“...... He was telling the truth. ”

In the corner, someone softly broke the silence.

It was a middle-aged priest dressed in a white robe, with the emblem of the goddess of the earth embroidered on his chest.

Ante ...... Or Quillin's choice of witnesses is impeccable. Belief in the goddess of the earth is ancient and widespread, and her priesthood has always been known for her low-key, simplicity, and impartiality.

"What he says is what he himself believes to be true...... But that's not necessarily the absolute truth. Brooke, who seemed to regain his composure, spoke, "Lord Mabel, you know the limits of spells as well as I do. ”

"But I also knew very well that he couldn't have made up such a complete story and then convinced himself that it was true. Mabel's voice was soft and deep, but it was irrefutable.

"Even if that were true, it would not prove that Helena Chrissus died at the hands of Master Fletcher...... It wasn't even possible to prove that the woman he was seeing was Helena. Brooke discerned.

"But at least it can be proven that the Temple of Collins kidnapped and imprisoned an innocent woman and concealed her death...... Or do you want to say that the woman is also some kind of evil monster metamorphosis...... Is it like that ice dragon?" Ante sneered, "If that's the case, what's the ulterior or even need to erase his paladin's memory?"

The word "ice dragon" immediately sobered up a little more. He raised his head and blurted out, "Iss is not evil at all!"

It was almost instinctive, and he simply didn't have time to stop himself...... He can tolerate being questioned, deceived. But he can't accept anyone to use that word to describe his friend anymore!

Ante glared at him with an incredulous gaze, as if he was looking at something he couldn't understand...... And he wasn't alone—even Fili shook his head slightly.

Ed kept his mouth shut, annoyed at the fact that his rebuttal was naïve and inappropriate.

"Why don't you ask the priest to explain?" said Aaron Mancini calmly picking up the interrupted topic. Smiling and suggesting, "Ikabard?Beria...... Although Lord Fratscher is not here, Lord Beria obviously knows something, doesn't he?"

"If you can 'please' that adult. Tyliner scoffed, "I'm afraid he won't even pay attention to the king's orders, and an entire army may not be his opponent." ”

That was the truth—but the king's face was made rather ugly by it.

"Of course I can't. Aaron grinned as if he hadn't heard anything about the king. "But someone can ...... Sage, could you please invite Belial-sama here as soon as possible? I'm sure it only takes a simple spell. And as you say, anyway. You are still the Sage recognized by humans, dwarves and elves...... Even Lord Fratscher has to obey your orders, right?"

Ed was stunned for a moment before realizing that Aaron was talking to him.

Aaron's tone was sincere and cordial, so cordial that it was impossible to tell if there was irony or not...... But he's right, Ed can use the Rumor to call Ikabird over. The pastor probably wouldn't be happy. But I don't think I will refuse.

That sounded like a reasonable request - according to Eric's account, Icabold definitely knew something about the woman...... Ed, on the other hand, instinctively felt that things would not be so simple.

Brooke and Philip are both here, and if Icaboldia is called, only Browder and the other two high-ranking paladins will be left in the temple, and if something happens, they will probably not be able to cope with it...... After all, there is another team sent by unknown people. The army, which did not know the purpose, hid in the underground tunnel of the dark river not far from the temple.

- But Scott is still in the temple.

Come to think of this. Ed relaxed a little, and suddenly remembered that for some reason, Eric had said a lot...... But there is not a word about Scott.

"Sage?" Aaron reminded with a completely innocuous smile.

Ed was about to nod his head, but Rosa's warning suddenly rang in his ears - "Watch out for Aaron Mansini." ”

He hesitated, not knowing what to do for a moment.

“...... That's enough. Ante spoke impatiently, "I've given you enough opportunities, but unfortunately you obviously don't know how to cherish them...... Ed Singall, you may not fully know what Sean did...... But you are also a murderer. ”

Ed's head buzzed, as if he had been hit on the head by a heavy hammer, his eyes widened blankly, and he asked blankly, "...... What?"

He never thought that the crime of "murderer" could fall on his head...... Although he did kill someone, it was a necromancer out of necessity!

"I'd love to know what that feels like, Ed Singal," Ante looked at him coldly, "when you hold the young priest's body in your arms and feign grief over his death...... Isn't it enough for a dragon under your control, a king who claims to have been saved by you and brought back from the dead? Do you have to show that scene in front of everyone to prove your strength? I have to admit that it was a good show...... Even deceived the elven king......"

