Ed doesn't like to confront people, especially those who are much more imposing than him. If he is not pushed to the bottom line, he usually chooses to back down or give up.

But this time he made up his mind not to back down, even if it was Icabird, who scared him more than Sean.

-- I can't say I'm afraid. He always felt that half of Icabold was hardly a living person, that he had no joys or sorrows, that he did not seem to have any desires other than knowledge, that he was elusive and unapproachable...... Didn't want to get close either.

Usually he can't communicate with him at all without being able to say three words, and can only walk away in a gloomy way, like now-

"Do you know what that 'thing' in the tomb is?" he asked, straight to the point.

"In fact...... I can't be sure yet. ”

“...... But you at least have some guesses?"

"Yes. ”

"So...... Can you explain?"

"It's hard to explain. ”

Normally, people will always start to explain after this sentence, maybe carefully or casually, but Ikabard ...... He just looked at Ed so calmly, as if that was his "explanation".

Ed really wanted to find a wall and crash into it, but the "Sage" held back.

"How about a try?" he tapped his head helplessly, "I don't think I'm hopelessly stupid yet." ”

Icabard's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and his eyes clearly seemed to say, "You have." ”

Ed resisted the urge to flee and stared at him unrelentingly.

Icabard's gaze drifted to the sides of the room. It seems that he is going to give Ed another number. But this is not his library, there are no books, not even tables and chairs. There is only a small fountain.

After a long silence, Ed relentlessly switched to another question.

"I'm trapped in the tomb and can't get out, is it because of that 'thing'?"

"I'm afraid not. Icabold gave him an unexpected answer, "It's another 'thing' that traps you—a trap." ”

“...... Why is there a trap in there!"

"I set it up. ”

“......”

Ed stared blankly at the priest, while the other looked back calmly.

"So...... That's to prevent someone from ...... Grave...... Ed's stumbling guess, his mind churning with countless words that he couldn't get out of his mouth.

"It's not. ”

“...... So, can you explain?" Ed felt like he was about to cry.

"Mistress Fratscher wants me to set a trap there...... Icabold explained slowly. "So I set it up. ”

A chill crept up his spine, and Ed clenched his hands into fists to stop his fingertips from trembling slightly.

"Why?" he asked.

"Didn't ask. Icabold replied.

Anger came from around a corner. Ed's tone was no longer so cautious:

"Has it always been like this? Master Fletcher will do anything you ask you to do, and you won't even ask 'why?'!"

"Yes. There seemed to be a tease of welling in Icabold's eyes, "because I trust him, and I can't find a reason not to." ”

Ed was stunned. The small anger in my heart quickly extinguished.

- Believe Sean...... Felicity once said so. He wanted to believe it. I am also willing to believe, but at this moment, there are too many unexplained doubts.

Looking down in contemplation for a moment, he avoided Sean Fletcher and asked again, "The old priest...... Does he know there's a trap in the tomb?"

"I don't know...... You'd better ask him yourself. ”

Ed shook his head helplessly: "Then why is it just me...... Trapped in a trap? Eric: They're going in with me. ”

"Those paladins are young but well-trained, and they don't touch the things of the dead. Icabold glanced at him, "It seems that no one told you what etiquette to follow in the catacombs. ”

Ed scratched his face in embarrassment. He doesn't remember exactly...... But he did seem to have brushed the dust and cobwebs off a sarcophagus in order to see the badge on it...... That's not a blasphemy, is it?

It seems that Sean did hide some secret in the crypt and very little wanted anyone to find it...... Could it be the invisible force?

At this point, Ed finally understood why Naria couldn't help but quarrel with Alan. Know that people you respect and trust are hiding something from you. Whatever the reason, it's frustrating. Jump the track. What's more, he almost died inexplicably because of this "secret......

"You said you weren't sure what that thing was in the tomb...... But you know it absorbs magic, don't you?" he struggled to squeeze a little bit of truth out of Icabird," Sean ...... Did he mention anything like that to you?"

"If you're trying to ask if it's something that Master Fratscher made or hidden, I'm afraid I can't answer that question. "But Master Frather isn't good at magic, and he knows the dangers. ”

"Dangerous" ...... Ed was slightly startled, "That thing doesn't seem to have disappeared...... Will it be dangerous?"

