"We are not enemies. ”

Marshall's first words surprised Filly: "We need your help, my lord...... It's like you need our help too. ”

Fili sat down in the chair with his legs spread wide and did not move, his index finger tapping his thigh again and again, and he did not speak for a moment.

This room was located under the North Tower, but it was not an interrogation room, but the reception room of the imprisoned warden Catron, and the shelves were covered with dust from books that had not been touched for some time, and a slightly sour musty smell floated in the whole room. Count Hereford pulled a chair in front of Filly and sat down upright—he was more like the man being interrogated, judging by the way he sits.

The Earl, who was nearly middle-aged, looked dignified, with his short flaxen hair neatly combed back at a beginning gray, and his blue-green eyes looking calm and sincere.

He had come to Ston Buch to attend a wedding, the wedding of the nephew of the Earl of Congier, who had died in the grounds of Mancini's house. When the wedding turned into a funeral, as a good friend of Count Congier, it was clear that he could not leave there. The Earl, who was usually quiet and restrained, had remained calm in the Pomegranate Hall a few days ago, but every question he asked, seemingly mild, made Ed and Filly difficult to argue.

At that time, the resentment was still blocked in his chest, making it difficult for Fili to accept the other party's friendly gesture for a while.

“...... We have never been enemies. Before the atmosphere froze completely, he spoke lightly.

"Definitely. Marshall nodded approvingly, not paying much attention to his coldness, "If I had ever been to you and ...... Lord Singhal is offended, and I hope you will forgive me. I just can't believe it's going to happen in Stonebuge...... It's like the city has been under some kind of curse, ever since it was hit by the plague - or before that. ”

“...... I don't know if you believe in such a thing as a curse. Philip replied dryly.

The Count smiled wryly.

"Looks like you know me better than I expected. He said.

Bas Marshall was skeptical of everything that could not be explained, and shunned both God and magic. The priest of the god of water in his realm once complained that he treated the servants of the gods like merchants...... Ironically, his youngest son was an avid lover of magic, and despite his strong opposition, he did not hesitate to give up everything to break with the family and run to Neo alone, becoming a humble mage apprentice.

His bluntness made Filly a little embarrassed to realize that he was restless and out of control - there was really no need for him to be so rude.

The paladin retracted his long legs and sat up straight in silence.

"I understand your doubts, my lord. Marshall's tone remained calm, "Let's make a long story short. ...... in Drew After my son wanted to be a mage anyway, I had to learn a little about magic, and I kept in touch with Drew's teacher, Master Stobel of the Archmage Tower—and believe me, I was surprised when he appeared to me the night before...... But he's eager to talk to you. ”

Fili frowned slightly.

He wasn't surprised. To be honest, he already found it strange that the Archmage Tower hadn't been mixed in until now...... More likely, they have been sneakily blending in it. But this way of asking for a meeting was something he didn't expect.

“...... I don't think I'm hard to find?" he said nonchalantly, jokingly.

"It's about all of us, my lordship. Marshall replied in a low voice, "He claims he came here at risk, and he believes me...... I can't assure you that what he says is true, but if you will, at least listen to it first.

He raised his hand and high-fived, and a heavily armed guard pushed the door open, took off his helmet in front of Filly, and smiled softly.

"I have long admired the great name, paladin Zeri......" he said, "I am Nick Stobel, and I have come at the behest of Kerman Santo, the great stone shaper. ”.

Ed's eyes widened in surprise as the map slowly unfolded in front of him.

It's just a map of Stamp Butch...... It's just a few strange symbols.

"Scott painted it. Filly told him, "And he said that the symbols were given to him by Sean...... I guess you know?"

“...... I've seen it. Ed was silent for a few moments before replying, "But I don't know ......"

"I don't know what they represent. Filly folded his arms and looked a little cold, "I've heard that." ”

"I'm ...... I really don't know. Ed awkwardly tried to explain, "All I know is that they are probably related to elves...... Ancient elves. ”

"I know this. Nia reached out and poked at a point on the map, "The bone that was snatched by Baie has this carved into it. ”

“...... Old Street Market. Fili glanced at it, his brow furrowed, "It just doesn't make sense. There was indeed an altar in that place, but the ceremony was not held there at all...... Did we get something wrong? Or ......"

He slammed his mouth shut and scratched at his beard in exasperation—he was subconsciously suspicious of Sean.

He took this out in the hope of finding Bloomer...... Although it didn't actually help them in their search for Eddard, the place marked did exist an altar that had been set up since the city was built.

On the night of the attack on Fort Locke, two young men of the Bofford family disappeared from the castle. While they didn't know why Mancini wanted to take Moira away, they had to return to their original fears that the same ritual would be performed again.

And under the protection of magic, those altars are very secretive. Joey and his old buddies know every nook and cranny of the city, but they only knew one of them before.

“...... How did you find me?" Ed thought of the question suddenly, confused, "You and Scott. ”

The place where Mansini's house is located on the map is not marked at all at all.

“...... Intuition?" Philip shrugged blankly, "or some kind of connection? we were about to leave the Nasti Fountain...... There was no fart in that place except for the air that had been sealed off for hundreds of years, and he suddenly had an expression like he had seen a ghost, and he rushed out of the ground and teleported directly...... If I hadn't chased him hard enough and caught him in time, he would have thrown me there. ”

He was still a little indignant, but more helpless.

Scott still hasn't returned, and Sean is behind closed doors again...... They are on their own.

Ed propped his hands on the table, staring down at the map. He knew almost every symbol - they seemed to be engraved in his head, but he couldn't understand them at all...... It's a really frustrating feeling.

They are arranged in different order, and two of them are not found on the two stone tablets. How many such symbols are there?...... How many of those slabs are there, are they really from Ankland, or is it something much older?......

Ed tilted his head and turned the map in a different direction - he felt as if he was seeing something.

(To be continued.) )