The flames spun to the demon's side, followed by a white bone ring rotating between the two of them. The face of the ring bore an elderflower carved from bone:
"Second: the Document Level Relic Elixir of Longevity Ring, which grants mortals an almost eternal life."
The demon smiled at Shade.
"Of course, this does not make you incapable of dying. It merely extends your lifespan. Or rather, it can offset the effects of certain thaumaturgies or relics that consume lifespan. Naturally, there is a price. Its negative trait is the permanent erosion of emotions. However, the effect is slight on emotionally rich humans, while it is fatal to small animals such as cats and dogs. Merely extending the body's lifespan will not strengthen the soul's power to resist time."
The demon paused.
"Mortals always enjoy begging gods or demons for longer lives, but I prefer the sentence inscribed on this ring. The ancient sage who forged this magic ring was remarkable—Interweaving of Life and Death is the answer to the meaning of life."
Upon hearing the introduction to this relic, Shade's first thought was not to offset the consumption caused by his thaumaturgy, Breath of Time. Instead, he felt that the ring would suit Little Mia's tail very well. The Plague Doctor Ring that could resist the negative effects of the Bloodkin Ring's Blood Thirst Syndrome had the negative trait of consuming the lifespan of nonhuman creatures that used it.
Then, a thumbnail-sized red pebble floated before them.
"Third: the Sage Level Relic Philosopher's Stone. Turning stone into gold, producing Elixir of Immortality, Enlightenment—Wisdom, and serving as a universal ritual material. Oh, it has far too many uses, but you know its value."
The demon introduced it softly, as though tempting Shade.
As Shade stared at that tiny stone,