If the gods have gone, where did the so-called "sages" come from?

"Do you think they would really give up this world so easily?" the ice dragon sneered, "a world that has been completely controlled by them?"

Ed couldn't argue with that. After all, who knows for sure what is going on with the gods in the other world, so that it takes them, ignorant humans, to stop a dragon that is already like a god? Even Scott, who once floated in the sea of nothingness, probably knows only who wants him to know.

Perhaps all their struggles and efforts fell on the starry sky, in their invisible, silent gaze, like a play that had already been doomed.

Ed shook his head. He felt a little powerless, but he didn't find despair or fear in his heart. He went through a lot, but even in the most painful and helpless moments, he never surrendered everything to the gods. Even if you struggle to the end, you can't change your fate...... Since he is still alive, he has to fight to the end.

"I'm not going to be a saint. He said calmly.

“...... What if you already are?" the ice dragon growled in exasperation, "you're putting the hell on in the temple of Collins...... Why can't you just ask me before you hold the Staff of Eternity in your hands?!"

Ed froze. The first thing he remembered was perhaps the most heated argument between them...... Looking back, even the many worlds that have been experienced through the Otherworldly Ring, the failures and deaths again and again have faded like a dream. However, even when he first held the Staff of Eternity, he had made a promise to the white-haired and blue-eyed girl...... If that's nothing but Rabeja, what's the point of his promise?

...... Is that really Labeja?

He tried to remember, but the shadow in his memory was so clear and blurry, a wisp of mist that was clearly grasped in his hand and easily dissipated, leaving behind a cold, unpredictable panic.

"Do you think that everything you get is really just because of 'good luck'? I warned you, but you don't take it to heart at all!" The ice dragon continued indignantly, a rare verbosity: "They can't wait to 'give' you great power, just to make you a strong enough vessel as soon as possible......!

Ed instinctively interrupted him—perhaps deep down, he still had a shred of respect for the gods who had created countless living beings.

"Even if it is?" he shrugged his shoulders with a pretended lightness, "if I could ......"

He paused and looked up with some confusion: "If that's all Sachses told you...... What the hell can't I be told about?"

He didn't think much of it, but as soon as he said it, he regretted it. The huge ice dragon shrank sharply, and for a moment it looked like it had been punched head-on. The panic and guilt seemed even stronger than when Ed had almost died under its claws.

"Uh...... Also...... It's nothing......" Ed said curtly, instinctively trying to escape—maybe it would be better not to know the truth.

However, the Ice Dragon didn't give him that chance.

“...... Because if it weren't you, maybe it was Scott. ”

Its golden eyes were staring at a pointless point, and it couldn't look directly at him. Its devoid of undulations was stiff and almost cold, yet like a string that was too taut and would break at the slightest touch.

Ed stared at it blankly. For a moment he didn't understand what it meant, until he realized what it meant to be a dragon.

His heart fell uncontrollably, smashing in the shadows he didn't expect.

"That's ...... It's nothing ......" The little bit he tried to squeeze out was unimpressed, and even he felt too reluctant.

"Becoming a Sage" is no different from becoming a puppet to the dragon, as evidenced by Acton's elven lover who has lost even his consciousness, and Is, knowing about such a possibility, tries to hide it from him.

If it's not you, it's Scott.

So...... Is he the one who can be sacrificed?

More words choked in my throat and I couldn't spit it out anymore. He suddenly understood where Naria's long-standing hostility towards Scott came from—she loved Iss as her brother by blood, and loved him so much, but in Is's mind, the man who left him and never returned, and then returned unexpectedly and caused so many troubles, was probably the first thing the fledgling saw when it broke out of its shell...... There will never be a substitute.

He lowered his eyes and stared at his toes, the bitter taste of his tongue, and he couldn't tell whether he was more frustrated or angry.

Scott...... He may never have been abandoned...... "The voice of the ice dragon was staccato "A human soul, no matter how powerful, is just like a drop of water falling into the sea, which can be swallowed up by the sea of nothingness in an instant, and can be easily controlled. He shouldn't have been able to have his own consciousness...... Most likely, he, like you, is just a tool, a pawn that has not yet been decided where to fall. But he wouldn't tell me anything, and I didn't know what I could do for him...... And you're different, Ed, and you're willing to tell me anything. I will always be there for you, I will watch over you, I will protect you......"

The dragon's voice was different from that of humans, and even when it was playful, it was always low and heavy, with a majesty and pride that seemed to be born with it—Ed never knew that the kind of voice he had envied for so long would one day be so powerless...... Cautious to the point of almost whispering.

It still hasn't apologized — it said it wouldn't.

And he said, "I'll just do it." ”

Ed tugged at the corners of his mouth, and the stuff that was stuck in his chest dissipated most of it inexplicably.

It's really unproductive...... But there's nothing to be angry about. Family affection, love, or friendship, affection is never something that can be exchanged equally, and no one can guarantee that how much you give, you will definitely get.

He gave willingly, and he got enough.

He reached out and scratched the ice dragon's jaw like a cat - honestly, he had wanted to do it a long time ago, but he had never had the guts.

The ice dragon froze for a moment, looking at him with a look in his eyes that was almost frightened.

If it's really a cat, its fur will probably have exploded.

"If it's Naria," Ed retracted his hand when he saw it, "you tell her 'I'll protect you so you don't need to know anything', she'll just smash the pan on your head." ”

“...... You can also be angry. The ice dragon said wiltedly.

"I'm done. Ed replied, "Next time, it will probably be a little longer." ”

The ice dragon was silent for a long time before touching his shoulder with the tip of his nose.

"There will be no next time. It said.

.