The night wind whirred in through the open window, but Ed didn't feel the cold.

He lay on the window in a daze, looking at the hazy moonlight behind the thin dark clouds, and his mind was full of thoughts for a while, and there was nothing in time and space.

Rey's medicine wasn't as good as she said it was—though it was limited. But it sticks to the back of my head coldly, and I always feel a lot more comfortable.

The dark red scar on the old man's wrist flashed in his mind from time to time. Thick at both ends, thinner in the middle—"like a leg bone that has been gnawed clean." ”

Sio's description is a bit bizarre, but accurate...... His longing wife, Caroline, accidentally touched the edge of a hot clay pot one time, leaving such a small scar on the inside of her wrist.

Judging by her age and those unforgettable blue eyes, as well as the scars on her wrists, Ryan could most likely be Caroline.

Ed could never have imagined that he would find her in such a place...... He didn't even expect her to be alive. He was pleasantly surprised by the opportunity for him to fulfill the old shaman's request, but now was not the right time.

He suspected that sooner or later he would have to turn his back on Risek, and that it was unnecessary to involve the old man in such troubles that had nothing to do with her.

He reached out and touched the back of his head, and Rey's voice rang in his ears again—"The itch that when the wound heals...... Have you never been hurt?"

He remembered his inexplicable fever again and again, and remembered Oylan's thoughtful gaze. I remembered that he had said more than once, and it seemed to mean something, "You recovered faster than I thought." ”

Although not as powerful as dragons, the human body is also tenacious and self-healing...... If his body. is resisting the runes that Oiran is likely to have carved directly into the back of his head......

He licked his lips nervously, cautiously backed away from the window, crouched by the candlestick at the head of the bed, hesitated for a few moments, and then mustered up his courage, his lips squirming silently, summoning a small flame of light.

At first, it was like he'd tried so many times before. There was no reaction at all. He didn't feel the power that once flowed in his blood and soul, only emptiness and powerlessness.

But gradually, like a little bit of dew condensed on the tips of the grass in the early morning. Something broke free and rushed to its fingertips. The faint light flickered away, so rapid that he couldn't even see clearly, but he couldn't help but want to jump up and cheer.

He was not abandoned...... Although it was he who turned his back on his goddess first.

Guilt, gratitude, and doubt intertwined in his heart. Even if it's blasphemy. He couldn't forget the sarcasm and questioning of the gods that Oylan had from time to time. For the gods. What is a human being?...... What is he?

He didn't know who could give him the answer...... There may never be an answer.

Before his mind began to mess up again, Ed sighed to himself and walked to the window again.

The wind was getting lighter, and the night was filled with a faint mist. He stared blankly at the sky, no longer expecting the snowy owl to fly back to help him...... He's on his own.

The fog had not cleared by daybreak, and had even drifted into the room, making Ed's quilt and pillow wet to the touch. Ed shuffled to the window and looked at the confused world outside, feeling a faint unease in his heart.

He knows about the early spring season. In such a basin between the mountains, fogging is extremely normal. He just hates the vagueness. A feeling that you can't tell anything...... It reminded him of the anger and helplessness of months ago when he was desperately calling out in the cold fog of the Collins Temple, groping and trying to find anyone alive.

After a few moments he realized that he was praying—his lips opening and closing silently, as if instinctively, and the words of prayer that he had once stumbled over no matter how hard he tried, slid naturally from the tip of his tongue, as if they had been deep in his soul long ago.

He calmed down and stared out the window at the mist, and a blurred face gradually emerged from the mist—a woman's face, with long, undulating hair and softly curled cheeks, like Valla, like Felicity...... Or Naria.

Ed was slightly startled, and the familiar face disappeared into the fog in an instant.

He hesitantly reached out his hand, imagining in his mind the shadow of another friend—this time, the mist transformed into a small white dragon, its wings stretched leisurely at his fingertips.

Ed withdrew his hand, a smile on his lips.

Macro as the river and sea, as micro as mist...... These veils that permeated the heavens and the earth were not something he should fear or loathe. It was a force that existed in this world before the birth of man...... There is no such thing as good or evil.

He stood in front of the window, closed his eyes, and quietly felt the gentle breathing between heaven and earth, the silent pulsation, and let himself slowly blend in.

