It had been far too long. Even if Shade were capable of unfolding the Mystic Lock again, he could not turn back time to when she had first entered the Sea of Sand.
"Yes, this is good enough."
Specks of light continuously drifted from her body as Ms. Knight looked at the old elf:
"Please find the Witches and use the Oasis Heart to save my country."
"I will."
The sobbing old woman promised, and at last, a smile appeared on the Female Knight's pale face.
She then reluctantly pointed to her own longsword, which had fallen onto the sand beside her:
"Your original spoils are gone now. Take this as a gift."
During the Witch Awakening, the once unremarkable sword and scabbard had also changed. A Blue Gemstone had appeared on the hilt, while the scabbard had taken on the appearance of gold-and-blue enamel. Though they were still ordinary items, this was also the most precious gift she had left behind.
"I will remember you forever."
Shade bent down and picked up the sword.
"Live well. You have the life I envy."
She then spoke to the Mermaid Girl, who still did not understand what was happening but had already begun to cry. Her body had now completely turned transparent, yet she had no regrets at all:
"Please do not cry for me. All my goals in life have already been achieved. I found the Oasis Heart, I became the Witch I dreamed of as a child, I resolved a force capable of corrupting the world, and I became a Hero."
Shade gripped the still-warm sword, trying his best not to lose control:
"Do you have any other wishes?"
The girl gently shook her head and smiled at all the companions she had encountered at the end of her