...... Why does he have to be the leader, or why does he have to be the leader? Why can't he just point out some possible direction and leave the power of choice to someone else who has the ability to make a decision?

The thought that popped up in his head, even he couldn't tell whether it was to escape or introspect.

There was a long silence in the room. The clergy remained silent, and none of them spoke easily, at most whispering to each other about things that would not matter even if they were heard. Ed hesitated, restless and uneasy. He looked around, and there was no one other than Iss whom he could certainly support him—not even Iss, who might not really agree, but in this case, his friends would be on his side anyway.

Balk never appeared. The messenger he sent followed quietly, making up his mind to be a bystander. The only ones Ed knew with, or could barely trust, were Mondstadt and York, and at this moment, the mage did not know what was in mind, frowning and immersed in his own thoughts, while York Tracy, the young priest, was talking to another priest outside the door, and although his voice was lowered, he could hear the intensity of his tone.

It was not a discussion, but a dispute.

"Rano Boense. Realizing his confusion, Mondstadt explained to him in a low voice, "I heard that this guy was supposed to be the successor of the High Priest, but the ceremony was delayed. Everyone knows the reason for it," he waved his hand, "but in fact...... He's more of a politician than a clergyman, and your young pastor friend is more popular than he is. They almost started a fight before that...... It is said that Bornser took a step back, and now the Temple of Dawn is co-chaired by a few 'respectable' old fellows, similar to the Elven Council of Elders, but in reality, their real battle has not yet come to fruition. ”

His tone was not gloating, but it was clear that he was just treating it as a lively affair that didn't look at it in vain.

Ed suddenly remembered that York had told him that Aurora Lee, the high priestess of the goddess of dawn, was dead before he made the prophecy that "the dawn will pass and the night will come."

He didn't have time to confirm the matter at the time - he suspected that the clergy of the Temple of Dawn would probably not welcome his "confirmation" either. But York's respect for the old man was unquestionable...... He will not give up on finding out the truth.

But it doesn't have to be at such a time to settle their internal disputes in front of the clergy of other temples, right?

He froze in confusion until Isis poked him in the shoulder and pointed back with a bored face.

Ed looked back blankly, and the paladin standing behind him squeezed out a smile of embarrassment and nervousness.

He recognized her and even remembered her name.

“...... Aria?" he asked, "Is there anything wrong?"

The paladin shrunk his shoulders, his delicate face stiffened to the point of muscles, struggled for a while, and finally asked, "Can I ...... Could I tell you one thing?"

Completely inconsistent with her identity and her tall stature, the voice trembled, very low and thin, like a child at a loss, with a faint pleading.

Ed remembers the first time they met, she aggressively pressed him about York's whereabouts. This paladin may be a little simple, but he is not cowardly...... What is she afraid of?

“...... Of course. He replied.

.

Aria led him around the temple with him, seemingly aimless, and one almost wondered if she had ulterior motives. Ed looked at her face in a cold sweat as she looked around in a hurry when she occasionally stopped, and felt sympathy.

"Here it is. He whispered, "No one will hear it." ”

In fact, even if she could find a place where no one could see or hear, the mere fact that she called him out like this would be enough to arouse suspicion...... But this flustered paladin obviously couldn't think of so much.

She stopped. Now they were standing in the small courtyard, with no shelter around them, and the moonlight shone on her armor, which was as smooth as new, and everyone who passed around could see it at a glance.

Ed waved his hand, as if it was just a gesture of comfort, but the silent noise in the paladin's ears suddenly fell silent, and the growing fear and even despair of the night slowly receded like a tide at this moment.

She stood for a long time, her lips squirming, not knowing how to begin, and finally, she leaned over and picked up a dead leaf on the ground, and without pronouncing a spell or drawing any symbols, the dry leaf was in front of Ed's eyes, a strange, metallic sheen, but still half yellow, half green.

Ed's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but reach out and touch it, and knock it again—slightly cool, smooth, hard.

It's real metal, though it's hard to tell which one it is, like a carefully cast work of art in the moonlight...... No, this natural creation is more exquisite than the carving of any skilled craftsman.

"You ......," he looked up, "how?"

There was only surprise and even excitement in his eyes, but there was no trace of repulsion and vigilance.

The paladin's tense heartstrings loosened slightly, and he couldn't breathe normally until this moment.

"When I was very young...... That's it. Her voice was still low, as if she had made some unforgivable mistake, "I just don't know how...... But I know now that I can do it if I want to. ”

“...... Is this just starting tonight?" Ed guessed.

The paladin nodded. She was actually a little taller than Ed, and now she looked very small with her head down and her back hunched.

"When the moon rises," she said, "I tidy up the flower beds in the yard......"

“...... Why do you need to do this?" Ed frowned subconsciously.

"Uh," Aria froze, "because I like it?"

Ed blushed, knowing that he had probably misunderstood something. Women in the clergy are generally not discriminated against because they tend to be stronger than men. There are even fewer girls who can become paladins, and being able to wear this armor is enough to prove that Aria is exceptional. She spends most of the night tending to the flower beds, probably just because she likes it — just because she has a sword doesn't mean she doesn't like to hold flowers.

It was his self-righteous interruption that seemed more like an offense and contempt.

"I'm sorry," he cleared his throat, "So, what's going on?...... Do you feel some kind of power?"

"I picked an evening primrose, and it did...... I feel very happy. "When the moon rises, I thought it would be nice if it would never bloom, for winter is coming, and the flowers will be gone......," replied the paladin.

Her wish came true - the flower turned metal in her hands.