River Singal has lost weight and darkened, but he doesn't look haggard. The pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info a little bit of his youthful heroism under the disappearing fat, although the hair has grayed and the expression is a little unnatural, standing there still has a charming demeanor, and naturally makes people feel kind.

“...... Father. ”

Ed opened his mouth and let out a soft cry, suddenly feeling speechless.

He rarely thought of River. Perhaps because they have spent so little time with their father since they were young, they have only a handful of disputes between them, but they are really not close. He loved him—they were father and son, after all, but when he learned from the housekeeper Monson that River had left Christesburg to stay with Neo guarding his huge ship under construction, planning his next voyage, Ed never thought of visiting him or asking him for any help.

River is a businessman by nature, and doing business has become almost a hobby for him, not just to make money. It would have been nice if he could shake off the grief of losing Vala and pick himself back together...... Ed didn't want him to get involved in the inexplicable troubles he was facing.

But for River, he didn't even know the news when his son was in danger, which made him feel guilty.

"I was ...... in the Isle of Lunne"

After a moment of relative silence, River spoke with some exasperation, "When I returned to Neo two days ago, I heard that you were almost sacrificed to something...... Is this country as crazy as its king?"

Ed could hear that this was actually an apology, but he was inexplicably upset by the last sentence.

"Ante is dead. "Frederick would be a good king," he said, "Friedwick." ”

River gave him a deep look and smiled a little coldly.

Scott said something similar. He said, "'Ante Bofford would be a good king.'" ”

The mockery was so obvious. Ed was stunned for a moment, vaguely uneasy in his irritability, but he didn't have the patience to think about it.

His mind was chaotic, he just wanted to find a dark and quiet place, huddle himself in a ball, and try to melt the ice in his heart.

He really needs a little alone time.

"What the hell are you trying to say?" he asked impatiently.

“...... So you're going to do that?" River stared straight at him, his knuckles pale, his gaze darker than ever, "Your mother is dead—she's dead in no apparent detail, and your reputation is ...... The whole family is tarnished, and yet you are going to fall down before the son of that madman, and even pray to the god who will not answer you that his rule is as firm as the stone walls of Ston Butch?"

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was a heavy blow to Ed's heart.

He would forever blame himself for Valla's death...... Because he understands this, no one has ever accused him in person like this. And when such accusations come from his father, it is even more unbearable for him.

The sharp pain that caught him off guard in the hurry, mixed with shame and fear, instantly burned into anger.

He stood up suddenly, almost unsteady, his eyes blood-red, and waved his hand without thinking before he could react.

The invisible force rushed to the opposite side. There was a loud bang, and the Riverians were knocked out with their chairs and smashed against the wall.

“...... Ed!"

Naria's exclamations rang out, "What are you doing?!"

She threw away the clay pot full of beer in her hand and rushed over to pick up Reeve. The man shook his head at her and stood up on his own.

His face was ugly, but he was not hurt.

Ed looked like the more injured one. He sat down, unable to support his body, and his whole body trembled with fear as the anger subsided.

What the hell was he doing? Did he still kill his own mother, and he almost killed his own father by mistake?

River stood silent for a moment, walked up to him, and hesitantly reached out and hugged his head.

"It's my fault. His slightly trembling voice was filled with frustration and self-reproach, "I shouldn't have said that...... I don't blame you, Ed, no one will blame you. It was I who was supposed to protect Vala...... I was supposed to protect you. ”

Ed couldn't respond a word. He stiffened, and after a long time he gradually relaxed, and pressed his forehead against his father's waist.

He cried without a sound, as if he was just twitching silently. Naria stood on tiptoe, turned and quietly left.

River awkwardly patted his son on the shoulder. They hadn't been so close in years...... Perhaps never been so close.

Ed's tears soon soaked through the thin fabric, hot and cold against his skin. River stood quietly up straight, and only spoke softly until his son regained his composure.

"I came to say goodbye to you. He said, "I have no right to reproach you, when I myself just want to escape." I guess that's what makes me angrier...... But what can I do even if I stay here?"

Ed couldn't answer.

Rem Flender is dead, and Ante is dead...... Their hatred has nowhere to vent. If there is nothing but hatred in his heart, he will only be more desperate and powerless than River.

"I'd love to take you with me if I could...... Didn't you wish you could sail with me, to Hertland, another continent, and see the minotaurs and halflings there, and the centaurs of the forest who shoot like elves......" River rubbed his hair, as if he were still the little boy who loved to listen to stories, "Your eyes are shining when I talk about it...... But you're not leaving, are you?"

Ed kept his head down and remained silent.

"You can't let go of your responsibilities, even if it's forced on you. River smiled wryly, "You really look like your mother at this point...... And I can't help you much. So, I'm sorry, Ed, I'm afraid you'll have to accept your father's last willfulness - I may not come back, everything I leave behind, yours. ”

River left early the next morning.

Ed watched in amazement as his back disappeared around the corner, not retaining, not stopping.

He hadn't thought of it - he had vaguely guessed it when he heard that River was building a new ship. In any case, River at least didn't say goodbye, and leaving this dark and corrupted continent was a better option for him...... But Ed couldn't ignore the growing sense of foreboding in his heart.

"Naria. He turned back to the girl who was quietly following him, "Can you do me a favor?...... Find someone who is reliable and keep an eye on my father. Until he ...... Until he went to sea. ”

Naria nodded without hesitation, but there was a hint of doubt in her eyes.

"You're worried about his safety?" she asked, "and the guards he hired weren't weak." ”

Ed shook his head, not sure.

He suddenly realized that he didn't know anything about his father...... It's just that I subconsciously feel that River's last voyage may not be so simple.

. (To be continued.) )