The atmosphere suddenly became awkward. Even Mancini kept his mouth shut, his expression a little subtle. It took Ed hard to resist the urge to laugh, and Filly was suspiciously silent for a few moments.

“...... His name was Jason, and he was only fourteen years old. Mancini perked up and spoke again with sorrow, "His hair is like mine, and his eyes are as blue as his mother's. I know I don't have the authority to make any requests, but if you find him......"

"He'll be safer than you. Filly managed to revert his tone back to being tough enough, "If he's still alive...... If he had ever 'lived'. ”

Mancini sighed, hung his head, and put his frustration, guilt, and sincerity in place: "I understand, I understand...... You have enough reason not to believe any of my words, but Lord Xiu'an can prove that I am not lying......"

Fili frowned.

The old pastor did say so. "Nia spreads her hands," he told Sean 'he wasn't lying'...... At least that's what his spells tell him. ”

“...... And we all know how 'reliable' such spells are. Fili couldn't help but sneer, as if he didn't realize that this was a bit rude to Brooke Xiu'an.

But Ed couldn't deny his skepticism—he knew better than anyone how easily misled such a spell could be.

Mancini shrugged, looking aggrieved and helpless.

"I've told you all I know. He said, "I said it over and over again." If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do...... But I hope to have at least a public trial. I'm willing to admit my crimes, but please don't let me ...... Don't let me die silently where no one knows......"

He clutched his belly pitifully, his voice getting quieter and quieter, as if he had a real fear of it.

Ed was stunned, feeling a little uncomfortable.

He knew that this was probably just one of Mansini's methods...... But it's not like nothing like this has ever happened. At least in the Temple of Water, not every "guilty person" died under conclusive evidence. The great power, the exalted position, the deliberate connivance of the king, the arrogance and arrogance born of the firm faith, made them accustomed to it, and in fact...... In fact, they don't even have the power to hold Aaron Mancini here.

"To be born in the world is to follow the laws of the world. The gods guide our souls, but it is the will of kings who rule the earth. ”

This was the law that the clergy and the rulers of all races tacitly accepted after a long and complicated battle. Sean and his followers have been punished for unknowingly destroying it...... Scott, however, seems to be repeating the mistakes of the past.

Moira did not raise any objections, but in the Pomegranate Hall, there were already questions as to why Count Ferdinand, who should know the truth best, was not in the dungeons of Lockburg.

Ed pondered, looking closer to Aaron Mancini's round eyes.

He didn't run away - he should have known that the first thing Scott would look for was him. He knew he was going to end up in the situation he was in, and Scott wouldn't let him go, whether Tyliner's ritual was successful or not, whether Ed was dead or alive......

Aaron Mancini never allowed himself to be at a loss of return.

"We've got to hand him over. ”

Ed said, "Since we can't dig up anything from him, maybe the Inquisitor at Rockburg can ......"

“...... Are you kidding?" Fili glared at him, "That's exactly what he wanted!" Inquisitor **** Dyer, one of Mansini's countless 'friends'...... Or maybe he had some handle in Mansini's hand. In any case, it is certain that **** Dyer will only make Mancini's 'innocent' and 'forced' more angry, and there is no proof that Telina is dead...... The whole thing is going to go down, and in the end it's probably you, you're the one who bears all the charges -- don't you get bored......?

He stopped abruptly, closed his lips tightly, and seemed to realize that he was speaking too heavily.

“...... We've got to hand him over. ”

Ed repeated firmly, "Keeping him here doesn't do us any good, it will make more people suspect that we have ulterior motives, and the situation will become more and more unfavorable for us." In particular, now Scott doesn't know where he went......"

“...... He's right. ”

Niya, who had remained silent, spoke, "If the old priest hadn't told Mancinia that he wasn't dead, Tylina had been stoned into mud...... I may have a few tricks up his sleeve to trick the slippery Earl, but ...... Are priests like that they don't even know how to lie? Sometimes I really miss Kellebrien, the half-elf who fooled people without blinking an eye. ”

Ed's right arm shuddered, and his fingers clenched involuntarily - he didn't have a half-elf cane, it was too conspicuous. He didn't want to make himself look like a threat, and a staff clearly didn't help with that.

Fili didn't refute again, but his expression was a little weird. He frantically reached for the back of his neck—it seemed to have become a knee-jerk movement.

“...... Actually, there is another way. Nia hesitated, her voice lowering unconsciously, "I still have some means...... Maybe it will allow him to tell the real 'truth'. ”

“...... Why doesn't that sound like a good thing?" asked Fili, confused.

"Because that's really not a good thing. Nia's smile had never been so heavy, "You know, those guys in hell are very good at getting people to 'tell the truth'...... I've learned a little bit as well...... That certainly can't be a pleasant approach......"

"Then don't do it. Filly interrupted him decisively, "Damn...... We'll hand him over, though I doubt Sean would agree. ”

"This is not his temple. Ed replied softly.

Filly shook his head, annoyed and unwilling, but there was nothing he could do.

"I'll go to Lockburg first to get them ready. He spoke in frustration and strode away.

“...... Thanks a lot. ”

Ed sincerely thanked Niya. He hadn't expected to be able to convince Fili so easily.

"It's a small thing. Nia grinned, her heavy expression gone—but it wasn't fake.

"But I have to say," he scratched his head, "you're worrying too much, little one, you're all ...... It's hard to win. ”

“...... But I don't want to be careless. Ed replied in a low voice, "I don't want to win either." ”

He knew he wasn't explaining it - he wasn't even thinking it through, he just blurted it out naturally...... Nia seemed to understand in an instant.

"In that case...... Maybe there's still a play. He laughed, tossed his dagger high and caught it, "Where did you hide that young man who looks like Scott?".

(To be continued.) )