As Borena had heard, Ethan had traveled to Limestone Fort himself in hopes of clearing up his misunderstanding with Selene Green. Regardless of their opinion of each other, the Greon family is very important in Anktan, and he does not want to add to his enemies unnecessarily.

Contrary to rumors, Ethan was not turned away, although he did wait a long time outside the gates before being "received" by the Countess.

Ethan ignored Selene's contemptuous attitude, after all, in the eyes of that lady, Anktann probably didn't have many people worthy of her respect. Unlike the Croiffler family, who relied on force to gain territory less than a hundred years ago, the Grays are one of the oldest families in the northern lands, with noble bloodlines and strong strength, except for the famous Grayan with the longhammer, the knights of the Grayan family have a place in many great legends. Even though it was not the heyday of the Grean family, Selene Greion still had enough capital to even look at the royal family - let alone a minister who relied on intrigue to put the king's "illegitimate child" on the throne.

With the patience he had never had in his life, he candidly told Selene about Borena's strange "disappearance" at the Temple of Collins, explaining to her that he had sent knights to wander outside her realm just to protect the little prince in the Limestone Castle.

Even if he brought out Alan Carvo, it was obviously not enough for him to gain Selene's trust. Selene, who was worried about her missing young son, even insinuated that he had orchestrated even Borena's disappearance. In desperation, Ethan told Selene what would make him ...... The secret that can make the entire Crooffler family unrecoverable - Eli Crooffler. His eldest brother, the necromancer who murdered Joaquin Dejury, is now locked up in the basement of the Temple of Anduhe.

“...... I have to admit it. You trust me more than I expected. ”

The Countess, who had been cold-faced, finally showed a hint of surprise.

"I just believe that you, like me, don't want the country to be in turmoil again. Ethan responded.

Selene Grean is born with deep-seated pride, but as the only daughter of the Grean family, she was raised as a boy and inherited her father's integrity and frankness, which Ethan is willing to admit and respect.

"So what do you want me to do?" asked Selene.

"Wait. Ethan replied. "Until we get to the bottom of the enemy. ”

He has always been a cautious person, and he will not fight to the death until he is forced to do so.

"I can't. Selene rejected him outright. "Even if I could wait, my son couldn't, neither could Sergio - we don't even know where they are now, we don't know who the enemy really is. I can't wait. ”

"And what do you want?" Ethan had to ask her.

"I guess your enemies are waiting just like you. Waiting for you to slip through. Waiting for the opportunity to ...... Then give them a chance. The Countess, who was no longer young, stood straight and imposing, looking like a warrior in a hurry, "I know you like to plan and then move, and take everything into your hands, but with all due respect, you are also giving the enemy time to plan well. ”

That's not entirely unreasonable.

"You mean to make Borena's disappearance known?" Ethan asked.

Selene shook her head. To put it bluntly: "That's not enough. I say it's your brother - Borena's disappearance is not enough to deter those who support you because of him, they will only do their best to help you hold the country for his sake. But once they start to suspect that you are the King's enemy rather than a close friend...... Trust me, your enemies will be eager to jump out, and they won't know that the Greon family is behind you. ”

It sounded heart-wrenching—but Ethan decisively refused.

"As you say, that's my 'older brother'. He made a point of emphasizing to the lady, who seemed to have forgotten what the title meant, "You are asking me to put him to death with my own hands...... It's also putting me and my family to death. ”

"It was you who rescued Borena from his hands and made it impossible for him to hurt anyone again - just let people know this at the right time, and you and your family will only get more sympathy from people...... with respect. Selene was putting it mildly.

Ethan still shook his head firmly: "But Eli will die." ”

"He deserved to die. Selene's voice was cold and unforgiving, "He's a murderer, an evil mage...... I am touched by your brotherhood, but no secret can be hidden forever, and if your enemies discover it first, it will only become a fatal wound for you, and it will also become a fatal wound for Borena - who just told me that I don't want this country to fall into turmoil again?"

“...... Please give me time to think about it. Ethan stiffly spoke, and left.

As he turned to walk towards the door, he heard Selene follow closely behind him with a sigh: "I guess it's for the country...... After all, we can't be as selfless as we want to be. ”

At that time, Ethan had a faint uneasiness in his heart, worried that Selene would be desperate for Belin...... And he was rightly worried.

