It was difficult for the wet firewood to be lit again, and a small part of the low-lying tents were even half submerged in water, but that did not affect the joy and excitement of the people. A torrential rain washed away the red spots on all the sick people, and also washed away the high fever that could not be reduced by any means, and even seemed to inject a wonderful vitality into everyone.

Every elf and human was talking loudly, hugging each other, or walking around unnecessarily, unwilling to sit down and rest quietly, even if they looked tired, eager and dazed. It's like something is piling up in the bottom of their hearts, making them uneasy and excited, but they don't know how to vent.

“...... I think they need a celebration, a celebration where they can drink, sing, fight, and mess around!" Tess said, tiptoeing up and looking like she couldn't help but try, "Oh, I really need to!"

"It looks like they've all overdrunk it all to me. Scott looked at the overly excited people in front of him, not knowing whether to smile or frown, "It should have been raining instead of a bar?"

Norway smiled, "I think they're just too happy." ”

The elf seemed to be able to keep his composure, but his fingers unconsciously tapped some kind of beat on his lap.

Scott shook his head, a little worried. Sometimes even he wasn't sure what he had done and what he could do. He didn't burn the forest, and that's fine - but he didn't burn anything in people's heads, right?

"Your Excellency!" said Panasses, a degree or two higher than usual, from not far away.

The young elven lord hurried towards them, but the figure behind him made the little smile in Scott's eyes disappear in an instant.

That's Copas Fenton.

The gray-haired middle-aged pastor changed into a new white robe. It stands out at night. His steps were steady, his gaze was calm, and his straight figure showed a bit of sacredness and majesty in the moonlight—it was a cloth robe. Something that Scott didn't have like a wandering warrior.

The noise around him faded away, and people saluted him respectfully, even if many didn't care who he was - he undoubtedly represented some god, and that was enough.

Judging by their awe-struck looks, they probably thought that even the heavy rain had been summoned by the pastor's prayer.

"Hmm...... Is he stealing the limelight from you?" Tates murmured in Scott's ear on tiptoe.

After saying that, she immediately stuck out her tongue and smiled, without even waiting for Norway to glare at her. She had no ill will. It's not that I really want to stir up anything...... It's just that I can't control my mouth more than usual.

Scott didn't care about that, he cared more about why Copas came.

He didn't want to be as suspicious as Ante Bofford. But this pastor who helped him a lot when he first returned to this world, and made him grateful and trusted. Now it's getting stranger and stranger.

He admits that he is hiding something from Copass, and he admits that he is not resolute enough...... But he's sure that Copas also has his own secrets.

He took a deep breath and headed over to Copass. The tone was unconsciously a little stiff: "I thought you had something else. ”

"I got some news. Sage. Copas bowed respectfully to him, "I think I should let you know as soon as possible." ”

Scott didn't react at first, just plainly annoyed, he didn't like the title "Sage", Copas knew better than anyone else......

It was only when he heard a whisper of surprise that he suddenly realized that this was the first time that Copas had called him that way in public—and his voice, neither high nor low, was distinct in the silence.

They weren't far from the crowd and enough people were able to hear the word...... Then spread it quickly.

Scott tensed his body. He didn't want to look back at the surprise on Norvi's face, or at those who saluted him in a more humble posture. For a moment, he just wanted to grab Copas by the neck. Roaring and twisting it......

It was as if he was about to explode with rage, or it was crushed by his suddenly stiff arm. The little leopard nestled on his chest and licked his fur writhing uneasily, and with a little, dissatisfied cry, jumped out of his arms.

Scott watched it run away without looking back, finally suppressed his anger and whispered, "Let's talk about it in another place." ”

Copas nodded obediently and followed him.

They walked down the river into the depths of the forest, until they could no longer hear Panasses announce in a loud voice...... Let's celebrate the new birth!" cheered from the crowd until they were completely surrounded by the silence of the moonlight and trees.

"What the hell does that mean?" Scott squeezed out coldly.

