Ed put his hands behind his head and tried to lie down comfortably. Except when thinking about how to get out and what the gang wants to do with him, all kinds of food pop up in his head from time to time...... Even the super unpalatable rabbit he roasted himself, he is quite calm at the moment.

After Bloomer Crieses left, no one came, and no one answered his call. It was as if he had been forgotten in this gorgeous and expensive cage in the darkness, and his growing hunger and thirst were draining his physical strength little by little...... It also consumes reason.

Those people weren't going to open the cage when he was so weak that he couldn't move, did they?

He didn't expect much from anyone to come and save him. If it weren't for the perfect preparation, a cunning guy like Aaron Mancini would not have chosen such a moment to commit such a bold act......

Suddenly noticing that someone seemed to be staring at him, he shuddered unconsciously, rolled over and sat up, staring out of the cage.

Not far away, a small figure appeared on the edge of darkness at some point, hazy and silent like a ghost.

"Uh...... Hello?" Ed greeted with some trepidation, "Excuse me...... Are you here to bring me dinner?"

-- Probably not.

He regretted the word "dinner" as soon as he said it, and it made him feel his hunger more and more intensely, and the unbearable pain instantly turned into a desire to open his teeth and claws, in his guts...... Roaring wildly in his head.

“...... I'm sorry. The little man took a few steps closer, his low voice full of regret. "I just ate the last bit of bread...... If I had known it would take me so long to get in, I should have brought some more dry food. ”

Ed looked at her in surprise. It was a petite girl with short brown hair. She had a delicate face and wore the skirt of the maid of the Mancini family...... It's just that the lower half has been cut off, from a beautiful long skirt to a neat short skirt, revealing two bare legs without care.

Ed stared blankly at the legs, his tongue, swollen with thirst, seemed to be knotted again, and he couldn't say a word.

He remembered that he had seen it in the courtyard of Mansini's house. The maid who was carefully wrapping the veil for the Heart of the Night's Rose—but those two hairy legs didn't look like a girl's legs!

"Hey...... Is this Mithril? It's Mithril!" The girl leaned closer, though her voice was a bit rough. But the delicate face, smooth skin, and the glow of the eyes made Ed unconsciously think of Tess.

"I always knew that fat man was rich, but I didn't know he was so rich!"

- Even the tone of their voices is somewhat similar.

“...... You'd better not touch it. Ed had to remind her. He's already touched it once...... That's really not a good idea.

The girl regretfully stepped back a little. Start circling around the cage.

"Who are you?" Ed finally asked. "Are you...... Friends of Alan and Scott?"

“...... Don't you remember me?" The girl glanced at him wryly, "I've known you since you were so young!"

"Uh...... How small?" asked Ed, vaguely guessing something.

"It's about that small. The "girl" gestured with her hands to the size of a baby, "You cry as loud as two Iss! No one but Leda and I want to hold you, have you forgotten?

“...... Nia?" Ed muttered, still in disbelief.

"That's right! it's the same Uncle Nia who was once urinated on by you!"

Nia shook her finger at him in satisfaction, then looked up at the top of the cage.

"Hell. He complained, "How can a cage be without a door! How did they get you in?"

Ed glared at him. I was speechless for a while.

“...... I've always wanted to see you. ”

He spoke softly as Nia crouched down to inspect the bottom of the cage.

That's the truth...... Although it seems a little out of place to say it now.

"I've always wanted to see you. Bub. Nia smiled at him, her eyes bright and gentle, "Don't worry, I'll get you out, and then we'll find a good place to eat, drink, and tell stories......"

"I'm afraid it's not that easy. Ed smiled wryly, "I guess this cage was originally intended for Scott. ”

“...... Damn it. Nia was silent for a moment, then cursed in a low voice, "I hate magic. ”

"You've got to warn Scott. Ed crouched down and told him earnestly, "Those people probably aren't aiming at me. ”

"He didn't need my warning...... He knew his situation. Nia shrugged helplessly, "Besides, 'warnings' are never useful to him, that guy is a ......"

"Stubborn donkey. Ed whispered, unable to hold back a smile on his lips.

Nia smiled sullenly, but there was no worry in her eyes.

"I'm guessing you're their target too, Ed. He said, "...... Shouldn't I have told you?"

Before Ed could reply, he suddenly raised a finger and looked behind him warily.

Ed involuntarily followed his gaze into the darkness, and in the blink of an eye, Nia's figure flickered like a phantom and disappeared without a sound.

The approaching footsteps were heavy and dragging - not Bloomer.

At least he knew the direction of the exit now...... But if you can't get out of this cage, it doesn't seem to be of much use......

The footsteps stopped, and Ed stared blankly at the familiar figure in front of him.

"Bye ......"

The name squeezed out of his tongue with difficulty...... And he wasn't sure if it was Byee Young.

The once paladin now looks almost undead. His face was pale and stiff, his black eyes dull without any light, and his gaze passed over his face indifferently, plunging into the darkness on the other side, as if there was something hidden there that interested him more.

Ed's heart was beating fast and heavy. If he really has become an undead...... He is likely to discover Niah.

"Bye!" he shouted, trying to get the other man's attention, but his anger and sympathy made his voice tremble slightly involuntarily - no matter what Bye had done, such an outcome was not what he wanted to see.

"Byee Young!" for a moment he almost couldn't help but slam the cage, "Look at me!"

Baie finally turned his head towards him, frowning slightly.

Ed let out a long breath, and felt the urge to jump up and cheer—he wasn't an undead.

(To be continued.) )