The first time Ed met Quirin Ayer, the current lord of Visa, was at the funeral of the old lord less than a year ago. In his early thirties, Quelin had black hair and a black beard, a thin face, and a calm expression, looking like a calm and reliable man. In the past year, he has indeed revitalized the city, which had been devastated by last year's torrential rains. Even River Singal spoke highly of the young lord as being steady and not too conservative - presumably because Quillin had humbly asked him for advice on how to open up a trade route in the city of Visa in addition to the traditional jewelry business.

Ed has a crush on the lord of the city, whom he has not met a few times, and is eager to get his support. The Ayer family had ruled Visa and the surrounding territories for less than a hundred years, but the city had historically had a friendly and close relationship with the Temple of Water, as well as the Criess family, and Ed had reason to believe that he would be able to convince Quirin to act as an intermediary between the Temple and Ante.

Whether or not Ante really did something unforgivable...... He was still a king after all, and a king who had ascended to the throne with the help of the Temple of Water, and if the whole thing could be resolved peacefully, Ed didn't want to confront Ante directly at all - whoever won or lost would cause a turmoil.

He didn't know how many concessions he would have to make in the end...... Is it to stop holding even Lowell's death accountable? He doubted that he could do it, and even more doubted that if he went that far, there would be much point in the existence of the temple.

He could only hope that at least in this matter, Ante was indeed innocent.

He had chosen the room with the small rainbow fountain to meet Quillin. That Felicitye's favorite place to rest. Both light and water exude a calming power, neither too formal nor too casual.

When you walk into the room. The lord of Visa was already standing in front of the fountain and looking up at the soft light cast from the skylight overhead.

Quillin didn't seem to hear Ed's footsteps, and didn't salute until Ed opened his mouth to call him, his apologetic smile slightly heavy.

"I beg your pardon, I'm a little distracted. My father once brought me here to meet the Sage...... Felicity Amber. He told Ed, "Even though more than 20 years have passed, every scene at that time is still as clear as if it happened yesterday." Before that I thought the Sage was a being on high enough to even look up - because she would shine brightly. Stinging my eyes. ”

Ed couldn't help but laugh. He remembered that when he was a child, he had thought that it must be because the sages depicted in the books were all shining, and each ray of light was even carefully decorated with gold dust.

Quillin was smiling, too. There is always a shadow in the smile.

But Felicity ...... She looked like a kind and gentle old man. He sighed and looked at the simple stone chair by the fountain, "I remember my father holding me in his lap and sitting there side by side with her. But I can't remember what they said. I just kept staring at the rainbow on the fountain...... I almost fell asleep. ”

Ed smiled and invited him to sit side by side on the only bench in the room, realizing that he might not mention Felicity just because of some unforgettable memory.

Without much polite pleasantries, he candidly informed Quillin of everything, including the disappearance of Borena and Sean on the May Festival. Sean has not been heard from so far, but Borena has been killed, starting from the three-storied tower and running all the way, never knowing who the real enemy is...... He also mentions Rowell's death. It is mentioned that Ante drew his sword and slashed at Brooke in the Pomegranate Hall, sending an army to occupy the Temple of Spoon Butch - only to have to hide Scott's appearance.

Quillin was silent. Only nodded occasionally, and even looked gloomy when he heard the news of Lowell's death.

"Rowell Turner is my friend...... he explained to Ed, "and I always learned a lot from talking to him when I was in Stonebug. ”

His grief was real, but Ed wasn't sure if it would influence his decision, how much of it was he had already heard, and what version he had heard. He only hoped that Quillin would trust him...... At the same time, he was apprehensive about whether Brooke should be allowed to speak to Quillin, and the old man was obviously more credible - but Quillin explicitly asked to see him, and Brooke politely declined his invitation.

"There is obviously a lot of misunderstanding, and we have no intention of being an enemy of the king. Ed tried to show more sincerity, "Of course, we don't want to involve Visa City, we just want you to be able to pass the word on our behalf and give each other a chance to explain face-to-face." ”

"I did get some news from Stonebucci...... Included was a letter from His Majesty the King, delivered by the priest of the Vulcan. "I know how different the same thing can be from different angles...... I'm not sure if I'm smart enough to get a glimpse of it. My subordinates advised me to stay in Visa and wait and see what happens...... At least until more conclusive news is available. But there is one thing, I think only from you can get the answer. ”

Ed's heart raced for a moment, and his hair seemed to stand on end—he instinctively realized that it might be something.

