The priest laboriously raised his head to look toward the source of the light. Shade's face appeared at the side of the opening above, followed by his delighted voice:
"Found the priest! I knew listening to heartbeats was perfect for finding people in a situation like this!"
"Detective, move aside. I'll do it."
Another familiar voice rang out, and then the entire ruin began to shake. Seconds later, two tall figures cleared away the massive stones and beams atop the rubble from either side. Kneeling at the bottom of the ruins, Latt Augustus straightened up and saw Shade Hamilton and Bill Schneider standing against the sun beyond the White Fog, extending their hands to him from higher up:
"Priest Augustus, give us your hand! We'll pull you up!"
At that moment, all the despair, doubts, and coldness in his heart vanished. The old man did not take their hands. Instead, he looked at his own right hand, then lowered his head and began to cry.
Shade looked on in surprise, then turned to the doctor. Even Bill Schneider, the professional psychologist, froze for a moment before shaking his head at Shade:
"It's fine. He needs to let it out. Didn't you hear three more heartbeats? Oh, over there—they're three children! Detective, hurry!"
With that, he jumped down, and Shade immediately followed. As he stepped into the deep pit, "she" spoke gently by his ear:
Outlander, you guided a Hero. You have gained an insight into "guidance."
Note, this is the third time you have gained insight into "guidance." Next time, you will certainly obtain a Spirit Rune. Its type will be determined by the content of your insight.
"Hmm? Did I do anything? No one drew a sword this time, and I didn't discuss justice with anyone either~"
The puzzled