"We can talk privately," Henry chanted kindly, before giving Gwen a comforting, fatherly pat. "There's a lot to discuss. ”

The rest of the council glanced at the empty table and coldly reminded everyone that they were no longer Mark and Gunther.

Unexpectedly, Henry turned to Deborah. Gwen's classmates immediately stiffened, and the principal's attention lingered for a moment, clutching Gwen's arm tightly. It was an understandable reaction, for who wouldn't be shocked by the preoccupation of Henry Kilroy, the owner of the Sydney Towers and the leader of the Ten?

"Deborah, huh?"

"Yes, sir!" Deborah replied, leaving Gwen's arm and standing straight before Ramrod, not knowing whether to bow or salute. Deborah Jones, 1st Grade...... I'm about to enter my second year at Blackwater College, sir. ”

"Don't be so nervous, Deborah. Henry tapped her on the shoulder. Gwen appeared, though another magician struck her with static electricity.

I know that looks good. Gwen said. Deborah and a magic mage, one of the most powerful mages in the country, are star-splinter magicians.

"Deborah, you know some bad secrets. "Including Gwen and my relationship," Henry began, causing a cold sweat to break out on Gwen's forehead. "As a result, I'm afraid I have no choice but to ......"

"Master!" Gwen interjected nervously.

They just saw Mark being dragged away like a piece of beef. Maybe her master's blood was still rising, protective and paranoid about what he had just witnessed?

"I'm sorry, sir, but ...... Please forgive Deborah. Could it be a spell or a compulsion? Or a tracking ring? I mean, Opa accidentally brought her in! If anything, he's responsible!"

Surya was wounded and wore a mask of sadness on her face.

Henry made a double choice before he started giggling. After a while, Surya joined him, and their cheerful mood broke the tension in the conversation.

Gwen ...... I was going to say I had no choice...... But trust her in this matter, trust her judgment, her ability to keep secrets. ”

"Ah-of course, master. Gwen was immediately relieved, and her face flushed. Next to her, Deborah's face was bleeding again.

"Can we trust you, Deborah Jones?" Henry's tone turned serious.

The question is, of course, rhetorical. What would a girl, whose parents were middle-class degenerates, do with the demands of the highest authorities in this country? Refusal is impossible, and neither is any flamboyant or uncertain answer. Failure to comply with protocols is likewise suicide. The tower is the supreme authority on magical matters, even above the border governments, including the Senate. If Deborah wants to reveal the truth to the world, who else can she turn to? She will disappear, disappear, disappear overnight, just like Mark Chandler.

Deborah nodded angrily.

"Yes, sir, you can trust me, sir!" she added another sir just in case. You can never have too many gentlemen when speaking to someone like Henry.

"Good. You can go with Suliya. Rest assured, you and Gwen will meet soon. ”

Deborah reluctantly leaves Gwen and takes a place behind her coach, Sulia.

"I'll see you back at the ranch, Gwen. Surya waved at her granddaughter.

"Goodbye, Opa. ”

The remaining three watched them leave, their eyes disappearing with the scrawny old man and the tall, athletic girl.

Henry turned to the last remaining member of their past partnership.

"Agnes, I'm sorry you went through this. ”

"I'm sorry too, Henry," Agnes grumbled. With Mark's imprisonment, their 30-year association came to an end. Now, she could no longer talk to Suya and Henry, because she knew that Mark had been rotting in a cell somewhere for the rest of his life because of their wishes and intentions. "Can I go now?"

Cautiously and disgustedly, she posed her own question, indicating the distance she hoped for.

Henry's expression became sullen, and his sympathy disappeared in his throat.

"You can go, Agnes. ”

"Goodbye, old friend. ”

The summoner left.

Now only Gwen and Sofina remain. The gnomes wander aimlessly, examining the antiques left behind by Mark.

"Can we?" Henry struggled to his feet. Gwen walked up to him and put her arm under her master's shoulder to help him move. Her master's arm felt much more fragile than her grandfather's. Surya was covered in ropes, and Henry's arm was more like a dry branch.

She wasn't sure if he needed her help, but the effort seemed to please Sofina. The two of them walked down the narrow staircase, arm in arm, to the teleportation room in the basement.

