But when Isis frowned, and his slight anger broke through the ice, the frightening coldness dissipated in an instant, as if it was nothing more than an illusion caused by shadows.

Ed breathed a sigh of relief, his body was already reacting faster than he realized - he pounced on him and gave a strong hug to his friend he hadn't seen in days.

Isis didn't dodge, and even tolerated it a little longer than usual, but he quickly spoke impatiently: "...... Is that enough?"

Ed let go of his hand, his mouth almost reaching his ear, "Are you alright?"

"What can I do?" asked Ishard rhetorically.

"Of course, of course!" Ed rubbed his hands together with a smile, "It's okay!"

There was no worry in that smile.

He knew why Iss had sealed himself at the bottom of the sea, and he was even more worried that his unexpected appearance would make Iss have to come out as soon as possible, and leave any hidden dangers as a result...... However, Iss clearly did not want to mention this.

After a moment's hesitation, he could only ask in a low voice, "When you left...... Are the pirates still there?"

“...... Absence. Isis replied, "What did you do?"

"Just trying to save my father. Ed bowed his head in frustration, "Unfortunately, it didn't work out." ”

As the boat sailed to Cloud Island, he told Iss about their failed rescue attempt. Hearing Bertram's name, Is's eyes were a little strange.

"Isn't he dead yet?" he said angrily.

This is Ed's habitual duplicity, so he just smiled and shook his head: "They all care about you." ”

Isis twisted his head and scoffed.

At the mention of his father's current appearance, Ed couldn't laugh anymore.

"I didn't expect Nine Toes to come up with this solution," he hung his head, "and I didn't expect Oylan to mess with him...... Am I scared of the snake? My father's soul...... Is it still there?"

“...... You do underestimate the nine toes. "But if he tries to hold on to River's chip in such a way that he doesn't want to destroy him easily—you should be more worried about what he wants." ”

"Help him unravel the curse?" Ed guessed, "though I don't know if I can do it......

"Unravel the soul curse?" Is's eyes flashed, "...... You can't do it. ”

"I heard he's looking for the Heart of the Deep. Ed remembered the news Gavin had brought again.

“...... He's going to believe that kind of thing, too?"

Ed laughed dryly, "Maybe it can really fulfill all your wishes?"

"What even gods can't do, you want a gem?" Iss sneered, "and it might be able to give you something...... But you may not be able to afford it. ”

Ed rubbed his nose and wiped the last trace of luck from his heart.

.

The cloud castle is brightly lit. Ada jerked out her hand and pressed her chest the moment she saw Is, her eyes lit up, and she blurted out, "...... Is?"

From the first time they met, Ed knew that the housekeeper was curious about his ice dragon friend—without the slightest malicious curiosity. But the name Isis is not something that everyone can call.

“...... Have you seen him turn into a human?"

Before Iss straightened his face in annoyance, he quickly picked up the topic and tried to lighten the mood.

"Oh...... Of course not. Ida shook her head regretfully, undiminished in her excitement, "This is the first time...... The gods are above, and he is exactly like the portrait!"

Ed was stunned: "...... Portrait?"

"Don't you know?" Ida finally turned her gaze to him, "He's the dream girl of many girls—— and of course, you, young master, have your portrait!

"No...... No need!" Ed shook his head repeatedly, blushing in embarrassment.

He'd heard of this kind of business...... When I never thought I would be one of them, even Is's expression was a little sluggish, as if he didn't know how to react.

Ida grinned and thoughtfully let go of the easily shy young man: "So, do you want something to eat?"

Ed nodded vigorously.

The kitchen was well prepared and hearty food was served quickly. The smoky herring has a hint of wine, the vegetable and meat soup is appetizing and sour and spicy, the roasted lamb leg is charred on the outside and tender on the inside, and there is even a round and cute little lamb painted on the plate with sauce - the housekeeper's enthusiasm is expressed in a different way, which is still a little overwhelming.

It was only then that Ed felt very hungry. He didn't have time to eat dinner, and he didn't have an appetite at the castle lord's mansion. While he was gobbling it up, Isis only ate a bit of meat with a choosing.

"Not to your liking?" said Ada, a little sad.

"Not hungry. Iss replied coldly.

Ida seemed to be even more sad.

Ed smiled apologetically at her, not asking much. The amount of food he eats is a mystery, sometimes he can eat a few sheep, sometimes it doesn't seem to matter if he doesn't eat for a few days - maybe he eats a lot of fish in the sea?

A little sadness doesn't stop the housekeeper from doing her duty. She turned to look at the room for the guests, her steps still light, but she paused slightly as she walked around the corner, and habitually patted her chest, as if trying to stop herself from being so excited.

At that moment, her bright eyes sank.

.

At night, Ed honestly dragged the Book of the Dead to Is. Isis was silent for a moment, and threw him only two words:

"Whatever you want. ”

This was Ed's expected answer. When it comes to magic, Iss doesn't judge good or evil, light or darkness - good magic is good magic.

With friends by their side – even if they are much more reticent than before – everything doesn't seem so unbearable anymore. The ten-day deadline given by Black Sails passed quickly, but the warships of the exterminated pirates had just been assembled. Early in the morning of the tenth day, Ed received new news, a thin envelope tucked between ordinary letters, inconspicuous, with a simple approximate location written on the letter:

"20 nautical miles due east of Robbie Island. ”

The skeleton driving the black sailboat on the end of the book still smiled weirdly. Ed let out a long breath, unexpectedly calm.

Ten boatloads of gold and gems are ready. Of course, the ship was not large, and there were not enough boxes per ship, but it was almost all that Ed could muster together in the space of ten days—he even stuffed gold wine utensils and candlesticks into it.

"I'll go with you. ”

Isis spoke without refusal.

Ed subconsciously wanted to refuse. If he's going to face a trap, he can't fall into both...... But think about it again, when Isis appears here, I'm afraid that everyone who should know already knows it, and the people who should guard against him are definitely ready. Facing it together may be a more suitable choice for them.

“...... Good. He replied, even though he knew that this choice was also due to his weakness.

He needs someone to be by his side.

.