"Just go with the flow. Copas replied calmly, clearly knowing exactly what he was referring to, "You can't hide your identity forever, and I think it's a good time." ”

"'Not bad' enough to be worth wearing this white robe?" Scott couldn't help but sneer, "Looks like you knew what was going to happen." ”

Copas only told him that the elves of the Antlers Forest were in trouble, and that Norway and Tess were there, but he didn't tell him what the trouble was, as if he didn't know about it. Or he could excuse himself by saying that Scott didn't ask ...... Scott didn't ask in detail, but his growing suspicion of Copas stemmed from the middle-aged pastor's excessive calmness - he always seemed to have room for himself to turn around, so that no one could catch him in the slightest mistake.

No one can be so perfect.

“...... I only changed into this white robe because you had just ripped my old robe, and I couldn't find a suitable coat for a while. Copas's tone was rather helpless, "The elves here know who I am, and they've seen me in a white robe...... I didn't know there were so many non-believers here, and I didn't mean to do it - but you don't seem to be going to believe me. ”

Scott replaced the answer with silence.

"I remember the first thing you said to me when you found me. Copas sighed softly in the night wind, "You tell me, 'I am the chosen one of your gods. —but you don't seem to think it's any glory at all. ”

Scott frowned silently, wondering why he had suddenly brought this up.

Copas calmly met his gaze: "And you may have forgotten how I reacted at the time. ”

“...... I remember. After a moment's hesitation, Scott whispered, "You said, 'He chose you, but you also chose him.'" ’”

Copas nodded slightly: "That's right...... I think you know very well what your choice means - at least I thought you did. Tell me, Scott Criess, do you regret it? You know, you don't have no choice. Give up your powers, and you will become an ordinary person, and even if you can no longer become a knight of the god of water, you will at least be able to return to your castle and live this short life in peace...... If that's what you want. But you have to understand that you are already much luckier than the vast majority of people, and you have a second chance. If you give it up...... No god will give you a third time. ”

It's rare for a pastor to show such aggressive candor -- he's probably been patient for a long time. What he said was almost threatening...... But it's also true.

Scott stared at him for a long time, his gaze constantly changing. He wasn't very good at hiding his emotions, which became even more difficult when he had a pair of eyes that changed color and hadn't learned how to control them. In front of Copas Fenton, his vulnerability and fear, his anger and persistence...... There's nothing to hide.

The only secret he was able to keep was the reason why he had persisted until now.

“...... What news did you get?" he stiffly changed the subject.

"Anktann may be in turmoil again. Copas replied cooperatively, as if the quarrel had never happened at all, "Someone has 'rescued' the little prince who was robbed of his crown from Limestone Castle, Sergio De Juri...... His uncle had just summoned all the loyal lords in his name to join him in a campaign against Ethan Crofleur, the traitor who had murdered the previous king and was said to have held the current king hostage. ”

There was a lot in those few words—Scott glared at him in surprise, but he knew that Copas wasn't going to lie...... At least there is no need to lie about this.

Borena has only been back in Anktann for less than two days...... Things were moving too fast, as if everything was premeditated.

"While rumors often diverge from the facts, having an older brother who is a necromancer makes it harder to believe in the innocence of Master Crooffler - not to mention the fact that he's hiding it from everyone's noses. This time, even the Temple of Anduhe was involved...... Hoyt Laval was not cautious enough in this matter. Copas continued calmly.

- So even this secret was revealed.

Scott looked away in silence and looked into the darkness. The High Priest of Anduhe agreed to keep Eli Croeffler in the Temple of Anduhe, of course, with his own considerations, but he was also absolutely aware of the dangers. Scott had seen Hoyt, and the old man didn't look like someone who would accidentally let such a secret get out......

Anktann probably knows best how the last change of throne took place and how it ended. He didn't tell Copas everything, but that doesn't mean Copas didn't know...... But the middle-aged pastor's expression was so frank, as if everything had nothing to do with him at all, and he didn't care whether Scott would have such doubts, but he didn't know how to speak.

Even if he asked, he might not get a real answer.

In the sudden boredom, Scott suddenly missed the simple life he had once had—no matter what danger he faced, at least by his side, he trusted friends with all his heart. If he could exchange all his strength for the past, he would be willing to ......

But Copas was right, he couldn't possibly have a third chance.

(To be continued......)