After groping his stomach and walking out of the passage, another cave appeared in front of him, and the path marked by the torch led in different directions, which made Ed a little dumbfounded for a moment.

"Over there, I think I hear a banging sound. He pointed to the right.

"It's different, it's the sound of striking iron, not knocking stones. Eth struck Ed's leg with his cane, signaling him to step back into the passage.

It wasn't long before Ed heard the heavy footsteps as well. He poked his head out from behind Is, and saw a necromancer hurrying towards the path in front of them to the right with dozens of undead.

"Reiner!" cried a voice in the distance, "where are you going in such a hurry?

Is's eyes narrowed—he heard the voice. That was the last time he slipped in alone, the necromancer who stood next to him and kept talking to himself. A guy who talks so much is probably an outlier among necromancers.

Reiner replied vaguely, not even stopping.

"Need help, but it looks like you're well prepared. "Of course, I don't really want to go over there, I heard that it collapsed again last night, right? I think we'd better open another exit from here, ......what do you think?"

Even when no one paid attention to him, the man muttered to himself for a while before he closed his mouth in loneliness.

“...... This man is as mouthy as you are. There was a smile in Is's voice.

"Don't you think we should thank him, and he's a lot more interesting than the necromancers who float around with their heads down...... At least it won't be intimidating!" Ed nudged him, and the two of them left the passage one after the other, following Reiner.

The winding, uneven path skirted a huge altar, surrounded by strange black-red flames, and Ed could already feel the indescribable aura before he was still far away, making his steps begin to soften.

"What's that?" he asked in a low voice, his whole body trembling slightly, and uncontrollable fear flowed through his blood like countless cold little snakes.

"A place where sacrifices are offered to hell. ”

“...... Like a gate to hell?"

"Almost. ”

Ed remembered the thing in Miaz Weiss's graveyard that nearly devoured Eric and him. Eric says it's the gates of hell, but all he feels at the time is an endless emptiness that makes him want to give up everything. Ed, on the other hand, was now struck by many feelings, sometimes depressed. Sometimes frightened, sometimes confused, sometimes angry, sometimes desperate, sometimes ecstatic...... There seemed to be countless people whispering in my ears, and the more I couldn't hear clearly, the more people couldn't help but listen.

"Ed ...... Ed ...... "Someone was calling out to him softly, and the sweet voice was familiar.

He walked unconsciously to the altar, and after a few steps he shook his head and stepped back, subconsciously resisting. Then he suddenly came to his senses, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

Sensing that something was wrong, Iss turned around and pulled him back, using his right hand, which had not yet fully recovered, in a hurry, and his anger immediately jumped with worry and pain.

"What are you doing?!" he growled, his light blue eyes shining as if they were glowing.

"I'm fine. I'm fine!" Ed patted his chest, "It's okay now." ”

The voices had faded away, and he had been able to resist the dark and chaotic aura coming from the altar, and as an ordinary human, he was quite satisfied with his not-so-weak will.

Eth glared at him for a few moments before turning abruptly and striding forward, Ed hurrying to follow. I don't understand why he is so good and angry again.

They could already hear the knocking sound coming from another cave, but they were in trouble. In front of them, three or four necromancers with their undead warriors crowded into the narrow intersection, confronting each other in silence, Reiner's muttering persuasions more like talking to himself, and no one was listening. That made Ed almost burst out laughing. But they had to pretend that nothing had happened, stepping back into another fork in the road, waiting for the necromancers to determine the order of passage with their eyes.

"If so many people go to greet their 'esteemed friends'...... Could that be Lydia?" Ed asked, apprehensively.

"So what?" said Is, "I've never been afraid of her!"

"Of course!!!

The fork in the road they walked into was short. You can see the head at a glance, but there are more guards, which means there should be something important here. Ed's legs had taken him inside before he knew it—it was one thing to understand how dangerous an overabundance of curiosity was, and another to be able to restrain it.

With a low curse, Isis reluctantly followed.

Then they heard the cry.

