For a while, Gard Carlos was keen to drill through the secret tunnels of Lockburg. In his words, the www.biquge.info is just to thoroughly unearth those "unseen secrets" and then completely seal them off and eliminate the troubles.

Scott made sure of that. It stands to reason that even if Guardian clearly knew the location of each secret passage, he even left a little "secret" for himself...... As an ordinary person, it is impossible for him to enter again.

Nalya was just a little confused. She hadn't seen Garter emerge from the wall with her own eyes, but the corner where he appeared was a dead end, and no one else was with him...... She couldn't think of what he was doing when he was alone there, thinking about life?

Edney was startled by his sudden appearance—and Guardian was probably taken aback. He said that he was catching rats...... Edney probably believed it, though for some reason she suddenly blushed.

Naria isn't that easy to fool.

It's easy to get a word out of Edney's mouth. Naria soon figured out that her blushing was not due to the fact that Gard, who could catch rats, was particularly charming, but because "Lord Paladin-sama caught rats here, too...... There are so many rats in Lockburg. ”

Naria was speechless at the naïve emotion.

She had already heard the anecdote of the Paladin's catching the mouse, and of course she knew what kind of bad luck Fili had caused herself to "catch the mouse".

"The family, including the lady, seemed to be more wrong than the other. Her Majesty the Queen Mother is really hard. ”

The girl came to a conclusion close to the truth based on her own observations alone.

Ed couldn't help but smile wryly. He believed that Gard had not been able to enter the secret passage, as the place was only an entrance and not an exit...... But he's probably trying to get in.

What did he know?...... Or did someone tell him something?

Naria lifted the curtains. The cool night breeze seems to have a hint of autumn, and the soft sound of horses' hooves stepping on the ground makes the surroundings seem more peaceful.

How long can this tranquility last?' Ed thought in a daze.

"Lord Singh...... What a coincidence. ”

A laughing voice came from outside the window.

Ed turned his head and saw the thin face of Nick Shipbel in the other carriage in the clear moonlight.

“...... yes, what a coincidence. Ed smiled.

"I've always wanted to talk to you...... I wonder if I can have this opportunity?" the mage didn't say any more nonsense.

"I can't ask for it. Ed replied, "I think tonight would be a good fit...... If you have the time. ”

Stobel was silent for a moment, his gray eyes unconsciously reminded Ed of the jewel set in Celebrian's cane, which was inconspicuous at first glance, but it hid a power that was hard to ignore.

"Of course. The mage spoke.

Both carriages stopped. Naria glared at Ed helplessly.

"Do you want to save the world tonight?" she grumbled softly.

"Don't hesitate, because you don't usually get the right moment. Ed shrugged at her, "Her Majesty told me tonight...... I think it makes sense. ”

He pushed the door open and jumped out of the carriage. Stobel has opened the door for him.

"Ed!"

Naria poked her head out of the window, "...... Come back early. ”

Then she smiled and nodded at the mage, and said nothing more.

Ed watched her carriage leave before getting into another carriage, the corners of his mouth curling up uncontrollably.

"Pretty girl. Stobel looked at him and teased casually, "Lucky young man." ”

Ed's smile unconsciously added a hint of bitterness - actually...... Not so lucky.

He sat down across from the mage, staring him straight at him.

“...... So," said the mage, "I don't think we need to talk about the weather and how each other look like today, as the nobles do?"

Ed smiled.

"Of course," he said, "...... I think I should start by thanking you. Without your help, we probably won't be able to save the boy from the Boford family. ”

"I'm glad I can help with that. The mage smirked, "and I'm glad to have finally caught the famous Lydia Bell...... Although I haven't seen her since, I'm sure she's under very tight 'control'. ”

Ed grinned awkwardly.

"But you and I both know that she is not to blame. Stobel continued calmly, "Sorry, your uncle...... Mistress Christus seems to have a little little little trust in me. ”

"He has ...... Lots of concerns. Ed said.

"Understandable. The mage nodded, "But I hope you understand that I'm not here to make a bunch of aristocratic friends who are willing to spend countless gold coins on the legendary Secret Art of Rejuvenation Beauty." The crisis is far from over, and I can't afford to sit idly by. I'm not going to lie to you that I don't have any other purpose - we all have our own purpose. But most of all, I hope at least in my lifetime...... In the lifetime of my children, the world will continue to exist as it is today, even if it is changing and dangerous, at least it will survive...... At least be able to pursue something other than 'live'. I don't force your trust, or Mistress Christus, but if there's anything we can 'help' each other...... You know where to find me. ”

That's not an over-the-top request.

Ed knew they had to be careful now...... But there really isn't a need to look at everyone with suspicion.

“...... In fact. He looked up and smiled sincerely, "I just have some questions for you." ”

When Ed returned to his room, the floor was covered with paper just as he had left.

It looks like a mess...... He knows the location and content of each of them inside out.

He quickly picked out the useful ones and piled them on the bed, his mind spinning rapidly.

Nick Stormel was a veritable archmage - he should have consulted him sooner rather than just here trying to break his head.

“...... Surprising. ”

It was only when Narya opened her mouth that he realized that the girl had appeared by the door at some point.

"What?" he said, blankly.

"I thought you'd leave this stall and run to something else. Naria said.

"Why?" Ed was still at a loss.

"Because you do that a lot. Naria teased, "Pick this up like a monkey and drop that...... You've always been a monkey, though. ”

“...... Not like that!" Ed retorted with a smile, "Look, Mistress Stobel gave me a suggestion—a very useful suggestion, and I think I'm close to it!"

“...... Do you believe him?"

"In this matter, yes. Ed replied, reaching out to his head and sticking out his ears, "I can at least tell the ...... I'm really not a monkey!"

Narya rolled her eyes at him, "...... Monkey ears do not grow on the top of the head. ”

She walked over and handed him a cup of tea, and for a long time, just stood quietly watching him mumble and draw.

“...... Hopefully Isis will be able to come back soon. Ed looked up and rubbed his eyes, "I may need his help." ”

"yes......" Naria said with some abruptness, "Honestly, I even wish Scott would be back soon...... I still can't like him, even though he's been proving that he's not that reliable, but when you know he's there...... It's always a lot more reassuring for some reason. ”

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