The door was slammed open with a bang, but the person outside the door only rushed in half a step and froze there, his eyes wide in astonishment, with a ghostly expression, as if someone had broken into his territory without permission, not that he had rushed into someone else's room in a menacing manner.

Philip Zeri glared at Sean Fletcher with a hint of panic and embarrassment in his eyes - he clearly didn't expect Sean to be here. They hadn't seen each other since he nearly had his head cut in half by Sean's sword, and he probably wasn't ready to face Sean again.

Sean glanced at him and nodded nonchalantly, as if to allow him in...... Although this is neither his temple nor his study.

Scott sighed silently and beckoned to Filly.

“...... Did you find him?"

Filly hurried over.

"Nope. Scott replied in a low voice, frustrated, exhausted...... And angry.

"Then what are you doing here?" growled Fili in exasperation.

"Do you know where he is?" it was Sean who responded.

“...... At least I know where to start!" replied Fili with some indignation, his voice unconsciously lowered but clearly lacking momentum.

"Aaron Mansini," Scott smiled wryly, "he's in the other room...... If you feel like you can dig more out of his mouth......"

He casually pointed outward.

“...... What did he say?" asked Fili, whimsically.

"It's no different from what he told Naria. Scott's face was gloomy, "He invited Ed to his house to see an ancient book that was said to be related to the history of the Chrysers family. But Ed left before noon...... The servants and guards in his house, and even Mrs. Cochran and her daughter, who happened to pass by their door as he saw Ed off, testify to this. I'm not sure if he's lying...... But it can't be that everyone is lying. ”

"Can't he just send someone to arrest Ed after sending him away?" Fili frowned.

"From the streets of Dumbach, why does he need to do this? Ed, who is no longer so easy to take. ”

"To make himself look as innocent as he is?" replied Fili, "that guy can do that!"

"He does look innocent now. Scott rubbed his brow wearily. "He even volunteered to stay here with his book in his hand and 'help' us...... Without hard evidence, I can't do anything about him. ”

Filly couldn't help but glance at Sean quickly.

Scott knew why—and they had dealt with "suspects" in a less gentle manner than they had in the absence of evidence...... Although it turns out that Sean is right, those judgments and judgments made by intuition in the name of the goddess may also be one of the reasons why they are where they are today.

And Scott doesn't plan to make the same mistake again...... Even if it's just for Moira and Frederick.

“...... What is this?"

Filly finally turned his attention to the two sheets of paper that lay out on the table. One of them is a map of Staple Butch, and the other is just some weird symbols at first glance.

“...... An altar. Scott replied in a low voice. "This is the ...... of the three-storied pagoda"

He tapped the map, and even though the small black tower was drawn crookedly, it still exuded indescribable coldness and weirdness.

"This is Lockburg...... This is the old Westport......" fingers moved slowly. Scott had already marked the symbols on another piece of paper, one by one, on the map according to the general direction. The streets and squares he was familiar with, the old fountains...... It seems to have changed in an instant.

A black fog enveloped all memories. For better or for worse. He couldn't say much about the city - it was hot and humid. Chaotic and noisy, beneath the magnificence of the rocks lies a myriad of unbearable secrets...... But at the same time, it is alive and vivid, given to by the people who live here, by the travelers who come from afar with dreams and aspirations...... It can't, and shouldn't be, just a tool.

The last mark falls on the Temple of Water. Scott's hand trembled involuntarily as he put down the pen, and the last pen dragged out in a long way.

"An altar. "Can you believe it?" he repeated in a low voice, "what Casagrande I wanted to build was not at all a 'forgotten, eternal stone city'...... He built a huge altar. ”

“...... How do you know?" asked Fili after looking at him a little blankly for a moment. "Altar...... Whose altar is this?"

Scott looked at Sean.

Sean looked back at him calmly, clearly not intending to answer.

“...... Never mind. Filly became irritable. "At least tell me what does this have to do with finding Ed?"

“...... It seems that someone wants to use Ed to start a ritual......" Scott moved his gaze to the map under the Black Tower in a complicated mood, "It was probably more than a decade ago that they tried to use me...... The one who went to open it, but didn't succeed. ”

“...... What?" said Filly's expression was even more stunned...... And angry, "How do you know ......?"

He slammed his mouth shut and looked at Sean with a pale face.

"When did you know. He asked.

That's a question. There is no more respect and fear, only anger from being deceived and concealed.

"After I found out where Scott died. Sean finally spoke, "Listen, I don't need to explain it to you......"

"Damn...... You've got a lot to explain to me!" Filly slammed his fist on the table.

“...... That's not something you can understand and deal with, Fili Zeri. Even when he was rudely interrupted, Sean's expression did not change in the slightest, and he finished in a still steady tone.

Filly leaned forward and glared at Sean. Just as Scott feared his anger would erupt uncontrollably, he cursed under his low breath and jerked back.

“...... Tell me how to find Ed. He stiffened, "Then we'll settle the score." ”

“...... There was more than one place to start the ritual - or rather, no one knew which one was the right one. Scott glanced at all the marked locations, "No one can read these symbols...... But the one at Lockburg is obviously not, and the Temple of Water is guarded. Joey and his men would go to Old Westport and Adela Old Street Market...... Nasti Fountain - Let's go there. ”

"You can't go anywhere. ”

Sean's tone was as unmistakable as ever.

(To be continued.) )