Ed crouched in his chair and stared blankly at the unconscious man on the bed.

That's Rem Friend...... This brown-haired, black-eyed, unassuming, strong, silent paladin had only come to the Temple of Collins a few days earlier. They hadn't said a few words in total, but he was more important to Ed than anything else at the moment—he was perhaps the only paladin to survive last night's massacre other than Salz.

He didn't know why he hadn't woken up yet. He had treated him again and again, healing, healing, praying...... He still has a lot of questions to ask......

No, he didn't know what to ask, he just didn't want to leave.

"Ed. Naria gently put her hand on his shoulder, "Why don't you take a break, if he wakes up, I'll tell you right away." ”

Ed didn't say anything, and after a long moment shook his head slightly, "I'm fine." ”

He needs to stay here...... He needs to watch him, watch him breathe, watch him wake up.

He's alive...... In the midst of all the exhausting chaos and calamity, in the dark and heavy despair and resentment piled up in his heart, this is the only one that seems to be able to give him a little salvation.

Naria sighed slightly, no longer reluctant. But instead of leaving, she dragged a chair over and sat quietly beside him.

Ed knew he should be grateful for such thoughtful company...... For some reason, it just made him feel upset.

He just wants to be alone now...... But even that seems to be a luxury.

There was a slight thud in the door, and a crack was pushed open. Tess poked her head out of the crack in the door. He lowered his voice and shouted, "Naria...... Alan looking for you. ”

Naria hesitated for a moment, but got up and walked out, gently closing the door.

Ed let out a breath unconsciously. He rested his head on his folded arms and continued to stare blankly at Rem.

Sunlight slowly moved through the room through the half-open curtains. Ed felt like he had slept for a short time in a trance, and when he woke up, Rem was sitting up from his bed in shock.

He glared at Ed with a look of surprise on his face.

"Sage...... My lord. He shouted.

Ed opened his mouth, not knowing if he should respond to the call.

It took him a long time before he jumped out of his chair and walked to the bed. Wringing his hands and whispering incoherently: "Don't worry, you're safe, this is Christenburg...... I...... Belch. Are you hungry or not, I can go get you something to eat......"

His voice grew lower.

Rem didn't say anything, just watched him quietly.

Ed shut his mouth and looked back helplessly—what would he take him for? a framed sage...... Or a cursed liar?

"Your Excellency......" Rem sighed. "Can you help me get my clothes over there?"

Ed quickly grabbed one side of Vala's carefully prepared coat. Handed it over.

Rem looked at him as he took his coat, a strange glint in his eyes.

“...... I'm sorry. He whispered.

Ed stared at him stunned - excuse me?

There was a sudden sharp pain in his chest and abdomen, and the pain seemed to burst out in front of his eyes...... Darkness ensued.

Rem looked down at Ed, who had fainted beside the bed, hesitated for a moment, but quickly rolled over, put on his boots, equipped all his weapons on the long table next to him, and pulled out the hilt of a short knife. He pulled out a slender white copper bottle and poured all the liquid into Ed's mouth. He walked to the door, carefully poked his head out and looked left and right, turned around and put Ed on his shoulder, pulled the door open and walked left through the hallway.

As he approached the stairs, he pressed hard against the wall on his left. A faint grinding sound came from between the walls, and one wall moved slightly inward, revealing a secret door.

Rem breathed a sigh of relief, squeezed through the secret door, groping his way through the dark passage. He stopped abruptly at the sound of a human voice, and it took him a moment to realize that it was coming from the other side of the wall.

"Ante's army had to cross the plains of Collins to get here...... Or take a boat ride north...... From the territory of Anktan...... Walk through the Karnak Mountains...... This at least gave us a little bit of time......"

The faint sound was staccato and staccato, but it sounded exceptionally clear in the dark silence...... It's like a heavy heartbeat on your own.

Rem slowed down as he walked again, narrowly missing the stairs down in his panic, and despite repeated warnings to be cautious, he involuntarily walked faster and faster.

The secret door at the end of the passage opened with a gentle push, but Rem was stunned by the large bags and baskets of vegetables and fruits in front of him.

He looked at the map, and he was sure he wasn't going wrong...... This secret passage is supposed to lead to the cliff behind Kriesburg, not the storeroom!

He hesitated to go back, but something suddenly moved between the various foods.

