The "Great Sage" Ed Singal crouched on the ground without a figure, the slender Staff of Eternity leaning crookedly on his shoulder, his cheeks propped up at the fountain in front of him.

He had just sent off his father. As soon as River heard the news from Allen, he rushed over. The well-informed businessman was incoherent for a while before he calmed down and asked him, "Can you resign from the position of the Sage?"

"I want my son to come home. He told Ed so bluntly, "I don't want him to be such a great person, I just want to be able to see him every time I go home, have a meal together, and have a chat...... I know I don't have much time at home, but at least I know you're there, and no matter how far I go, I know what I'm working for......"

His voice choked up, and his eyes reddened.

Ed had never seen his father like this, and it made him panic, desperately explaining that the Sage was not much different from the priest, and that he could still go home......

River shook his head: "Regardless of the pastor, I know a lot of pastors, although they have responsibilities, they can also have a happy and warm home, but the saint ...... The Sage has no home, no child, he no longer belongs to his relatives, not even to himself, and one day even if I want to see you, I will have to wait endlessly after countless more important people, or look at you from afar at some festival—no, I don't want that, and your mother definitely doesn't want that. ”

Ed was speechless.

But the "Sage" is not a job that he can quit if he wants to. Ed spent most of the day trying to explain to his father, but River just kept shaking his head. His face darkened a little.

"I will always be your son no matter what, and no god can change that. ”

In the end, Ed could only tell him that, hugging his father tightly.

River left still sad and disappointed. The slight embarrassment of his back was imprinted in Ed's eyes, making him almost desperate to throw down the Staff of Eternity and go home with his father......

Vala shouldn't have known the news yet. If she also came here and begged him to go back...... He really didn't know how to deal with it.

So far, none of his friends and relatives seem to be sincerely happy that he has become a saint...... Except maybe Eric.

The shock and apprehension on Alan's face was far more real than the smile he had barely squeezed out, and Naria had clearly not yet figured out what it meant, just a look of disbelief. And for Akhan, it probably doesn't make a difference whether Ed becomes a Sage or a necromancer, as for Tess. The only thing she cares about now is probably Novi......

During his time in the temple, Norway seemed to be in a lot of trouble.

Ed let out a long breath and stood up on his knees. In any case, to rescue Norvi. Ed Singer, the "Sage", is much more useful than the "idle young master of Christersburg". More unexpectedly. He also thought that Sean would stop him from using his yet-to-public status to save his friend, but the Paladin Master carried out his "order" without saying a word—or "pleading" more appropriately.

Considering when the "guests" might arrive, Ed shuffled out of the chamber, straightened up the moment he heard the footsteps, and strode forward without squinting.

- It's really tiring to be a saint, he really doesn't know how Felicity, who is lively by nature, can endure this......

Seeing Eric walking towards him, Ed's shoulder immediately collapsed lazily. In front of a friend. He didn't feel at all that he needed to maintain any image.

"Sage. Eric saluted him respectfully, in exchange for Ed's reluctance to wave his hand.

"Please. Just call me Ed, okay, at least while Sean isn't around, and I'll forget what I'm called if I keep going like this. He grumbled wryly.

"Of course, Sage...... Ed. A smile flickered across Eric's lips, and he told him solemnly, "The elves have arrived...... Including Novo. ”

“...... So fast?!" Ed almost jumped, scrambling at his hair and tugging at his crumpled white robe—well, the quality of this robe was really not good!

"Mistress Frecher is receiving them...... You still have time to change your clothes. Eric grinned, unable to maintain the deserved respect, "The dress for your new work should be finished, though it might seem a little too formal......"

"That's it!" Ed decided dryly.

The unadorned pure white dome of the Temple of Collins was still imposing, and in normal times, Norway would probably be tempted to look around and secretly admire the skill and enthusiasm of the human craftsmen. But at the moment...... He wasn't really in the mood.

Sean, who was at the front, briefly and politely answered Lance's equally polite but roundabout questions, and led them to the depths of the temple, his slow steps making Norvi anxious for a while. Even among the elves, he was very patient, but he really wanted to see Ed as soon as possible.

