A golden mist of light flickered brightly along the edge of the crack, and the air seemed to be filled with golden snakes. They fell to the ground, stirring up a lightning-like lightning, tiny cracks spreading between the runes, all of which faded, including the chains that clinged to the ice dragon.

The body suddenly lightened. The ice dragon shook his head, a little dazed.

Its consciousness is still trapped in an empty space, which is the endless wilderness of time, but also the undulating ocean, the vast and deep starry sky, and the darkness that encompasses everything.

That is the origin and destination of its soul.

It hears a distant call—a call that it hides and deliberately ignores again and again. The human was right, if it was willing to look back at its true self, it would be able to gain the power that should belong to it, instead of being trapped in an overly warm cage like it is now, treated as an innocent, willful, forever protective "young dragon", restless and always angry because of its own weakness and incompetence.

It knows exactly what it can get...... It's also clear what it has to lose.

The price it has to pay is insignificant, but it is hard to give up. Even if sooner or later you have to give up ...... Not now, either.

"Is!"

A vague call reached its ears...... But that's not what it's called.

"Is!"

The voice rang out unrelentingly, with indescribable panic.

It stretched out its front paws and stopped the human who always liked to pounce on its nose in disgust, pushing him aside.

"I hear you!" it said exasperatedly.

The fool grinned and sniffled.

The ice dragon looked down at the runes under his feet that were divided into a mess by cobweb-like cracks, and a little unspeakable anger welled up in his heart, and he couldn't help but claw the guy who was still giggling to the ground.

Such a powerful force...... It shouldn't be what a human being bears.

“...... Is?"

Ed lay on the ground, looking up apprehensively and suspiciously.

The ice dragon ignored him, just stared coldly at the old man who was still standing in front of it without fear, and spewed out a cold mist.

"Don't you think you're overdoing it?" it said.

"You found it yourself. Sean replied lightly.

The ice dragon choked and flicked its tail angrily.

"I've already said everything I need to say. Sean said. "It's your business to accept it or not. But one thing you have to understand is that you can't be in such a false shadow forever – everything you get with it won't be true. ”

"You're not me. The ice dragon scoffed, "How do you know what is true and what must be fake?"

To its surprise, the old man pondered for a moment and nodded calmly.

"You're right. He said.

He turned away and said no more. Icabard looked at Ed with interest for a moment, then shook his head with regret before he followed.

Ed touched his neck, a little creepy.

For a moment he wanted to stop Icabard and ask him if the clergy who had disappeared into the fog of Collins were safe...... But does he really have the right to ask?

After a moment of hesitation, Icabold had disappeared from the door.

Ed froze for a moment, then turned back to his friend.

The ice dragon sat upright, its face not looking unusually serious like that of a human.

Ed felt like he shouldn't bother it...... But I couldn't help but rub over and touch its paws.

“...... Now you know. The ice dragon's gaze drifted down, slanted at him, and quickly retracted.

Ed nodded dumbly, then shook his head again.

"What?" he asked.

The ice dragon furiously raised its front paws, as if trying to lift him away again, but retracted them patiently as Ed crouched on the ground with his head in his hands.

"I think that's a good idea. It scratched at the hard rocky ground in exasperation, scratching one mark after another, sparks flying, "If you can defeat Blazing Wing before it enters this world......

If it can be successful, no one will be hurt.

The old man was right. It snorted, "I can get stronger...... Very strong, it's just not necessary now...... He doesn't know anything at all!"

Ed nodded vigorously, finally reacting.

Sachses provoked it intentionally or unintentionally, and Iss probably cared more than he did—after all, he was the one to hide.

"But......" he said cautiously, "maybe we're still ...... It would be better to discuss it again......"

He didn't want Isis to be some god, floating alone in the endless darkness of the Sea of Nothingness.

The ice dragon looked at him again and nodded reluctantly.

"You can't tell Scott. "It arrogantly demands," ...... No one can tell!"

Ed nodded.

The ice dragon exhaled and lay down, suddenly a little listless.

“...... Are you hurt?" asked Ed.

The ice dragon didn't answer.

It was stunned for a moment, then finally made up its mind.

"It's more than that. It hummed.

“...... What?" Ed asked dumbfounded.

"That's not all I told you. The ice dragon's voice shakily lowered.

“...... Oh. Ed said.

The ice dragon's tail flicked over and slapped him on the back lightly.

"Seriously!" it said angrily.

Ed sat up straight with a smile and a serious expression: "Is it?!!What else?!How can you do this!"

Then he laughed uncontrollably, laughing so hard that he fell to the ground.

The ice dragon angrily smashed its tail into the ground, smashing it with a crackling sound.

Ed struggled to sit up, his tone brisk.

"It's okay. He said, "I have lied to you." ”

He really didn't care...... Even if there was a little bit of care, it has long since disappeared because of Is's care.

"That's not ......" the ice dragon rested its head on its front paws even more frustratedly, not even daring to look at him again.

"Sackses told me one thing......" it said, "on White Rock Island." ”

"Maybe he's a liar. Ed reassured it, "'Hidden dragons cannot be trusted'—you said it yourself." ”

"It doesn't matter if it's true or not. The ice dragon shook his head, "The important thing is whether I told you or not...... He said that you would be the last true Sage in the world, more real than Felicity - Felicity may have done everything a Sage should do, but she had never been recognized by Ni'o or any other god all along. ”

“...... She doesn't need that!" said Ed angrily.

“...... Can you take care of yourself first?" the ice dragon sighed helplessly.

“...... Oh!" Ed snapped, "but, the true Sage or something...... That's impossible, right?"

. [.]