The sky is clear and high in early autumn, but the sun is a little chilly. As he hurried through the shadows, the empty city was suddenly much larger than Ed remembered. They walked silently through the streets and alleys, but it seemed as if they would never end.

Alan didn't know if he would be angry - he thought.

Probably yes. Even if he used a spell to send a message to Alan, so that he rashly followed a follower of Nessus to find Scott, the blue tendons on Allen's forehead would most likely explode for a long time.

But the old man told Ed to follow Ise closely, probably having already guessed that such a situation would occur.

If you can't stop Is...... At least they're together.

Ed felt a chill run down his back - Travis was right, I don't know how many pairs of eyes were staring at them. Those eyes with different purposes poked at his back, so poked that he almost stumbled on his left leg and fell to the ground with his right leg when he walked.

"Maybe......" he couldn't help but speak, "we can be invisible?"

He also remembered that through invisibility, he was able to run rampant in the Silver Tooth Mine. Although it feels a little weird, it's still much better than being exposed to everyone's eyes.

"Invisibility...... Such a spell would manifest as soon as it entered the Blandi Library, and at the same time alerted the battle mages there. "The most secret way is to walk in open—rest assured that no one is going to stop us on the road, and that will expose themselves." ”

Different forces are watching them and watching each other, which gives them such a little convenience.

However, once inside the Blandi Library......

A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes. Travis couldn't help but glance at Is—it stands to reason that Transfiguration would be discovered as well. But last time......

“...... What about teleportation?" asked Iss suddenly.

"It's the same. Travis replied, "For many years, the mages have made the library their own, and the defenses there are said to be no worse than Neo's Archmage Tower. ”

Isis was silent. But just looking at his back, Ed could tell that his mood was getting worse and worse.

There were still a few figures in the library - there were always people who could resist the temptation of the Cobblestone Rite, or simply dismiss it.

The old man guarding the door was still the same one, but he was far less enthusiastic than before. He looked at Travis with cloudy eyes for a few moments before finally recognizing him and waving them in.

"Don't underestimate him. ”

It took Travis a while before he whispered, but he didn't explain why.

He tripped on the grass several times in succession, as if he had suddenly lost his soul, and as if he had regained the panic he had just received when someone had just broken into his house, and even his shadow was trembling in the sun.

Ed stepped forward and grabbed him.

"We shouldn't be here. Travis muttered, "We shouldn't be here." ”

"But we're already here. "You brought us here — what do you want?" ”

For a moment, many thoughts crossed his mind. This may be a trap, Travis may be controlled, and their every move may be expected by others.

If you want to leave now, I'm afraid it's not so easy.

But by this time he had calmed down - he was always very calm when there was no way back.

He looked Travis in the eye. The bloodshot eyes bulged out slightly, as is common for people who overuse their eyes, and their pupils contracted in fear, but they did not avoid his gaze.

He was nervous, flustered, scared...... But there is no guilt.

The trembling gradually subsided. Travis let out a short, dry laugh, full of self-deprecation.

"I'm sorry. He said, "I'm still afraid of death." ”

"I'm scared too. Ed said, "I'm not married." ”

He didn't know how such a sentence came out, and as soon as he said it, he blushed a little in embarrassment—even Istu turned back and gave him a roll of his eyes.

But Travis smiled, his face wrinkled like a tree dying of old age.

His steps eased as he led them all the way to the spacious and bright main hall of the library.

The smell of books is unique. Rows of bookshelves lined up neatly, silent, modest and proud, as always, made Ed in awe.

There is a force that the most powerful magic cannot replace.

Travis stopped, his eyes narrowed, and his expression was not without pride.

"I have repaired many of the most precious books here. "No one can do it better than me." ”

Magic can also tinker with books, but with limitations. The miracles created by ordinary people with their hands are equally amazing.

Travis lowered his eyes as he looked at his pale, emaciated hands with calluses and countless minor wounds—this time, he was fixing his own mistakes.

"'There is truth, truth and wisdom in the most absurd rumors and fantasies. He whispered, "I'm addicted to this...... I forgot that there was darkness and evil hidden in it. ”

It was he who unleashed the demon.

"Copas Fenton wasn't what he is now. "He was a good pastor." ”

Calm, unpretentious, kind. He cared for those living at the bottom of the ladder and gave them the most practical help, rather than preaching the glory that a pious faith can bring.

He shouldn't have sacrificed the lives of thousands of people, at the cost of a city, for anything.

"Come on. Iss scoffed, "Greedy people will always show their true colors—if the temptation is great enough." Is that guy here too?"

His voice interrupted Travis' self-talking. The latter looked at him in a daze and nodded.

"He's here. "He seems to be ...... I no longer believe in the Sage. ”

“...... What about you?" Ed asked softly, "You still trust Scott...... Or your gods?"

Travis turned to him, still in a trance.

"I don't know. He said, "I can understand what Fenton wants, but I can't see what the Sage wants...... Maybe you'll know. ”

He dodged the last question and reached out to the west-facing hallway.

"Over there. "The mages have found a lot here...... They found their way to the underground, but they kept the secret carefully hidden...... From here, I'm afraid we won't be able to pass that easily. ”

He walked forward on his own, not worried about whether the people behind him would follow.

Ed and Ise exchanged a look, one quickly walking ahead and the other staying one step away from Travis' side.

There was an ominous air in Travis' calm...... This "afraid of death" book repairer probably didn't want to go back alive.

.