As for what came next, Shade no longer needed to be involved. His task had been to get Steve Event, who was carrying the Metamorphosis Ring, out of here—away from his usual surveillance post and away from the crowded manor.
The departing maid would guide him to where he needed to go, and Maid Tifa Servit would be waiting for him there.
Of course, Ivent could not be killed yet, lest it alert the cultists. The maid naturally had a way to replace the real ring with a fake one and make Ivent temporarily forget what he had experienced. As for the exact method, that was Miss Galina's concern, not Shade's.
The plan was proceeding smoothly. Shade only had to wait for the signal, then meet up with Maid in the manor courtyard and leave openly.
Even as he breathed a sigh of relief, he began worrying about the next great adventure awaiting him.
Without slowing his steps, he reached the innermost part of the dining hall. He spent the large sum of Gold Pounds he had received from Maid and collected the two items he had bought. Maid still needed some time to deal with Steve Event, and during that time, Shade had better find somewhere safe and wait patiently.
The lesson of Lake View Manor had taught Shade that wandering around aimlessly greatly increased his chances of running into trouble. Especially tonight, with another God Summoning ritual underway, he had to be even more careful.
He could not stay in the auction area of the dining hall. Once Ivent returned, seeing Shade again might make him remember something.
"Third floor is definitely out. There seem to be plenty of important people on the 2nd Floor as well. The courtyard is no good either—it would remind me of Lake