The residence of the Grand Master of the Knights of the Sacred Tree is the Oath Spire directly behind the main building of the fortress, the spiral stone staircase winds like a corridor, and the sunlight shines into the tower through the battlements in the wall, which looks extremely solemn and even has a slight sense of sacredness, and the incomparably solid walls and narrow spaces will sound a faint echo in the ears with every step.

Edward silently followed Sir Leonardo's side, and behind them were two heavily armed Sacred Tree Sergeants, keeping their eyes fixed on Edward's back, as if they were on the lookout for what he might do—even if all his weapons had been stolen as soon as he approached the tower.

Everyone was nervous and didn't say a word, only the black-haired boy still had that inappropriate smile on his face, as if he was bare-handed, and it was not him who was escorted to question, but someone else.

Leonardo was relieved to see Edward like this - he didn't want things to turn out this way if he could, but many things were not something he could decide alone.

Standing outside a door at the top of the tower, he turned to Edward with a complicated face and said, "We have arrived, Grand Master Mercer Kane is inside now, and you don't have to worry about anything you want...... If it's really necessary. ”

Edward nodded in understanding, and walked in after Leonardo, while the two sergeants who escorted him stood on either side of the door consciously, waiting for orders at any time.

The room was not large, and even looked a little cramped, with shelves full of scrolls and books taking up most of the space, and a pair of old armor by the window on the right wall, but it was well maintained, clean and without a trace of rust, and it was evident that its owner took great care of it.

Facing the door was an old black wooden table, with a faint golden hook at the corner, and the table was piled with large and small parchment scrolls. At this time, Gaio Valence was standing in front of the table, as if he was reporting something to the people sitting there.

Surprisingly, this Sacred Tree Knight, who has always been indifferent, actually had a bit of ...... in his expression The look of respect aroused Edward's curiosity. However, while he was still stunned, Gaiyo had already turned around, looked at Edward with cold eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled up with a casual "smile".

"Grand Master Kane, I've brought him here. Sir Leonardo coughed lightly twice and spoke, then turned and stood in the corner of the table, with a very stern expression on his face: "He brought back the news of Sir Tornier Gombray's death, and the whole ...... The whole process. ”

"Don't be so formal, this is not the Hall of the Sacred Tree, we are not having a meeting, he is your own brother...... You must be sadder than all of us. It was a slightly hoarse voice, and sitting behind the desk was a middle-aged man who looked rather athletic, with dark skin and a slightly unkempt beard, and a weather-beaten appearance.

"Maybe I should retire Grand Master Kane for the time being. Gai Io, who was standing there with a gloomy face, said suddenly, glanced at Edward with a slight sneer, and then lowered his head to the man again: "I can wait until a while to report to you on the rest of the matter." ”

"No, you'd better stay - I need more people to help me judge this. Mercer Kane shook his head and reached out to stop Gaio Valense, who was about to leave: "Besides, you've met this kid before, haven't you?"

"If that's what you'd like, of course you can. Gaiyo nodded solemnly, and then the cold eyes immediately fixed on Edward's face: "Don't try to hide or deceive - you won't have a second chance to speak!"

...... Sir Leonardo shook his head helplessly, if he had known that Gaillot was there, he would have come back later, but obviously there was no regret medicine in this world, so he could only show a little encouraging look at Edward, so that he should not be too nervous.

"Before I say anything about this, I hope to be able to return this to the Knights of the Sacred Tree. With a solemn expression, the black-haired boy took out the Ring of the Knights of the Holy Tree from his pocket and handed it to the Grand Master: "This is also one of the purposes for me to come to the Knights, no matter what, I want to put it back where he should be." ”

With the appearance of this ring, an atmosphere of incomparable pathos condensed in the whole room, and even Gaio Valence bowed his head. Mercer Kane, Grand Master of the Knights of the Sacred Tree, who was sitting behind the table, stood up from his chair with great solemnity, took it from Edward's hand, and clenched it tightly in his palm: "He...... Any last words?"

