"I'm still sitting right here."
Shade emphasized. Danist Gustav frowned slightly:
"I agreed to you last time, but that was only for last time. I won't lie to you, but I really haven't given up on that idea."
Of course, Shade knew she would not give up so easily, but he was still somewhat surprised that she said it so openly.
The two Hermits showed little reaction:
"We still have two ways to suppress the curse: the Hermit Order can create a special Alchemy Item, and there is an ancient church in these woods where confession may also help."
Rain pattered outside the tavern. Though they had mentioned two methods, the Hermits did not continue with any detailed explanations. Just as they said, they did not trust any Ring Arcanist who had traveled through time, nor did they believe people could truly give up on using the Tree Hollows.
"Then how about I trade intelligence for your information?"
Shade proposed. As the two Hermits exchanged glances, he spoke directly:
"The Church in the city already knows about the Tree Hollows. Not the Nature Church—they have known for a long time. I mean every Church in the city."
The elderly Mr. Meloni and Mr. Van Buren were both stunned:
"Sorry, what?"
"Someone reported the Tree Hollows to the Church."
Shade pointed at himself:
"Incidentally, that person was me. I know you have kept this secret all along because you feared the Ring Arcanists within the Church would be unable to resist temptation, or that the Orthodox Church itself would try to make use of those Tree Hollows. But things are different now."
The old Hermit in the brown robe across the table raised a hand to cover his chest:
"You told the Church? Do you know what this will—"
"The eighth