Scott looked up at the dome. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 infoThe star-like gems are shining, equally bright and beautiful, but not as charming as the real stars.

They were crucified in stone...... All they have is the power to be forcibly given, to lose their freedom, just like him.

But they didn't have a choice, he had it.

The hall was empty and cold. Autumn comes much earlier in the north than in the south, and the once crowded devotees have been led to another newly built shrine, which is temporarily off-limits because of "an imminent sacred ceremony."

He stood alone in front of the idol with his face, as if he were still floating in the sea of nothingness...... There, perhaps, will also be his final destination.

Extremely light footsteps stopped behind him, and Copass's voice sounded in the darkness,

"This is for you. ”

The heavy wooden box contained the fragments of Acton's sword. They were painstakingly hidden in all corners of the world, but they were eventually dug up.

Even if they are difficult to crush completely, why don't those who want them disappear simply throw them into the sea?--Scott always wondered about this.

“...... You know where the rest is. Copas glanced at him, "You know how to reforge it, too." ”

Scott took the box without a word.

They couldn't find the gem...... But they don't really need to.

“...... All your sacrifices will be remembered forever. Copas said needlessly today, "You know it's a must...... The world needs a God who will not abandon anyone. ”

He really believes this...... He truly believed that everything he did was for a noble purpose. After all sorts of doubts and temptations, Scott finally understood this.

I don't know if it's sad or lucky.

Scott never had any intention of changing him. He'd seen too many devout believers, and he knew how hard that was. What's more, what Kopas believes in is not actually a "god"...... All he believes in is his infallibility.

That's harder to change, and it's too late.

There's nothing wrong with fighting to the end for your beliefs...... If his persistence can be regarded as a reason for some kind of "faith".

Outside the temple, a faint sound like thunder gradually approached.

“...... Here it comes. Copas whispered.

Scott took a deep breath and turned away—that was what he was really waiting for here tonight.

.

The doors of the temple were very tall, and the wooden crates that were laboriously carried in by dozens of strong young warriors were only manageable to pass through. One would probably think that what was tightly sealed in a wooden box was a much larger statue...... In a sense, it is.

The planks were carefully removed piece by piece. Scott looked at the ice dragon that was gradually revealing its full picture with mixed feelings, trying not to wonder how much it resembled Is.

It's a masterpiece - he must admit it. Abner Rhine, the necromancer who "made" a perfect body from the remains of ice and silver fangs. Compared to the stiffness it once was, the ice dragon, perfected with Is's blood and various spells he didn't want to know, looked almost alive with strong muscles and frozen blood...... The ropes that had been wrapped around its silvery-white body to protect it were more like a way to restrain it, so that it wouldn't suddenly open its eyes and spread its wings.

"It's ...... Perfect. It's rare for Copas to give such an assessment, "I hope he can be satisfied." ”

"Yes, my greatest masterpiece will satisfy anyone. Abner's tone was always tinged with an unpleasant mockery, "though it can't really fly." ”

“...... I heard you used to make it move, even breaking through the walls of the Wind Fortress?" Copas glanced back at him.

"There's enough strength to support it, and I can make a few laps in front of you even if I cut a piece of wood. Abner pulled the corners of his mouth coldly, "That doesn't mean it can have real life or soul or anything like that...... It's just a puppet with cursed magic. ”

Kopas smiled—he wasn't going to be angry about it.

"I've done what you asked me to do. Abner turned to Scott, "You said you would give me freedom...... It's time for you to deliver on your promises. ”

"Of course. Scott said, "Not now. ”

Abner glared at him gloomily for a few moments.

"'Not now,'" he repeated, "when was that?"

"After it has real life. Scott replied, then added faintly to the necromancer's glare, "Don't worry, that's not your job. ”

He waved for the mage to take away. The anger and hatred in Abner's eyes as he left...... He was very satisfied.

"We're almost done...... "Copas couldn't help but mutter, "it's almost there." ”

Rarely did he appear so agitated.

"Only one last thing is missing. He turned to Scott, "Are you sure Ed Singal can find Ankland?"

“...... He could. ”

The question is, will they be able to control the situation once they ......find it?

If it fails, Blazing Wing will inevitably target another target as its prey, and he may be powerless to stop it.

...... He had to stop.

.

Iss couldn't find what he was looking for.

In a fit of irritability, he almost wanted to throw the book out the window—but he suspected it would fly back and hit him on the head, just as the old man had done when he was still alive.

Every grass and tree, every table and chair in this valley seems to be full of the breath of the old mage, as if he has never passed away.

Isis put the book back in place, collapsed on the bed in frustration, and lay motionless for a few moments before he pulled a large gem from under his waist and threw it aside.

"If you don't want it, why don't you give it back to me?"

Raven leaned against the door and looked at him with a smile, "It took me a lot of work to get my hands on it." ”

Issy gave her a blank look: "Who said I don't want to?"

The Heart of the Deep, the gem found in the Raven's Castle, is naturally not the one that was once set in the Sword of Acton...... But Iss subconsciously felt that it would be useful.

He had scavenged everything he thought would be "useful" in the Valley, including a whole bunch of various materials - he had even gone to the flower garden to pull out a lot of fresh herbs. Mulder was so sad that he refused to make him tea.

But he couldn't find the most important one anyway.

.