They have very few clues.

The man who took Bloomer was skillful and cautious. They concealed their faces like Assassins, their weapons sharp but ordinary, and their skill without an easily distinguishable style. Their footprints disappeared into the dirty puddles on the pavement, leaving no traceable traces behind them.

"Very well trained mercenaries. Sarmion had judged it before, "I know that there is such an organization called 'Spider' in Neo City, and the mages of the Archmage Tower often hire them to do things that are unseemly...... It has also been said that the 'spiders' are the ones they made, and that the skinny, nervous guys always need strong, reliable fighters. The 'spiders' are notoriously efficient and low-key – first, of course, you have to be rich. ”

"Quite possibly. ”

When Ed relayed this to Philip and Nia, Nya nodded in acknowledgement.

"Although I still think it's probably Sean's man," he said, "See, mercenaries don't show mercy, and that's one of the reasons they're 'efficient'." ”

He said it so frankly in front of Filly, which surprised Ed a little. But Filly just stared at the ground with a gloomy face, and did not refute.

Like Ed, he can no longer trust Sean unreservedly. Realizing this made Ed feel very uncomfortable.

In retrospect, Sean himself did not deny it...... Even his reproach to Ed is not because Ed has lost trust in him, but because Ed has put unrelated people in danger.

"If it was really Sean who sent someone to take Bloomer, it would have been much simpler. He said bitterly, "But what if not?"

"Well...... "It depends on what else he's for—does he know a lot of secrets?oh, I doubt he's a charming lad but doesn't seem to be reliable at all......; Ah, if there is a mysterious beauty who loves him deeply and does not want to lose him no matter what, then it is still possible. ”

Ed looked at him helplessly, wanting to laugh but a little unable to laugh.

"What's the use" - he doesn't like to judge anyone by this standard at all, but ......

"I think I know he might be 'of any use'. He was stunned and said, "A 'use' like me...... That cage, that ritual, was originally intended for Scott, but they couldn't control Scott, so they found me......"

“...... Do you think they want to do it again?" Fili frowned.

"Why not?" said Nia, "we had no idea who was behind it, and that disgusting piece of bone had been snatched away - it was definitely a very important thing! I could almost feel its wicked heartbeat when I held it in the palm of my hand...... Oh, I remembered! I should have thrown it in Ed's cage so it wouldn't be snatched away!"

He patted his leg hard and regretted it.

"If Bloomer could too, why did they take the trouble to take Ed away?" asked Filly, confused.

"Because he's probably not the best choice...... But it's always an option. Ed replied softly.

“...... So what the hell are they trying to do? Why don't I think it's as simple as a 'sacrifice?'" Filly clutched his beard in frustration, his questions apparently not diminished, but rather grew.

Ed looked at him sympathetically, like looking at himself with a headache and wanted to hit a wall.

"I ...... too Up in the air. He shuddered, and that believed his weakness - at least he hoped so.

He could still remember the scorching power that seemed to burn him away...... He remembered the name and the anger, fear, and ecstasy it bringed.

But he didn't know what that meant.

"That place is completely ruined!"

"Maybe they just need a secret place - not a specific place?"

Ed lowered his head and listened silently to Philip and Nia talking, the voice rising and falling inexplicably, suddenly making him feel a little uncomfortable.

"Okay...... So what else do they need?"

"I'd think - an unlucky Christus, a disgusting piece of bone, a bunch of fanatical believers whose brains have probably been gnawed by pigs......"

Ed's gaze wandered blankly...... Until he was caught by a pair of pale blue eyes.

That's the little white eye. The cold and clear blue, but in the jumping candlelight, a few dazzling bits of gold were reflected.

If only Iss were here—he thought dejectedly.

He had thought it would be best to keep Isis away from it all...... But now, he desperately needs his best friend.

He will call him stupid, he will annoy him, but he will answer any question he asks without reservation, and he can confide all his secrets to him...... The secrets that can't be opened to Narya. It wasn't about trust, it was just that he knee-jerked Naria in need of protection - though she probably didn't need to, and would even beat him up for having the idea.

“...... Hey!"

Fili's concerned and impatient voice pulled him back to reality: "Is your soul still here?"

“...... At. ”

Ed scratched his face in embarrassment - ah, why can't he have two brains? one to concentrate...... One for distraction.

"What do you remember?" Filly asked him, "What...... Something indispensable?"

“...... Tellina?" Ed replied blankly, "There was a symbol carved into that bone pendant, and I lied to him that it meant sacrifice...... But that's probably true. It sank into his palm, and he had no shadow......"

"A Bofford. Nia tilted her head, "Do you think it's a coincidence? ”

Fili was stunned for a moment, and his face changed rapidly.

The Boford family has many children and grandchildren, but this is the royal city. Those with knighthoods were allowed to stay here for a while if they were allowed to, but in order to avoid disputes and dangers, except for the king and his heirs, and a few young men who lived like hostages in Lockburg...... Tonbuch doesn't have many people from the Boford family.

“...... Do you think it might not be a good idea to send that fat man to Lockburg?", Nia said.

Before he could finish his sentence, Fili had already rushed out the door.

In order to avoid all possible suspicions, he did not stay in Lockburg tonight...... That may be a mistake.

Ed stared at the open door in a daze, wringing his hands uneasily. He couldn't go with him—and even if he did, he wouldn't be able to help, he couldn't cast spells in Lockburg.

But if something really happens......

"If you think it's your fault that even this," Nia sighed as she looked at him, "then your brain has probably been gnawed by pigs." ”

"That's what we usually say in Visa......," Ed said with a self-deprecating wry smile, "'Did you have a brain from a walnut tree?'"

Maybe it was—he thought to himself a little.

(To be continued.) )