They arrived at Alexia's apartment first. Gwen was soiled by her misfortune, her clothes were torn everywhere, and her nails were stained with dried blood. If they teleported into the tower like that, there would be a lot of talk, and obscene rumors would spread around Oceania before reaching the levitating elevator.

Henry took a nap, and Gwen quickly took a shower and changed his clothes. Alessia leaves with Yue to train her new apprentice in the art of destruction and destruction. To hurry, Gwen took the first thing: a Merlot pasta slip dress, then a white cardigan, and finally swapped her tattered Mary Janis for a pair of drained sandals. She washed the dust and blood off her hair, rolled her bangs aside, and regained her usual kingly spirit.

Upon heading out, Henry commented that Gwen had made good use of Alicia's rather drab wardrobe options. The two joked that Alicia spent her monthly allowance on perishable clothes, despite the flame-tempered uniforms,

The two then returned to the chamber below, where the teleportation circle glowed silver and white, distorting space and distance.

Without Alexia's presence, the guards became much friendlier. Some of them greeted Gwen and introduced themselves, and they were very interested in the tall, lovely girl who seemed to have the eye of a judge. Prior to that, she frequented the tower to visit the judges during her three-month training. Now, she is more or less considered a standard feature of the tower owner's itinerary. Although the guards did not know how she was connected to the judge, it was evident from her filial and intimate attitude that the two were close. Was she a relative? maybe the daughter of an acquaintance, or a companion? it didn't matter to the guards, who were apprentices and mages themselves, trained in different factions. They are very polite to her and she is also very friendly to them. If she can curry favor with them in exchange for the services they provide, it will be good for all.

The guards had a brief conversation with Gwen and said something of admiration to her. They introduced themselves as Williams and McKinsey and served Gwen with bright, hopeful eyes. Henry and Gwen got off the platform and nodded to the two young men.

Grote is eternal. A moss-covered clearing, dappled with sunlight, the seasons change as Sofina's mood changes. As soon as they returned to their pockets, Henry's back was straightened and his head was raised higher. By the time they reached the central conference room, he was back to his old self, an old professor in a tweed jacket and cashmere vest looking smart.

They found a place under Sofina's heart tree, where the breeze blew the scent of summer. Sofina put her arm around Gwen, and when the marmot smelled her, she made a sound of leaves trembling.

"You still have the life force of a snake in you," Sofina said with great joy. "It's vibrant and enriching. I like it. I don't know how long this will last?"

While Sofina plays the maid, a set of garden furniture grows around them, and they are given a pile of nectar bread, two crystal glasses, and a bottle with her famous golden mead.

Henry waited until Gwen was settled, and sat down on the pixie garden chair with its graceful curves and leafy woodwork. Gwen crossed her long legs comfortably, tucking her ankles behind the soft, mossy legs of her chair. Henry held up a glass, and Gwen ran into him on the way. She took a quick sip, feeling the vitality of mead permeate her tired mind.

They chatted more chit-chat, occasionally talking about spell theories, telling anecdotes about Surya's ugly sculptures, and chatting lightly.

"Gwen, how are you feeling now?" Henry finally spoke, starting with a simple question and trying to test the waters.

It's a very convincing question, and Gwen feels a measured answer is needed. After all, she had just witnessed a man being dragged away and imprisoned for the rest of his life. The story of the last few hours has told Gwen many of her master's quirks and fetishes. He was a sentimental, idealistic and romantic. As a leader, he is a man of the golden mean, dreaming of an impossible balance between power and responsibility. As a companion, he is trustworthy and respectful, calm and composed. As a teacher, he is experienced and a capable teacher who has produced two unparalleled students. As an arbitrator, Henry is ruthless and able to let go of his emotions, even the woman who loves him more than anything in the world. If Henry had shortcomings, he was inclined to be patient, even in an emergency.

So what should she do with their "conversation"? The host's silence gives her time to think about her choices. According to Elizabeth's sordid chronicles, there is an element in Gwen that inevitably invades and corrupts the mind of the user. For Gwen, however, the revelation merely pointed to one fact: the war itself could have left Elizabeth insane. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are common symptoms that plague the war-weary world.

