Shadow Silver Tin - When Scott first heard the name, he instinctively thought of the strange metal as something evil, after all, "Shadow" is rarely associated with anything beautiful.

But it was just a metal that naturally arose from the depths of the magically powerful leylines, silver in the darkness and black in the light, extremely rare. Because of its ability to insulate magic, it is often used to make armor or to store dangerous objects. There is a small black round shield in the temple, which is rarely made entirely of this metal, but because the area is much smaller than the attack range of many magics, and it is extremely heavy, it is not really of much use, and I don't know if anyone has ever used it, and what the outcome is...... The old Sanders, who was the best at making magical objects in the temple, was fond of using it to illustrate what it meant to be a "waste of materials" - of course, he had told the young people who liked to gather around him and listen to stories more than once how to use it correctly, and even drew several designs with great enthusiasm...... However, the temple never destroyed any ancient magical objects unless necessary, and he never had a chance to complete his design.

After the death of Saunders Sr., all the drawings were inherited by Icabard. Although on the surface he doesn't see it, and rarely makes anything, Icabold has an unusually fanatical passion for magical objects, and Scott wouldn't believe that he doesn't know how to use silver tin.

“...... I do know. Ikabird reluctantly spoke, and the unflattering pastor at least never lied, "but it's like trying to build a wall to keep the flood out." The water may recede, of course, but it is also likely to wash away that wall or turn to some other defenseless place. The consequences are even more serious – and with your approach, we can't even see where the water has risen. ”

"It's really not the best way to do it. "But now the temple is in other danger...... It's impossible to get everyone to go without using any magic, it's like sitting still. You can only seal it for the time being, and wait until the other troubles are solved. ”

"I think that's the idea...... Yes?" said Eder, hesitantly.

He looked at Brooke, who had been silent, nervously seeking support. Browder is not here. As long as the old priest agreed, Icabold would no longer insist on his opinion...... Probably not.

Brooke glanced at him, and finally nodded slightly: "At least for now...... It seems that this is the only way. ”

“...... Can I refuse?" Icabold clearly did not intend to agree.

"Absolutely. Scott replied coldly. "Maybe it takes a little more time...... But I'm sure there are people here who can do the same. ”

- Even if no one here can do it, he can find someone else...... Either way, he's going to have to seal it off first.

Icabold watched him silently. Scott still couldn't see what he was thinking, whether it was anger or contempt, or what he saw...... But he won't back down either.

"I'll give it a try. ”

Ultimately. It was Icabold who chose to back down. He bowed his head to everyone. With the same steps, the first to leave.

In the tomb, which suddenly fell silent, Ed's long exhale was clearly audible.

Scott realized that his shirt was completely soaked with sweat, but Ed's black hair was on his forehead, and he didn't look much better than him.

He just wanted to get away from here as soon as possible, but Ed's sudden words froze him in place-

Scott...... I think you're better suited to be a Sage than I am. ”

He didn't make a big noise, but he caught everyone off guard.

In the dead silence, Scott stared blankly at Ed. I didn't know what to do for a while. Ed's face quickly turned red and white, and it was clear that he had already realized how inappropriate the sentence was.

“...... Eric. Can you give me a hand? I think I'm really old. After a moment, Brooke smiled as if he hadn't heard anything, and held out his arm to the young paladin, who had also been standing there like a statue.

It took a while for Eric to react, and he stiffened his arms around the old man and walked out with him.

In the circle of light surrounded by torches, only the two nephews and uncles who were silently facing each other remained.

“...... Come here. Scott sighed and beckoned to Ed, not realizing that he was also a little disrespectful to the "Sage" in front of him, "Let's talk in another place." ”

Ed nodded bitterly and shuffled after him.

Passing a modest sarcophagus, Scott paused, illuminated the simple dust-covered inscription with a torch, and read it softly:

"Osborne-Christes...... The Last King. ”

There are not even any carvings on the rough sarcophagus, which does not look at all like the final resting place of a king...... But after all, it was a king who had lost his country and had his head cut off, and probably had nothing to ask for.

“...... Yes. Ed said, "I was looking for this last time......

He looked at the dark shadows around him with some uneasiness, the memory of the last time he was trapped here was really unforgettable.

"Some say he's not actually dead...... His devout goddess saved him and allowed him to spend the rest of his life peacefully in a quiet and beautiful valley...... Others say that he drifted out to sea and established a new state in the far northwest sea, on another continent...... But here he is, a decapitated king...... I'm not sure it must be him, though. ”

Ed blinked before he could react.

