A low roar followed, freezing Tess's smile on her face.

This is not the entrance to the labyrinth, but standing here, it seems that everyone can already feel some kind of panicked pressure in the air. The darkness seeped silently through the cracks in the door, as if something lurked in the depths where the firelight could not illuminate it.

"There's a door to open, and that's maybe a little harder...... Once the door is open, you'd better leave as soon as possible. Scott whispered.

“...... What?!" Tess cried out in dissatisfaction, "You called a thief to open the door and didn't let her in?!

The tone full of condemnation and grievance made Scott feel that he had really done something bad, and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "It's not safe there, maybe it's more dangerous now......"

"Who just said, 'No matter what happens, I will definitely protect you.'" '?'" Tess asked dismissively.

Scott opened his mouth and had nothing to say.

When he asked for help, he expected that Tess wouldn't be so obedient, but he had expected the always reasonable Norway to get her away......

But at this moment, the elf just smiled and remained silent, a hint of cunning mixed with apology flashed in his eyes.

Scott shook his head involuntarily, finally realizing that he didn't know enough about the elf.

A white shadow flashed, and Xiao Bai, who had been squatting quietly at his feet, quickly rushed in through the crack in the door, inviting them in a childish voice in the darkness.

"Can't we get in?" asked Tess impatiently, slamming the door open before she could reply.

“...... Where has your brother gone?" Naria stood by the door, searching with her gaze. "And Norway and Tess, have you seen them?"

She just went to clean up the dishes and came back. There were suddenly a few fewer people in the cabin, and she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. In just a few days, disaster struck one after another...... She could no longer accept losing anyone.

"Underground. Sitting on the ground, Iss patted the ground, but his eyes were still fixed on Ed, who was sleeping on the low bed opposite, "You know, there's a labyrinth under the castle, and Scott says he needs to see what's going on inside, and he needs Tess's help...... He felt Ed wake up something. If you don't let that quiet, things could get worse. ”

He glanced up at Naria and added, "Don't worry...... Scott won't let anything happen to them. ”

"Who knows?" said Naria, sighing heavily. Looking back at Ed and River, who was huddled beside his bed in a daze, holding the bottle, he whispered, "I always feel like if things start to get worse...... It's only going to get worse, like an avalanche. There's no way to stop it. ”

“...... Doesn't sound like you. Iss smiled reluctantly.

Nalya gave him an equally ugly smile back.

She walked over to Is. Sit down. In the next room, a young girl sobbed low, perhaps out of fear or sadness. The slightly stern hostess of Klossersburg was in fact tolerant and kind, and most of the people who stayed were for her...... And not the wealth of the Singers.

"That's my fault. Naria spoke suddenly, her voice hoarse with remorse and frustration, "I shouldn't have left Ed alone in the room......"

And Akan was convinced it was his fault—enough, Naria, don't think so. If anyone is to blame for this. That's Rem too...... and Ante Bofford. Iss looked her in the eye and told her earnestly.

“...... Maybe that's what I want to hear from you. That would make me feel a little better. Nalya smiled at him, but there were tears in her eyes.

"If you want to cry...... Just cry. ”

"No, I don't want to. I just want to know why this is happening...... If there really is a god, how can she allow this to happen?"

Is's mouth opened, but he didn't know how to answer.

“...... Forget about it. I shouldn't have asked a dragon this question. Naria smiled bitterly to herself.

Iss was silent for a few moments before telling her, "In fact, even the gods themselves cannot escape their fate...... Does that make you feel better?"

"No...... Maybe...... I do not know. Naria shook her head blankly, "If everything is already predestined, if fate cannot be changed...... Why are we alive?"

That's another question that Isis can't answer.

Two people sitting side by side unconsciously approached each other and snuggled up to each other. Whether it is a human or a dragon, in the face of fate, all life is so small and powerless...... But at least, they still have each other.

Hearing the soft thud of Alan's crutches falling to the ground, Iss sat up straight. Naria, who was almost out of balance, glanced at him a little inexplicably, and suddenly realized something, and a flush quickly appeared on her cheeks.

Alan's footsteps only passed in front of the door.

They looked at each other awkwardly, and each looked away.

Feeling uncomfortable, Naria simply got up, walked to the bed, and looked down at Ed, who was unconscious.

This isn't the first time Ed has fallen into such a slumber. Naria didn't know magic, and she could only guess that it was because the soul of a living person could only be free for a moment in his sleep, rather than being bound to the body.

But she didn't know that this time Ed's long slumber was an attempt by some force to communicate with him...... Or did he want to escape from this world.

Ed's eyes rolled rapidly under his eyelids, his eyelashes trembling slightly, but his face was expressionless.

He's dreaming...... It looked so strange that Nalya couldn't help but reach out to wake him up, but hesitated to stop in mid-air.

For Ed, no matter what the nightmare, it is better than reality...... If he wants to escape, why not let him find a moment of peace in his dreams?

“...... Have a good dream, Ed. She whispered, placing her hand gently on her friend's forehead.

Ed knew he was dreaming. He always knew, but he was tired of games like this.

In the continuous light and mist, there are countless pictures around that rush away like flowing water. If he stretched out his hand, he might be able to see the small waves stirred up by time in his fingers...... But he just stood there indifferently, letting everything pass, not interested in capturing any of it.

Even if he knew all the history of this world, all the secrets, what was the point if he couldn't save his mother?

There were still countless fragments that left a flickering shadow in the corner of his eye. A savage yet vibrant world like a newborn, with dragons flying in the sky, giants picking up tomahawks to split mountains, elven warriors holding on to death in battle-burned cities, blood-stained shores, and mist-shrouded swamps......

He even saw Scott, standing in the flames, the towering Triple Black Tower behind him casting shadows on him, blurring his face.

There's no Walla in it, there's no Walla in the corner of any of the frames. To the world, Vala Singh is nothing more than an insignificant woman...... And Ed Singhal can be indifferent to such a world.

The passing light dimmed and faded away, as if lamenting his indifference, but Ed was still in his dream...... He knew very well that he just didn't want to wake up.

He heard a call, a fervent expectation, a longing longing, a long-held anger and passion, calling a name earnestly.

That's his name...... And it seems like it's not.

Ed took a step, and everything around him changed in an instant. He stood in the middle of a long road, the intricate road stretching in all directions, between light and darkness, the past and the future flashing before his eyes, vague figures coming and going, broken voices unable to form sentences.

"Protecting ......"

"A poem ......"

"For the King's ......"

"Forget ......"

"Don't be afraid ......"

"Is this place made by dwarves?—I don't mean dwarves are hell-minded, actually, I like them, especially when they're running around on their little short legs......

Tess's voice echoed unusually loudly between the walls.

Bright red hair dangled past Ed's eyes, and then Scott's short blonde hair glistened in the firelight.

"I don't think Mork will take this as an insult. "This place doesn't look like a human can build it...... I'm not saying that humans don't have enough skills...... or passion...... Forget what I said. ”

Their figures are unusually clear—clear and real.

This is not the past, nor the future, but the present.

Ed watched them silently. Even now, the presence of these friends still warms him...... But that little warmth only made the frozen part more painful.

Scott suddenly turned his head and looked suspiciously at where Ed was.

(To be continued......)

PS: It's sometimes painful to write 3000 words per chapter at the right plot point, so from this chapter onwards, I'll no longer force myself!(Yes, I completely gave up the full attendance award TAT) In the future, each chapter will still be around 3000 words, and the floating range will not exceed 500 words......