The Old God's words had barely faded when, visible only to Shade, golden light seemed to envelop the boy Chad for an instant.
"Blessing? So this is it."
Yes, that was why this story could be passed down to your point in time and gain power because of it.
Then the Saint looked at Shade again:
"So, what have you understood?"
Only then did Shade realize that the Saint also saw him as a "child," and that the earlier question had been directed at all four of them.
"Me? Yes, I understand."
Analyzing stories and reading comprehension were things Shade was quite familiar with. He had a great deal he could say, but in the end, he did not speak of those complicated matters of adults. This was a story for children, and before him stood the Old God, the Innocent Creator.
So Shade gave the answer that had moved him most deeply. It was his true thought after hearing this story in two different worlds:
"There's nothing to understand. I was only thinking that, if possible, I really wanted to save her."
The three children looked at Shade, agreeing with him:
"Yes, if possible, we must save her!"
Again, that perfectly synchronized answer. There was definitely something wrong with the children's current state.
The Saint smiled. It was not a polite smile, but one that truly came from the heart:
"You see, False Immortality suits you so very well."
At that moment, the shop door behind Shade suddenly opened, revealing the endless White Fog outside. An unseen force abruptly seized his shoulders and dragged him toward the door.
The ten minutes were up.
The three children, still seated on their tall stools, excitedly waved goodbye to Shade. The young man behind the counter spoke softly:
"See you next time.