Gilbert is worthy of being the prime minister of three dynasties. Despite the rush of time, he prepared everything properly, and even made Ed a decent, new white robe, made of the finest soft and thick wool, and embroidered the emblem of the goddess of water with blue silk thread on his chest.

It's a pity that the pastor in the white robe has a haggard face and blank eyes, but more like a sick ghost who needs to be saved by a priest.

"Ed, you need to brace yourself. ”

Naria sighed as she straightened Ed's hair, completely unaware that such an act was a bit too intimate.

"I know it's hard...... But perhaps, as the elves say, at this time, we can only trust Ni'o. And you represent her, Ed, and if even you are so listless, how can a miracle befall you?"

She tied Ed's hair neatly behind her head with a blue ribbon, and Ed gave her a sad smile, more ugly than crying.

He struggled to fall asleep all night - he was always in his dreams, and he could only see the little girl with white hair and blue eyes when he lost consciousness.

But he was awake all night and almost went insane.

The crystal ball had been held in the palm of his hand until it was almost hot. He couldn't be sure if a miracle could actually happen.

Maybe he should have hung it around Borena's neck...... But he didn't know if he had this opportunity. And what about Behring?

He couldn't do it...... He couldn't watch anyone die in front of him. But they can't escape. I could only hold on to that faint hope and barely hold on.

As he walked out of the room, he heard Eren repeatedly admonishing Is, "No matter what happens. You can't be transformed! A dragon being there will only make things worse. You can't use any spells either, there will be other priests and even mages in the court besides Ed, if they find out......"

Iss listened absentmindedly and glanced at Ed. Alan also stopped his nagging almost immediately and looked over.

Norway came over and patted him on the shoulder, but stopped talking.

He's worried about him -- they're all worried about him. Even Tess didn't tease him in any way, or make any jokes that weren't serious.

Be aware of this. Ed squeezed out a smirk.

"There's always a way!" he said, "and I've always had good luck." ”

The words seemed to really give him a little bit of confidence.

Tess actually sighed. Jumped over and gave him a hug: "My luck will be given to you too...... Not much, though. Today only!"

Then everyone came and hugged him, as if he was the one who was going to fight with his sword and fight to the death.

"You can close your eyes...... Pray, if you think that will work. Isis said. The tone was still awkward, as if the word "prayer" would tickle him.

But Ed knew that he just meant "if you don't want to see something horrible, don't see it."

His nose was sour, and he suddenly seemed to have a little more confidence.

Everything will be fine.

As he sat in the carriage and headed for his destination, Ed told himself over and over again.

Everything will be fine.

And also...... No, he won't close his eyes. Even when he prayed, he would look at everything in front of him, as if a god would see everything through his eyes. Give the fairest trial.

Even if you die, you have to die a good death.

So Borena decided.

He felt that no one could blame him for his lack of faith. He didn't believe in any gods, including Nyor, just like his father. He didn't think he could beat Behring Greon with his swordsmanship alone. The young knight was muscular, quick-moving, and evidently diligent in his practice—the wound he had left on his head still ached. And the only occasion in recent years when Borena needs to draw his sword has been on the stage he has set up in a moment of boredom at the mouth of the Kuz River, playing some kind of funny villain or hapless knight......

And now, he just wants to play a ...... who calmly goes to death. Murderer.

His only regret is that he never had the opportunity to play his father again. But Kriches was a strong woman. She'll live and live well. Ethan Croeffler will do everything he can to ensure this.

He thought Ethan would at least come and see him off. But it was the brothers Gunner and Falbo who brought him armor and swords.

The two young men didn't seem to be able to comprehend what had happened recently. They seemed dazed, worried, indignant, and yet overwhelmed.

Borena picked up his sword and swung it, trying to get some sense back, and casually asked, "Where did Ethan go?"

"He said he 'had something more important than watching people die.'" Gunner said with some indignation, "Who knows where he went!"

"I think he's trying to save you. Falbo was much more optimistic than his brother, "Lord Ethan is very powerful, he will definitely have a way." Besides, Lord Borena is also very powerful...... You can win, don't you?"

