"This is for you."
Halfway through the candlelit dinner, at the witch's words, Tifa carried a small box over to Shade. It was a red-painted wooden case. When opened, its soft lining held two indentations for items. One contained a White Stone Crystal Shade found very familiar.
"When Luvia Annette came to me about the Chosen Ones, she asked me to help you acquire White Stone Crystals."
The witch said with a smile, elegantly taking a sip of red wine. The alluring flush on her face could have been from the alcohol or from rouge.
As for the other indentation in the box, it held an irregular gray stone. Though its shape was uneven, every surface was smooth. Only after Shade picked it up did he realize it was a flint.
Though matches already existed in this era, flints were still commonly used by ordinary families for starting fires. It's just that they oxidized easily and thus had to be stored soaked in kerosene.
"I sensed a Whisper Element."
Shade said.
"But this isn't a Relic. It's a Relic Derivative. The Sage Level Relic contained by the Witch Council—Traveling Witch's Leather Backpack—can produce one travel item from within it every so often. Those items are all single-use, and after use they can grant Luck for a short period of time. Unfortunately, they cannot be used often."
Holding her wine glass, the witch smiled at Shade.
"This is quite a good Relic. As long as it is contained by the Council, its negative properties can almost be completely suppressed. Take it, Shade. And I hope you won't bring up paying me a reward again."
Laughter sounded from the darkness behind Shade. He did not know which maid had failed to hold back her amusement.
He nodded and set the White Stone