Deliberately slowing his pace against the smooth marble floor, Baie bowed to his oncoming companion, his former companion, hoping that no one would be able to distinguish the jaw that was hidden under the same black beard, more square than the owner of the armor.

That wasn't what he had planned. His original plan was far less daring...... As he wandered almost blankly across the plains of Collins, looking at the white temple on the blue lake again and again, he didn't even have any plan at all.

He knew he shouldn't have come back. The companions who once fought side by side are now the last enemies he wants to face, and their sympathy or spurning will be more hurtful weapons than the sword...... But he must come back.

After months of wandering, he finally returned to the ...... he thought he would protect for the rest of his life A place that is almost considered home.

He is no longer a knight of the god of water. This bitter realization had made the anger in his heart blaze like the flames of hell...... He betrayed him with the goddess he believed in with all his heart—she abandoned him, just as he was bent on cutting off the head of the ice dragon, avenging his innocently dead brother, washing away the shame of the destruction of her temple, and bringing her greater glory.

To this day, he still can't believe that he could become a degenerate...... There could not be a more terrible end for a paladin, a punishment that only a goddess can inflict. The temple would publicly declare his sin, and he would be imprisoned to death, praying in darkness for the rest of his life, praying that at least after death, his soul would not lose its home.

As far as he knew, there were only a handful of fallen paladins in human history. Either throw yourself completely into the darkness or end your life in despair. No one has really been forgiven.

- And what did he need to be forgiven?! Even if his reason for wanting to kill the dragon was nothing more about good or evil, but just pure revenge. Even if he had to make some not-so-bright deals because of it...... If this is the standard, there are more people than him who deserve to fall into such a shameful and desperate situation!

That anger sustained him to escape from Fili's grasps and embark on a quest for revenge once more, even if it was only the power of one person...... He knew that if he gave up, he would let himself rot in prison, and let the ice dragon continue to fly freely between the sky and the mountains, even if he could get the legendary forgiveness. His soul will also be tormented forever in agony, never to be freed.

He was always convinced that he had not turned his back on his faith, and he still prayed when he was confused...... Unanswered prayers. That made him more and more helpless day by day. But I don't know how to turn back.

He had to believe that it was some kind of test. He was destined to go through all these tribulations, to achieve unparalleled feats, and to stand again in the presence of the Goddess.

But the goddess did not smile at him after all.

Failed again and again, as if it was really a deliberate trick of fate. Little by little, he lost everything - he lost trust in others. Losing control of yourself. loss of dignity and pride...... The only thing that can be grasped is hatred.

At the same time as learning that the ice dragon had left Kriessburg and headed north again, he also received another piece of news...... And that news caused him to drive away Deamo, who was not so much a companion as a mage of the spies, desperate to return alone to the most dangerous place.

He had to get an answer.

At first, he planned to disguise himself as a believer and infiltrate the temple. His beard and hair had grown long enough, and his cheekbones, which had been inconspicuous, had protruded from his cheeks. If you're lucky, maybe no one will recognize him...... But a believer simply cannot enter the deeper parts of the temple. And even the moment he saw the white building, he even lost the courage to set foot in the square.

He wandered around the lake, on the grassy plains, carefully avoiding the patrolling paladins, and wandered round and round...... It wasn't until Stan Virgil, the sleek-eyed paladin who rode by on his old gray horse, that a dangerous plan popped into his head.

Stan was a few years younger than him, but he had an old face, black hair and black eyes, a sharper chin, and an old-fashioned goatee. But they were in shape, and Bye only needed to fix his long-unkempt, messy beard and put on his helmet, and almost no one could see it...... What's more, Stan has never been a high-profile character, no one will keep an eye on him, as long as he is careful, he can easily sneak into the temple......

It wasn't a struggle to get rid of Stan—not even as hard as taming his eternally listless old horse. The paladin, who hadn't seen him for months, was probably too surprised when he recognized him, and the sword was not successfully drawn...... Why is it that even such a guy can stay under the care of the goddess in peace, and he will be banished in the dark?!

The indignation vanished when he stepped into the white square of the Temple of Collins in a capacity other than his own.

