At dawn, the sun pierced the sky as usual.

From the day of the calamity to Stunbuch, there have been no anomalous celestial or other signs to prove that it was the wrath of the gods, punishment, warning, or any other. The sun rises every day, the flowers are still in full bloom in May, and the weather is always too good to fault with it...... This indifference makes the hellish people extremely angry.

Nearly every temple has been attacked to varying degrees, with the exception of the Temple of Water, which was "borrowed" by the priests of Nesses. From midnight onwards, more people gathered in the square in front of the temple. The dying have long been unable to wail, and the living have understood that crying and cursing are just a waste of the little physical strength left, and they will be kicked mercilessly to the end in vain, waiting quietly for the priest to judge who needs the most urgent treatment is the most labor-saving method...... And the only option.

When there was a sudden commotion at the entrance of the temple, most of the people who were still sane and could still move couldn't help but look up.

Three priests appeared outside the door at the same time. Their white robes, half-new, and tired, did not spread out as usual, and each of them visited the patients waiting outside the door, but stood silently aside.

Behind them, the figure of a woman was revealed. She stood up straight, looked at the people in the square with a pale face, like a frightened child, and did not say a word for a long time.

Someone recognized the woman with black hair hanging down her waist. A low whisper rang out, spreading as quickly as the wind.

"That's the Queen......"

"Moira...... That 'lucky little woman'......"

"Didn't she run away?"

"Why is she here?......"

"Where's the King?......"

Moira finally spoke, trembling with every word she squeezed out. It was almost inaudible, and it could not suppress the growing noise of people in the midst of curiosity and anger.

Before being flooded by the tide, the queen's voice suddenly became louder.

"I'm Moira Bofford. Queen of Rutgar!"

There was a certain desperate, almost ferocious momentum in the raised voice, which made the crowd quiet for a moment. That short time was enough for Moira to finish her few words.

"I'm sorry to leave Stonebutch, but I didn't abandon you...... Our prayers have been answered, and the Holy One of Nesses comes with me, and he will heal all...... Just as he did the miracle in Damaran!"

She leaned slightly and bowed to the other man who was standing a step away from her.

"The gods are above. May her mercy be like water to nourish all things......"

The familiar prayer was abruptly interrupted - the panicked queen probably forgot that it was a prayer to the god of water, and that although they were standing outside the temple of the god of water, they were not asking for the protection of the god of water.

But not many people noticed this embarrassing mistake. All eyes fell on the blonde hair. Dressed in half-worn leather armor, he looked more like a warrior than a man of the Sage.

The man hurriedly nodded to Moira in return, saying nothing. Just walk down the stairs on your own. Passing through the crowd, I stood in front of the fountain in the middle of the square, which was still babbling.

“...... I know you!" A weak voice rang out in the crowd, angry and confused, and if it weren't for the silence around him, probably no one would have heard him, "You're Scott...... You've been missing for years, but I know you...... You are the paladin of the god of water...... It's not the Sage of Nessher!"

Scott glanced back at him.

He didn't recognize the face that was beginning to fester, but he had no intention of denying his accusations.

"I'm Scott Christus. He responded calmly. "Ten years ago I was a paladin of the water god Nio, and I am still proud of it. I died. And then come back. May the Goddess forgive...... But I have a new mission. ”

He reached into the fountain. Under the sun, the clear water glows with a golden glow. Under the gaze of the people, the light flickered, becoming more and more intense, gradually brighter and more dazzling than the rising sun.

All of Stonebuch's fountains are connected. Soon, two smaller fountains outside the square were also lit up with golden streamers.

"This is the City of Ten Thousand Springs...... Thank you for the gift of the earth. Scott withdrew his hand, "The water of any fountain will heal you." ”

After a brief hesitation, the crowd began to pour into the fountain.

Scott turned to leave, and no one dared to stand in his way.

In the separated crowd, he walked lonely against the current—for no apparent reason, but he had seen so many upheavals and miracles, death and rebirth, and the scene of old age was still so vivid in Moira's memory.

Scott walked fast, and Moira had to lift her dress and trot all the way to keep up with him.

Fortunately, there was no one in the temple anymore...... No one cares about her misdemeanor.

It took a while for Scott to react, suddenly stopped, and smiled apologetically at her.

