As soon as you start to suspect someone, everything about him becomes extremely suspicious.

Filly tried to be more objective, but he just couldn't help but start paying attention to Nigel Estes's every move.

Men are very organized. He was more efficient than many believers who relied entirely on zeal. Obviously noticing this, Khaliart put Estis in charge of a squad, assigning and coordinating their work, with Ed and Haan among them.

The work they had to do was simple and boring, they only had to carry the stones in the designated places to the sides of the street and pile them neatly, and the others would carry the stone bricks and drag them out of the city. The foundations of the temple had not yet been dug up, and it would not be easy in the frozen earth, but no one suggested coming back in the spring. Ed didn't know if the enthusiasm was stupid or admirable.

He was tired enough every day, and every day he wondered if Fili had cast some paladin spell on him, so that his brain was hot and he agreed to help. After a few days, apart from learning more about the gods, he didn't find any suspicious people or things, and the missing paladins and priests didn't show up among the followers who came one after another, Eric's memory was still blank, and the progress of the stalemate was irritating, and Ed felt that they were completely wasting their time.

He was determined that if there wasn't anything they were looking for in the next group, or if the legendary priest or saint hadn't appeared, he would pack his bags and continue on his way—maybe he would find Bye's trail sooner by going straight to Is.

He announced this during their second meeting with the elves. Novi has no objection to this. Ed didn't know what was going on, but the elf's enthusiasm for the city had apparently faded, and he looked like he wanted to get out of here as soon as possible more than he did. Filly also only scratched his head and did not object. In fact, he had the same idea. If Eric refuses to leave with him then, he hasn't decided whether to knock him out and drag him back to Cam's water temple before making plans, or if he will stay here and become a follower of Nessus forever.

Fili had secretly confirmed that Nyor's power had vanished from Eric's body, and he didn't know if it was the will of the goddess or some kind of curse. Neither God, nor the person who represents them, is tolerant of the betrayal. Stay here, and his "family" may be able to protect him-

It may also lead to a conflict between the believers of the two gods. The elf calmly pointed out, "If that is a true God." ”

"Or worse, he'll turn into a knight of the necromancer. Ed added that even if he hated the knights of the water god, he didn't want to see that.

"Wouldn't it be better for him to be branded as a traitor and have no place to stand?" asked Filly.

"You have a rather lack of confidence in your leaders. "Wouldn't they consider that Eric's change was for another reason, at least wait until the truth is found out before making a decision?"

Fili was speechless, he only continued to scratch his head, he believed in Fletcher, and he believed in Felicity, but he couldn't explain that those two people couldn't control everything, especially when the power of the Water Temple was already closely related to the royal family of Lutgar, and someone would be more willing to choose to erase all unfavorable news and whitewash the peace with the blood of innocents than to find out the truth in a time-consuming and laborious process.

He didn't want Eric to be another victim.

In short, Filly intends to wait until the last minute to make a decision, and that's his habit. Because there will always be fewer options at the last minute, and no one knows what will happen until that moment comes.

Ed calls it escapism, and Filly calls it the wisdom of adults. But in any case, at least one thing he was right - there are always unexpected changes.

The foundation of the temple, which had been dug with great difficulty, was destroyed.

The followers of Nesses could not believe that such a thing could happen! because of the cold weather, everyone would return to the ruined city at night to rest, and never thought of leaving anyone to guard it, and only set up a simple tent above the foundation to protect it from the rain and snow. After all, it's located deep in the mountains, and the occasional wolves and brown bears waking up from hibernation have absolutely no interest in a big pit.

After another tumult and bickering, they reluctantly agreed—this was the test that Nesses put to them. The entire foundation had been so destroyed that it was completely unrecognizable, and even the rocky earth around it had caved down into a large crater filled with floating earth mixed with snow and weeds, which was impossible for all the people here to do in an entire night.

"Haunted?" said Ed, boldly. He always felt that the goblins wouldn't say that this place was haunted for no reason. Khaliat gave him a thoughtful look and said nothing.

Filly stared at the white bones exposed in the dirt in a daze, then shook his head. He was probably thinking too much, the bone looked too thick, probably the skeleton of some kind of animal.

The persistent believers decided to dig a larger foundation in their place, which Khaliat thought was also a hint from the gods, while the more cautious Risek suggested leaving some men to guard the foundations each night.

Even for God's sake, the repetitive work was not pleasant, the smiles on people's faces diminished, and feelings of exhaustion and uneasiness began to surge through the crowd.

"They say there's someone here who has angered Nesses. Hoan whispered to Ed, his shoulders tucked nervously and in fear.

"It won't be you anyway, and it won't be me, so there's nothing to worry about. Ed was very frank in his words, completely forgetting that he and Filly were actually quite suspicious—they had gone out at night more than once to "pray in the temple of Caluti."

Another day passed, and as Ed munched on his bread for dinner, it suddenly occurred to him that it was time to meet the elves again tonight. Then he realized that he was most likely the object of suspicion of many, and that Hoan might be a tactful reminder of him.

"Maybe it's better for us not to go out these nights. He found an opportunity to quietly consult with Filly.

Filly shook his head: "At times like these, anomalies are more likely to be suspected, and the more clear we become, the safer we are - and we do have a clear conscience." When you look naïve and stupidly say 'haunted?', you have dispelled most people's suspicions. Well done!" he tapped him on the shoulder.

"-What if someone follows us?" Ed decides to graciously ignore Filly's sarcasm.

"Do you think Elf and I wouldn't have thought of that?" asked Fili, "or do you think we weren't followed?"

“...... Have we been followed?!" Ed tried not to be so loud.

“...... Ignorance is bliss. Kid, you're fine with that. Filly rubbed Ed's hair like a loving big brother and walked away laughing.

It didn't take long for Risek to find him.

"Philip told me that you were afraid to go to Caluti's temple again for fear of being ostracized and suspicious by others," he said, "and I don't want to question your faith, but Nesses is not a narrow-minded and irritable deity, and you need nothing to worry about it." Fili also said that you didn't trust him very much, so I asked me to comfort you...... Ed, Filly has blamed himself for Eric's amnesia, and you're a little sad for him to do that. No matter what, we should trust our loved ones. ”

Risek, also from Cantril, was gentler than Khariad, and had always taken good care of the youngest, Ed and Hoan, who had several younger brothers and sisters of his own. Ed must admit that he loved that feeling. Risek is definitely a more competent older brother than Fili.

He sincerely hoped that Nethers was a good and true god, and that people like Risek and Khaliat should not be deceived.

But at this time, he could only hold his secret, perfunctory the man in front of him with an embarrassed smirk, and at the same time shoot more than a dozen arrows at his "sad brother" in his heart.

That night he prayed sincerely to the idol of Caluti.

"Please freeze someone's lips with your cold!" he exclaimed, "how can he be so annoying?!"

"If you think someone is annoying, that's your sin, not mine. Fili grinned and said, "Besides, Caluti can't take care of me." ”

"This is the realm of the Ice Goddess, and it's best to be humble in her temple. The elf's voice came from behind them.

"Is anyone following us?" asked Fili deliberately.

The elf who jumped from above the porch shook his head, "I think you've gained their trust, but I'm afraid it won't last long...... I have other things to tell you. ”