Passing through Nasti Fountain Square, Ed had to jump off his horse and lead his horse through the crowd.

Located on the edge of the market district, Nasti Fountain Square is one of the oldest squares in Stonebuch and is bustling even on a hot summer day. The huge fountains and the old trees that surround the square bring a slight coolness, and people who don't have the money to escape the heat in cooler and more comfortable places like to bring their children to play here in the summer - although it's also free, it's at least much safer than the Vinez River.

As a result, all kinds of itinerant vendors gradually gathered around the square, selling sweets, grilled sausages, ice water, and cheap small toys...... You can also see jugglers performing in a variety of ways.

The slick children screamed and fluttered excitedly in the fountain pool, but the adults who stood by looked mostly lifeless. Ed paused to avoid a laughing little boy running past him and his grandmother snarling after him, involuntarily smiling a little bit on his face.

It's hot, it's noisy, the smells mix together, and the sun is dazzling...... But coming out of the grandeur and solemnity of Lockburg, the hustle and bustle before him was so lively and pleasant—though yesterday he was still uncomfortably nostalgic for the empty expanse of the ice field because of the crowded buildings and crowds in the streets.

He still unconsciously searched the crowd for the eyes that peeked at him...... But leading the horse and walking in the sun and in the crowd, what is there that he can't be seen?

He looked around with a more relaxed mood, and succeeded in keeping his purse under the dexterous fingers of a tall and lanky boy, giving him only a smug smile.

When you are about to walk out of the square. A familiar voice stopped him.

"Your Excellency...... I really didn't expect to meet you here. ”

The voice was full of surprise and impeccable sincerity...... Ed, however, even stood on end in an instant.

He wanted to pretend he didn't hear, but Aaron Mancini had already squeezed through the crowd. Standing in front of him with a smile on his face.

"This must be the guidance of the gods!" he opened his arms, as if to give Ed a warm hug. Ed instinctively took a step back, dragging his impatiently snorting horse to protect himself, barely squeezing out a smile and nodding in acknowledgment, "Lord Mansini." ”

Mancini casually withdrew his hands and clasped them in front of his chest, still smiling brightly: "You look good - that's a pleasure." I've been worried about you...... Maybe you don't believe it much. ”

“...... Thanks a lot. Ed stiffly spoke, just wanting to leave as soon as possible. Mansini's short and fat body was always in front of him, and he said with a sincere face: "I sincerely regret what happened to you, and I hope you will forgive me, but I must obey the king's orders...... Can you forgive me? You are such a kind and forgiving person. ”

"I can't think of any reason to blame you. Ed said. I felt beads of sweat run down my back. He was hot and restless, and there was a faint urge to punch him in that round face—"disgustingly disgusting," which could have been best described as Aaron Mansini.

He really couldn't find any reason to reproach Mansini. Everything he did could be excused by "obeying the king's orders" and "protecting the king" - what could he do as a nobleman with no real power?

Many suspect that Mancini is not that simple. But no one could hold on to him. "The Count of Everywhere" - so people joked. There seems to be a shadow of him in everything. But I can't tell what he did that had a real impact. He was always able to protect himself in the midst of chaos, and after the chaos he was always unscathed, and continued to be his quirky but undisputed Count Ferdinand.

"I have been confessing to the gods since then, and it is clear that I have forgotten to listen to the voices of the gods because I have only cared about the king's orders. I hope they will forgive me...... After all, I'm just such an ignorant mortal. Mancini was still babbling, his voice buzzing dullly and indistinctly in Ed's head, "I've been thinking about things that no one can tell—do you know Sean, did Master Fretche get back, but no one seems to be able to see him......

“...... I'm sorry. Ed struggled to squeeze out a sentence, "I'm still in a hurry." Maybe we can talk sometime?"

Although his "urgency" was nothing more than to help Narya sell a bag of flour and some spices...... Otherwise, he wouldn't have run to the market area.

"Of course, of course. Mancini agreed. There was a hint of regret on his face, "I do have something very important to talk to you about, but if you don't have time right now...... Anyway, it's much more convenient that you're back in Stonebuch—and to be honest, I was going to look for you in the north in a few days. I recently found something very old and I think you will be interested. ”

"Really? What's that?"

Ed smiled, trying to show the "interest" he deserved. He knew that Mancini liked to dress as a commoner and hang out in such places, but today's encounter was most likely not "accidental...... No matter how much he hated dealing with this man, it might be best to figure out what he really wanted to do.

"A book. Mancini held up a finger mysteriously, "I paid a lot of money to get it from Neo's Archmage Tower. ”

Ed's heart moved, and the strange symbols on the slate came to mind—but how could Mancini know what he was looking for?

"Maybe we can make an appointment?" Mancini rubbed his hands and looked at him expectantly, "Where do you live now?" I can send someone to pick you up. ”

“...... I'll visit you early tomorrow morning, if it's convenient for you. Ed replied, "Although...... I'm not afraid of your jokes, I probably don't understand many of the mage's weird symbols. ”

"Oh, for your sake, at all times. Mansini's eyes narrowed with a smile, "And, you're mistaken, that book isn't a spell book, even though it's always been in the Archmage's Tower...... I guess maybe it's a collection of stories?"

His heart pounded, and the voice was so loud that Ed suspected that even Mancini could hear it.

He brought with him the "stories" that he had written at some unknown time...... Isn't that all?

It was something else he hadn't told Scott, and it was more annoying to him than the symbols on the slate, and he would have wanted to pull out his other self and beat him up if he could.

"Early tomorrow morning, my lord. He nodded to Mancini again and hurried away with his head getting heavier and heavier.

(To be continued.) )