Chapter 630 Chapter 88 A Moment of Respite Before the Battle
“Azer, are you looking for Sirius?” Ophi asked curiously, noticing the fleeting disappointment in the young man’s eyes.
Azer hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Outside the frosty air, a beam of setting sunlight fell on his face, highlighting his suppressed disappointment. “Yes. Young Master isn’t with you all…”
“Count Sirius told us he had important matters today, so he couldn’t accompany us,” Igert said. He felt the red-haired youth’s head slightly lower, his expression turning silent, and asked, “But you’ve been waiting here since morning, haven’t you? Why don’t you go into the castle and find him?”
Whether it was Count Sirius or Azer, the young swordsman who had once met the Frost Witch, Igert could clearly feel that they both valued each other. Why, then, was there a subtle awkwardness, like when he and Veer argued?
“Ah, your words… After all, as a member of the Inquisition, I have already left this castle. Returning rashly like this would probably not be appropriate,” Azer said after some thought, giving a reason.
Igert was not unaware that as a knight of the Inquisition, he should cast aside his secular identity.
However, Azer’s explanation could easily be mistaken for a forced argument. Moreover, it was Azer who had brought them to Count Sirius’s castle only half a month ago.
“Azer, did you argue with Little Count?” A clear, soft, and pleasant voice echoed in the silent air. Verafia slightly raised her small face, her slender little hand brushing a strand of hair from her ear, her golden eyes shimmering with a faint light.
Azer remained silent for a long time, a slightly bitter smile appearing on his face. He nodded and admitted, “Miss Verafia, you’ve found out… A while ago, the Young Master and I had an argument.”
“An argument?”
Azer looked at the young girl’s confused, uplifted face. He suddenly felt a strange sensation, as if, like the Young Master in the past, this cute and beautiful golden-haired girl’s delicate heart was accumulating intense emotional fluctuations.
However, Azer didn’t notice anything specific and spoke, dismissing it as his own illusion.
“Yes. It was probably because, at that time, the Young Master wanted me to be a knight of the Holy Selection, to leave my Inquisition identity, and to leave Vinash City…”
In his youth, Azer had silently wielded his sword and become a member of the Inquisition. He didn’t know if it was to escape his responsibilities or if he wanted to personally sever the chains of frost with his sword… However, after years in the vast frosty plains, he began to feel lost about his oath.
The only thing that remained unchanged was his past promise. He was the elder brother and should be a knight, protecting Sirius with his sword… How could he leave his side?
Therefore, without any doubt, he and Sirius had a long-awaited argument. Azer still vividly remembered Sirius’s trembling pupils out of anger at that time.
“So that’s how it is…”
Verafia cupped her face with her little hand, her golden eyes lifting slightly. She suddenly let out a crisp, bell-like laugh. “Sirius must have his reasons. Besides, these past few days, I’ve noticed that Little Count has been missing you a lot… Hmm, no wonder I felt he was a bit annoyed.”
Igert’s lips curved into a smile. He could feel Azer’s conflict and annoyance, just like when he and Veer had argued. After Veer angrily left, he had felt a silent emptiness in his heart.
Of course, there were significant differences between the two. The only similarity was the young girl in his heart. Azer also valued Sirius greatly.
“And, Azer, look. Since Little Count specially registered you… he must want to reconcile with you. Perhaps he’s just shy at times and secretly watching you.”
“I hope it’s as Miss Verafia thinks.”
Looking at the girl tilt her head, and her sudden, whimsical words, Azer couldn’t help but smile.
“By the way, Miss Verafia, thank you for the lantern.”
The red-haired youth suddenly took out an exquisitely crafted ice crystal lantern from his storage ring and handed it to the girl. The golden gem on the lamp still burned with a scorching radiance.
“If it weren’t for this, I might have encountered quite a bit of trouble in the frosty plains these past few days… Thank you. But don’t worry, Miss Verafia, I haven’t shown it to anyone else.”
Azer was as humble and polite as always. The girl’s beautiful, moon-like golden eyes flicked up, and she smiled brilliantly, replying crisply, “What’s this? It’s just a lamp. It’s not anything important to me. Besides, Azer, you’ve helped us so much…”
Even in the cold, winter-like air, the girl’s voice was still like soft moonlight pouring down, gentle and pleasant.
Igert’s face lifted with a smile.
The lantern in Verafia’s hand was truly effective because of a drop of Goddess’s blood she had shed earlier. It had an essential restraining effect on the frost calamity caused by an unknown, strange Frost God.
When Azer left half a month ago and borrowed the lantern from the girl, Igert happened to be by her side.
At that time, Azer seemed to know that this lantern was not as simple as the girl had described. Therefore, even though Verafia hadn’t mentioned it, Azer had made that promise.
Igert actually felt it was very necessary. After all, the girl’s blood… to a knowledgeable sage, it was not impossible to recognize her identity as the Goddess Princess.
What’s more, the followers of the Frost Calamity would surely be interested in the origin of this lantern.
Suddenly, Igert’s brow furrowed slightly.
It wasn’t that he doubted Azer’s words. Igert suddenly remembered that on the second day of their arrival on this continent, they had emerged from the center of the frost calamity and, to clear themselves of suspicion… had handed the girl’s lantern to Sir Trist for examination.
…
Although harboring concerns, Igert did not immediately tell Verafia. He knew that his suspicion was groundless.
Both in Azer’s and Sirius’s eyes, Sir Trist was undoubtedly a true warrior against the frost calamity. Without evidence, speaking of it in front of the red-haired youth might arouse his aversion.
The knight selection was being held in Vinash City today. However, there were still a few hours until the actual competition, so Verafia had time to find Ain’s cottage and wanted to invite the Wood Elf to go together.
The Wood Elf had woken up early. Hearing Verafia’s purpose, Ain hurriedly shook her head, stating that she was not interested in such things and wanted to focus on researching weapon forging.
However, she couldn’t resist the other girl’s plea and, coupled with Niya’s hopeful gaze, Ain finally reluctantly agreed, letting the young girls bring the little red-haired loli along.
