Passing through the heavy oak gate, the harsh light suddenly became much softer and colder. The walls on either side are completely obscured by a dark tabernacle, and the towering dome is carved with cascades of reliefs, from which a very elaborate nine chandeliers fall. Skylights on the walls on both sides let in soft light and reflected the candle flames.

Near the door of the hall stood several middle-aged men dressed in robes, belts, and knights' boots similar to those of Sir Rollas, as well as middle-aged men dressed as scholars in richly robed robes, scrolls, and books.

On the high-backed chair facing the door sat an elderly man, dressed in a dark black satin robe embroidered with dark red lace, and his unburly body showed a sturdiness that did not match his age.

The old man's sideburns were almost all gray, his dark green eyes were slightly yellowed, his deep eye bags and cheeks were engraved with the traces of time, and his thin lips under his neat beard were meticulous, looking very strict. He sat in that chair with his back straight, his arms resting on the armrests, and a seawillow pipe in the palm of his right hand.

You can smell the rich smell of smoke from most of the hall, and it seems to be mixed with a touch of sweetness. But Edward, who was naturally a little averse to the smell of smoke, still stood still, as if waiting for a call.

"Young man, don't stand there like a stake, it's not polite for an old man!" Although the exact name was unknown, Edward always knew who the other person was. The old man's hoarse voice was a little inconsistent with his stern appearance, and he beckoned to him very casually: "I want to talk to you." ”

"I'm sorry, honorable Lord Kwyn. Without knowing what the other party wanted to do, Edward decided to adopt a more steady strategy, walked forward slowly, bowed respectfully, beat his chest with his right hand and saluted him behind his left hand: "Let me reintroduce myself, my name is Edward Wetwood, and I am the squire of the knight of Torniel Gombray." ”

"You don't have to tell me this, I'm an old friend with that guy from Gombray, long before he became a knight of the sacred tree!" The old man's face showed a little affection, and the smile on the corner of his mouth was very bitter: "He is ten years younger than me, but he is an admirable fellow, a good man who truly has the spirit of chivalry. ”

"I really didn't think that a knight of the sacred tree with such superb swordsmanship as him would be killed...... Die in my territory, die before me. A sigh of amazement.

As if sensing the alertness in Edward's eyes, the old man smiled, "Don't worry, I won't ask him what he's here for—if you can let a Sacred Tree Knight go with only his attendants, you won't be able to sue me if you want to come." ”

"As long as I know it, I must know it. Edward bent a little deeper, looking humble as if he were a real squire: "Please ask questions. ”

"Loras told me a story about your resurrection...... Whether this is true or not, what you have done is proof enough that you are a devout member of the Radiant Cross. The old man's voice seemed to lower a lot, but his gaze never left Edward: "So I don't think you will lie to me." ”

Edward even thought it was a little amused when he said this—Weber had told the Turin soldiers about his resurrection from the dead. It is very strange that none of them stood up to refute it, but they all took it for granted and believed it very calmly.

According to them, if they hadn't received such a "gift", how could they have saved everyone and defeated an evil wizard after being imprisoned for two days and two nights and recovering from a serious illness? Such an unreliable cause and effect relationship seemed to be logical to them.

But this was what Edward hoped for—it was a sufficient reason to hide the truth, and he did not want to be turned into a barbecue by a group of fanatical lunatics for such absurd and unreasonable reasons as blasphemy and the devil.

"Smack!" the old man's hand grabbed Edward's shoulder, and dragged him to him without saying a word, his voice so soft that only he could hear it, "So, pious Edward Wittwood, tell me the truth - how did my son, Saila Kwyn, die?!"

"Don't lie to me - I need to tell the truth, not the stories that people make up to deceive ghosts, not even your master Gombray can fool me!" The old man's eyes flashed fiercely, and Edward believed that if he hesitated at all, the other party would definitely kill him without hesitation!

