdom, immediately understood that the visitor was the chairman of the Artisan Association.

Phales Copper Bay.

"Isn't it inappropriate to keep Mr. Phales waiting?" Hilveld asked, a bit surprised.

"Let him wait, the brainless guy," Ande Ulriel said angrily: "He's been used and doesn't even realize it. Letting him cool his heels there is beneficial to him."

Belying his words of anger, it was clear he was more upset that his old friend was being used unknowingly, rather than seriously trying to give the other party a hard time. It was more dissatisfaction with the actions from the Prime Minister's faction.

This feeling of simmering anger, rather than demonstrating the behavior of a legendary Alchemist, was more akin to a child's conduct.

Hilveld couldn't help but smile slightly.

And Fang Hong's uneasiness towards the elderly lessened considerably.

The group made their way down to the basement—which, contrary to what might be expected, was not dark but rather very spacious and bright, lit brilliantly with a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, illuminating the area.

In the light, golden copper pipes brought in warmth from outside, dispelling the underground chill, and making the carpeted room warm and spring-like.

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