The boy looked at him expectantly, his eyes almost shining.

Borena nodded against his will, pulling out a little confident smile.

"I think he told you 'don't mess around'?" he asked, uneasy.

"Well......," Gunner admitted unhappily, "he said that if we mess around, we're going to make you die faster." ”

- But if he did die at the hands of Behring...... Who is going to stop these two guys from trying their best to find Behring?

Borena involuntarily reached for the wound on his head, realizing that Ethan had probably deliberately sent him these two troubles.

Even for them, he had to fight to the death with all his might.

Falbo lifted the chain mail and put it on him, then the cuirass and half of the shoulder armor, looked left and right, gestured at Borenna, tilted his head a little embarrassed, and seemed to be unsure of how to put it on him.

"That's not necessary. Borena said, putting on his bracers.

Behring would probably wear a full body of armor as usual, and Borena knew very well how heavy that body could be, and he was definitely not used to that kind of weight now, and maybe it would give him a slight advantage in speed. Behring doesn't look like a guy who would be underestimated by pride, but he is likely to pass up certain opportunities because of a sense of pride......

――Is he really thinking about how to win?

Life is so hard that I am not even allowed to give up.

Borena Dejuri sighed helplessly and cheered up.

Behring Greion habitually lifted a long teardrop-shaped shield, shook it, and then put it back in its place for a smaller, lighter round shield.

He figured that he might not even need a shield, but since Queen Kazia had provided him with all the equipment in such a room, it would be better for him to use them all.

There was a sound of footsteps at the door, and someone whispered, "Behring......"

The young knight turned and saw Celsio standing alone in the doorway, his pale face full of unease and guilt.

“...... What about your guards, Your Highness, how can they let you run around alone?" Behring strode to the door, trying to call for someone to protect Sercio, but was gently held back by the little blonde prince.

Behring...... Am I doing something wrong?"

Celcio asked softly.

"Am I ...... Tell everyone that I saw Borena kill my father...... as my mother said," his voice grew lower.

“...... Why do you think that? Did anyone tell you anything?" Behring frowned slightly.

Sercio shook his head.

"Nobody said anything to me. My mother wouldn't say a word to me...... But if I say that, at least you don't have to be here, you don't have to compete with Borena in front of God. Everyone says you're going to win, and I hope to win...... But I know that Borena is probably innocent, and you said that a knight cannot kill an innocent person! You said that a knight's honor is not to be tarnished...... And I don't want Borena to die either, he's my brother, and my father wouldn't want that......"

He gradually became a little incoherent, trying to control it and not let the tears flow.

But Behring already understood what he was trying to say.

"You didn't do anything wrong. He replied firmly, "You are brave......"

More courageous than me.

"You're just telling the truth, and no one can blame you for that. I'm here because it's my duty - as a knight I must obey orders, and as your captain of guard I must protect you...... Not to be harmed by any possible harm. The gods are above, Sercio...... If Borena is indeed innocent, my sword will not hurt him in the slightest. If I die because of this, it will not be detrimental to my honor. ”

“...... So you're not going to kill him?" Celsio looked at him with some confusion, "but I've heard that the gods will compete until the death is ......"

"I will fight as hard as I can, Your Highness. Behring calmly replied, "It's not up to me to decide whether he lives or dies." ”

He believed it -- he had to believe it.

Ed thought that the so-called "jousting before the gods" had to be in a more sacred place, but as the noise outside the carriage grew louder, he involuntarily stuck his head out, only to find that they were entering an ancient Colosseum.

He had been here when he and Narya were "asking for news". It is also a remnant of the city's magnificent architecture hundreds of years ago, when people kept slaves to slash each other or fight wild beasts, and are now only occasionally used for celebrations and games.

It shouldn't be that way.

Ed felt his heart panic. Not only did it remind him of the pointless, bloody battles fought purely for fun, but also because of the expressions on people's faces.

He could see the smiles on people's faces. Most people come in high spirits, as if they are ready to enjoy a good show, rather than two innocent people fighting to the death.

They may not care who lives or dies, or what God's judgment is......

So what's the point of all this? .

(To be continued)