"I'm glad you finally thought of this. Icabard's straight tone makes it impossible to tell if it's sarcasm or not, "Yes, it's dangerous." ”

"Gods...... Goddess above, Lord Priest, you know, you can tell me this first!" Ed smiled bitterly, only feeling weak, "How dangerous is it? Can you control it?"

"I haven't figured out a way to control it yet, so even telling you won't help. Icabold clasped his hands calmly, "At the moment, it seems more like a rift in space...... It is true that it can absorb the power of magic, but the inner and outer realms are balanced in the end, and the power flows all the time, and the world will protect itself...... As long as you don't let the crack expand too quickly in a short period of time, most of the time, it will repair itself. ”

“...... What about the few who are not so lucky?" Ed had to ask more. "I've heard that the Plains of Collins are a land of magic. ”

"It's not full, it's just more singular...... or pure, which makes no difference to a crack. Worst-case scenario. It will turn into a void that cannot be closed, and within a certain radius of the surrounding area, the power of magic will become chaotic. ”

“...... Does that mean we might have to move?"

“...... It's gratifying to be so optimistic. ”

- Ed can be sure that this time it is absolutely ironic.

As the golden sun cast its last rays, Ed walked blankly along the promenade along the lake, and Eric followed him without leaving him.

The "confrontation" with Icabold simply exhausted him. And it seemed that nothing had been found - Ed had only more doubts in his mind.

The island of the Holy Sepulchre is completely cordoned off, and Ikabird will stay on the island, guarding the rift. But all he can do. In fact, the only way to stop people with ulterior motives from deliberately widening the cracks is to prevent them. Ed thought about it might be the secret Sean wanted to hide...... He didn't want anyone to discover the rift and exploit it - but Icabodd had already admitted that the magic trap he had set was probably one of the reasons for the rift to widen to the point where it could be detected.

What good could it do Sean to destroy this holy land? Ed couldn't figure it out anyway. All he knew was. His trust in Sean Fletcher. It's getting tougher and tougher.

When he saw the white figure of the ice dragon flying towards him across the lake, his mood couldn't help but be much lighter. At least...... There are also people he can trust with all his heart.

The ice dragon landed lightly on the top of the corridor, right above Ed's head. The lake clearly reflected a dragon in human form, and no matter how many times he saw it, it still amazed Ed - and he had always wanted to ask how Is's clothes were conjured and if he could take them off?......

Isis jumped into the corridor. Blonde hair shines in the sun.

"Did you squeeze something out of that nasty guy?" he asked.

Ed didn't know if he should nod or shake his head: "A little...... I think. Have you ever heard of a spatial rift?"

"Of course. Sitting on the handrail of the corridor, Iss replied casually, "Is that the one under the tomb?" Otherwise, this place will no longer be called a 'holy place', and your priest will most likely turn someone into a donkey while healing them...... It's also quite interesting. ”

“...... Not really. Ed said with a wry face. But judging by Is's tone...... It doesn't seem that serious.

He sighed and sat down next to Is, holding the Staff of Eternity.

The Staff of Eternity has been able to answer his call once again...... But Beye's words lingered in his ears.

- "It's only your bloodline that responds. ”......

He shook his head, turning his attention to other troubles.

"I don't know where Borena is now......" he muttered, that was what he was most worried about right now.

"Most of them are still alive. Iss glanced at him, "That guy is lucky, just like you." ”

Ed smiled bitterly: "It's a pity that I can't solve all the problems with 'luck'. Besides, it seems that the god of luck has abandoned me. ”

“...... I still like to hear your saying, 'There's always a way.'" Isis said.

The awkward worry made Ed really laugh: "I wish I could say that, but ......"

He stopped, staring blankly at the sunset that was about to sink in the west.

“...... But what?" asked Is, impatiently.

"I don't know. Ed replied in a daze, "I really want to believe that everything will be okay, and I want to believe in everyone...... I used to be able to do it, but now ...... It seems to be getting harder and harder. ”

Iss gave him a roll of the eye: "Only an idiot would 'trust everyone'...... Although you were stupid in the first place. ”

“...... I still believe in a dragon. Ed laughed.

"And the dragon will never betray his oath. Is's eyes narrowed proudly, the light blue paved with broken gold shining in the golden sunset, "I said I'd help you, Ed...... Whatever you want. ”.

(To be continued......)