When the kiss ended, Bella Belinder, who had watched Shade the entire time, was still watching him. She seemed to want to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
Shade, meanwhile, still had something very important to tell her:
"Do you remember the golden light that flew in from outside the city this afternoon? That was the last power left by the descendant of the Fourth Son of the Ancient God—the safeguard left behind after the dragon defeated by the ancestor of the Seven Great Families died."
He briefly described what had happened, finally mentioning the blessing's last effect:
"It seems I now possess the legal right to rule Moon Bay."
The Great Witch of Fate was not surprised in the least:
"The legal right of the ancestors and families to rule this place came from the recognition of the divine descendant. But that recognition lasted only until the prophecy of Moon Bay's destruction came true. Now that the prophecy has been fulfilled, we have completed our mission by passing down the seven dragon scales and ensuring the Chosen One Ritual succeeded. Since the mission has ended, the authority naturally vanished as well."
"You knew all along?"
Shade was somewhat surprised. The blonde Countess pressed together her red lipstick-painted lips, though a smile appeared on them:
"Of course. I'm a diviner, after all. I can see destiny, Shade. Though not completely or clearly, I know that no rule can last forever. Now, the Seven Great Families can move freely to lands beyond Moon Bay, and destiny will no longer help the families prosper forever or remain in power.
"For everyone, this is a new beginning. A brand-new Moon Bay. Yes, destruction brought rebirth."
"If that's the case, then take this."
He took out an envelope, drew out the letter inside, and