"Am I saying the wrong thing?" Moira asked in a panic, "I used the prayer of the god of water...... Oh my God, I didn't mean to! It's just that I know this one the best, and as soon as I open my mouth, it slips out on its own......"

"That's nothing. Scott casually reassured, "No one will care." ”

“...... So, aren't you angry about this?" Moira glanced at him quickly, then looked apprehensively to the ground.

She's not particularly sensitive, but Scott is very upset right now...... Or that the mood is bad, she can still see this.

They had just saved so many people, and she couldn't think of any other reason for Scott to be in a bad mood...... Perhaps, it was because she mentioned the king?

“...... I'm not angry. Scott's expression looked like a wry smile.

"I didn't mean to bring up Ante, either. Moira explained in a hurry, not paying attention to what he said, "but he is the king after all, and Lord Ayil has said that Stonebutch needs its king......"

Her voice grew lower.

"I'm not angry. Scott repeated. Slightly impatient, "Not because you used the wrong prayer, and not because you mentioned Ante. ”

Moira hung her head. Don't dare to speak anymore.

They walked one after the other for a long time. Scott slowed down so she could keep up, but there was an awkward silence between them.

“...... Can you forgive him?" said Moira, plucking up her courage.

"No, you can't. Scott replied dryly.

“...... You're still ...... Do you want to kill him?" Moira asked timidly.

“...... Don't want to. This time Scott finally turned around and looked at her calmly and helplessly, "I can't forgive him, but I don't want revenge either—he doesn't matter, Moira." It doesn't matter anymore. You'd better go and rest for a while...... It's far from over. ”

He nodded to her and walked away quickly, as if trying to escape her pester.

Moira looked at his back. Stunned - no one seemed to take Ante Bofford in mind anymore. But he's still very important to her.......

Scott didn't enjoy much of the quiet.

He had only thrown himself into some secluded corner for a few moments before Kopas appeared in front of him.

"It's a very effective approach...... Thankfully, there are plenty of fountains in town. Copast's words sounded like compliments, but Scott knew it wasn't like that at all.

"But you're not satisfied. He coldly exposed him.

Copas hesitated for a moment. Nodding frankly: "If you are willing to consult with me beforehand...... Or even tell me. Maybe we can have a more ...... Impressive way. ”

"Like riding an ice dragon and bringing a rain of fire?" Scott sneered, "like the May Festival at the Collins Temple?"

"Not really. Copas was so calm that he didn't even hear his sarcasm, "But I did think you would...... Show up with your brother. That's a good thing for him, too, isn't it? There will be more people who don't fear him so much...... Just like you once wished. ”

Scott looked at him silently for a few moments before looking away.

"Nope. He said, "He's a dragon...... He doesn't need to, and shouldn't be, involved in these things. ”

"With all due respect. Sage, your identity is no longer a secret. The same goes for his...... It was impossible for him to stay out of it. Copas whispered.

Scott stared at him gloomily until he bowed to him and then calmly left.

He knew that Copas was right...... Of the countless things that upset him, this was probably the one he had the most helplessness.

To make matters worse, he didn't know how much time he had left.

He unconsciously touched his left wrist. Beneath the sleeves, there is a dark trail hidden. This is not the first time it has appeared, but this time, it has not disappeared for a long time. He had uneasily felt like scales, but he realized it when it cleared up and began to hurt......

That's a burn mark.

It turns out that God loses patience too.

Lydia took a greasy, smelly cloth bag and handed out a small bag of gold coins with a smile.

Sometimes she enjoys such simple transactions, which reminds her of the days when she was a simple adventurer - yes, she misses the old days, the companions she trusted and relied on...... It's like nostalgia for a good dream, not real, but at least good enough.

There are only two things in the bag. A small silver flask, a small crystal bottle...... The water in the bottle still glows golden.

The latter is easy to obtain, and only needs to be held at the right time and in the right person's hand a bottle that has applied magic and is able to condense the magic...... She just couldn't believe that Scott would squander his powers so stupidly, and after he had already squandered it once.

As for the former......

She lifted the lid of the flask, the smell of the residual liquid raising her slender eyebrows.

"Scott, Scott......" she said to herself lazily, "you haven't changed at all. ”

Ultimately...... None of them have changed.

(To be continued......)