"Can you restrain her for the moment?"
Siris, standing with Shade inside the shield, asked. Shade nodded.
"Light of Imprisonment!"
A silver halo flew out and slipped directly around the neck of the Siris wreathed in black smoke. The real Siris wore an odd expression, but she still stepped forward and caught her in her arms to keep her from falling.
"I know you hate him, but he was still Father. Before he left, I wasn't raised by the wind and rain."
The smoky figure seemed to sob a few times before fading away. Thin white threads attached themselves to Siris's wrist. She did not avoid them, instead experiencing the resentment and memories of the past.
"For Ring Arcanists like us who believe in my lord, the forgotten old man, the power of memory is more important than it is for other Ring Arcanists."
As though afraid Shade might worry, Siris explained it to him. Shade also understood that her strength had increased.
After Siris had fully experienced the power she had gained, she looked back at Shade. He could not understand the meaning in her eyes at that moment.
"Let's continue."
There was no enemy in the third confessional. Instead, the same muffled male voice from earlier spoke from within.
So Shade and Siris entered again. After closing the door, Siris made her second confession in the darkness.
"Father, I have sinned. I know that only by sacrificing myself can this land be saved, but I long for the warmth of the living and cling to the splendor of the world. Someone—many people—have willingly sacrificed themselves, but I resist this choice."
"You—"
Shade wanted to speak, but the Blonde Young Lady immediately covered his mouth.
The voice from the other side of the inner wall said:
"Cherishing your own