The librarian's steps paused for a moment. She looked suspiciously at that retreating figure, then followed.
"You did well. Oh, careful—don't burn the shell too!"
The elf girl in the woods reminded them cheerfully. Shade nodded without asking how she had appeared at just the right moment again, instead watching as Sister Devlin rose to her feet as well.
She and Shade stood on either side of the ashes, then simultaneously extended their right hands and placed them on the sword's hilt. The flames already clinging to the sword spread onto their right hands. Traces of fire flashed through the nun's hair tips, blindfold, and trailing robe hem, as well as Shade's eyes.
Strengthened by its new "firewood," the First Fire granted them new power:
"From now on, the Primordial Fire can directly harm Paradox Worms."
Sister Devlin spoke softly. Her voice remained calm, but Shade could sense that she was very happy at that moment.
The flames swiftly consumed the worm's remaining body. Only when the fire was about to go out did she extend her burned hand and pull out Ashes. Thus, only the faintly reddening worm shell remained in the scorched, sunken ground.
"It seems you can deal with this worm even without me."
The blonde elf continued praising them with a smile. Shade reached out and pulled the staff embedded in the ground free, turning it back into a key.
"I think I still need you. This Paradox Worm was birthed only by ordinary people, and the paradox was merely that 'the son is older than the father.' Though it evolved into the Second Stage, it wasn't strong."
He looked again at the unconscious Kaming father and son on the ground. More accurately, they owed this time to Baron Kaming. He had maintained the continuity of