She was shocked that in a world that serves survival, death is commonplace, but there are no psychoclinicians. Here, it seems that the treatment of mental health has never progressed as much as the apathy of World War II. There is no Pavlov, Skinner, Junger, and Maslow explaining their inner world to survivors who have suffered horrific traumas, both natural and supernatural. If anything, they will be recognized psychic mages who will not provide balms for inflamed minds.

She ran out of time.

"Guilt," she replied, ending the silence between them, and I could feel the cries of the victim pounding against my heart as Caleban's heart returned to my mind. I even felt the same way for those slave owners, Boza and Fares, despite Gunther's attempts to teach me the dangers of careless mercy and naivety. ”

This frankness surprised Henry, but her master's gaze revealed nothing but a gradual raising of her brow.

"I see......," Henry pondered over her words, what do you think of Mark's accusations?"

Gwen thought, another question full of questions.

"Angry, angry," Gwen emphasized her vowel I don't want to offend you, master, but I'm not Elizabeth. ”

"No, you're not. ”

To her surprise, her master smiled.

"Gwen, you once told me that the abuse of greatness is due to self-blame and disconnection from power. Do you think ... Remorse, Gwen?"

Gwen thought about it. She couldn't be a perfect antisocial battle mage, nor was she a perfect investigative agent like Gunther. She couldn't even beat Ram as mercilessly and unquestioningly as Alesia.

"Yes, master," she admitted, putting it there with an unexpected feeling that I don't like to hurt people. I have no desire to take the lives of my enemies. ”

Henry knocked thoughtfully on the table.

"What about your creed, Gwen, if you don't want to have the power to punish those who hurt you?

"It's not so much slaughter, it's slaughter, master. ”

Henry laughed and said that the girl was more mature than he expected.

In this dark winding woods, a rare bird, Gwen. A risky choice. ”

"The woods are dark and deep, master, but I must go my own way, even if it is one that I don't take. ”

"It's easy to go astray with less travel, Gwen, maybe to the edge of a cliff... Do you know what's at the end of that road?"

"I don't know, Master, but I'll have to try. Accept that I will be a killer ... It's not possible for me. ”

Gwen shook her head, her voice shaking. Maybe she was too exposed? What if her master thought her pacifism was a terrible weakness? What if he chose to abandon her? Was the aversion to murder a weakness? Didn't Gandhi say that he would not kill for a single cause, but overthrow four centuries of colonial rule? Socrates, whose wisdom established the modern republic, said that no matter what kind of suffering he suffered, he should not do anything bad? Maybe it was too much; But there is no doubt that, as a common condition of existence, human beings have reason to show pity and sympathy for relatives and good people. If anything, her old world has proven that it is possible.

"Do you want to be a pacifist, Gwen, and how do you want to survive without harming your enemies?"

Her master's voice grew harsh. Now there is the edge of criticism. Gwen's thoughts flashed through her memory. She recalls the grand conclusions reached by those responsible for splitting atoms and designing the end of human civilization on Earth. The context is a little off, but it has to be done.

"I don't want to be just a pacifist, master," Gwen said cautiously, her voice measured and full of energy I mean I want to be a belligerent pacifist. I am willing to fight for my pacifism. Because the only way to end violence is for our enemies to reject it themselves. ”

The contradictory logo caught Henry off guard. He stared at her with a confused expression as the words were slowly digested.

"You want to be so powerful ... Do your enemies tremble at the thought of war?"

Gwen smiled shyly.

"Isn't this how the conflict between the merfolk and the Suo people ends, Master, and peaceful coexistence for the next thirty years?"

Henry snorted suddenly and patted his knee.

"You're right!"

He laughed, a wild laugh that stretched his usual serious face.

"The militant path of pacifism! What a strange and twisted mind you are!"

He knocked excitedly on the table.

"Then you won't kill anyone?" he asked.

"No unnecessary killing, master. ”

"And what do you call your way?"

"This is the path of humanitarianism, master, humanitarianism. ”

Henry carefully considered the rather unusual creed of Otter Gwen.

"What if you find yourself in the same situation again, Gwen? is about to be violated or harmed. Will you ever show unintentional pity again?"

Gwen was ready, and she wasn't going to ignore Gunther's hard lesson.

"Master, we must be cruel if we want to be good," she replied in the words of a wise man.

