As they entered the cabin, Ed took out the slate and whispered how he had gotten it. Correll picked up the Mithril ring and found the emblem hidden in the delicate lines of the serpent's head.

"The Shople family. He said.

"Yes...... The elven warrior that Payne sent?" Ed asked softly.

Correll shook his head.

"Hugh?? Shople," he said, "was one of the elves who set foot on the Grey Feather at that time. ”

He memorized the names and origins of all the elves in that boat.

Shople was a small family, and Hugh was an inconspicuous elf, and no one could guess why he had been left in Hertland with the slate...... According to the situation in the cave described by Main, it is very likely that he climbed into it and collapsed, never to wake up again.

He didn't leave a word behind.

Ed hesitated and nudged the slate.

"This is supposed to belong to the elves. He said, "If it wasn't brought with you when Grey Feather left the port, it's likely that it was originally placed on your holy island." ”

Curell ran his fingers over the edge of the slate, looked up and asked, "Do you know what this is?"

Ed nodded.

"And I don't know. "I've never heard of it, and I don't recognize any of these symbols—I, to put it mildly, am quite knowledgeable." ”

He pushed the slate back to Ed: "I'll tell the Silver Leaf King...... Until he makes a decision, it's up to you to hold it. ”

This is indeed what Ed wants. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief that he could get it so easily without trying to convince the other party.

"One more thing. He said, "If that's what Black Sail is looking for...... Can I slip some information out and let them know it's in my hands now?"

Curell tilted his head to look at him, and instantly understood his intentions, "You want to distract them?"

"Mostly nine-toed. Ed admitted, "The guy ...... and his ship, it's a bit dangerous. ”

The half-elf's smile gave him a little bad feeling again.

"So, how about this. "I can send out the message and make them think that this tablet is in my hands." ”

He raised his hand to stop Ed's objection, his gesture casual but not refusal: "Isn't that more reasonable? We've been going around them lately, wouldn't it sound more credible that we dived to the bottom of the ocean while they were being chased by that sea monster?"

"But......" Ed began, interrupted again.

"If that's why they're coming to us...... Seriously, that's great. Correll crossed his waist and smiled brightly, but Ed read a very dangerous meaning in it.

The pirates really him off.

Ed always felt a little uneasy and wanted to say something, but Correll waved his hand and forcibly changed the subject: "Speaking of which, I received the news a few days ago, Sean?? Fletcher, the mage of the Archmage Tower, almost got into a fight at Ston Butch...... I think it's better for you to go back as soon as possible. ”

.

"It's a little bit worse," Bertram said, "but 'almost' just didn't get into a fight." ”

Like the Half-Elves, he has his own sources, but his attitude is much more optimistic than that of Korrell, who clearly wants Ed to leave quickly, "The famous Lord Fletcher can't even solve this kind of problem. ”

Ed grinned reluctantly. In Sean's current condition...... That's hard to say.

As for the reason for "almost fighting", no one seems to know much.

"Anyway, I heard that Lord Balk, who stayed behind in Downtown Butch, invited both sides into Rockburg. Bertram rubbed his beard, "Isn't that a place where spells can't be cast? ”

But in any case, Ed also knew that he had been away from Stonebutch for too long and should indeed return as soon as possible.

He stopped talking to Bertram before his eyes drifted behind him, and Bertram reacted.

“...... Don't worry. He said, "I'll keep an eye on him." ”

The half-elf...... He'll never think of it like a guy who "doesn't mess around" anymore!

.

After only a month of leaving, when the towering walls of Stonebuch reappeared, Ed was surprised and melancholy to find that the once prosperous city of Ten Thousand Springs was as desolate as if it had been abandoned for decades or hundreds of years.

Even in autumn, the grass has spread over the neat stone pavements of the untended city, the wild vines hang from the elaborate statues, and the precious flowers in the courtyard are not as bright as the ubiquitous wildflowers when they are not well cared for. The city's fountains have all been turned off, the sound of gurgling water has turned into the sound of whining wind, and the street corners piled up with fallen leaves seem to hide vague shadows, slowly squirming in the dead silence. The occasional pedestrian walking by on the street was in a hurry, and he couldn't help but look around vigilantly, and the shadow of the dragon passed by and looked up in surprise, and a little smile appeared on his tense face.

The ice dragon didn't fly high, and Ed could clearly see the expectant smile, his chest heavy and a little out of breath.

Many of these people who refuse to leave Stonebugch really have nowhere to go. In their opinion, the ice dragon will fly back, which probably means that the city has not been abandoned, right?

But in fact, as a former royal city...... It has indeed been abandoned. If it does what Scott says, it will become a battlefield, and even if it survives total destruction, Ed suspects Moira...... Or Frederick, would he ever want to go back to Rockburg?

Under the clear autumn sky, the three-storied pagoda emits a low hum, as if to welcome their return. Its proud form seemed to pierce the dark clouds in Ed's heart.

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst...... So, first of all, there is good hope.

He had just sat up straight on the ice dragon's neck when he was thrown off - home.

He staggered a few steps to his feet, and was about to turn back and complain a few words, when the half-hidden door was pulled open.

Naria rushed out in a few steps, her hands still stained with flour...... There are also faces, reddish cheeks that resemble when they first met, brown eyes shining in the sun.

She rushed over as if she was going to punch him, but in the end it was just flour on his face.

"Why are you only back now?" she said.

Behind her, Tess, who was deliberately one step behind, jumped out giggling.

"Do you have a gift?" she cried, "you are not allowed to enter the door without a gift!"

Ed's eyes widened as he watched the dwarf behind her step out the door with steady steps.

“...... Mock!" he called out his friend's name with delight.