"I know. Ed smiled wryly, not proud of it, "But strength isn't everything. ”

He knew what he was strong about, and he no longer refused to accept it, but he was still a sword with no beatings, but not a hand that could handle it with ease...... What's more, there are some things that can be cut with a sword.

"Most people," Balk said, "feel like they can do anything when they have what you have." At such an age, it is not easy for you to still have such sobriety. ”

If not......

He pinched his fingers, hiding the dark thoughts in his heart even deeper.

If not, so powerful and yet difficult to control...... A force that is so strong that it can easily upset the balance is better than not existing.

He could never forget the shock of watching the three-storied pagoda come to life before his eyes. That's a miracle that can't be done by human beings...... But the gods weren't supposed to walk in the world. Even Felicity, revered by all, was more of a wise man, a guide—whether deliberately hidden or inherently so, she never showed too much strength.

Too strong and a threat...... He is definitely not the only one who would think like this.

"Do you know how many pairs of eyes are looking at you?" he asked, "especially when the three-storied pagoda stands like it is now...... How many people want to hold you in their own hands, or simply extinguish the flames that have just risen into the sky. ”

“...... Know. ”

The young man, whom he thought would be hit again, calmly accepted the malice, "My father once told me that you can be strong enough, but you must not be unique and outstanding, because to be unique means to be lonely, and to be too conspicuous means to be ...... Aunt Sally. ”

He raised a smile of pride in Balk's slightly surprised gaze, "But I'm not alone. ”

That's what he's really proud of – he knows that someone will always be there for him, no matter what he becomes. And, in order that those people may always stand by his side proudly and as a matter of course, he will never become what they disappoint and disgust.

All his power, but because of it.

“...... You have very good friends. Balk could only admit it, and he couldn't help but have a hint of jealousy that he didn't even notice himself.

"I don't think I need to remind you that you have a lot of trouble to face. He said, "Because of your sudden disappearance...... And then you left for nearly a month, running to a place where no one can find you, some people may have put aside their plans for a while, and they are trying to get more within reach, while others will not give up so easily. I can get rid of some of them for you, but there are some that even I can't stop. And what I'm telling you ......"

"I'm going to keep it a secret!" said Ed firmly.

“...... Not really. Balk laughed, "You probably have some misunderstanding of the 'secret'. Some 'secrets'...... It's only useful when it's leaked out. ”

Ed nodded in understanding.

"You just have to be yourself. Balk taught with more patience than ever before," as far as I know...... You're not good at keeping secrets. ”

Ed blushed in embarrassment, but understood.

"Don't let that take your energy, though. Balk told him, "Honestly, I feel too tired to watch you run around, exhausted...... You may feel that many things are important to you, but there is not only one way to solve them. What you should do is find what you are best at, or maybe only you can do - Ed, there are many unexpected things in this world, but I always feel that it is not an accident that you have the power you have now......"

.

The steps of the departing are not heavier than they were when they came. As he walked out of Lockburg, Ed looked back at where they had just left. In the darkness, that small piece of light still flickered silently, faint as if it would be swallowed up in the next moment, and tenacious as if it could hold on until dawn pierced the sky.

When they returned home, it was dark through the closed door. Neither Naria nor Tess were there, and even Is, who had left Lockburg on his own, did not return. Ed walked upstairs and downstairs, and the faint uneasiness came out of his heart uncontrollably.

Almost immediately, he tried to run out to find someone, but was stopped by Mock.

"You're a little too worried. The dwarf's tone was gentle and helpless, "Do you think your friends don't even have the ability to protect themselves?

"Not really......" Ed replied curtly, "but it's so late......"

He is...... It's just a matter of pure worry.

"Not to mention the dragon, even Naria, I've been here for two days, and she's spent most of her time running around outside, dealing with all kinds of people, day and night...... She's a normal person, but she has what she wants to do and can do, Ed ......," the dwarf patted him meaningfully on the chest, "but just because she's your girl, you just want to keep her in your arms." ”

"I—I didn't ......" Ed's face burned instantly, his heart pounding in his chest, beating panicked and sweet, "You, how do you know......"

Naria would never have spoken of this. They probably didn't show it very obviously, did they? Or did they just unconsciously ...... Is it that obvious?

He didn't know whether to be embarrassed or happy.

“...... Do you think you can hide your face from anyone?" the dwarf couldn't help but laugh, and his low, deep laughter rolled like a rock rolling through the valley, "And, the first day I sat here, and I didn't even finish a beer, the red-haired girl came running up to me, and sighed at me with a sad and smug face, 'My sweetheart finally knows what a sweetheart is, but it's not easy!'"

Ed's face was red, and he almost wanted to throw a spell at himself to calm down, but the corners of his mouth were so open that he couldn't suppress it. He could fully imagine Tess's look and tone...... Of course, even if Naria didn't say a word, how could she hide it from Tess's eyes?

The thoughtful dwarf let him go, and made no more amusement, but sat down at the table, lit his pipe, and watched him run about with a smile, graciously bringing him beers, and lighting candles in every room.

In the still deep night, a soft and warm light peeked through the half-open doors and windows, waiting for those who had not yet returned home.