Before rising from the icy ground, Ed squinted and tried to see more, but in his limited vision, his ornate cage glittered with countless gems that made him dizzy. And the darkness outside the cage has been as quiet as a tomb, and there is not half a figure in sight.

Maybe he'd better keep playing dead...... But he couldn't lie down.

He was thrown to the ground in an extremely awkward position, and lay motionless until now, barely feeling his body. He suspected that the owner of the place would not be able to allow him to retain the ability to cast spells, so he ...... It would be better for him not to lose the ability to act completely.

He struggled for a few moments before he could move. The paralysis turned into an unbearable sting, and even though he had been prepared, he couldn't help but scream - and then even more.

...... No one cares.

Ed sat up, looked around with a glazed gaze, and whispered the incantation after a moment of dazedness, unsurprisingly unanswered.

The dagger was not in the boots, the brooch was not in the placket, and even the belt was taken away...... Maybe he should be thankful that they didn't strip him naked?

He smiled silently at himself, and sat silently for a while, seriously considering what kind of drama to play out—panic, anger, or fear?

But he ended up just shrugging his shoulders and struggling to his feet, moving his stiff arms slowly to the rim of the cage, tilting his head and staring curiously at his cage in a daze.

Some kind of silvery-white metal grew out of the ground like a plant, weaving a nearly circular cage around him. The shape looks a little ridiculously alive like a giant apple. The thin metal branches were carved with a series of symbols, reminding him of the intricate and graceful patterns that elves loved...... If he hadn't been trapped inside like a canary, he would have been amazed by it—even if he was trapped inside. He couldn't help but feel that this cage was still quite good-looking.

Ed couldn't help but knock on the metal that was whiter and brighter than silver, as radiant as the scales of Is...... But instinct told him that it didn't seem like a good idea.

He suspects it's Mithril. If true, this cage is absolutely ridiculously expensive...... In an instant, the tiny, tiny part of his soul that belonged to the merchant quickly calculated the result - the entire realm of Lord Ferdinand could not be exchanged for half of it.

Of course, Lord Earl Ferdinand did not spend most of his own money.

Ed rubbed his fingers thoughtfully—the tips were still a little wooden. What did Mancini do with that book...... It's also possible that it was on that wooden knife.

He remembered that he was saying goodbye to Mancini when his mind suddenly went empty and he collapsed to the ground. Mancini was warmly holding him to lunch, and the smile on his face didn't change at all as he watched him fall to the ground...... Cunning fat fox. He must have had a thorough explanation for his disappearance - in any case it was none of his business, otherwise he would not have invited him to his home so openly.

But why now?

Naria will soon find out that something is wrong, and Scott will soon find out......

Maybe this whole thing is not aimed at him at all?

Ed scratched his head sadly. Begin to doubt your choices. It's one thing to risk your own life. It's another thing to cause trouble to others...... But it's too late to regret it now.

There was a sound of footsteps coming from far and near. Ed pricked up his ears and listened to the empty recollection—the space around him was bigger than he had imagined.

The footsteps stopped not far away. Ed struggles to keep his eyes open, only to see a blurry outline?

"Uh...... Is anyone somewhere?"

He tentatively shouted, "Excuse me, can you do me a favor?"

There was a low laugh in the darkness, with undisguised contempt.

The footsteps sounded again, and the visitor finally stepped into Ed's line of sight, his brilliant blonde hair glowing with a warm and soft glow. The blue eyes were full of cold hatred.

"I heard you're looking for me?"

Bloomer Christos stood still outside the cage and smiled mockingly at him.

Ed glared at him. I haven't made a sound for a long time.

They looked at each other in silence. The young knight had taken off his brand new armor and still looked imposing...... Although the skin was so white and almost transparent, it seemed that it had not been bathed in the sun for a long time.

All the unbearable images in his memory came back like waves again, and each scene Ed chewed on with bitterness, and became more aware of his innocence more and more clearly...... Or stupid.

Probably no one would ever jump into a trap set by others in such a perfect posture as he did, and dig it deeper with great effort.

“...... In fact, I just want to get the Staff of Eternity back. He forced himself to speak, "Where is it?"

Bloomer glared at him gloomily. For there was no need to hide it, and his anger and hatred were so strong that his handsome face was distorted.

Staff of Eternity...... The sacred staff was probably a thorn in his heart as well.

“...... It doesn't belong to you!" he replied through gritted teeth.

"It doesn't belong to you either. Ed calmed down instead, "Holding it doesn't make you a Sage either—is that what Ante promised?"

"You don't know anything!" Bloomer sneered, "I don't care if I can become a 'Sage'...... That's just a joke!"

"And how much do you know?" Ed snapped, "Are you sure that you haven't been able to go home until now, and you're hiding in the dark isn't another 'joke'?"

"Shut up!!"

Bloomer roared and rushed over, but stopped abruptly just as he was about to hit the cage.

“...... Cunning. He squeezed the word out between his teeth, a twisted smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, "I guess you've tasted the bitterness? No one has taught you to grit your teeth even if you die of pain?" you scream like a girl with a needle stuck in your hand...... But it's no wonder you're just the son of a businessman. ”

Ed was secretly glad he hadn't really knocked on his shiny magic cage, and kept his face tight.

"You've escaped once, but this time ......," Bloomer stepped back with a grim smile, "and no one will come to your rescue this time...... Don't expect to get out of this cage, it's for people who are much stronger than you. ”

His face changed suddenly as he spoke, as if he realized that he had said too much. But judging by the anger in his eyes, he probably blamed Ed for this.

"Enjoy what little life you have left. He left this sentence hatefully before leaving, but Ed didn't listen to it at all.

"Someone much stronger than you" -- that doesn't seem to be a hard guess.

(To be continued.) )