"A series of mistakes."
Shade found the phrasing somewhat familiar. He then realized that this was the second time he had used the Time Key for "Summer of 1576, Fifth Epoch: Black Mist Camp." When the God of Wealth, disguised as a shadow, had used the Unknown Level Relic "Fate Base" to divine for him, this had been part of the answer to his question: "Why did I come to this world?"
The full answer then had been: "You appeared because of an absolutely impossible accident. You appeared because of the chaos caused by the collapse of Time and Space. You appeared because of someone's desperate prayer. You appeared because of a series of mistakes." Shade did not know whether the diviner's words now were merely a coincidence.
Having promised Maria Edwards that he would protect her grandsons, he would not go back on his word. Taking a detour from here might avoid trouble, but that was absolutely not Shade's way. He stepped forward, and the root humanoid retreated to one side to clear the path, watching as Shade approached the cross.
"This was your own choice."
Shade looked up at the unconscious siblings. Even though the townspeople did not speak again, he could guess that the diviner was waiting to see whether he was truly willing to offer his own blood for the Green Siblings.
But of course he would not do that. Cutting his hand was a trivial matter, but rashly handing his blood over to an enemy would be utterly foolish.
"A liquid containing an enormous amount of spiritual energy, right?"
He reached into his pocket and took out the pink Perfume Bottle.
After glancing at the glowing liquid that gave off an ambiguous pink light in the mist, Shade pulled out the stopper and slowly poured