"With all due respect. Quirin looked at him calmly, "I have seen your power, and I know that the Staff of Eternity proves Nyo's choice, and I have no doubt about it...... But do you really believe that you are indeed the one and only Sage?"

Ed stared at him blankly, his mind in a mess - what did he know? What did he suspect? Does an uncertain answer affect his decision? Isn't a white lie better at this point?......

He didn't know how long he hesitated before he made up his mind and said with difficulty: "I don't know. ”

Once he admitted it, the courage came back to him somewhat.

"When I walked in here, what I wanted was not to be a saint, but to be an ordinary priest. "Then I learned that Felicity was dead and that I seemed to be the one chosen by the god of water...... I didn't feel like it was a burden I could bear, and I was told I could give up - but I didn't. I guess I can at least give it a try, for the sake of those who believe in me...... I passed the trial, or did I think I passed...... I did have access to the Staff of Eternity, but I'm not sure I'm the only one who can use it, and I'm even beginning to wonder if the trials I've been through are just illusions. You ask me if I believe it...... I've asked myself the same questions because I've gotten different answers from different people, and they all seem to be true. I don't know what to believe anymore. ”

He smiled bitterly at Quillin, and at himself.

"So all I can tell you is that I don't know. That may prove that I am not religious enough, and I am not strong enough...... Isn't that bad for someone who is called a 'Sage?, but anyway, I just want to do what I think is right...... As I was told, do what I will not regret in the end, whether I am proven to be a true saint or just a lie. I know that may not be enough for you...... But that's the only answer I can give you. ”

Quillin stared at him for a long time, then nodded slightly, "I should thank you for your honesty...... But I hope you understand that I can't give you any promises right now. I can tell you frankly that the king's letter is written very clearly, if I were on the side of the temple...... That would mean betrayal of him. ”

Ed's heart sank.

He didn't know it was so bad...... Because Ante has not moved, he has always held a bit of luck, hoping that Ante is like him, and does not want everything to become out of control. In fact, most of the people in the temple thought so...... While they waited with such naïve expectations for the king to soften and even apologize, Ante was probably preparing to deal them a fatal blow.

"His Majesty the King will not take it lightly...... He is well aware of what the accusations and attacks on a Sage, against the Temple of the Water God, mean, but you should be more careful. For when a king is so adamant about doing something, even if he begins to regret it, he may not be able to turn back - that would make him a joke. I have been in Ston Butch for more than ten years, and I know a little bit about Ante Bofford, who believes that the lord of a country can be a sage or a tyrant...... But it must not be a joke. ”

Quillin reminded softly, and Ed could only nod silently. He knew that the lord had shown enough goodwill that he couldn't ask for more.

He wanted to send Quillin all the way outside the temple, but fearing that someone would see it as a pact between them, he stopped just outside the corridor.

Quillin glanced at him, but didn't look like he was about to leave quickly.

"Last time my father and I said goodbye to Felicity here. He said suddenly, "She kissed me on the forehead as we left...... I didn't feel like I was suddenly a powerful warrior - I was still sleepy. As much as I liked the Sage, on the way back I couldn't help but ask my father why Felicity wasn't as holy as the legend suggests...... Or possess unparalleled power. I think I was a little disappointed. ”

Ed smiled quizzically, not understanding why he had turned back to the subject.

"And my father told me," Quillin continued softly, "for the Sage is not a god, and she is only a human being, and her strength is in her strong and merciful heart, in her honest and brave soul. She represents the best part of humanity before God, and in doing so, reminds those who are truly on high not to ignore our suffering and hope...... Anyone who has the same great soul, whether he believes it or not, has a god with him, who will be fearless and never flinch through his ordeals...... That's the real power. ”

He smiled at Ed: "You have that power, Ed Singall, never forget this." ”.

(To be continued......)