A hoarse, aged voice came from beneath the black robes formed by the black mist:
"A drop of repentant tears, a little Soul's Warmth."
After saying that, two blank cards flew before Shade. He asked hesitantly:
"Hmm, is that all?"
"You already paid just now."
So this was where the "change" came in.
Ms. Brooke had also heard Shade's conversation with the Boatman, so when the two returned to the bonfire, she immediately asked:
"You want to go see what shattered that key back then, don't you?"
"Yes. I don't have much time left here. Since there's still time, we might as well set off immediately. That way, I can continue looking for a solution afterward."
The Thirteenth Order Witch, who had regained her composure, nodded in agreement. She turned to explain the plan to the still dispirited Miss McConaughey, while Shade leaned closer to Mr. Nelson:
"Look, that lady no longer wants to leave this place."
He said with a smile:
"Once we've waited for your wife, I'm confident I can persuade her to stay too."
Mr. Nelson nodded gently. Compared to those who had come here because they wanted to leave, this man who had come to wait for someone was instead the most emotionally stable:
"But could you promise me one thing? If she... if she truly doesn't want to stay, then at least please don't stop us from leaving together."
Shade said nothing, only patting his shoulder. It now seemed unlikely that Mr. Nelson's wife would appear this time. Those matters would have to wait until the key's final use to be resolved.
The bonfire crackled, easily blending with the sound of the tides and creating an even deeper sense of loneliness. Cat curled up in Shade's arms, watching the flames, while the two Witches beside