The wind that swept through the northern heath carried the coolness of early autumn. Pen %Fun %Pavilion www.biquge.info Copas Fenton circled the empty square as usual, looked up at the dark clouds rolling in the sky, slowly walked into the temple, and nodded modestly to everyone who saluted him.

His heart is not as calm as it seems.

He already knew of Agnes' death as quickly as he knew of Mansini's death. But he doesn't know what the woman said to Scott before she died, and he can't be sure if Scott saw something.

The man was no longer as easily seen through as he used to be.

If it had been in the past, Scott would have rushed straight to him the moment he found out the truth, and even if there was only a lack of evidence, he would have grabbed him by the neck and threw him against the wall, as he once did...... After all, the slaughter of the priesthood of the Temple of Collins was a crime that the former knight of the god of water would never tolerate.

Copas has prepared a perfect excuse for himself - he can always find a perfect enough reason. But today's Scott ...... If he had decided on something, he probably wouldn't have had a chance to speak at all.

But he hasn't moved yet...... Is that because he still doesn't know anything, or is there something else going on?

If there is no other choice, Copas is not completely out of the cracks against Scott. What really unnerved him was that he couldn't even tell how Scott would react.

The most powerful chess piece that he had once held in the palm of his hand was out of his grasp at some point.

"Lord Pastor!"

Risek Brin was greeted with a visibly frightened expression.

"The ...... My lord, you caught one of us. He lowered his voice in Copas' ear.

“...... Did he run out?"

"Not really. Be...... He asks for a bottle of wine, and Tuchman accidentally walks in......"

Copas frowned slightly, and for a moment almost blurted out "then leave him alone" - he had warned the guards more than once not to enter the runes, but there were always people who didn't take it seriously.

Even if you don't know magic, you should always be in awe, right?

But he still needs these people...... And these savage, unruly and stupid hunters, who are not much different from savages, cannot be sustained by fear alone.

He suppressed his anger and walked to the deepest part of the temple.

Hidden beneath the cistern is a rather wide basement, not a secret, but rarely accessible to anyone. That's where the priests used to practice their spells...... And there were only a handful of priests in Nesses.

Today, it is the exclusive home of a "noble" guest.

Before Copas had even stepped down the steps, he could smell a thick smell of blood. In the semi-enclosed space, the fishy sweet smell is unappetizing...... But the "guest" was unaware.

In the darkness, he sat on his throne.

Yes, the throne. Dragged from the ruined palace of the Far Northern Light, the Ironwood Throne miraculously remains intact, with no overly ornate ornamentation, but with stunning lines...... At least for now, it seems like it's enough to keep guests happy.

Copas calmly lit the torches on the walls, and a line of fire circled the four walls, instantly banishing the darkness and cold.

The firelight illuminated Ante Bofford on the throne, and his change surprised Copas a little. The swelling and distortion that had once been mostly restored revealed the unhandsome but well-groomed face of the supposedly dead king. Although the reddish chestnut curls looked more like a grayish-brown soaked in blood, the eyes that still protruded slightly were dull black...... A black that can't be illuminated, or even reflect a little light.

His body seemed to be slowly rejuvenating, but his soul was completely dark.

He didn't pay any attention to Copas at all, just stared at the man who fell in front of his throne...... Or rather, staring at the blood gushing out of the body that was still twitching slightly. Does the slowly spreading bright red remind him of the blood-red carpet in front of his former throne?

It was a long time before he looked up at Kopas, as arrogant as if that glance had been a gift.

He was accustomed to pretending when he was alive, and for a long time he was known for his gentleness and generosity, but when he died, he was more like a king...... But what's the use?

Copas thought sarcastically, and said calmly: "If he has offended you, allow me to apologize on your behalf...... But he is also a servant of God, and I would be grateful if you could hand him over to me. ”

Ante looked at him and silently cracked his mouth, his still stiff muscles twisting into a grotesque sneer.

He stood up and walked up to Copass.

Copas stood still. Although the rune in this basement was not created by him, he drew it with a pen, and he knew very well where its boundaries were, and he also understood its power.

It's definitely enough to trap such an immortal monster...... Unless Nesses gets him away again.

To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that he hadn't figured out what Netses had planned for this monster, he probably wouldn't have bothered to maintain even the superficial respect.

"You," the monster began, "send me back to Rockburg." ”

His voice was still hoarse, but at least his words were much clearer.

"I don't control where you come and go. Copas replied.

Ante glared at him coldly for a long time.

A strange feeling came out of nowhere. When Ante suddenly reached out and grabbed his neck, Copas suddenly leaned back and narrowly avoided the blow, and a layer of cold sweat broke out in the waistcoat.

In fact, even if you get caught, it's nothing...... He had his own means of protection, but Ante's hand was clearly out of bounds......!

The priest stepped back, his face pale.

The runes on the ground flickered slightly, but they didn't stop Ante's heavy, slow steps.

"It's up to you...... Control. He repeated word by word, with indescribable sarcasm and mockery in his stiff syllables.

There was a rancid smell of his breath...... But he had breath. In the dead silence, Kopas could even hear a slow but steady heartbeat—a heartbeat that didn't belong to him.

The undead monster has once again gained life, and the runes for the dead can no longer trap him.

He should have noticed...... The body of the deceased will not change like that.

No one else would be as surprised as Copas - gods can easily bring people back from the dead, just like Scott.

But Copas is well aware that Scott is special...... Nesses doesn't have that ability.

What did he get wrong?...... What did he miss?

Countless thoughts passed through his mind, and his voice was still as calm as usual when he spoke:

“...... As you wish. ”