The black-haired wizard stood in the alley and watched the carriage quietly leave, his eyes becoming more and more silent under his indifferent expression.

Corona's answer answered his first few questions, but in exchange for more doubts—the void, reality, the evil gods, the valve, the "truth" of history, the "Logan in the hat", the origin of the Holy Cross......

The more you know, the more confusion you have;

The closer you get to the truth, the more you feel that the "danger" is one step closer to you;

Regarding the "valve", according to Corona - this power is more akin to the key that opens the shackles, and the process of obtaining the valve is like an evolutionary process.

Evolve...... Why did he use that word?

People or animals that have been eroded by the power of the void and have been severely distorted physically and even mentally are called "mutations";

The process of building a spiritual temple, systematically learning to contact the void and grasp knowledge through ancient runes is called "understanding".

And evolution... It is a process from low to high, from simple to complex, and conceptually it is fundamentally different from the words "understanding" and "mutation".

Despite Corona's good disguise, his almost arrogant description is almost like saying that "human beings are just a kind of inferior beings".

His behavior made the dark-haired wizard more and more suspicious, and Corona's reason for being willing to communicate with him on an equal footing was not just a part of the "valve" as she said, but most of them.

Lions don't talk nonsense with sheep, and people don't put animals in the same position as themselves.

Just as he was pondering, the sudden appearance of the figure on the side made the black-haired wizard look up alertly, and turn his head sideways expressionlessly.

It wasn't a figure, it would be more accurate to describe it as a teenager waiting for him with his hands behind his back, and a cat that had snuggled up to his feet at some point.

He was small, his black hair was as delicate and smooth as satin, his cry was lazy and naughty, and he was rubbing his head against his ankles slightly, which seemed to be no different from ordinary Moon Shadow cats...... If it weren't for those scarlet eyes.

"Alas......" The young man with the corners of his mouth curled up procrastinated, deliberately turning his face sideways and smiling evilly: "For Asriel, who is waiting here, dear Loren, you don't seem to be even the slightest surprised!"

"It's nothing, it's just getting used to some uninvited guys. The black-haired wizard, who also sneered, casually responded: "You already found out where I am, didn't you?"

"It's really strange, is there something dear Loren needs to keep secret from his best friend, Asrael?"

The young man suddenly showed a very sad expression, sighed and shook his head: "Obviously, Asriel can also teach Loren about 'valve', why do you have to ask an old man from an unknown source?"

"Maybe it's because every time you ask someone, you have to pay a price?"

"This time is different. Asriel's scarlet pupils flashed with a strange glow, "Dear Loren, I just helped you get the Nine-Pointed Grail, and if you really want to know how to use it, Asriel won't ...... it."

"Don't believe him!"

The suddenly interrupted young man had a somewhat annoyed and strange expression on his face, his scarlet eyes staring at the girl who suddenly appeared behind Loren, and the pale girl with her chin slightly raised and her pale face also stared at each other without flinching with her blood-like pupils.

And the cat, which was curled up at his ankle, has disappeared.

"It's not polite to interrupt someone while they're talking. Gritting his teeth, Asrael's eyes narrowed into a slit, revealing a hideous and "gentlemanly" smile:

"Miss Impostor. ”

"It's better than someone who talks flatteringly and never tells the truth. While pushing back mercilessly, the girl did not forget to salute the black-haired wizard in front of her, and by the way, she threw the boy a disdainful "flying eye":

"Silly Asrael. ”

The boy took a deep breath, trying to keep himself in style, and looked at the black-haired wizard with a convulsive expression of the last "hope".

"Dear Loren, you must believe in me! only I can grant you all your wishes, and think of what we can't do as long as we trust each other?!"

"Oh, poor Asreel, who is still fooling people with the old tricks of hundreds of years ago. Ariel on the side did not let go of any opportunity to hit him, and her elegant eyes were filled with unspoken contempt and pity:

"May I ask one more question, stupid Asrael, do you feel like you're acting in a play when you're saying that?"

“...... You just deliberately used a battle sentence to mock me, didn't you?"

"Really?" the girl who covered her lower lip was "surprised", and then laughed playfully:

"Oops, it seems like this, what a faux pas!"

“......”

This is the second time in this time that Loren has seen such a frustrated and defeated appearance - Miss Ariel Corona, who has stolen his "identity", seems to have really become his nemesis.

"Now...... Shouldn't you tell me how you got here?"

"It was Corona who told me he would be waiting for you here. The girl who saluted was a little apologetic: "The current Ebolden is still not safe, and Corona has his own worries." ”

"Of course......" The girl did not forget to add, "The stupid Asrael came with Ariel, so he doesn't know where Loren is!"

Ariel's words made a teenager roll his eyes.

I almost forgot that the first person to make a contract with Miss Ariel was Corona......

The helpless Loren pursed his lips, and he couldn't help but feel resentful of a certain calculating old man in vain - what nonsense about not knowing where he was and worrying that he would not abide by the agreement, it was obviously arranged from beginning to foot.

I'm afraid that every move he makes in this city will not be able to escape from under his nose.

"Ah, is Loren angry?" Sensing the subtle change in the black-haired wizard's expression, the girl immediately showed a little panic: "I'm very sorry, it's all Ariel's bad, if Loren doesn't like this......"

"It's nothing, I just can't help but want to complain. Loren chuckled and waved his hand, muttering meaningfully: "What's more, he's right, Ebolden is indeed unsafe now......"

"Oh...... Isn't your acting skills just as realistic, Miss Impostor?" Asrael on the side did not forget to "sow discord", and smiled elegantly and treacherously on his pale face: "You still call me hypocritical, but it's really funny ......"

The "vampire" boy's smile stopped on his face, and Loren slowly looked back at the corner of the alley, the slightly heavy sound was definitely the sound of the knight's iron boots.

Someone.

The footsteps gradually became clearer, and even the shadows of the people could be seen from the corner. The black-haired wizard quietly placed his left hand on the hilt of the "Bright Silver" sword, and leaned sideways to wait for the other party to approach.

Here it comes... A hint of surprise flashed in the corner of Loren's eyes, and he let go of the hilt of his sword.

"Why are you here?"

Looking at the black-haired wizard standing in the alley, smiling and saluting to him, the knight girl or... Her Royal Highness, the eldest princess of the empire, Fetronay de Salion frowned slightly:

"I heard from the officers that you left a quarter of an hour ago. ”

"There were still some clues that needed to be confirmed, so it took a little more time. Loren, who bent over his head, put his right arm behind his back, looked at the delicate face like a doll, and still sighed and chose to "confess": "Well, it's actually too idle, so I'm going to take a look around, Your Highness Fitronai." ”

"Just wandering around, and not even a single patrolling soldier noticed you?"

This answer obviously did not satisfy her, but it did not seem to intend to dwell on it. And in the next second, Her Royal Highness the eldest princess spoke again, and she also used an unquestionable command tone: "No matter what you plan to do, follow me now!"

"Her Royal Highness the eldest princess, how dare you disobey it?" the black-haired wizard who bowed with a smile and a calm pace followed.

"Wait......"

Fitlonai suddenly stopped him, his eyes turned to the black-feathered eagle on the black-haired wizard's shoulder, and the moon shadow cat following behind, narrowing his eyes slightly: "You......

Do you like pets so much?"