Ed wasn't too upset when he left. He didn't expect to solve the problem in one go. However, as he walked through the deserted courtyard, he gradually developed a strange feeling—not only because of the apparent barrenness and actual tightness of the defenses, but not only because of the vigilance and alienation that swirled in the sight of those who peeped into him in the shadows...... Although it did make him a little uncomfortable.

This is the south, and the autumn sun is indeed not as hot as in summer, but it shouldn't make people feel chilled. He didn't feel clear when he came, and at this moment, it should have been the hottest afternoon of the day, but he couldn't help but shiver several times along the way.

He felt as if he was walking under cold water, and his steps seemed to be unhindered, but there was a strange stagnation.

He stopped in front of the ancient statue of the goddess and looked around.

There is no wind, and all the plants are stationary, almost looking like some kind of illusion...... It was as if he wasn't walking in a real temple at all, but was locked up in the kind of magical landscape that Ikabard had brought out. But when he carefully probed with his magic, he didn't find anything out of the ordinary—except for the Guardians who were hiding in the shadows.

Icabold isn't here, and neither is Sean. The old priest who had brought him to the stone hall did not wait for him to come out at all...... He didn't have the same familiarity with the Temple of Collins as the priesthood here, and they probably didn't have much respect for him, even though he still held a title of Sage that was barely mentioned again.

They allowed him to come and go on his own, but they also avoided him, consciously or unconsciously. Even if he wanted to ask something, there probably wouldn't be anyone here to answer him—he might not be an enemy yet, but he was clearly not a trusted companion.

There was a heavy mass in his chest that he couldn't spit out or swallow. He knew that he was to blame, he had failed to protect the Collins Temple, he had left everything behind and fled to the Far North Ice Fields in the most difficult time, and when he returned to Ston Buch, he had not considered himself a saint at all, it was because of confusion and guilt.

But no matter what his reasons were, he did not live up to his responsibilities, and what right did he have to demand trust and loyalty?

- He doesn't even have the right to have this cane anymore, even if he can use it.

He stood with his head hanging for a long time, and when he walked again as fast as he wanted to flee, he stopped abruptly as he walked out of the small courtyard, and then turned around and walked back.

He stopped in front of an oleander tree, and the pink flowers on the branches bloomed a little bleakly, and they were still in front of him.

“...... Can I say a few words to you?" he asked, "I promise I won't ask any questions that embarrass you." ”

There was silence among the clutter of flowers and leaves, and there was no response.

“...... I'm sorry. He smiled wryly and began to regret his impulsiveness - saying this sentence was already "embarrassing" for the other party, right?

He turned away. After only a few steps, a soft sound came from behind him.

It was the sound of metal crashing...... It was the sound of the hilt of a sword hitting the armor.

He looked back in surprise. The paladin who had emerged from the oleander bush was raising his hand to lift his face armor, revealing an ordinary but resolute face that was no longer young.

"What do you want to say?" he asked.

.

At first they had a hard time communicating. The paladin, who is nearly middle-aged, is not a man of words, and his deep dark eyes even remind Ed of Baie Young...... Although there was no hatred in Rina, it turned his original nervousness into ten.

His throat tightened, and the "communication skills" that River had taught him had been completely forgotten, and he couldn't remember a word.

He didn't really know what to say, he just suddenly felt that he couldn't go on like this—he couldn't run away like this anymore.

He also tried to remember everyone in the temple of Collins. He knew their names, where they came from, why they became followers of Ni'o, and their strengths and weaknesses...... He had genuinely wanted to be a worthy saint, someone worthy of respect and trust, and not to make people bow their heads by title or power alone.

Why is it the way it is?

"You ...... You must be disappointed in me, right?" he muttered.

"I didn't have a lot of hope. The paladin named Tambol honestly replied, "You're not Felicity...... We understood it from the beginning. ”

Ed felt like he should be a little hurt...... But in fact, he just thinks "it really is".

"In fact, you have exceeded the hopes of many of us. Paladin said.

Ed looked up in surprise and hung down even more dejectedly - so, how low did they expect from him?!

Looking at his expression, the paladin frowned slightly in annoyance, realizing that he had not been able to express his true thoughts. He had always been clumsy in this regard, but since the young man had opened his mouth to him, he could not listen to him.

"I'm sorry...... Leaving you without your mother. After a moment of silence, he whispered.

Ed was stunned, not understanding why he had suddenly mentioned this.

"Rem Flender," the paladin said with some difficulty, "is my friend. ”

Ed's head was buzzing.

He hadn't heard the name in a long time...... He didn't want to hear anyone mention it anymore.

He closed his eyes, suppressed the blood that flashed from his memory and the urge to turn away, and listened quietly.

"I don't know why he did that. The paladin's fingers tightened unconsciously on the hilt of his sword, "he broke his oath and insulted the name of the paladin...... It's like Beye...... and Eric. ”

“...... That's different!" Ed became irritated, "At least, Eric wasn't lying!"

"No...... That was not what I meant. The paladin, who was misunderstood again, shook his head, almost embarrassed, "I thought...... It's we who let you down. ”

“...... What?" Ed was confused.

"When you need help, it's only Fili who stands by your side. The paladin looked at him earnestly, trying to make it clear, "If you feel that we can't be trusted because of this, that's perfectly understandable. In any case, you were already strong enough that you ...... We are not needed. ”

"I didn't ......," Ed said stunned.

He finally understood, and finally understood that he had made a mistake.

At a time when he thought that these clergymen were willing to obey Sean more than to obey him, and that he felt that they did not need him, and even felt resentful and aggrieved by it...... He may just need to take a step forward and ask a question, as he did today.