Fingers groped for the carefully framed cover. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 The once vivid colors of the soft sheepskin have almost faded, and the dull lines outline a half-human, half-beast monster and a huge, toothy flower, revealing an almost ridiculous simplicity in the grotesque, like the absurd stories I heard in my childhood.

Of the three books sent by Brooke, two were about the various strange creatures of legend, and one listed one forbidden spell after another in an extremely harsh, condemning tone. After making sure that there was no secret note hidden anywhere in any of the books, Ed held his hair for a moment, wondering what he would do if he were Brooke Thorn to get some news out of sight.

It's a bit wishful thinking. He wasn't sure that Brooke would have secretly revealed something to him, but he recalled again and again the calm, unwavering look in the old priest's gaze as he left—the look on which he had made some kind of decision, and the subtle tone of his last words...... Obviously, there is unfinished business that cannot be exported.

Ed repeatedly looked at each marked place, trying to find a clue from it, and even extinguished the candle on a whim, allowing the bright moonlight to shine on the pages...... It turns out that some legends are probably just legends.

A wild cherry leaf, which was as thin as a cicada's wings, floated out as he gradually began to look through it absentmindedly, and was gently rolled by the wind, almost flying out of the window, and Ed grabbed it back in a hurry, and after only a little use, most of the dry leaf was broken.

Ed stared at the remaining half of his palm, a little speechless—wondering if the old priest would blame him for breaking his beloved specimen. But why should such a fragile thing be used as a bookmark......

A sudden knock outside the door crept into his groggy mind. He looked up and was surprised to realize that the dawn was faintly shining from the horizon.

Violita stood outside his door, her face haggard like the dehydrated petals of a book—and she probably hadn't slept all night.

"I'm here to say goodbye to you. ”

She spoke bluntly, and without saying a word, she simply turned and left.

“...... Wait!"

Ed was stunned for a while with his heavy head on his head, and then chased after him in a panic, "Where are you going......?"

He wanted to say that it wasn't safe outside, but it suddenly occurred to him that it might be an offense to the proud elves...... Even if that's the truth.

This humble house is very well preserved. Allen's friends were keeping an eye on it in secret, and the men sent by Lockburg were a little more blatant - half protection, half surveillance, and the men sent by Moira were carefully selected. Even Dorian hired a few men to protect his little master who refused to return home...... Since Naria and Ed returned to Ston Butch and moved in, the eyes staring at it have become more and more intense, and Ed has felt itchy at times, but at least, no enemy has dared to break in. Even the shadows that had pursued Violeta disappeared silently into the night after discovering the elves' whereabouts.

Viorita's footsteps were fast, and Ed chased her all the way to the yard before stopping her.

"I know what you're worried about. He was anxious and resolute, "No one will give up looking for Norvi ......"

"I'm not worried that you'll give up. Violeta interrupted him, looking much calmer than he was, "I also know that you have a lot of friends and are far more informed than I am...... But I still have to go back, back to Grivar. ”

"But," Ed frowned puzzled, "you managed to escape!"

"yes...... Viorita, smirking self-deprecatingly, "that was a mistake. Tell me, Ed, how many friends do you have who know Grivar well? Noway is the only elf you know - he's the only one who likes to deal with humans. And even he wouldn't want other races, even his friends, to meddle in the Elves' civil strife...... You're going to have a hard time getting any useful news from Grivar. ”

Ed opened his mouth, unable to refute.

"I should have stayed in the forest. Viorita's gaze fell, "Even if you are watched, threatened, at least you can grasp some information." At the very least, if Norway was in danger in Grivar, he knew where he could go back...... Also, if he doesn't know I'm gone, if he goes to me on the night of the Summer Flame, as agreed...... Lance is dead, and he will not only fall into the trap, but also be isolated. ”

Ed was silent. He could refute every reason the elves had, but he also realized that it was hard for him to stop her—he couldn't cast a spell to keep her from falling asleep like Tess, could he?

"Listen to me—" He refused to give up his efforts, but was interrupted by another voice.

"Ed!"

Naria stood under the laurel tree and shook her head at him.

"Let her go. She said, walking over and handing Viorita a small package, "a little bit to eat...... If you need it. ”

Violeta hesitated slightly, then reached out and took it.

She nodded to them, her expression still a little reserved, but her gaze was much softer than before. Then, in the early morning breeze, she pushed open the courtyard door and left without looking back.

Naria grabbed Ed as he tried to catch up again.

"Let her go. She sighed, "Knowing that your loved ones are in danger...... Even if she didn't know exactly what she could do, it was unacceptable for a girl like her to stay here and do nothing. ”

Ed was slightly stunned and looked at her carefully.

He could understand that...... I can understand why Naria made such a decision, but ......

Naria raised an eyebrow and gave him a roll of her eyes.

"Besides," she said, "do you think I'm really going to leave her alone?—rest assured, she'll be back before Grivar arrives." ”

She's so sure. Ed blinked blankly, always feeling like he was missing something.

While he's struggling to deal with all sorts of troubles, Naria certainly doesn't just stay at home and prepare three meals a day...... Although her company was already a help he was grateful for, Narya was becoming more like her father day by day when he didn't notice.

In addition to the "girl he likes", she is also his most reliable friend...... It always has been.

“...... What are you giggling again?"

The girl who was holding her hair glared at him angrily, but her face turned red unconsciously.

Sunlight pierces the clouds. In the yard covered with broken gold, Ed was alone for a long time.

. (To be continued.) )