His young human friend actually became the sage of the water god...... As a devout believer in the gods, Norway knew that he should be proud of Ed, but he really didn't know whether this excessive responsibility would be a blessing or a curse for Ed, remembering the young man's simple nature of being unrestrained when he said it was good to be good, and heartless when he said it was bad.

He didn't want the trouble he had caused to become a burden to Ed.

Sean ushered them into a rectangular hall with large floor-to-ceiling windows on either side, a vibrant garden on one side and the blue lake of Starnestle on the other.

But the wait is still nerve-wracking.

As the footsteps sounded from far and near, all the elves locked their eyes on the side door at the front of the hall.

The plain black wooden door opened inward, and Eric, the young paladin, stepped in with his head held high, announcing the arrival of the Sage in a clear voice—but there seemed to be something strange on his face.

When Ed, dressed in a white robe, appeared in front of the door, Norway's eyes widened in astonishment.

I have to say, Ed Singal looks like a decent sage at the moment. The new and heavy white robe is layered up to the top of the feet, and the ribbon hanging from the shoulders is embroidered with intricate water lines in different shades of blue silk thread, as if it can really make waves, and the wide long sleeves are faintly visible with silver dark lines on the edges. Her neatly combed black hair hung down on her shoulders, her facial features were like a sculptural face, and her large, deep blue eyes looked serene and wise. Even more respectful was the Staff of Eternity in his hand, and in the swirling waves of the staff's head, a small ball of light conclusively proved the identity of the bearer.

He was indeed the Sage chosen by the god of water—if the elves had doubted before, this scene was enough to convince them.

After a moment of surprise and even awe, Norway could easily see the apprehension hidden behind the solemnity in the young face—it made him even more worried that the next moment Ed would accidentally step on his overly long white robe and fall to the ground.

As he looked away from the apparently bluffing young man, Norway swore he saw the same apprehension and helplessness on Sean Flache's slightly stiff face.

The brief distraction caused him to get down on one knee one step later than the other elves, and respectfully salute the Sage—to the elves, the Sage, who represents the gods, is a more respectable being than the ruler of the elven kingdom, whether he is a human, an elf, or a dwarf.

Without looking up, Norway could have guessed Ed's momentary panic...... Fortunately, the "panic" is silent.

When he spoke, Ed's voice was calm and powerful:

"Please don't have to be like this, guests from afar...... And my friends. We are all but servants of the gods. ”

Norway lowered his head even deeper, lest anyone notice the grinning smile on his face.

Ed's pretense reminded him of the time they had fooled around the jewel merchants together in Cam City a few months ago—but the other elves probably didn't feel much of it. When it comes to interacting with races other than elves, they mostly prefer to pretend to Ed.

When Lance, with the tactful tone and subtle expression characteristic of elves on such occasions, began the expected lengthy pleasantries and cautious tentativeness, Norway tried to keep his eyes away from Ed's, and not from Ed's—that only made him more nervous.

With his knowledge of his friend, Norway had roughly guessed Ed's plan by the time he saw the letter. He knew the risks, but he knew it was too late to stop them.

"I know why you had to bring him back to Grivar - after all, I was the one who started it. ”

When Ed confessed so frankly, Norway was still in his heart.

This daring guy ...... He didn't just want to make the elves worry about it with his identity, but simply took all the responsibility on himself.

"The silver coin I gave to Norway should still be with him. Ed's gaze turned to Norvi, "If you may, please pass that silver coin to King Ryan, and tell him that I would be happy to interview him about the forgotten city...... It may not be for nothing that the gods let it be rediscovered at this time. ”

Norway glared at him, his face darkened - Sean, Fletcher didn't plan to take care of him?! Even if he had the name of a Sage, he was just a young man who didn't know the height of the sky!

Ed, however, was confident in him...... He even smiled a little smugly. Sean still stood there expressionless, not the slightest surprised or angry.

Lance looked back at Norvi, his eyes full of doubt.

With more doubts, Novi smiled back with a seemingly knowing smile.

If only Ed knew what he was doing - he could only pray.

(To be continued......)