Only when the mechanical airship had completely turned into a speck of light and vanished beyond the horizon did Angel turn back.
At some point, an old man with orange-red hair had come to stand beside him.
This old man was none other than "Potion" Midora.
"A thousand years ago, at the most critical moment, Ivo believed that entering the Reincarnation Box alone and sending Fingernail Granny away was saving her. In truth, it became the obsession she could never let go of. Fingernail Granny was actually someone who could love and hate with equal abandon, yet this obsession became the knot in her heart that she had been unable to untie all these years."
"Obsessions often drive people mad. You know that perfectly well, yet you still cannot bear to let them go." After saying this, Midora let out a long sigh.
Midora patted Angel on the shoulder. "Enough of that. I'll be heading back first. Oh, right, Yeliya just learned a new seasoning method from Regina's mushroom-cooking class. She was still making soup when I left, and it smelled especially good... Want to go have a taste?"
Angel shook his head and politely declined.
Midora swayed his head, muttering, "Looks like you're out of luck," before spinning away into the distance.
Angel remained quietly where he was for a while longer before preparing to turn and leave.
He had only taken a few steps when he sensed someone watching him. He followed the gaze and saw that someone seemed to be standing on the balcony outside the Research Institute's tower not far away.
The person wore a flowing water-blue gown. Merely leaning casually against the railing revealed her graceful figure.
Angel flew over and landed on the balcony.
"Water-Pattern Witch, aren't you going back yet?" Angel asked curiously.