As a member of the Imperial Cabinet and a wizarding advisor to His Majesty the Emperor, Master Albert Tarot is simply more low-key than he could have imagined.

If it weren't for the fact that Lusan had already put his sword on the coachman's neck, Loren couldn't believe that the dilapidated street in front of him was actually the residence of the royal wizard advisor.

Empty streets, cold winds, dilapidated houses, "madhouses"-like houses...... The gray-eyed young man's cold hair stood erect, and he couldn't help but clench the hilt of the sword on his waist.

Holy Cross on top, this can't be a cemetery, right?

The black-haired wizard sighed and stepped forward and gently knocked on the already rusted and decayed gate, the cold echo wafting through the street.

"Or... Let me ask, right?" The gray-eyed boy frowned slightly, and the strange atmosphere made him have a bad premonition: "I'm just your guard, he won't do anything to me, even if it's ......"

"Don't say it. ”

Loren interrupted him with a wave of his hand behind him, sighing and looking sideways: "We are friends, so I won't talk to you about 'this is my duty', 'Your mission is not here'...... It's all nonsense. ”

"Lusten, protect Isaac and Ain and them, and Thran Corvo and Miss Lena; I really can't trust the fanatics. ”

The gray-eyed boy bowed slightly, didn't say anything, and solemnly turned to leave.

"Squeak~~~"

The screeching sound of the doorway opened the old door, and behind the door stood an old man with gray hair and beard, tremblingly holding out his right hand to the black-haired wizard:

"Ai... Lord El Born has been waiting for you for a long time, Viscount Loren Turin, this side please. ”

The black-haired wizard was creepy with his withered arms, and his voice was so hoarse that he just nodded and followed the old man into the house.

Although it looks quite shabby on the outside, the furnishings in the house are quite stylish...... Almost all of the walls have been converted into bookcases, and the air smells of good-smelling ink and parchment.

The moment he walked into the hall, Loren finally understood why he was creepy... Not because of instinctive fear, but because of the house......

Hell cold!

Obviously, the early spring has passed, and it is a sunny day outside, and the whole hall is as dark as evening, and the air is cold enough to see ice fog......

"I'm so sorry, the lighting in this house is not very good, would you like to open the curtains for you?"

"Uh... Don't bother, that's fine. ”

"The master is still upstairs, I have to wait a little when I come down, please wait a while. The trembling old man beckoned the black-haired wizard to sit down, holding a silver plate in his hand:

"It's... Freshly brewed mint tea, would you like a cup?"

"Thank you. Loren, who forced out a smile, took the teacup from the old man's hand and took a small sip......

The smile immediately froze.

Cold.

Loren, who was expressionless, shuddered for no reason, and hurriedly put the teacup on the coffee table.

The old man was still standing there, his expression indiscerning under his silver hair and beard: "No... Do you have any taste?"

"No, no, no!" Loren quickly smiled and shook his head.

"That's good, you're the lord's honored guest, and it's not okay to be inconsiderate. The trembling old man's voice was so hoarse that he couldn't even tell if he was pronouncing with his vocal cords, and he left the hall trembling step by step:

"That's... I'm going to ask the master to come out now. ”

"Trouble. With a nonchalant smile on his lips, the black-haired wizard with a playful expression stared at the old man's back until he stepped into the shadows.

The air was quiet, a visibly visible mist wafted through the bleak hall, and a thin layer of frost formed in the mint tea in the cup.

"What do you think?" a slightly joking, but impassioned, clear voice sounded in Loren's mind.

For a moment of peace, dark pupils swept through the hall.

"It's worthy of being a wizard advisor in front of the Emperor, and it was so degrading to think of him as a kind old man before. The pensive Loren closed his eyes slightly, and replied in a deep voice:

"A remnant of the void strong enough to distort reality... No, maybe he deliberately changed the space like this. ”

"Out of somewhat... We don't know the reason yet. ”

"Alas... In that case, wouldn't dear Loren be in danger?" the childish voice exclaimed, and suddenly became very excited: "How is it, do you need a little 'help'......?

"Are you finished?"

"Ah...... What a cold guy, and the boy who was shocked and speechless just by seeing people when he first met him is not a person at all. Asriel flattened his mouth: "Even the tone of rebuttal has become so natural, so naturally that I can't even hear the slightest sense of disobedience!"

"Dear Loren... Why are you so skilled?"

After a moment's hesitation, Loren decided to continue ignoring him.

"Your Excellency Loren Turin, I've kept you waiting. ”

A kind and old voice came from the shadows, and there was an old man who faltered and looked guilty.

The black-haired wizard frowned slightly, his gaze gradually becoming much more solemn.

There was a long silence until the old man sat down, and neither of them said a word.

"You're here today... It's for the sake of Xingshi, right?"

In the end, it was Albert who broke the silence first, and sighed in a low voice: "When Gray Sal went to find you, I already expected it, but I didn't expect ......"

"You didn't expect it, but you're pretty sure I'm coming. Loren didn't want to say more nonsense, and coldly said straight to the point:

"Royal Wizarding Academy's... Your Excellency, Dean!"

"Lord Loren, I ......"

"You've been planning since we arrived in the Imperial Capital... That's right, it started with our 'chance' encounter with Gray Sal......"

"Since then, whether it is Thran Corvo who has come to the Summer Twilight Courtyard to ask us for help, and persuaded Victor Hughes to let him allow me to investigate the case... You're everywhere. ”

“......”

"I need an answer, Master Albert Tarot, I need an answer. ”

Albert was speechless for a moment, and finally spoke:

"You're more powerful than I thought, Lord Loren Turin... Maybe I should have trusted you a little more. ”

"But now you have surrendered to the Church of the Holy Cross... The dignified former wizard advisor, when the academy tutor was killed, the imperial capital wizard chose 'reconciliation'... It was unexpected. Loren said sarcastically:

"Do you know that once Master Lussac is really sentenced to death......

"Lussac Corvo is already certain to die, and he must atone for what happened back then......"

"We still have a chance—if you don't betray us!" Loren interrupted him roughly, a hint of anxiety in his voice.

It sucks, it sucks......

He hadn't really been in this situation since Wimpal Academy.

When it's clear that the victory is already in hand, and success is close at hand... The advantages around him turned into disadvantages little by little, until he finally made himself completely isolated.

What a good means.

"I'll only ask once, Master Albert... What conditions did the Holy Cross Church come up with, or threaten you in what way, made you decide to give up Master Lussac and choose to reconcile with them?!"

There was another long silence.

"One I can't be... No, it's a condition that all wizards can't refuse. Albert shook his head: "Lord Loren Turin, you are also a wizard, what do you think of the relationship between wizards and the church?"

"It's the same fire. The black-haired wizard frowned slightly: "What's wrong?"

"It's like fire and water... What a brilliant metaphor, very apt – the relationship between wizards and the church has never eased since the founding of Ebolden. ”

Albert raised his head, and there was a faint flicker in his calm gaze: "Then what if I told you that the church and wizards have a chance to reconcile, and only if we make the last little sacrifice?"

"Are you kidding, Master Albert?"

"No, I'm serious... And the people who came to me came up with very practical plans. With a slight sigh, the old man said solemnly:

"Peace is at hand!"