Ice dragons hover in the sky.

It flies low over the vibrant plains, watching the petals of wildflowers drift in the wind from its wings, and sometimes soaring high into the air and piercing through the white clouds...... But it's always circling.

Scott forbade it to leave the plains of Collins, which made it angry—even though it knew that Scott could not actually stop it, it obediently hovered over Collins...... This made it even angrier.

As it flew over the temple again, it saw a small figure sitting on top of the corridor to the west.

That's where it usually sits...... But now that's certainly not him.

The ice dragon flew low, not too close, but landed not far away, and when its feet touched the stone bricks at the top of the corridor, it had already changed back into a human form.

He walked over to Naria and sat down silently.

Nalya turned her head and smiled absentmindedly at him, then continued to stare at the southwest.

"What are you looking at?" asked Is, wordless, and in frustration as he wanted to bite himself - of course he knew what she was looking at.

Naria didn't answer the stupid question, and she probably didn't even hear it at all.

After a long while, she turned her head to Iss again, her eyes a little stunned: "I just suddenly remembered that although Alan said that we would be stronger together, since returning from the ice field, you, me, and Ed ...... We spend a lot more time apart than we do together. ”

Isis bowed his head and was silent. He knew exactly why Naria had suddenly brought it up.

“...... Even if we go with him, it won't help, and it might make things worse. He said. "There are some things that he has to face alone. ”

He was indeed furious about it...... But he also knew that Ed and Scott's decision was not wrong.

"I know...... Naria's expression was even more frustrated, "I just hate that I can't help." ”

Iss hated it as well...... But he could only comfort her awkwardly: "Ed will be fine...... He's always going to be fine. ”

"I hope so, but I can't say why. I just know he's not going to be okay this time......" Narya worriedly turned her gaze once more to the place she couldn't even see, "We should be by his side, Is...... Even if we can't help, we should be there for him. ”

Isis was silent for a few moments, then suddenly stood up and held out his hand to Naria.

"Then go ahead. He said.

Ed's head was filled with a myriad of voices.

Some kind of shrill whistle went up and down. He could hear his own heartbeat, heavy as a drum, and he could hear the sound of blood rushing and making a loud bang in the emptiness...... And in the midst of all this chaos. He could still hear every word clearly.

He also knew very well that it was the result of his own sowing - as Lowell Turner had warned him.

All secrets become weaknesses, and the only weapon in the world is truth.

"Early the morning of the day after the 'Borena' appeared under the three-storied pagoda, Ed Singel. Our Sage came to Lockburg. It was only after he left in a hurry that I suddenly remembered that Borena Dejuri was his friend, and it would be easier to ask him to tell the truth from the fake...... But the messenger I sent to recover the Sage Lord found that he had taken off his white robe and secretly headed for Evening Primrose Alley. ”

"Anyone who's been to Stonebugch knows what that place is...... I don't mean to accuse a young man who wants to spend a little time in that place, after all, no one has ever said that a saint can't do this, but it really embarrassed my messenger, and he didn't dare to come back and tell me. I didn't dare to break in at will, so I could only wait nearby...... Then he found out. The Sage didn't see a beautiful woman...... It's Byee Jan. ”

"The temple has never announced this news, but I think you all know it - Bye-Jan is a fallen paladin. ”

"I think my curiosity was understandable. I'm really curious to know why the Sage would meet with a fallen knight in private instead of bringing him back to the temple...... But I certainly can't question the Sage. So I caught Beye...... Although it paid a small price. ”

"It was from him that I learned the shocking fact that Ed Singal was not a true saint at all...... And he himself knows it. ”

Ed didn't open his mouth to argue with himself. He just sat motionless, his throat aching, his tongue dry and swollen against the roof of his mouth, his lips sewn together by invisible threads...... He couldn't speak. He couldn't even blink, he couldn't control his whole body, including any muscle in his face.

He didn't know if it looked like he was calm or frightened, he didn't have enough brains to worry about it

But someone stood up for him.

"No offense, Your Majesty...... But you just believe in a degenerate?"

He couldn't hear anyone's voice, and he couldn't tell if it was good intentions.

"I'm not so stupid yet. Ante sneered, "But he gave me hard evidence. ”

Ed heard the pages rustle, and it made his heart beat several more beats.

