Before reaching out and knocking on the door, Ed had to stir up some stronger emotions to resist the knee-jerk cringe.

Anger - that's always the easiest. The knock became heavy and rapid uncontrollably, and what appeared to be a locked wooden door slowly opened a crack.

Ed stopped, beginning to suspect that Sean wasn't actually in there at all...... But a moment later, the deep voice of the Paladin Leader rang out:

"The door is open. ”

Ed pushed the door in without a sound, not giving himself time to hesitate.

Hot and humid air hits your face. The windows were closed, the heavy curtains were drawn tightly, and the room was barely airtight, and when the wooden door closed behind Ed, the light became extremely dim.

Sean sat in the chair in front of the bed and didn't move. It felt strange to Ed - he had almost never seen Sean sitting. Whenever possible, Sean was always standing. The armor that never seems to take off, the back is straight...... So that he sometimes doesn't even look like a person.

"Walking armor racks" - the paladins occasionally joked about this. But now, sitting there, Sean was thin and lifeless, and his whole body seemed to have shrunk a lot, and he looked like an ordinary person who was about to reach the end of his life, with gray hair and drooping old age...... An old man calmly waiting for death to come.

A sudden surge of sympathy and sorrow swept away the questions that had been repeated again and again in his heart, and it took Ed a moment to find his voice.

"You saved me. "I haven't had time to thank ...... yet."

"That's my job. Sean's answer was expected by him, "Besides, it wasn't me who really saved you...... Did you find him?"

“...... No. Ed replied, "Nia said he probably needed a little time to calm down...... He'll be back. ”

"No one knows for sure. Sean said, "He's ...... Uncontrollable, and out of control means danger. ”

Control - Angered at the fact that he had easily lost control of the subject, Ed was easily provoked by the word.

"No one can control everything. He snapped, ignoring the fact that this was not the same thing as what Sean was saying.

Sean looked at him calmly and did not retort.

“...... We're going to hand over Aaron Mancini to Lockburg. Ed licked his lips and forcibly turned the subject back to the planned trajectory.

“...... You don't need my permission to do what you want. Sean was silent for a moment before speaking, "You are the Sage of the Water God - no matter what happens, whether people admit it or deny it...... Whether you admit it yourself or deny it, that hasn't changed. ”

“...... Am I?" Ed's tone sharpened involuntarily, "and who decides this? Goddess? I doubt she really cares...... Aaron Mancini told me that my strength comes from my blood, and he thinks I'm a descendant of the first pastor among men. That's a guy full of lies, but that book isn't fake...... So, what else do I have? I don't even have any power at all until I find that damn crystal...... So what is it that makes me the 'chosen' Sage, and can I be easily controlled?!"

"At least I didn't let you find Ni'o's Tears. Sean frowned slightly, "It's you...... Instead of someone else finding it, you think it was just an accident? You should trust your god more, Ed, and she hasn't failed you. ”

"That's ...... Nie's Tears?" Ed was stunned for a moment, then shook his head, "No, it doesn't matter, it's broken and doesn't exist...... And, don't tell me what to believe, Sean...... Don't tell me what to believe. ”

“...... So what do you want to believe?" Sean said, a little tired.

“...... I want to believe you. Ed replied softly, "I want to believe Felicity...... If you're willing to tell me everything, if you're telling me that what you're saying is true, I'm still willing to believe you...... But you're not going to tell me anything, are you?"

“...... It's not time yet. Sean said. And his calmness made Ed even angrier.

"And when do I have to wait?" he asked coldly, "when it's all over, when the ending is irrevocable, when I have no choice but to accept it?"

"But you're never 'out of options,' Ed. Sean leaned forward slightly, looking directly at Ed. His eyes were no longer clear but still burning, like an eternal flame burning beneath the blue waters, "I told you when you entered the Temple of Collins that you can leave at any time, and I told you the same thing more than once when you had the Staff of Eternity...... It is you who choose to remain—you choose to hang the Tears of Nyo on your breast, and you are the one who chooses to respond to its power. I may not have told you all, and there may be many people who throw you many lies, but whether it is right or wrong, good or bad, what you gain and lose is because of your own choices...... So stop putting the blame on someone else, stop babbling about who lied to you and who is hiding something from you – if you want to know the truth, find out for yourself. ”

Then he leaned back heavily, as if it had taken all his strength to say these words.

Ed opened his mouth blankly, but couldn't refute it.

He was well aware that Sean wasn't wrong. Although he never wanted to pass the buck, he always thought it was his fault...... But he did always subconsciously want to find a reason to be forgiven for the mistakes he made.

"Even now, you have the option to leave. Sean's voice dispersed in the stagnant air, "But you won't, will you?"

Ed bit his lip hard - yes, he wouldn't.

"If you don't have anything else...... I think I'm tired. Sean said calmly.

Ed never imagined that one day Sean Fletcher would use "I'm tired" as an excuse to chase away customers...... But he couldn't leave yet.

“...... I need your help. ”

When he couldn't think of anything to ease the atmosphere, he could only speak bluntly.

“...... Willing to help. ”.

"So...... How?"

Seeing Ed shuffling in front of him, Nia jumped off the railing and asked curiously.

“...... He agreed. Ed replied, looking frustrated and wanting to hit his head against the pillar.

“...... Did he scold you?" asked Niya.

Ed shook his head.

"I said I needed his help, and he said he would be happy to help. "He didn't even ask me who I was going to meet...... So I didn't say it either. ”

"Are you sure he doesn't know who he's going to meet?" asked Nia casually with a grin.

Ed was stunned for a moment.

“...... He hasn't left here, has he?" he asked, confused.

"You think that means he doesn't know anything about the outside world?" Nya sighed, "He's Sean Fletche, a leader, a commander, not a lone wolf...... There are many who are willing to do anything for him without asking for a reason. If I were you, I would be careful to keep an eye on the young man who can't think of it—there's a good chance he'll be able to meet the person he wants before the time you have arranged...... But whether he will survive and hand over the Staff of Eternity to you is hard to say. ”

"......'Don't trust anyone,' huh?" said Ed with a wry smile.

Nia shrugged: "Including me." ”

The black-haired young man's smile could be described as "miserable", and Nia couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder sympathetically.

"When you get used to it, you might find it interesting. He said.

"I'll probably get used to it...... But probably never find it interesting. Ed smiled reluctantly, "Anyway...... Thank you. ”

Nia's smile remained until his figure disappeared from his sight.

Then he looked up and squinted at the twinkling sunlight shining through the shade of the trees.

Someone will know what he is trying to do...... Those who knew him too well. Even though he has changed a lot, there are still some things that can't be changed.

But none of them are here.

"Don't rush back, Scott...... Don't rush back. He muttered under his breath, still squinting at the summer leaves and sun.

He thought he would never get enough of it.

(To be continued.) )