Blackwater Fort, a closed tavern. Pen Fun Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 ｉｎfo

Howard wears a black cloak and sits across from the Black Tiger King.

"Black Tiger, you've disappointed me so much. Howard glared at the Black Tiger King, his eyes almost bursting with fire. "For ten days, you didn't even find the shadow of that bastard. He stood up and gritted his teeth.

"Don't get excited, my honorable President. The Black Tiger King waved his hand and motioned for Howard to sit down. "I said Albert was dead, he was so badly injured that no one could bear that badly. He told Howard.

"Tell me, where's the corpse?" Howard slapped the table with a hard bang, and the glass shook, and white beer foam flowed down the glass to the table.

"I'm afraid I've been eaten by wolves. The Black Tiger King did not react to Howard's actions, "There are a lot of wolves in the mountains. ”

"Wolf, why didn't you say you were eaten by a bear?" Howard glared at the Black Tiger King.

"Wolves eat bones, bears don't. The Black Tiger King patiently explained, not caring about Howard's gaze at all.

"Huh. Howard took a deep breath. "Brother Black Tiger, do you think I won't dare to kill you, or do you think you can get away with me?" Howard smiled and sat back.

"Of course I believe in your abilities, but I've done my best. The Black Tiger King took a sip of beer. "Add some ice cubes for me. He handed the glass to his men, then looked at Howard, "For my personal safety, I'll leave tomorrow." Oh, maybe I'll leave after this glass of wine. The Black Tiger King shrugged his shoulders and continued, "Killing an ancient mage is no small matter, and I don't want to be wanted by the Mage Guild, it won't do you or me any good." Right? Dear Elder. ”

"You're threatening me?" Howard also took a sip of his beer.

"If you have to think so. "The Black Tiger King spread his hands. "That's right. He grinned, "If anything happens to me, my brothers will expose your ugliness." ”

"Trust me, if anything happens to me, you'll die too. Howard leaned back in his chair and looked at the Black Tiger with a blank expression, "Of course, our agreement still works. I'll give you another five days, find Albert, I'll pay 5,000 gold coins, and you'll be back to Tiger Head Peak. ”

"Five days is too little, and the devil knows where the kid is hiding now. The Black Tiger King shook his head: "Ten days, at least ten days." ”

With that, the black tiger stood up and walked out of the tavern without looking back.

※※※

Edith's birthday party was not very grand, and there were only a dozen or so people including the servants. Not only that, but tonight's protagonist is gone.

A cute little girl sat on the roof, looking up at the stars in the night sky.

Suddenly, a meteor streaked by. She quickly closed her eyes and folded her hands together to pray for Albert's blessing. Many people said Albert was dead, but she knew that Albert would not leave her. Just like last time, he'll be back.

"Ladies don't run to the roof. Kyle climbed onto the roof and sat not far from Edith, his legs trembling slightly, apparently a fear of heights.

"I just want to make a vow for Eber. Edith replied apologetically.

"There's no need. Kyle touched Edith's little head. "Albert is going to be fine, you might as well make a wish to receive a stuffed doll. Kyle said earnestly.

"You also believe Albert is okay?" Edith smiled.

"Of course, he's my best friend. Kyle shrugged. "And the only friend. He smiled bitterly.

"Now I'm your friend too. Edith leaned over to Kyle and raised her hand to touch his head.

"Of course. Kyle smiled and nodded. "My friend, can you cut the cake now?" he stood up and straightened Edith's messed hair, "Trust me, birthday wishes are much more powerful than meteor wishes." ”

"I want the latest bear doll. The little girl smiled sincerely.

※※※

The moment the majestic city-state rises to the horizon brings this unforgettable journey to an end. In front of it is the Rhine City, the territory of the Rose family. For Albert and Joanna, time flies too fast, and they both see reluctance and attachment in each other's eyes.

"Elber, don't you really want to come to my house to sit down?" Joanna invited again. "My parents are very nice. She could see Albert's concern.

"To be honest, I would love to go. Albert smiled wryly. "But I still have something to do. He explained to her.

"Are you going to leave now?" said Joanna, reluctantly.

Albert nodded with a wry smile.

"Okay. Joanna smiled wryly in return.

"I'll come and see you. Albert smiled. "Wait until it's all over. He assured her.

