"I understood what he meant. Alan lowered his head, "I should have given you more trust and freedom, but I couldn't do it. I've blamed Scott, but I'm not much better than him. I try to control everything, even to deceive you...... I told myself that you were too young and that you needed guidance......"

He stopped suddenly, realizing that he was too far away from the topic, but his face unconsciously darkened.

“...... I'm sorry. Ed was a little uneasy, "It's not for us to worry you like that......"

Alan shook his head and smiled self-deprecatingly, "No, I'm always worried. If one day, you too become fathers and have children of your own, you may be able to understand the ups and downs of this – you will fear that you will not have time to teach them everything you know, and that you will end them up with the hardships and pains that you have suffered...... lest your self-righteous experience only bind their wings, preventing them from flying farther, or even falling from the sky...... I sincerely hope that I will always be strong enough that you can rely on you in any situation, and that I can always shelter you from the storm, but now you are facing more than I have experienced...... and beyond the capabilities. There's very little I can do for you. ”

This is perhaps the first time in Alan Carvo's life that he has acknowledged his inability.

"But......," said Ed, eagerly.

"But I'll still be here. Alan smiled at him, his eyes full of exhaustion and sorrow, but also as wide and deep as the sea, "It's always been here." Behind you...... Wherever you are within reach, even if you are old and useless, you will do your best. ”

Ed opened his mouth, then slammed it shut. If he didn't, he doubted that his hot eye sockets would not be able to stop the tears that were about to burst.

“...... What happened?" asked Is, abruptly, "you don't talk about it all of a sudden...... What the hell is going on?"

His voice was too calm and lacked warmth, and his tense shoulders betrayed his panic and concern.

Eren was silent for a few moments.

"Goodyear is dead. He said, "I just got the message." ”

His tone was calm, but the hand resting on his lap trembled slightly involuntarily, like a dry branch in the cold wind, "In addition to him, several of my old friends have also lost their news recently...... I asked them to find out the news for me......"

Ed was stunned.

He knew that most of Allen's friends were experienced adventurers, and if he was just to find out the news, he should have the ability to protect himself, and it would be even more problematic if he disappeared one after another in a short period of time.

“...... How did he die?" asked Is, his voice lowered.

"It should be some kind of magic. Alan replied softly, "He has no scars on his body, and he is not poisoned, just like Gage......"

He paused a little dazedly. Gage had died at the hands of Lydia on May Day more than a year earlier, and the proud and cold-blooded female mage didn't even bother to hide it...... What about Goodyle, who had sworn revenge for Gage, was taciturn but stubborn...... Did he find Lydia?

“...... If it weren't for his sudden appearance on the streets of Neo, perhaps no one would even know where he died. He murmured, grief making his old face even haggard, "Gavin guessed he used teleportation at his near-death moment, and that the gem on his belt hid a ...... But that didn't save his life......"

“...... Is there any clue about him?" Ed asked, "before that...... What is he looking for?"

He knew that Alan's grief and guilt could not be easily soothed. If you can do something for the deceased, it is the best comfort at such a time.

"Héctor Caro. Alan said, "I have mentioned him to you...... Most of the news about Neo and the Archmage Tower was given to me by Goodyearle...... He's a mage after all. ”

Even if they don't belong to the Archmage Tower, all mages are held in Neo City with extra respect and don't get too much attention to their actions, unlike in most cities, where they are kept away.

"He doesn't seem easy to get along with, but he's attentive and vigilant...... He's not some invincible archmage, but he's not someone who can be defeated so easily. The people who killed him were either unexpected, or far more powerful than him. Alan's eyelids jumped, "If it's the latter...... Even the fact that he was able to teleport to the streets of Neo City and die in full view of everyone may be a warning. ”

Ed stood silent, thinking about the city of mages thousands of miles away. He'd never been to Neo – and it was strange why he hadn't been to Neo, just a few days away from Stonebutch and the place where the Criess sailed on their ships...... Even the years when River took him around trying to teach him how to do business never let him go to Neo......

Ed tucked the sudden doubt back into the corner, focusing more on the problem at hand.

"Goodyear......" he asked, "is he still in Neo?"

"Yes. Alan understood his plan at a glance, but shook his head, "You don't have to worry about this anymore. He died because of me, and it is my responsibility to find the murderer. You have your own business...... Especially in the current situation - you should know how many pairs of eyes will be staring at you. ”

"Can't we do what we need to do just because we're being watched?"

Eren couldn't help but want to laugh a little - it sounded a lot like Naria.

"Of course not. "But there's also a priority to 'do'." I don't think you're more attentive than Gavin, or my friends, and can find anything out of Goodyle that even they can't...... Isn't it?"

Iss blinked, unable to refute.

"And there are some things that only you can do. Alan whispered, "I can't make a choice for you, and I don't need you to tell me everything...... But I want you to know what you're doing and what you're doing it for. ”

Ed nodded vigorously, but Ise was thoughtful.

.

Ed let out a long breath as he left Alan's room, and the next moment he was frightened by Is's sudden question.

"Where's Calebrian?" he asked.

Ed glared at him, expecting Ai Ai, his heart beating like a drum: "I...... I ......"

He wanted to say he didn't know...... But he swore that he would not cheat on his friends.

“...... I can't tell you. In the end, he could only say in frustration, "What's more...... He's probably not there anymore. ”

It's like a speck of dust in a long time...... I don't know which way it goes.

.