"It was too dark that night, my lord, and I dare not tell you exactly what happened. These are absolute truths, in fact, Edward has no idea what happened that night, and there is no memory of his own body at all: "But I did see someone fighting with your family flag, and he even threw away his shield in order to raise the battle flag." ”

Lies are not deception, but distorted truth and subjective assumptions, especially when the facts cannot be proven...... Not to mention, it's what the other side expects.

"Don't try to flatter me, I've been flattered enough. The old man's eyes were glazed, and his right hand grabbed Edward's shoulder as if to crush bones: "If you want to become a knight, you have to get out of here alive!"

"My lord, do you want me to lie to you that your son is willing to die in the bed?" Edward sneered in his heart, and looked at him with great sincerity: "He is your son, you should know him better than me." Or is it more appropriate for me to say that - don't you just believe him?!"

A few words were like a sword piercing the heart to the old man—his straight back collapsed on the chaise longue, his weak right hand fell from Edward's shoulder, his lips trembled, and finally fell silent.

“...... I shouldn't doubt my son, my dear Seira!" Saddened left hand pressed to his cheek, and Edward let out a sigh of relief and straightened up again, looking at the adult who was completely immersed in the loss of his son.

I can't anger him, at least for now, at least ...... Inside this castle.

"Father!"

A somewhat childish, but sunny voice came from the door of the hall. The people in the hall who were still whispering all fell silent, and turned their eyes to the young man with beautiful blond curly hair who was striding forward.

He was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a pair of sky-blue pupils on his delicate face. He was not a burly man, but the black cloak embroidered with silver thread on his right shoulder, and the compact shirt and knight's boots made him look heroic, and to the left side of his belt hung a sharp sword with the same shape as the glorious cross pendant around his neck.

The black-haired boy turned around with his hands behind his back and looked at the young man with a very sunny smile. only to find that the other party was also looking at him, and his azure eyes were full of curiosity.

"You're the one, the squire who rose from the dead, 'Lone Sword' Edward Witwood?" The young man's surprised voice even had a bit of admiration in it, which made Edward feel strange and strange: "Sir Loras just told me your story, I can't believe it!"

"The will of the Radiant Cross is not something that mortals can speculate...... Excellency. Edward really didn't know what to call the other party, and smiled indifferently: "But we can pray." ”

"Why pray?"

"Pray for blood relatives, friends, and enemies, and you will receive the glory of the Radiant Cross. Edward hadn't forgotten what Weber had said, and he said with a missionary expression: "We should all do that." ”

"You're a ...... Should I say that I deserve to be favored by the Radiant Cross?" the young man couldn't laugh or cry, but he still stretched out his right hand generously: "Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you, my name is ......"

"Alan Kwyn, who let you in?" The old man's voice in the chair suddenly regained his indifference, and he didn't even look at the young man standing there: "I don't remember allowing you to enter this hall. ”

The old man's emotionless voice made the young man's face pale all of a sudden, and he smiled awkwardly at Edward, and then bent down obediently at the old man, like a sheepdog: "I'm sorry father, my mother said that you might want me to come and have a look, so I'll ......."

"Then I thank you, dear little Alan. Go back and tell your disappointed mother, Seira's death won't break me!" Lord Kwyn casually sent the boy named Alan without the slightest scruples: "By the way, find a comfortable room for our guest, and he will have dinner with us in the evening, which he deserves." ”

"Yes. Aaron nodded a little tremblingly, and made a gesture of please to Edward with a somewhat blood-lost smile. The black-haired boy nodded happily and followed him slowly, but he already understood something in his heart.

"Please come with me, Mr. Witwood. The boy bit his lower lip reluctantly, still smiling. Edward even noticed that the eyes of the people around him, the eyes that were mixed with banter and pity, were all concentrated on the young man in front of him, and a strange feeling instantly wrapped his heart, and his fingers trembled involuntarily.

It seems that he has really fallen into some dangerous whirlpool, and Edward, who muttered in his heart, couldn't help but glance at the old man who was sitting there and seemed to be as indifferent as a passerby, and then at the young man who led the way in front of him, the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, and he whispered to himself:

"What a bloody story......