A large man stood up from between the bunches of rattan baskets, holding a basket of apples in his hand, one in his mouth, and a huge hammer in the other, and looked at him in amazement.

Akan Rem remembered the big man's name and knew he had a slight problem with his brain. He might be able to fool the past......

But Akan raised his hammer and pointed it at him—at Ed on his shoulder, spat out the apple in his mouth, and roared.

He recognized his friend...... He's not really that stupid.

Rem drew a short knife from his waist and threw it out of his hand—he couldn't let the big man alarm more people.

Akan let out another muffled roar, and rushed towards the dagger without dodging, even holding the basket of apples in his left hand.

The knife was stabbed in his chest, but Rem suspected it hadn't even penetrated his muscles. The big man's footsteps did not stop for half a moment, and pressed towards Rem like a small mountain.

Rem stepped back into the passageway, hoping that the savage-like creature would crash headfirst against the wall and faint...... But Akan's movements are quick compared to his body.

He threw down the basket of apples, stretched out his huge palms, and dragged Ed off Rem's shoulders and into his arms.

Ed's feet could only shake in front of his knees...... Rem winked at the almost ridiculous sight in front of him, rushed out of the passage, drew his sword, and lunged straight at Akhan.

He realized that he might not be able to succeed in getting Ed out...... But even if there is only a little hope, he has no power to give up.

The hammer fell on his head with a terrible sound of wind. But Rem easily dodged the blow, cutting a deep wound behind the big man's left knee.

Akan wielded the hammer, as if trying to keep his balance, but his legs were still weak, and he fell to one knee, but at the same moment he threw Ed far away into a pile of flour bags in the corner, blocking himself in front of Rem.

Rem couldn't help but be slightly stunned - who the hell said this guy had a brain problem?!

"Akan, what are you doing in there?" someone asked outside the storage room, the voice getting closer, "...... Are there rats again?"

The door opened, the aroma of toast and cream soup came to the nostrils, and a slender woman with neatly tied hair stood by the door, looking at them in amazement.

“...... What's going on?" she blurted out.

Akan let out a warning roar and rushed over with his injured leg, looking like he was trying to knock her out the door.

But Rem was closer to her. He jumped to his feet, rushed over and grabbed the woman, his sword resting on her neck.

"Stop!" he yelled at Akan and a few stunned women in the kitchen outside, "no one is allowed to move...... Go close the door!"

He was a little worried that they were screaming in panic and running around...... But the women looked at each other, and the eldest of them, calmly wiping his hands on his apron, went over and closed the two doors, and walked back again.

"Your Excellency. "You can take whatever you want," she said, "but please don't hurt Madame and Akan." ”

Madam...... Rem glanced at the woman he had locked to his chest. Although he was dressed modestly, he was clearly different from the others, and his skin was fair and delicate under his long hair, and his body trembled slightly, but he did not cry or struggle—this was Vala Singh.

He unconsciously let go of his hand slightly, but tightened it again as Akan lifted the hammer.

"Rem Flender. Vala calmly called out his name, "Lord Paladin...... What are you doing? Maybe you don't remember, but you came here with a serious injury, and it was my son who saved your life. ”

"I know. Rem said stiffly, "I have no intention of harming you, ma'am...... Or your son, but I had to trade him for more lives. ”

Vala's body stiffened, as if she saw Ed, who was thrown in the corner, motionless, and couldn't help but let out a low exclamation, and involuntarily struggled forward.

"Don't move!" Rem whispered, his sword squeezing a trail of blood on Vala's neck, leaning against the door, keeping an eye on the movement outside, and shouting at Akhan, "You!

Akan looked at Vala and then at Ed in the corner, shaking in place at a loss.

"Wait...... My lord, who gave you such a promise?Ante Bofford, our Majesty the King? You ought to know what he has done...... And do you really believe he'll keep his word?" Vala struggled to keep her composure, but there was uncontrollable panic in her slightly hurried voice.

Rem was silent, just tightened his arms and repeated coldly towards Akan, "Drag him here!"

Akan glanced at Vala again, and finally slowly moved towards Ed.

Rem's heart was pounding. He knew that the kitchen was in the corner of the castle, and if he could control the people, he might have a chance to escape......

Ed, who was thrown on the flour bag, suddenly moved, letting out a muffled moan.

(To be continued......)