"I think a lot of people can recognize the handwriting on paper...... Master Sean Fletcher isn't hard to read, is it?...... Shuan-sama. ”

The mocking rustle faded away, reaching everyone's hands, mingling with whispers of surprise...... Getting closer and closer, brushing past Ed's side and placing it in Brooke Xiuan's hand.

Bloomer Christus, 17 years old, and Herina Christus, 25 years old......

The tiny scribbled handwriting on the scroll of paper that Tyliner Bofford had given him came back to Ed—yes, he remembered it well, even though he had burned it to ashes.

“...... It's Sean's words, but what does that mean?" Brooke's voice remained calm and steady.

“...... Shouldn't the Sage be chosen only by the gods?" Ante was silent for a moment before speaking, "but this scroll ...... Lord Sean's handwriting seems to be proof. The Sage in front of us is really just a human choice, isn't that a deception?"

"I think there's a misunderstanding. Brooke raised her voice, "Only a goddess can decide who to make her Sage—but that doesn't mean we can't find candidates to choose from beforehand. Of course, there will not be only one candidate. ”

Scott had the same speculation...... Ed wished it was true, but he knew it couldn't be that simple.

“...... All the candidates are from the Chryses family, and Sean happens to have a sister who married into the Chryses' family?"

"I don't know what you're trying to hint at, my lord, but there are some families whose bloodlines are better suited to receive the Goddess's presence, if necessary. Several of you were invited to participate in the May Festival...... Ed Singall's power is what you have seen, and the Staff of Eternity has chosen him and acknowledged him. Wasn't that rain that dispelled the fog enough, and the scroll looked a little old...... Felicity Amber was still there at the time, if it was blasphemous. Could it be that the Sage would not know, or would have allowed it?...... Or do you want to question the authenticity of that Sage?" said Brooke's voice.

Felicity, Felicity, blue eyes. Lively smile. The white ponytail dangled from the ground...... No one dared to question Felicity. Even without mentioning her strength, no ordinary person can live to be more than two hundred years old like she did—time itself is the best proof of that.

"How dare I?" - Ante's voice.

"It's true that I've never heard of that...... So you must forgive me for my anger...... and the determination to find out the truth. I found one of the three people whose name was not crossed out on the scroll, though I don't know why he didn't get the favor of the goddess...... Maybe you're interested in meeting him, too?"

Of course, there will be no objections.

Ante clapped his hands, and someone entered, and a cool breeze slipped through the curtain that had been lifted, causing Ed to sober up a little and look up.

It was a handsome young knight, blonde with blue eyes. About the same age as Ed, with a warm smile. Outside the new armor, the cloak was embroidered with the coat of arms of the Chryses—a white tower surrounded by five white roses on a blue background, and a morning star twinkled on the top of the tower.

The tower of Kriesburg.

Bloomer Christus, seventeen years old - Ed meditates in his heart.

He was clearly more than seventeen years old now, and when they made eye contact, he smiled at Ed, revealing a mouthful of neat white teeth.

Ed didn't know if it was his delusion - he could clearly see a hint of coldness in that smile.

Norway once said that he always sees the best in everything...... Where did that Ed Singal go, and why did he see only darkness in his eyes now?

"This is Bloomer Christus. Ante's voice rang out again, "If I heard me correctly, Lord Xiu'an, you said 'The Staff of Eternity chose him and recognized him'...... Can you prove it again?"

“...... How do you want to prove it?" Brooke's voice trembled slightly, as if he had given up suppressing his anger.

"Let this young man also try if he can manipulate the Staff of Eternity. Ante asked lightly.

“...... With all due respect, this is the real blasphemy!" Brooke's refusal bordered on a growl.

"Why not give it a try?" Ante said in a tough tone, but with a clear ferocity like a dead end.

Ed looked silently at the young man, who seemed to be at a loss, and slowly stood up.

If this kind of argument continues, it will not lead to anything. Ante seemed to have to let Bloomer try...... And what could he do? summon another storm and sweep everyone away?

Someone grabbed him - Brooke or Filly.

Ed easily broke free from this inhibition and walked over to hand the Staff of Eternity to the young man with a look of greed in his eyes.

“...... Ed!" He heard Filly's low growl, and his unspoken "Are you crazy?!"

He's not crazy. He was suddenly unusually calm at the moment. Maybe deep down, he really wanted to know too...... What exactly will be the result.

(To be continued......)