Ed smiled awkwardly. It is indeed easier for him to unconsciously reveal his true emotions in front of some people...... Niah said that a few months ago.

However, until now he was not sure whether this was good or bad. He knew that he had to change, and that blind naivety would only harm the people around him, but if he became suspicious and unpredictable, would he really be able to survive better?

He began to seriously consider whether it was necessary to continue to hide everything from Stobel. Scott's concealment may be out of his own pocket...... He had a choice.

As long as he can afford the results.

“...... I have a ...... Very long story. It started a long, long time ago. He began, "Maybe you'd like to hear it?"

.

“...... So," Iss asked angrily, "did you tell him everything like that?...... Sometimes I want to pry open your skull and see what's inside!"

Ed subconsciously hugged his head—but Is's hand was just raised by Naria.

"Don't do that. "Don't you know how strong you are?"

Isis glanced at her and withdrew his hand, a small anger inexplicably rising in his heart...... He wasn't angry, after all, it's normal for Ed to be stupid like this.

"Also...... And that's not all. Some instinct told Ed that he seemed more dangerous, but he still tried to tell, "I've thought about it. See, first of all, he may not believe it—and even if he does, so what? but there are two possibilities, first, he will try to protect the world in another way, like the high priest of Anduhe—I don't think there's anything wrong with having different opinions, who can guarantee that we will be right? Second, he is willing to take the risk to help us and solve the problem once and for all......"

"Thirdly, he has other plans in the first place - maybe he is the one who really wants to live forever, and fourthly, he can fish in troubled waters and give you a knife when he 'helps' you, and become the final victor. Is's tone grew colder, "And, do you really think that the purpose of that 'High Priest' is only to 'protect this world'?"

"If it's the third, all I'm telling him is what kind of 'god' Nesses is...... And why did Scott have to do what he is doing now? That didn't do much for what he wanted. Ed curled up vigilantly arguing, "If it's fourth...... If we succeed, what do you think the 'final victors' will get, and is it worth the risk......? He may be reluctant to lose his power, like some of the mages in the Archmage Tower, that ...... That's completely understandable!"

“...... Makes sense. Naria shrugged, "I also think it's stupid to hide everything." ”

She had always said that—Iss had thought it made sense, but at this moment, a small anger suddenly rushed uncontrollably.

He gritted his teeth to swallow back a word that he could never take back once he had spoken...... A word that is enough to tear something apart. But another, more immediate reaction was beyond his control.

Narya's body tensed as his eyes suddenly turned golden, and Ed, who had tried to shrink back, immediately stood in front of her. Isse knew that such a reaction was beyond reproach - he was dangerous, and he had even warned them of it himself.

But at this moment, those instinctive vigilance pierced into his heart like a sharp spear, and the pain was almost unbearable.

The anger receded in the fear and despair that swept over in an instant. Should he say something perfunctory...... But he couldn't say anything.

His eyes lowered palely, and he silently turned away.

Ed and Naria glanced at each other, equally worried and confused.

"Maybe ......," Ed began.

“...... Stop me!" Naria shouted, chasing after me menacingly.

Ed closed his mouth and swallowed the unspoken phrase "let him be alone for a while".

.

Isis didn't flap her wings and fly out of sight, as Narya feared. She told him to stop, and he obediently stopped, the drizzle falling on his golden hair, and little drops of water shimmering in the dim skylight.

Naria dragged him back down the hallway. He hung his head and did not resist. The inexplicable anger was gone, and he seemed to have changed back to the quiet and obedient teenager he had been a few years ago, and his figure, which was already much taller than her, was full of grievances and dazedness.

“...... What the hell are you angry about?" asked Naria, her tone so gentle that she didn't even complain.

Iss stared at her in a daze—he couldn't even tell.

"You...... Do you think that mage is completely untrustworthy?" Narya had to guess for herself, "What did he do to make you feel that way?"

It's not really about the mage...... Isis is at least sure of that.

"You hate Ed telling an outsider about Scott without asking you?" Naria continued her efforts.

...... It doesn't seem to have anything to do with Scott either.

"It's not because I'm not allowed you to pat him on the head, is it?" Naria sighed helplessly.

“...... You took it yourself. This time, Iss spoke sullenly.

“...... Is it really because of this?" Naria didn't know whether to laugh or not," said Is-Christus...... How old are you? I thought you didn't mean turning back into a kid when you said 'remembering a lot of things when you were a kid' - you weren't so awkward when you were younger. ”

“...... I'm younger than you. Isis was almost annoyed.

"Ed is younger than me, too. Naria finally burst out laughing, "Aren't you the same?"

Her smile was like the sun piercing the clouds, so bright that people couldn't take their eyes off it...... But it can also sting your eyes.

"Is it really the same?" asked Is, in a low voice.

He didn't know why he was asking, but when he said it, he understood where the anger was coming from.

A "of course" froze on the tip of his tongue before blurting it out. Naria blinked, suddenly flustered for no apparent reason.

Isis gently withdrew the arm that had been grabbed by her...... That's probably the warmth he's destined to lose.

More than a year ago, in Balach City, he had the same anger and the same indescribable panic as he watched Ed clumsily insert a red flower that bloomed on a winter day between Naria's black hair.

They will belong to each other - they will not belong to Him anymore. Her heart had already made a choice...... At a time when she didn't even realize it.