"How did it go?"
As a vortex of gold and black appeared onstage, Shade and Miss Sylvia emerged hand in hand.
Luvia, who had been waiting for news at the Wilde Opera House, immediately hurried over, with Tifa following behind her.
"The result was excellent. I'll activate the key right away. Oh, is there any new information?"
Shade asked as well. Tifa nodded gently, looking at him with some concern.
"Miss Bayes witnessed the first Randall Flower bloom. That was over an hour ago."
"So, by our estimate, is the Mad Guardian finally about to appear?"
Miss Sylvia asked. Luvia's voice remained calm.
"Let's talk after Shade comes back. It'll only take three seconds anyway."
Shade took out the Time Key and glanced at the cat on his shoulder. In the end, he did not hand her over. Instead, he stroked her once, turned her into a toy, and put her away.
"Mia is still coming with me. I already know what I need to do next. Also, where's Siris?"
He was still worried about that less-than-perfect ending.
"Don't worry. We haven't let her leave the opera house all night. She's in the basement helping prepare potions."
Luvia said, and only then did Shade relax.
"Don't worry about needing her sacrifice. I got something good this time."
He took the Heart of the Earth (fragment) from his pocket. Compared to that golden pebble, it was not merely larger. Its ancient, weighty power almost immediately made the young ladies who noticed the stone feel suffocated. Luvia's Destiny Ring even appeared behind her at once, and then a five-ring Miracle Spirit Rune—Heart of the Earth—was inscribed upon it.
Shade made no comment on that.
"May the World Tree bless me throughout Infinite Time."
After a simple embrace, Shade bade farewell to the