"Be careful, Aber. Joanna advised, "Whatever you're doing, stay safe and don't joke with your life." She forced a smile, "For your best friend." ”

"For my best friend. "He lied to her.

Albert was well aware that his road ahead was not easy. Joanna was able to guess some of the same, but she could only force herself to believe it.

Suddenly, the weather changed suddenly.

Lead clouds obscured the sun, and drizzle drizzled.

The four eyes stared at each other, and they were speechless for a long time.

After some time, Joanna turned and left.

Looking at the lonely back that was gradually disappearing, Albert felt bitter in his heart.

For a moment, Albert wanted to stay desperately and tell Joanna everything he was thinking. But Albert still had a lot to do, and he couldn't afford to rest. Most importantly, Albert is well aware that he and Joanna are not from the same world at all. Joanna is the pride of the sky, and she is enviable in terms of magical talent and family background. And no matter how hard he works and how much he achieves in the future, one day he will become a half-human, half-dragon monster, the demon that is spurned by the world.

Can't hurt Joanna.

Albert stroked his chest, and there was a hint of warmth coming from the dragon scales in his breastplate.

He had to raise Edith, Albert thought, and perhaps that was why he had been left in the mortal realm.

Time passed quietly, and Albert's gaze gradually changed from confusion to determination. When Joanna's back disappeared into the rain, he turned away and walked into the distance.

※※※

A magnificent castle in the heart of the Rhine.

There were three people sitting at the five-meter-long dining table, talking about something.

The maids in white aprons around their waists were busy all the time, bringing plates of food to the table.

The tall middle-aged man on the throne sat precariously with a beard on his chin and wore a black gown. To the left of the man is a beautiful noblewoman, dressed in a black robe with white fur rolling on the cuffs and collar. Joanna sat at the man's right hand, she had already stripped off her stinking black robe and replaced it with a white dress trimmed with lace trim with a fluffy and ruffled hem, and a pair of silver-plated crystal heels encrusted with topazes on her jade feet.

The lady bowed her head and skillfully cut the steak on her plate.

Joanna recounts what happened to her, as well as her experience with Albert.

The middle-aged man listened patiently to Joanna's story, frowning. Count Rose was eager to lead the troops to wash the Sakura family now, but at the same time, he was a little suspicious. Count Rose believed in his daughter, but not in a poor boy who had been a wanted criminal, even if that boy was an ancient magician.

"Why not bring your friends back. When Joanna had finished, Count Rose spoke. "Your mom and I would love to thank him in person. He told his daughter.

"Abel has something to deal with. Joanna replied to her father. "He'll come back to me. There was anticipation in her words.

"When your friend comes to you, I will give him a good honorarium. Count Rose nodded.

"Dad, why do you say that?" Joanna looked at her father.

"My child, there's no one who doesn't like gold coins. Count Rose told his daughter. "No one is going to be nice to another person for no reason. He looked at Joanna. "Except for your parents. Count Rose said firmly.

"Albert. Joanna shook her head. "I believe in him. "She rarely defends her father.

"You should trust me more. Count Rose sighed: "I am your father, and I want my daughter to grow up soon." ”

"I'm eighteen years old. She looked directly at her father, "I'm an adult. ”

"But your heart is still as pure as it was when you were a child, my child. Count Rose explained to his daughter.

"Listen to your dad. The Countess handed Joanna a plate of cut steak. "You are very good, so you have to protect yourself, there are too many people who covet your appearance and family background. She explained to Joanna. "You are the future countess, and you must learn to discern people's hearts, not everything is as good as it seems. The Countess looked at her beautiful and innocent daughter.

Joanna was silent, not knowing how to refute it. She lowered her head and fiddled with the food on her plate, a little hard to swallow.

Or is it better to make the barbecue from Eber, Joanna thought to herself, even though the fool often burns the meat and doesn't add any condiments. Her nose was pantothenic, and she felt aggrieved in her heart, but not for herself.

She believed Albert.

"I'm full, father, mother, good night. Joanna got up and left.

Looking at his daughter's back, Count Rose stopped talking, and in the end all the words converged into a sigh.

Back to the room.

Joanna opens the delicate box on the dresser, which contains a strand of red hair. She clutched her hair tightly in her hands, stunned. This strand of hair once gave her courage and hope, but Joanna couldn't prove it to her parents.