The flutter of wings sounded overhead. Only after confirming that the elf had left did the owl land on Shade's shoulder.
"It's normal that you don't know about the Tree Hole Association. If I hadn't specifically investigated before coming to Vesta Woodland, I wouldn't have known about this organization either. Rumors of the 'Time Tree Hole' have existed for a long time. Most people don't believe them, but a small number still do.
"The Tree Hole Association is a group devoted to finding Time Tree Holes and traveling through time. Their organization is small, at least according to the information I gathered. They generally have no public activities either. They were classified as an illegal organization because around twelve hundred years ago, they attacked a rural town church of the Nature Church and stole several relics."
Shade lowered his head and looked towards the corpse.
"Are all members of the Tree Hole Association time-touched?"
"Most are, but they weren't born with time talents.
"We all know that time talents are exceedingly rare. According to the information I possess, most of them acquired time talents through abnormal means. Among them, the self-targeting Time Acceleration thaumaturgy, 'Rapid Spell,' is their most conspicuous trait, as well as the signature thaumaturgy of the Tree Hole Association."
The owl flew down from Shade's shoulder and transformed beside him into Flora Winslet. The witch lowered her head and looked towards the corpse.
"Usually, dealing with 'Rapid Spell' requires area attacks. As long as the attack range is broad enough, it doesn't matter how fast they run. Actually, there is very little information about these people. I also have an unverified rumor."
"What rumor?"
The witch hesitated.
"The Ring Arcanists of the Tree Hole Association believe that the association's original founder was a Tree Hole Association member