A group of savage children crowded into a corner of the cave in a cell sealed with iron bars, most of them silent, but the babies could not control their crying.

Eth subconsciously wanted to yell "shut up!" - he was used to yelling at Matilda every time he heard this heart-rending sound.

――I don't know what happened to that woman.

The thought was fleeting, as Ed was clattering the iron door, causing an even louder cry and low scream.

"Ed!" roared Is.

Ed immediately let go of his hand, stepped back from the door, and said curtly, "I just think this door is easy to open......"

"yes, I can rip it open with a single blow. And then? drag a bunch of crying and screaming kids to deal with a bunch of undead who pounce on you? Do you really think it's a good idea?" Ise yelled at him.

Ed shook his head desperately, grinning flatteringly at his fire-breathing friend.

Iss glared at him for a few moments before turning his head in anger.

It wasn't long before a necromancer approached, and Ed clenched the hilt of his sword hidden under his black robes with some nervousness.

"Coming to get someone?" the necromancer asked faintly, not as if it were strange for them to stand here.

"Yes. Ed replied subconsciously.

"Is there a permit?"

"Permission?" Ed repeated dumbly.

"Didn't anyone tell you about the new rules?" said the necromancer sarcastically, "There aren't many living people left, and even fewer children, so whether you're going to do an experiment, make a soul stone, or make a sacrifice, you'll have to get Master Toum's permission first...... To be precise, with Reiner's permission, you can only receive people with his rune stones. ”

He ignored them, walked straight past them, and turned into a small planked space next to them.

"Do the experiment......" Ed stared at the helpless children clinging to each other in the iron gate, his heart twisted, unable to imagine what would happen to them.

“...... If you really want to get them out, I can try. Isis said with a blank face.

Ed lowered his head. He knew that if he insisted on saving people, Iss would help him, even if he complained or got angry. But......

He stole a glance at Is's right hand, which hung at his side. Isis is not left-handed, but he has been holding a cane in his left hand, and apparently, his right hand is not yet available.

It was wounded by Ed's recklessness. If he is still so self-righteous and reckless, it may put Iss in an even more dangerous situation.

He finally found his friend, but not to kill him.

"Nope. He whispered.

Iss raised an eyebrow in surprise, an answer he hadn't expected.

"At least not now. Ed smiled at him, "We've pretty much figured out the situation, we should get out of here first and find more people to help...... But it's better to take Mock away, he's so badly injured, I don't know how long he can last......" He still can't leave the dwarf behind.

"What if he still won't go?"

"Then knock him out and carry him out. "Those necromancers have gone to greet their friends, this is a rare opportunity, and I have this sword, at least to protect myself...... We'll still have a chance to get out, won't we? and then the next time we come, we'll plan well and rescue the others......."

Isis snorted, kind of answered. He could hear that it was Ed who was trying to convince him more. They all knew that even if they could find someone to help, the necromancers would have to be more heavily defended—there were nearly a thousand fearless warriors waiting to be summoned in the darkness. And they can't sneak in so easily, and it's still hard to save people.

"Come on. Ed tugged at his sleeve, "Let's go find Mock." ”.

Mock is still in the same place. The stubborn dwarves were able to sit up, and when they saw them, their faces were stretched and they did not look happy at all.

"So it's not a dream, you're really here. But why are you still here?" he asked, "if that wasn't a dream, didn't I tell you to leave as soon as possible?"

"Oh, Norway doesn't know, he's somewhere else with Naria and Tate...... Don't you underestimate me, Mock, and besides, didn't I say we wouldn't leave you alone?"

Iss rolled his eyes.

“...... You're as stubborn as a dwarf. Mock said helplessly.

"Can I take this as a compliment?" said Ed.

"Listen, I have a way to get out of here, but not now, and you ......"

"No, you're supposed to listen to me, Mock. Ed pulled out the magic sword from under the black robe he had stolen, "Is this what you stole from? He pulled out the Andukh amulet from his bosom.

Mock was stunned for a moment, his weathered face revealing imperceptible sadness and anger.