Behring closed the door, stared at the handle for a few moments, and dragged a chair against the door.

The doors weren't locked, as if to say, "We don't have any secrets," but he wasn't used to that...... He didn't want anyone to break into his room easily.

He stood by the door for a moment before he walked back to the bed, sat down in his place, and continued to look at the sleeping Sercio.

He was a little confused. Every night these days, he wonders if he's made the right decision...... This is especially true tonight.

Occasionally, he would use prayer to bring himself some peace – praying to Anduhe. The god of the mountains is a god worshipped by the Grean family, and the high priest of Anduch is also a friend of the Grean family...... But tonight, after meeting Levie, the familiar prayers suddenly became jerky...... It was so jerky that he couldn't even pronounce a sentence in its entirety.

His world used to be very simple, but now, all his beliefs seem to be beginning to shatter, and the panic it brings comes up like waves that wash over the reef endlessly, as if it will never stop.

Go home.

He couldn't deny that Lewe's suggestion moved him...... But he can't leave, not now.

He knew he was taking a risk and risking his life...... Now, Sercio's life has been added. He was trying to find out a little bit of truth in a world he wasn't familiar with, and that hope was so slim.

But he promised Ferguson...... And his mother would never allow him to waste a little time for a group of "traitors, deserters, and outcasts" like this.

He didn't want her to worry, but he didn't want to have any more arguments with her.

He always knew the path he had to take—the path Selene wanted him to take. He also has no intention of turning down his responsibility, but until then, he has one more promise to fulfill.

He can't go home yet.

"Please forgive me ......"

He whispered an apology to the boy in bed. He is also his responsibility. A year ago he failed to protect him and made him what he is now, but a year later Sergio still chose to stay with him...... He didn't even know that he still had the ability to "choose".

He couldn't live up to that trust, but at this moment, he didn't know what to do next - he faced more doubts and more concerns.

There was a soft sound by the window, and a small stone bouncing on the ground. Fell not far from him.

Behring stared at the stone for a moment, then exhaled a low breath to calm himself down—at least. He's not alone.

Rye picked up the firewood that had been scattered in the scuffle and lit a bonfire again, and the same small fires scattered along the frozen shore, causing the ice to melt.

It's ridiculous. But she wasn't going to say anything - she was just a useless old woman. Just be obedient.

But if she wants to leave, now is the right time. There was still a commotion around, with many people going out to sea in boats to find the dragon who had fallen into the sea, and others scattered on the beach, busy doing their own thing, instead of dragging her into a ball as before...... Behind her was the woods on the shore, and the trees that had not yet been cut down were a little cluttered, but they were good for hiding. She already knew where Sercio was, too...... It's still a bit far away from her, but if she's careful. Maybe we can take him away.

She took a step back nonchalantly, and with another step, the shadow of the forest fell on her, and no one around noticed it......

A hand reached out from the darkness and jerked her into the woods.

She didn't scream, she didn't struggle, she just calmly observed the trees around her. A prickly Briar would be a good weapon, but the Spreading Incense might be a little less noisy...... She also had a dagger hidden in her boots, maybe it would be better to use this, and there was no need to let anyone know that she still had a little bit of magic.

But as her gaze fell to the ground, she saw a clearly visible shadow cast by the elf's pointed ears, which did not escape her eyes, although they were obscured by the shadows of the trees for a moment.

“...... Sword Dancer," she called out softly, "Instead of spending time dealing with me, why don't you go find Sergio, he's ......"

"In the house next to the Eagle Tower. The elf interrupted her, "I know. He won't come with me. ”

Ryan was stunned for a moment.

"What?" she asked.

"He won't come with me. Sesyana repeated with some impatience, "He's going to stay with Belin Grion." ”

Behring Grean...... It makes sense. Why didn't she think of it?

She chuckled out loud in a wave of frustration. Anyway, that's probably a good thing...... The boy did have a consciousness of his own. Even without her help, he would probably be able to recover sooner or later.

At least she brought him to Behring—she thought to herself a little self-deprecatingly.

Sesyana stopped, pulled her behind a fir tree, and looked at her with some surprise.

He probably didn't understand why she was laughing.

"So, what now?" she said, shyly.

“...... You took Sercio from the limestone castle?" the elf asked.

Ryan shrugged noncommittally.

“...... Anyway, Behring asked me to take you away. "What to do with you is the Countess's business—you'd better not resist." ”

Ryan shrugged again. She didn't intend to resist either, judging by her tone, the sword dancer was in a very bad mood...... She wouldn't be stupid enough to provoke him at such a time.

They retreated to the entrance to the bay, but soon found that it was impassable—two groups of men crowded there, Nighthawk's soldiers on one side and Blacksail Pirates on the other, glaring at each other silently, as if a fight was about to break out.

If they do fight, in the midst of the chaos, the elf may be able to sneak through the gaps in the reef with his incredible speed...... Ryan can't do that.

“...... If you don't want to help, then lend us a boat. ”

A man's voice reached their ears, sounding like he was barely suppressing his anger, "We can pay." ”

He was answered with a sneer: "Borrow the Black Sails, believe me, man, you can't afford that...... Even if we lend it to you in Ferguson's face, honestly, do you guys know how to get it out? This isn't the kind of little wrecked boat you use for fishing!"

Rye felt as if the pirates were intent on provoking a fight...... But she didn't care about that.

What she had to care about was the murderous aura rising from the elf—he had finally lost his patience completely.

(To be continued.) )