In the bright sun of the near noon, he felt dizzy, and he wanted to kneel uncontrollably and kiss the ground...... Then "Stan" was called in and a wooden fence was used to fence off a space in the square for "that ice dragon of Christus".

For a moment, he almost wanted to roar at such a ridiculousness - when did the paladins start to be in the company of dragons?!

But that's not what Stan Virgil would do. "Stan" will only silently and meticulously carry out any order he is given, no matter how trivial or stupid it may be.

As soon as the fence was closed, the ice dragon flew leisurely, and its huge body fell almost silently.

Even though he had reminded himself over and over again, at least this time, he wasn't here to slay the dragon, and he couldn't help but clench the hilt of his sword when the white dragon landed in front of his eyes.

It's defenseless...... The last time they were so close to it they were having to face each other, exhaustion and despair had made him shake for a moment when he looked into those huge golden eyes...... And that hint of vacillation made him feel guilty every night after that, and spit on his own vulnerability.

But at this moment, he can only stick to his post...... Guarding a dragon that yawns and sleeps carelessly in the sacred place that belongs to Nio.

He endured all the anger and the surging hatred and stood there quietly until "Stan" had completed his mission.

It is faster to walk through the back door of the temple and along the corridor that leads to the apse...... But there were the most guards on that road in the entire temple. He could only make a large circle around the arc of the corridor built on the water, and sneak into the passage that was not usually used by paladins and priests for ordinary people who served in the temple......

Everything went unexpectedly well, no one noticed that it wasn't Stan in the armor, but his heart was beating faster and faster.

He knew every path in the temple. Silver Steps, Guardian's Gate, Reliquary Hall, Corridor of Water Trodging...... The black wooden door at the end of the Corridor of Water Whispers is open.

He could barely control his steps...... But he couldn't tell whether he wanted to rush through the door or turn around and run away.

With piety, reverence, apprehension, hope, fear, and shame...... He shuddered, and approached the sacred place step by step.

In the small room, which should have been quiet and peaceful, there was a noise he didn't expect.

"I can't move!" Ed grumbled, standing upright, "this thing weighs as much as armor...... Why don't you just get me armor!"

He didn't know how many layers he had on his body, the thing called the "gown", each layer was gorgeous and heavy, with layers of embroidery, gold and silver, and precious stones...... Even something that seemed to be lace was adorned, and it hung solemnly down to the top of his feet, so that he could not move, and his whole body ached. If he stepped on the corner of his clothes and fell, he would never be able to get up.

Naria would have laughed at this...... He no longer compares himself to the girls who are going to the ball, at least their dresses are always as light as the wings of birds!

"You're not a paladin, and you don't have to move. Eric explained to him in all seriousness, "You just have to sit there ......"

"So, are you going to drag me to where I need to 'sit there'?" Ed asked angrily.

"Well, given that you're going to sit in Is...... The dragon's body ......," said Eric, "I don't think I need to drag it." ”

Ed stared at him in astonishment, his face flushed and white, and he couldn't think of anything to say—who had come up with such a stupid idea!

"Don't say Iskan or not...... It's up to you to think of a dragon as a chair, but it can really kill people...... And, have you ever thought about how I'm going to climb up to a dragon's neck when I'm dressed like this!" he roared.

Eric frowned and thought for a moment, then nodded seriously, "This is indeed a problem...... I'll tell you about Mr. Copa. ”

Ed rolled his eyes helplessly with his back to the sky.

Terrence Coppa, the celebrant priest, seemed to be a nice and round man...... But it seems that he is always immersed in his own world, and he can't hear what others are saying. You can tell him "problem" after "problem" and he will just come up with new ideas that won't solve anything.

“...... Stan, what's the matter?" Eric's surprised voice caused Ed's curiosity and uneasiness. The reason why he hid here to try on the dress was because this small room was the most comfortable place in the entire temple, and because few people would come here, and he could vent his frustration in front of Eric......

His eyes were on the door, but he saw a knight in full armor draw his sword with burning rage and rush towards him.

(To be continued......)