"You...... Open the lid of the coffin?!" he cried out unconsciously.

Although he has done similar things...... But at least he could barely use the "guidance of the goddess" to defend himself......

"What's ...... Do you want to do that?" he asked with some anticipation.

Scott turned back and smiled at him, "Of course there is—my curiosity...... If this had been discovered, I probably wouldn't have been able to be a paladin, but I was too young to think about it that much. ”

“...... You...... Have you heard of anything special about the bloodline of the Chrisses?"

Ed finally asked.

"Aside from once ruling the country and losing it?" Scott shook his head. "Nope. ”

Ed was stunned, not knowing whether to be disappointed or happy.

He asked Norvi and got the same answer. Maybe everything Telliner said was just a lie......

"But there's a labyrinth underneath Kriesburg...... You probably haven't been there. Of course, it's best not to go. When Isi was a child, he was brought in by Nia for 'exploration' and almost died inside, and then I sealed it up. There are some secrets of the Chrissian dynasty buried there...... Some of the knights loyal to Osborne seem to have tried to restore, but apparently failed. "There were some weapons hidden in there—probably some gold and gems or something, but I didn't find them anyway, if you need them...... Not. You probably don't need to. ”

Ed grinned involuntarily - that was the last thing he needed.

"The labyrinth is so deep that my father told me it was built to guard an artifact given by Goddess Nyo. The entire castle exists to guard the labyrinth. But I've never seen any artifact...... I haven't seen anything like it anywhere. I don't know how much such a family legend can be trusted. Scott looked at Ed thoughtfully, "But you'd better remember...... The entrance to the labyrinth is on the ground floor of the South Tower, and the stone slabs open to reveal a staircase descending downward. There was originally a mechanism on the door to the basement. Jeannia was completely ruined...... The door to enter the labyrinth is a stone door, but the keyhole is not the one you can see......"

"Wait, wait!" shouted Ed. He was a little confused and didn't know why Scott was telling him so much - to be honest, he was quite interested in the maze, but he wasn't really in the mood right now.

"I didn't mean to ask you that......" he scratched his hair, wondering if he should get that too sensitive question out of his mouth.

“...... You want to ask Sean if he ever tried to make me a sage of the water god. There was a moment of silence, but Scott whispered it on his behalf.

Ed looked at him in surprise, vaguely aware of something.

"That's ...... Really?" he asked in a small voice. There was chaos in my heart.

“...... It's true. Scott smiled wryly, "I know what it sounds like – like I felt at the time." Deceit...... And, worse, the people you have always respected as fathers, asking to deceive others. I think someone told you that I had a big fight with Sean - or rather, I yelled at him and ......"

He stopped suddenly, his eyes blank and he didn't know where to look, as if he suddenly remembered too much, and then he shook his head and continued in a low voice.

"I thought many times later that if I could have calmed down and asked him 'why' instead of getting carried away by anger...... Maybe it can change a lot of things. Maybe better, maybe worse, maybe ......" he stared at the Staff of Eternity in Ed's hand, "Maybe Sean isn't asking to be a Sage at all, but to be one of the candidates, just as a person of faith must go through trials to become a paladin." After all, Felicity had a somewhat peculiar way of becoming a Sage, and before her, all accounts of the Chosen were unknown. Many people are convinced...... It doesn't have to be true. ”

Ed frowned suspiciously, he hadn't thought of it, but that didn't explain why the candidates were all from the Chrissian family......

"Have you studied this?" he asked.

"Sort of. Scott reluctantly tugged at the corners of his mouth, "During the time I ...... 'disappeared', I still learned something. I'm not sure my guess is right, just like I can't tell you...... You must be the true sage of the water god. ”

He looked at Ed calmly, as if he could see through all his hesitation and uneasiness: "It's not that you shouldn't find out the truth...... But now that you hold the Staff of Eternity, known as the Sage, you can choose to doubt it all, or you can choose to try to prove that you live up to the title...... Or at least, not to those who believe in you. ”

Ed hung his head, staring at his tiptoes. He hadn't been convinced of himself all the time – but it wasn't easy.

"I'm trying......" he snorted, his feet rubbing unconsciously on the ground.

“...... I know. Scott couldn't help but smile slightly, reaching out to ruffle his black hair. It may seem inappropriate to treat a Sage like this, but ...... Who let this "Sage" kick his legs twenty years ago, howling and smearing tears and snot on his body?.

(To be continued......)