Ed was still staring blankly. He couldn't understand what Ante was talking about—was he accusing him of killing Tim?

“...... Your Majesty. Filly stood up, with irrepressible anger, "Isn't it time to remind you that such a serious accusation requires hard evidence...... Or do you just like to jump between all kinds of unsubstantiated accusations, leaving everyone dizzy and having to agree with your every word in order to get free?!"

That's already an undisguised accusation...... But it's also in one word.

Someone let out a chuckle - it was Tellina.

Telina lazily propped up her head, and even crossed her legs, as if she was watching a play. He clearly didn't intend to help anyone...... I didn't take Ante seriously at all.

Ante was silent for a while, and when he spoke again, his voice became hoarse in anger: "Proof? The evidence is with you, knight......! What did you get from the crowd you caught in the temple?"

Ed's glazed gaze turned to Brooke.

He asked Brooke the same question. The old priest always shook his head and told him that there was nothing of value...... Is even he lying? What else can be trusted around him?!

The old man's face turned pale at the moment, and his expression was gloomy. But he still tried to keep his calm: "I'm not sure ......"

"I didn't ask you what you were 'sure'. Ante interrupted him rudely, "Obviously you're never sure about anything. I'm just asking you what happened?...... Or do you want to hear me?"

The old man looked at him silently, and there was a strange light in his eyes that made the enraged king suddenly shrink back involuntarily.

After a moment, Brooke spoke slowly, "Those people claim to have hired them from the Singhal family...... They do, but as I've said before, sorcery has its limits. And people's hearts are unpredictable...... That's not necessarily true. ”

Ed's eyes darkened.

He still remembered his father's words...... Spending money to hire wandering knights and the like...... But River wasn't stupid! he couldn't have done anything treasonous, let alone before it happened!

The father didn't even want him to become a saint at all...... And how could a murderer be hired for this!

His body trembled in anger. If the previous accusations are somewhat questionable...... This one is absolutely pure slander. He opened his mouth slightly, trying to retort. The tip of his tongue was stiff and numb, but he couldn't spit out a word.

"I also hope that's not true, but alas, I get the same evidence from different people. What do you say about the sailors you caught, Lord Ayer?"

Quillin didn't say anything. It took a long time before he let out a long breath. Whispered back: "That's the sailor of the Singal family." ”

Ed almost wanted to laugh. He believed that Quillin was forced to do so under some kind of pressure...... But his helplessness makes everything more like it's real.

"Lord Castile, what about those who have fled to your territory?"

"They carry some kind of powder that makes smoke...... And a certificate to be able to pick up any item at will in the Singal family's trading house......"

Ed was sure he was laughing, because even when he was dizzy, he could feel a lot of surprised and uneasy stares coming at him, but he couldn't help it—so the famous River Singer was stupid enough to let the money-paid murderer have evidence to drag him into the water? Even he himself wouldn't be so stupid!

“...... Is this a joke?!" Filly slammed to his feet, his heels slamming heavily into his chair and growling rudely, "Who dares to stand up and look me in the eye and tell me out loud." Do you really believe this?!"

"I'm sure none of these grown-ups are lying......" - Mabel's serious voice.

"Can you be sure of a fart!" Filly scolded back, completely disregarding any etiquette. "Save that little strength and go back to the temple and pray to your god, at least it won't disgrace her!"

"For the sake of the goddess, shut up......!" That's Brooke.

All the voices mingled again, and Ed had to reach out to hold his head. He felt that his head was as heavy as a stone...... Or a piece of iron, which would fall from his neck at the slightest movement.

He bit his lip, but the corners of his mouth still bent upwards uncontrollably.

This is a well-choreographed but absurd play...... But when it was His Majesty the King who was in charge of all this, how could he resist?

Maybe he should have thrown in the towel sooner...... Now I regret it, but I'm afraid it's too late.

His whole body seemed to be wrapped in a cold cocoon, wrapped in tough silk threads, unable to break free, unable to breathe, and the only feeling was cold...... and the fear and despair of falling downward.

"I did hear that River Singal once boasted that he had enough money to occupy a country...... But he didn't expect that he would start by using this method to make his son a saint. Ante sneered.

Ed shuddered and jerked his head up.

He couldn't let them involve his family...... No matter what!.

(To be continued......)