Soon after, there was a knock on his door, and before he could say anything, Risek pushed it in.

Ed looked back in surprise, not hiding the panic and uneasiness on his face.

“...... I'm sorry. Risek spoke, with a similar look in his eyes—and a flash of suspicion—and a slightly stiff twist in his words: "You...... Still don't look like you're sleeping well?"

Ed smiled reluctantly.

"I just hate the wet weather. He looked out the window and muttered, "I hate the feeling of not being able to see clearly......"

He jerked away from the window, and as if he had been bitten by something, he grasped his right hand in disbelief.

“...... What's wrong?" Risek asked with concern, walking closer behind him, but not near the ledge.

"Nothing. Ed smiled awkwardly, "I'm probably just a little ......"

He stopped, and stood there in a daze, with vigilance and panic, silently staring out the window at the undulating white fog that rose like waves.

“...... Maybe you should come with me. After a moment's hesitation, Risek whispered something mindless.

Ed gave him a puzzled look and nodded silently.

Risek led him to the temple door without a sound. Several guards stood by the door, looking nervous, unconsciously exchanging glances at the sight of their appearance.

Looking out of the door from here, the whole world was milky white, and the fog was so thick that people couldn't help but hold their breath unconsciously, and people couldn't help but wonder if there was some dangerous monster hidden in the fog.

As everyone watched in silence, the mist suddenly rolled up, surging up the stairs like a wave, and then slowly receding.

Ed subconsciously took a step back, his face slightly pale.

"I've heard that you once went into the fog of the Collins Plains. Risek spoke softly, "The fog that robbed the human body of warmth and strength struck on the night of the catastrophe and has not disappeared until now, no one can dispel it, and no one can cross it. ”

“...... Yes. Ed replied in a low voice, "But this ...... It's not the same. ”

The mist came up again, and the tentacles slapped silently on the steps, like some kind of temptation, like some kind of mockery.

"In any case, it's not normal fog either. Risek said. As a native of Anktan, who hunted in the forests and wilderness all year round, he knew this well.

Ed could feel his gaze locked firmly on his face, but he just stared blankly out the door, as if caught up in some disturbing memory.

“...... Maybe you should let the people who are patrolling outside, and those who live in the square, return to the temple. He whispered, "The undead don't need their eyes to sense the presence of a living person. ”

"So you think it's Lydia's power?" asked Risek

Ed shook his head: "I don't know...... It's also possible that it's just a bluff that keeps us from leaving the temple...... But it's always just a precaution. ”

Risek was silent for a few moments, nodded hurriedly, and turned and walked briskly into the depths of the temple.

Ed watched his back disappear into the shadows between the tall stone pillars, and once again cast his gaze into the wilderness beyond the temple. Since there was no movement from the necromancer in the ruined city, Risek didn't seem to be in a real hurry to tell Scott anything, and he couldn't find any clues related to Sergio...... This is the only way to force some people to act. Although the last time in the abandoned city, a similar plan caused a series of "surprises", at least the results were not too bad.

He also had his responsibilities—responsibilities hidden in the fog of the Collins Plains, and he couldn't just go on day by day.

He stood there watching a ray of sunlight cut through the fog, letting the fog fade in the glimmer as if nothing had happened—honestly, he wasn't in full control. If any priest were here, he would be able to easily dispel the fog that had no power at all.

But even as the fog cleared and his vision cleared to the mountains in the distance, he could still feel unease in the silence of everyone around him.

That's exactly what he wanted. Planting the seeds of doubt in people's hearts is sometimes more alarming than the real danger.

He also had to look directly into the panic inside himself - he had no idea what was going to happen next, and he didn't know if he would be able to handle it alone. A year ago, he had at least Naria by his side, Norway and Tess, Akan and even Fili and Eric...... But now, when Rosa makes a move, it's probably also the time when they can only take a desperate bet.

What's more, the people gathered in the ruined city at that time at least had a common enemy. Now, he couldn't tell friend from foe, and even with Rosa, he couldn't give full trust.

There was also a seed of doubt planted in his heart. What kind of flowers will it produce and what kind of ending will it bring...... He had no way of knowing.

(To be continued......)