The sun leapt through the clouds, and Ston Butch ushered in another sunny summer morning. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the flowers are like fire, the birds are chirping, and the chaos and gore of last night are like a nightmare.

But that's not a dream...... Otherwise they wouldn't be here now.

Ed withdrew his gaze, turned his head to look at Filly, who was standing beside him with a gloomy face, and then at the closed door in front of him.

The door of the Pomegranate Hall. The carvings are exquisitely carved and richly decorated, and the gems set on them are as red as blood...... But it is not completely isolated from the sound of disputes that come out of it.

"You don't have to be here. Filly suddenly spoke, "I can tell those bastards you're injured and need to rest......"

"Like Scott?" Ed smiled wryly, "I'm the only one who knows what's going on in there." Even if you can get away with today'......"

The heavy door was slowly opened, and the mueinzzin's voice, full of breath, announced their names in a low voice.

"The knights of the great goddess of water, Philip Zeri, and the baron of Hinton, Ed Sewuk Singall. ”

Ed, who had just stepped out of his leg, stumbled awkwardly on his right foot and nearly fell.

The gods are above...... He didn't remember the title his father had paid for him, and no one had ever mentioned it—they probably racked their brains to dig up such a "proper" title for him.

On the throne, Moira smiled wearily at him.

"I'm sorry to have you here after all you've been through so badly, kid. Her voice was hoarse, but still gentle, "But we need someone to explain what happened last night." ”

It is not only the large hole in the ground that has sunk into the ground that "needs to be explained", but also the dozens of corpses that have been dug up from it. That included Tyliner Christus...... and several young people who were born into famous families.

Their deaths "need more explanation" than Aaron Mansini's collapsed mansion and underground vaults. And Ed suspects that the "truth" is probably not something that their angry and grieving family can accept.

The crowd around the red carpet was silent for a moment. Ed could feel every line of sight burning—angry, confused, gloating, or staring...... The last time he faced such a scene, it seemed that only Filly was standing beside him.

The paladin glanced sideways at him, stretched his long legs, and strode forward in his usual swaying, careless manner.

As they stood at the foot of the steps in front of the throne, the whispers were already ringing in impatience. Moira raised a hand, frowning slightly, the majesty of the king emanating from her body surprised Ed.

But when she leaned over him, Moira's expression was still familiar to him.

"Tell us, kid...... Tell me. She spoke softly, looking more like she was going to hug him with concern, "I assure you that no presumptuous charges will fall on you. ”

"If he's really innocent!"

The angry voice of the Earl of Congill rang out in the crowd. His nephew was one of the deceased - dressed in a red robe, with a bloody face.

"As I said, no 'false accusation' will fall on him. Moira straightened her back and raised her voice, "Did I say something wrong?"

Count Congier stiffly bowed in apology and closed his mouth tightly...... But his anger only burned more hotly in his heart.

Ed was a little uneasy. Moira was very clearly protective of him, and he was grateful for it, but the king's partiality only made things worse. Moreover, the real king, Frederick, and Moira's father and brother were not in Lockburg - they also took half of the guards with them, and if the situation changed......

How much "truth" is he really able to tell? .

When they returned to the Temple of Nesses, both Ed and Philip were unsettling, so silent that Nia, who jumped out to meet them, was uneasy.

“...... Is it that bad?" he asked, "should I set some traps at the gate in case the king's army breaks down suddenly?"

“...... It's not funny. "Don't you know how long Frederick wanted to do this?"

"Actually, it's pretty funny. Nia folded her arms and looked emotional, "If you think about it, what a strange way these messes are connected. ”

No one paid any attention to him, though he was not wrong at all. But thinking about it and trying to figure it out will only drive people crazy.

Ed shuffled to the shaded hallway and crouched down.

He felt exhausted, more tired than fighting a dragon - not that he had ever fought a dragon.

In order to give an "explanation" that would not set themselves on fire, and that would appease the nobles who were furious by the loss of their loved ones, he had to be vague in many places, and finally, it sounded like the young men...... Even Tylina Chrissus seemed to have been tempted by some mysterious and irresistible force - whatever mistakes they made, it was not their fault, after all, they were all controlled.

However, this is still not satisfactory. In fact, probably no one is satisfied. There is no glory in such a death, and there is no real murderer to hold accountable - since the dead cannot be resurrected, "glory" and "revenge" become the most important things. Ed could totally understand this, but he would never be stupid enough to make himself the one who had to bear the blame.

He argued without flinching, but the situation was very unfavorable to him...... Just like the last time. And the reason is that he is the only one who survived.

No one could prove everything he said, not even Fili saw it all, Sean and Nia couldn't have been in Pomegranate Hall, and when they stormed the chamber, only Ed and Baie were alive...... It would not be wise to involve Bye at this time, and Scott, who could hold everyone down with absolute power, was nowhere to be found - it was certainly not a long-term solution, but at least it could buy them a little time.

No, it's not that no one can prove it—Ed thought wryly.

If it is known that he secretly met with Bloomer Christus...... He couldn't imagine what the result would be.

"Did that guy say anything?" asked Fili.

Ed patted his face and cheered up. Yes, they still have a little hope -- in Aaron Mansini.

But can they really dig anything useful out of the mouth of "that Aaron Mansini"?

He was deeply skeptical of it.

(To be continued.) )