Tyliner stared at Ed for a long time, her eyes flickering.

“...... What spell?"

He finally couldn't help but ask.

"That. Ed pointed to his chest and pronounced the ancient words in a sonorous tone.

Perhaps thinking he was casting some spell, Tellina instinctively flinched back, and became angry at her own panic.

"Do you need me to remind you?" he raised his voice unconsciously, "No matter what kind of bloodline you inherit, it won't be of any use here?!"

Ed looked at him in surprise and smiled.

"So......" he said, "you don't really know what it is?"

He bet he didn't know. The strange symbols on the slate, he had studied them with Alan and Norway for so long, and the "unhappy priest" had probably studied them for even longer, and if he didn't even have a clue about them, he didn't believe that Tellina really knew it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so easily fooled by his casual—Ed didn't know what that meant, he just made it up to the tune of Is's occasional dragon language.

"So, of course you know?" Tellina maintained a semblance of calm, but his growing speed revealed a faint sense of anxiety and suspicion, "Please don't hesitate to advise." ”

“...... What do I get?" Ed cupped his chin with his right hand, "Honestly, it won't do me any good to tell you this. ”

"Let me think -- maybe...... The life of your pretty brunette lover?"

Losing patience, Tyliner completely abandoned his demeanor, and the undisguised threat made Ed's face change in an instant.

“...... Don't touch her!"

He roared and jumped to his feet, clenching his fists, but he also knew how powerless his anger was.

Telina sneered and spread her hands to him.

"It's all up to you. He said, "...... Although it may be the last. ”

Ed glared at him for a moment, his tight shoulders clumping.

“...... An elf named Ankelan created these symbols thousands of years ago. He replied in a low voice, with pent-up anger and reluctance in his stiff tone, "He was once called a 'blasphemer' because he denied the authority of the gods that the elves had believed in since their birth. His great power has given him a large following, but no one knows where that power comes from. When he was destroyed along with the city he had created, the symbols disappeared with them, until more than twenty years ago, when Alan and his companions stumbled upon a secret chamber buried deep beneath the former city of Ankeland...... Lydia Bell eventually became a true necromancer there. The symbols Anclan left behind were in fact a form of necromancy, and he was probably the first necromancer. The one you wear around your neck, which means 'dedication' or 'sacrifice', is usually used on the body of the sacrifice...... For example—"

He pointed to his forehead in a self-deprecating manner, "Here." ”

Telliner's quirky gaze swept over his forehead. Although I know that the most important part of myself is pure nonsense...... Or unverifiable speculation, Ed couldn't help but shudder in his heart.

He thought of the barbarians on the ice field who had been locked in caves by necromancers. The symbols on their foreheads are not the same...... He weaves the facts into lies, but suddenly throws himself into an inexplicable uneasiness.

“...... That's not what I've heard. Telina sneered, but his expression was nowhere near as confident as he had hoped to appear.

"Then it's up to you who you want to believe. Ed shrugged indifferently, "After all, for me, the result is no different...... You're not going to let me go anyway, are you?"

"Do you think I should trust you instead of the most knowledgeable scholar in the Archmage Tower?" Tyliner began to unconsciously spin around the cage, as if he were the one in the cage.

It's true that Tellina Bowell never does something that he is not sure of...... Ed knew that if Nia couldn't bring someone back in time to save him, this would probably be his only chance.

"I'll admit I'm not 'knowledgeable'. He looked at Tyliner calmly, even a little gloatingly, "But luckily, I have a friend, and he's a dragon—perhaps those knowledgeable scholars have told you that dragons can inherit the memories of all your ancestors." At most, we can scrape together a few real fragments from the broken stone tablet and the rotting parchment, but there are countless complete pictures hidden in his memory...... And he didn't have any need to deceive me. ”

Tyliner stopped abruptly, her pupils constricting slightly.

He's hesitating—he's skeptical. Even if Ed's lies aren't perfect.

Ed's heart beat uncontrollably faster as he thought about what else could make Tellina's suspicions deeper, deep enough to outweigh his greed, but a rush of footsteps interrupted his thoughts.

Bloomer Christos hurried over, glanced at Ed, and whispered a few words in Tellina's ear.

Tyliner's expression changed.

He looked at Ed, and confusion and uneasiness turned to anger and mockery.

"Your friend has found this place. He said, "Congratulations." ”

Ed was slightly stunned, mixed feelings. Of course he should be happy about it...... But he suspects it hastened his death as well.

Telina waved his hand at Bloomer, and the knight hesitated for a moment, but quickly left with a gloomy face.

"You succeeded in delaying a little - a commendable effort. Telliner's expression regained its composure, but there was a stronger murderous intent in her sharp eyes, "But I can tell you plainly, even Scott Criss...... Even your friends, the ice dragon, are standing outside the door, and before they can come in and save you, it's all over. And after that...... No one can stop me from doing anything anymore!"

"Who told you that?" said Ed, still briskly, trying to keep himself calm, "some god? You see, I'm somewhat experienced with this kind of thing, IMHO, 'God's revelation' or something...... That thing is really a bit unreliable. ”

"I don't believe in God. Tellina looked down at him coldly, "Even if Ante Boford is crazy, at least there is one thing he said correctly...... The gods are dead - and even if they don't, they've abandoned the world, and if you want something, you'd better count on yourself. ”

He turned around and waved violently, walking between the two men in red, his steps as determined as if he would not allow himself to hesitate any longer...... But people who really don't have the slightest doubt about what they're doing usually don't say so much.

It's not time to despair yet - that's all Ed can say to himself.

(To be continued.) )