Seriously, Sachses is actually long dead. And now, his two souls exist in just another form.

"That's ...... There's nothing wrong with that. ”

When Ed whispered to Ryan how the small world known as the Garden had been brought back to life by Sacess's sacrifice, there was no sadness in the old man's calm eyes.

It seems that everyone feels that such a sacrifice is acceptable, even for the best outcome.

Ed was a little sad, and even he couldn't tell why. He knew that at least half of his sorrow was due to guilt and shock, and he knew that the soul of the ancient, who had endured trials and tribulations, would henceforth be remembered and looked up to as a hero, or even higher, and that his birth against the rules, his cursed life, which even his people would not mention, would henceforth become a great legend. But the sun and the moon hanging high in the sky, without sorrow and joy, and a free soul who loves and hates, can talk and laugh, and will sneak into the library of mankind, are different after all.

"But," there was a moment of silence, and Ryan took the rare initiative to speak, "Are you sure that 'garden' can be entered by anyone?"

She added to Ed's puzzled gaze, "It can't fit all the people in this world, does it? I don't mean who you'll choose to let in when you have to, but ...... It itself, which people are accepted. ”

Ed's lips opened and closed weakly, unable to make a sound.

"You didn't think about that. Ryan wasn't surprised.

"But I can come and go freely...... No, I set up the magic circle to enter and exit that world. Ed discerned, even faintly suspicious of Rey...... and restless anger.

A faint smile appeared in the corner of Rya's eyes, as if he didn't care, and as if he didn't think so. Then she nodded to him, and leaned to walk away—if he didn't want to listen, she didn't have to say more.

"Wait!" Ed stopped her, asking with difficulty, "...... What do you know?"

“...... What I do know is that on the night of the full moon, he flew back to White Rock Island and landed in front of me like a real, alive dragon, telling me that I would have more companions, and that he would give us a real paradise, if we could live in this world like normal people, no longer rejected and feared? That's good, of course, if not, even if the world is destroyed? We still have a place to stay...... A better place to stay than White Rock Island. ”

She looked directly at Ed and told him, "That world? Is it he for the whisperers, no matter what he says to you? I suspect it won't be merciful enough to include anyone in its protection. Ed? Am I grateful to him? But he is not so tolerant? Not even the more peaceful half. ”

"This ...... It's just your guess. Ed whispered.

"That's right. "But isn't 'skepticism' always wrong?" And 'trust' doesn't solve all problems. ”

The sentence was still plain, but it was clearly thorny, and it pierced Ed's heart mercilessly.

Ed bowed his head silently? As Ryan prepares to leave again, he speaks, "...... Thank you. ”

The old man paused, showing a little surprise.

"You didn't have to tell me that. Ed grinned at her. He knows what his problem is – what does he prefer to believe that the people he admires or likes are flawless? I don't want to listen to anyone's doubts or accusations...... But isn't this "thank you" just a hypocritical courtesy? Even if he was indeed frustrated and annoyed, he could at least understand that Rya's reminder was not malicious, even valuable.

She could have been a silent beneficiary. And now, she reminds Ed, but there is a good chance that the Whisperers' efforts to integrate into the world will be met with suspicion and worse.

"I ...... too It's not that altruistic. Ryan understood, but frowned slightly, as if this understanding and gratitude had left her at a loss.

"I just felt that if Sachses did set any limits in the 'garden,' sooner or later he would be discovered, and it would be better for me to speak out than to face a stronger resentment then. "In this way, even if there is any resentment, at least half of it can be pushed on the head of Sacess, and he should not have any consciousness of his own by now." ”

Ed took a deep breath and spit it out again.

The old man ...... Sometimes it's a little too frank to stand it.

"And," Ryan hadn't finished speaking, "Sacess...... He was more familiar with the whisperers on White Rock Island, those who had nowhere else to go, who had felt despair and pain. He probably didn't think that even whisperers were first and foremost individuals—and even more so of the new 'companions'. They do not hesitate to leave behind their loved ones and lovers in this world without hesitation and without nostalgia. ”

So the "paradise" he left for them is more likely to be a source of chaos and suffering. In the end, even his sacrifice will not be appreciated, only suspicion and resentment.

"You...... Did you tell him?" Ed asked her, "tell him about your worries...... Tell him about these possibilities. ”

"Nope. A subtle mockery crossed Rey's eyes, "He won't listen even if he says it." He probably felt that he had chosen me, and that I had to take the responsibility he had thrown at me respectfully and gratefully, and carry out his orders without the slightest question...... He obviously didn't figure out what kind of person I was, and probably didn't care. ”

"But," said Ed, stunned, "I thought ...... I thought he chose you because he believed in you. ”

Ryan chuckled briefly, "Because he chose me last time and this time?" Ed, you've been to Whitestone Island, you should know it, it's just because he has no choice - there are no people on the island anymore. ”

Ed was silent for a moment. In the midst of the old man's repeated denials, he suddenly realized that the problem might not be with Sachses' choice, but with Rey...... She didn't have the confidence to take on the responsibility that suddenly fell on her.

Originally, she was just an old woman who knew a little about herbs and could barely manipulate some plants, she had been robbed and humiliated by barbarians, rejected and abandoned by her own relatives, and had left her husband when he hesitated to return to his people...... In fact, the latter can be understood as strength and pride, or as she does not have the confidence to let the barbarian priest remain by her side despite the suffering of her people, and her pride does not allow her to be the outcast again.

But this was just his speculation, and he couldn't force it on Rye and take pity on her on himself.

She wouldn't like such sympathy.