"No, my noble lord, Sir Thernier Gombray was bitten alive by a ghoul—though I prefer to believe that he was pierced through the heart by an arrow that had been fired before. Edward's expression was extremely indifferent, but in their eyes, this indifference turned into numb grief.

After a moment of remembrance, the three of them immediately returned to normal, but Edward's purpose had been accomplished—at least now Gaio Valence looked at him less hostilely than he had been, and the Lord Mercer Kane had some kindness towards himself.

It's hard to be convinced by a group of hostile and suspicious eyes—persuasion and trust are based on both sides standing on the same side, so that a minimum consensus can be reached so that the other side can subconsciously accept their own point of view and think that they are thinking about them.

And of the three, Sir Leonardo has a somewhat favorable opinion of himself, but not absolutely on his side, and Gaylot Valence has an inexplicable desire to kill himself, so winning the kindness of the Grand Master is the key to Edward's life and death—so he just needs to be himself, as a squire who has seen his master die in battle and avenges him, this is enough!

"Sorry kid, I know these things are going to tick you off...... Not so good memories. Kane's hoarse voice was both comforting and commanding: "But I need you to say everything, otherwise Tornier will die in vain...... No, I guess you know this better than I do. ”

Edward nodded slightly, still indifferent, and full of numbness and gloom in his eyes, and in the most hoarse and deep voice, he slowly told what he knew, and what he had learned from the little priest Weber, little by little.

Edward began with his anonymous journey south to Fort The Hague with Sir Thernier, joining the crusading army of Serra Kwyn, and then discovering the wizard's trail and being attacked in the nameless hamlet...... Until the end, he briefly took the experience of killing the wizard himself, and then looked at all of them with a sad gaze.

In his previous life, Edward was in poor health, especially after learning that he was dying, and his only entertainment was to read the second-hand novels given to him by his classmates in his hospital bed, and then tell them as stories to the people in the same ward...... Over time, he became more aware of what tone, tone, and facial expressions he could best use to impress those listeners.

And now it seems that he has indeed been quite successful...... After listening to the "truth" of the whole thing, the already extremely quiet room was filled with a sad and sad atmosphere. Sir Leonardo's cheeks trembled slightly, his eyes closed, his body shook slightly, and he pressed on the corner of the table with great difficulty.

Grand Master Mercer Kane still maintained his composure, blinked the corners of his slightly moist eyes, and looked at Edward standing there with a kind expression: "You said that wizard is not just a heretic wandering in the wilderness and burning and looting with a group of Dominic mercenaries like you told others before?"

"That's right, he calls himself Aiden Hanan, a wizard from Dominica's Council of the Nine Rings - and by all accounts, the greatest wizard of the House of Honan. Although after killing him, I feel that this scum is just boasting. Edward nodded: "But it's true that he is indeed a Dominic wizard, and I'm afraid his status is not low." ”

"I'm willing to believe you, after all...... It's a matter of weight. Captain Kane didn't say any more, but looked at Edward with a stern expression: "Do you have any evidence?"

Edward nodded affirmatively, and took out a necklace with a golden triangle hanging from his clothes: "I don't know what this is, but I think it's enough to prove his identity." ”

"The Radiant Cross is on top, of course it's okay!" Sir Leonardo looked at the necklace in shock, gritting his teeth and panting: "Damn Dominic mongrel!"

"Calm down, Leonardo!" Captain Mercer Kane glanced at the enraged Ser Leonardo, "This matter is going to get complicated, and we can't make a decision just yet!"

"Wait until tomorrow morning when I go back to the palace for an audience, for if not handled carefully, it may lead to a war...... Things are going to be complicated and out of our control. Kane shook his head, then gave Edward a slightly reassuring expression, "You go back and rest first, we need a long time to discuss this matter." ”

"It may be abrupt to say that, but I beg your permission to finish. Edward shook his head: "There may be another hidden ...... in this matter."