"That's too complicated!" said Henry, letting his mind slowly think about her logic. "What about the aristocratic powers? I mean, I mean

"I can't be jealous of those whose most distant horizon is tomorrow. "Not when many of their problems can be solved with bread, water, and shelter," Gwen replied shrewdly. "They're going to play their part, and so are we. If possible, I would like to build a world where the name is as important as the mage. ”

"I see... A noble goal. ”

They talked about her experiences in the slums. In the end, the conversation reached the predetermined topic.

"And what do you think of Caliban?" her master asked suddenly.

Gwen swallowed a little nervously.

"I am ... Fear it, master. ”

Henry nodded wisely.

"I see... I get it. Would you mind bringing your acquaintances out, if you could, put Ariel first. ”

Gwen uses spell spells to summon people she is familiar with. Ariel appears on the table in a passive form. Henry reached out and ticked a tick on the animal's fur, sending out sparks of static electricity.

"Oops! Oops!" Ariel rubbed his nose on his hand. It begged with its paws, first towards Gwen and then Henry.

"Are you afraid of Ariel?" asked Henry, pulling out a crystal and watching as the mink filled itself, its cheeks filled with magic.

"No," Gwen admitted.

"Why?" asked Henry softly.

Gwen considered Henry's question. The obvious answer is that Ariel is not a young terrorist, but that is sophistry.

"I am ... "Not sure," Gwen murmured, "maybe it's because Ariel is listening, and I feel like I'm in control." ”

"Doesn't Caliban listen?"

Gwen shook her head. The Caliban did listen to her, and it did so even at the height of the war. It's her fault that Kaliban "leaked", she was weak, not Kaliban.

"Is there anything wrong with that?"

"It's Void Magic, Master... Caliban instilled in me an indomitable desire. I felt it tempting me and asking me to satisfy it, but the more I fed it, the hungrier I became. ”

"That's a matter of temptation," Henry nodded, and one of my wife's quizzes failed miserably. So what do you think? Will you stop using Void magic altogether?"

The honest answer was self-evident, but Gwen had a hard time finding the right words.

"If you want to follow the path you have chosen, the Caliban is essential," Henry added. He could feel Gwen's frustration and taste her hesitation. The girl was so obsessed with the right answers, and despite her intelligence, she didn't know that in life, there were really few right answers.

"Bring out the Cariban, Gwen. ”

"Kaliban..."

Gwen winced as she lost her vitality and drank the blood from her pink cheeks.

The snake emerged from the void and landed on the mossy floor with a thud. Immediately, the vigorous moss withered and died, leaving behind a brown and black patch. It looked up, scanned the room, sniffed the air.

"Shhh

Gwen's body stiffens in disgust. Caliban seemed to sense his hesitation, but stopped uneasily, apparently hurt by his master's refusal.

"Caliban, here. Henry pulled out a high-definition crystal and waved the glittering stone in front of it.

The creature tried to jump at it immediately, but hesitated without Gwen's permission.

"It's alright, Gwen. ”

Caliban slid onto the table, leaving a withered, barren grove behind.

To Gwen's surprise, Henry placed his hand on Cariban's sleek exterior. There was a hissing sound as his flesh touched, and pungent black smoke rose into the air. Gwen almost shouted, but Henry's grey eyes met her own.

"Calm your emotions, control your fears, and don't let your weakness seep into the Caliban. ”

Gwen took a deep breath. The hissing stopped. The advent of the Caliban no longer erodes living wood. Her master was right, how could he be wrong? He was a magician. He's right, it's Gwen's weakness.

"Good. ”

"Are you still scared?"

Gwen surveyed the smooth, dark creature in front of her, its carapace cracked to reveal the mouth of a lamprey, now busy devouring crystals.

"Not so much," Gwen admitted, her heart trembling as Sofina's positive energy slowly healed Henry's fingers. Caliban looked at Sofina with interest and flicked his tongue. Sofina winked at the creature.

"There's always a temptation to have a lot of power, Gwen. The more powerful the source, the easier it will be for you to use it. Do you believe Sofina is strong?"

Gwen nodded.

"Do you know how powerful she is?"

Gwen didn't.

Henry smiled wisely.

"Allow me to give you a quick demonstration. Sofina, if you will. ”

Everyone turned their heads to observe their maid. Ariel pricked up her furry nose, Cariban hissed, and Gwen took another sip of mead.

