The flames seemed to dance along with the lively atmosphere and brisk music of this summer evening banquet in 1821. After spinning in place, the Black-Haired Lady leaned back against Shade's chest, then took his raised right hand and spun back around:
"Don't worry about the ball. I'm already looking for it. As long as that ball is still in this manor or nearby, it can't possibly remain unfound."
This Thirteenth Ring lady had every confidence in saying such words. Shade nodded.
"Then I'll head back first and let my companions know. They're worried about me."
He released the Black-Haired Lady's hand, turned, and reached behind him to take Iluna's hand. The scene shifted to 1854, and Shade found that he seemed to have grasped the trick to it.
Iluna was initially startled when Shade appeared out of thin air and wrapped an arm around her waist again, but she immediately understood that he had returned.
"How did it go?"
"I found someone to help in 1821. She'll help me find that ball. But what about 1854? Should Miss Winslet and Miss Bell search for it?"
Compared to the cheerful dance music of 1821, this tune was much gentler, so Shade had to adjust his steps.
Iluna leaned forward against him and shook her head.
"If an incident caused by a humanoid Keeper of Secrets Level Relic could be resolved merely by mobilizing people, it wouldn't deserve its Keeper of Secrets Level rating. Fortunately, we already know how to deal with this relic. This was a discovery made by the Peace Church twenty years ago. The Keeper of Secrets Level Relic Ball-Catching Glove currently kept at Saint Byron's naturally counters this game of Hide and Seek."
She looked toward the outskirts of the crowd. Miss Bell had already vanished, leaving