The god stood in the shadows of the ancient corridor, yet did not hide in the darkness. After all, the god itself possessed a gentle radiance.
Shade bowed to her.
"Hello. So if I want to try having Iluna use the Chosen Ones' Power of Balance together with my Thaumaturgy to return to her proper time, there is actually some risk involved?"
The Black-Haired Lady smiled and nodded. She did not make things too difficult for Shade.
"Leave her book behind. Then, if you hold her hand, you may leave this era together with her.
But unlike you, her task here has not yet been completed. The next time you come, you must return together with her. Moreover, she will return one second after the moment you leave, while the point in time to which you return will still be decided by the Tree Father."
This meant that Shade could leave with Iluna this time, and they would use the key together again next week. But to the three girls by the fire, Iluna would merely vanish and return in an instant, while Shade would have to endure an immeasurably long span of time before reappearing.
"That's wonderful. As long as I can go back, that's enough. Thank you for your help. I was worried that if I disappeared for too long, everyone in the future would worry about me."
Iluna, who had been hiding behind Shade, poked her head out to offer her thanks. She seemed rather restrained in the presence of this god. The god smiled and nodded at her, then turned and walked into the depths of the corridor, soon disappearing from sight.
Now that Iluna also had a way to leave, Shade's adventure through time had truly reached its end.
Although the book could not be