Suddenly, Sofina's face became cold and unforgiving. Her smooth skin was covered with thorns and barbs, and her body was crumbling like a nightmare, full of vicious vines, swaying and shouting violence.

A terrifying sight. Both Ariel and Caliban began barking and hissing, moving in front of Gwen to protect her from the uncertain enemy.

"The power of nature!" Henry quoted, using a unique blend of the main elements that he possessed.

Suddenly, Dillard was everywhere. She swelled so much that she almost filled the room. Her form is no longer a terrible witch, but something inhuman. She turned into a staggering behemoth, and there she stood, the mist of deep swamps and dark forests pouring down from the myriad fishhook hooks that grew from the countless vines. From a listless crowd, there were two glowing eyes staring out, her gaze as merciless as the blazing sun. For Gwen, the force and pressure she exerts is insane.

Her face and lips were pale as sheets, her feet were cold and frozen, and both sides of her arms stopped.

Ariel winced and whimpered, and suddenly rolled over, trying to play dead.

Caliban shrunk its flanks closer to the ground and circled to attack. Unlike Ariel, it was unaware of existence before it was summoned - it did not feel fear, nor did it know fear. As long as Gwen is alive, it can exist again.

"That's enough, Sofina. ”

Sofina cowered, now facing a shy teenage girl, though she had scraped dangerous, sharp thorns from her leafy clothes. She gave them a reassuring smile and her sparkling gemstone eyes sparkled.

"Are you afraid of Sofina?"

Gwen nodded, then shook her head.

"A brave defense, Caliban," Henry added, the snake, threw another crystal. Ariel rolled over guiltily and begged at Gwen's feet on his knees with two paws. Gwen patted its fur, feeling its remorse through their empathic connection.

Caliban looked up triumphantly, raised his head, and wagged his tail. Gwen cautiously reached out, and the snake coiled around her leg, found the purchase on her calf, and crawled onto her leg. Its icy touch makes people tickle, like ice rubbing against the skin. It rubbed against her cheeks on her hands, and the laceration in her forehead left a snail trail of gray liquid on her fingers.

"It's a good path you've chosen, Gwen, but you can't go it alone. You need allies. And, of course, Ariel and Kaliban, and others who will support you. You need friends, family, advisors, and colleagues. It's not your spell that you need to be afraid of, but the isolation that comes with its misuse. ”

"The spell of the hand," Gwen muttered aloud as she muttered a spell against the heart... I'll do my best, master. ”

Gwen wondered if Henry would chime in and say "do". Or don't. However, the old master only nodded in affirmation.

"Gwen," her master's next words were serious, please accept my apologies for what happened to Mark......

Gwen woke up from an inner conversation.

"Master, you shouldn't have done this!" she interjected. Sure, Henry's judgment is poor, but who knows about Mark's madness?

"Oh, but I have to. "Henry's voice was painful, lest I send you to him out of selfishness. ”

"Master?"

"Look at Gwen, I really don't understand why I'm so eager to be with you, why I'm so eager to shape your life path until Mark tells me the truth. ”

"Sir..."

"Let me finish. He waved his hand in front of her, you see, Mark was right. I do want to repeat the past. I always wondered what would have happened if I had stopped Elizabeth, if I had recognized her weakness and pain. I think when I saw you wake up in that room, I felt like it was my salvation, to settle a past that I didn't really understand. ”

He took a deep breath.

"Can you... Forgive an old man for doing such a selfish thing?"

Gwen placed a slender hand on Henry's own, feeling his paper-like skin.

"I forgive you, master......" Gwen said earnestly. She was angry at first, of course, except for anger, but her anger had been paralyzed by Mark's crazy face, his spitting schadenfreude, and his depressed body as Gunther took him away like a lamb on a leg. Monster hunters should be careful – this old adage teaches us a good lesson. "I won't starve like Elizabeth. Master, I assure you. ”

Henry nodded appreciatively, as if to come to another conclusion.

"Do you want to know what Mark means, what is he accusing you of?"

Gwen felt her throat shrink a little, and she was a little confused about what Mark suspected. Did she want to know? Gwen did. She would rather arm herself with knowledge than run away from the burden of knowledge.