Chaotic, disorderly winds blew in from the distant Phantom Land, sweeping up fine gray-white sand and raising clouds of smoke and dust between the collapsed altars and fallen thrones. Countless phantoms of ancient things seemed to rise and sink within that dust, only to vanish like smoke when the next sandstorm arrived. The goddess upon the throne calmly watched the visions that occasionally emerged from the sand for a long time before a majestic yet seemingly melancholy voice finally echoed between heaven and earth. "Yes, Great Adventurer, we have remained in this place for far too long. Thus, many things have become blurred, including what we once valued and cared about... all of it has scattered like dust in the wind."
Verde's voice sounded rather astonished. "...Lady, do you also feel sorrow over the passage of time and the loss of things?"
"Gods are human too. Gods are the most human of all, Great Adventurer," Night Lady said, her voice seeming to carry a trace of amusement. "Those who have lost their humanity have either already fallen into madness, or will sooner or later step into their end."
"...What about that 'thing' prowling around and attacking your throne?" asked the book atop the stone pillar. "Does It possess humanity too?"
This time, the voice upon the throne fell silent for a very long time. Only when the next gust of sand rose did the voice come again. "Of course It possesses Its humanity. In a sense, Its humanity is pure and untouched by worldly dust."
"...Is that so? I thought that thing did not even possess the ability to think," the Great Adventurer said, sounding deeply surprised. "So It actually has humanity..."
"Ah, you are right, Great Adventurer. It indeed lacks even the ability to think..." The towering figure upon