Borena watched as he swallowed the last half of the glass in one gulp, shaking his head with a wry smile, but didn't try to stop it.

"I don't think she seriously thought about losing control of the country once I no longer have anyone's trust...... Whether her great Greon family alone can really save the world as the legend says. Ethan sneered, his eyes red.

"But here I am - and I believe in you. Borena spoke softly, "Now we know who the enemy is...... At least know who the enemy is who jumps to the light. We can turn things around, just as we used to -- we always can. ”

“...... I can do it!" Ethan glared at him fiercely, "It's always been just me doing it!"

Borena couldn't help but laugh: "Of course...... And I will send you without complaint. ”

Ethan sneered: "I seem to care about your complaints." ”

The room with the doors and windows closed had been a little stuffy, but at this moment, the oppressive feeling that made people unable to breathe gradually dissipated. Ethan's tense face showed a hint of trance, as if he had finally allowed himself to relax a little.

Borena was tempted to let him go and take a break, but he had a question he had to ask: "Ethan...... Have you sent troops to Ruttgar?"

"What army?" said Ethan, frowning, "I have no time to trouble Rutegar! I already thank the gods for the idea that the greedy king did not come to fight Anktane...... Speaking of which, where the hell are you hanging out these days?"

Borena sighed and looked out the window at the dawn of light: "It's a long story...... Also, I should introduce you to another friend, an elven friend, Cesyana, the most powerful warrior I have ever met. ”

Ethan stared at the elf who jumped in lightly from the window with dew, and the corners of his eyes twitched slightly: "...... It's nice to see that you're still so good at making friends. ”

Borena smiled, and couldn't help but think of another friend of his who was far away in Collins—apparently he was once again taking care of himself, and probably couldn't help Ed much. But Ed Singal has always been a lucky guy...... He'll be fine.

He could only comfort himself with this.

Another sleepless night.

Ed rolled out of bed on his stomach, struggling for a long time to get out of that daze, his mind filled with the chaos of creamy soup, and sat on the edge of the bed in a daze. He felt like a weed that had been withering for three months, every hair hanging on his scalp and in the water that needed to be thrown into the water.

But the whole of Lake Starestal was not enough to nourish his depletion - he needed a little luck, a little miracle...... Or even if it's just a definitive message.

He pulled himself together, grabbed a robe and put it on his body, and walked out the door, looking a little listless as he approached Eric.

"Sage. He saluted him, seeing confusion and exhaustion in each other's eyes.

"Any news?"

It was almost the first thing Ed said every day.

"Isis is back. Eric told him, "But it's not in a good mood...... Probably because Master Chrysers is gone. ”

Ed groaned and pressed his forehead: "Next time I'm going to ask, 'Is there any good news?' don't tell me all the bad news!"

He knew how headstrong it sounded...... But now, he can only be willful to Eric. The man who had once thought of him as a younger brother now took care of him like an older brother - and Eric would have even planned to sleep next to his bedside if he hadn't insisted.

Eric smiled wryly, "Are you going to see him?" he did bring some news, but it probably wasn't good news. ”

Ed's face crumpled, and he quickly smoothed out when he saw Is's figure approaching from a distance, trying to squeeze out a smile.

“...... Are you crying or laughing? Iss glared at him in disgust, but didn't immediately grab him and ask where Scott was.

"I found the soldiers. He told Ed, "As we had guessed, they got into the river and I found footprints at one of the entrances...... The easiest way is to fill it with water and drown them all, and it's all gone. ”

His tone was quite calm, but his expression was fierce and irritable, and he looked like he wanted to crush seventeen or eighteen people to death.

"Don't do this! don't do this!" Ed quickly reassured him, "Maybe they don't mean it!"

"Yes, of course they're here to help you fend off Ante's attack. Isis scoffed at him, and then added, as if remembering something, "The lord of Visa is here, and I saw his carriage when I flew back, and it must have arrived by now." ”

Ed froze, jumped to his feet, and rushed back to the room without a sound, slamming the door shut.

“...... What is he doing?" asked Is, annoyed and confused.

"Change clothes, wash your face, comb your hair. Eric replied solemnly, "Lord Ayer is an important guest. ”

Iss shook his head and couldn't help but roll his eyes at the sky.

(To be continued......)