After setting out again with Margaret's blessing, Shade headed straight east to find Galina and the others. From high above, the city was now nothing but thick, rolling green fog.
The miasma had a sickly sweet smell, like the cheap industrial saccharin in the Outlander's memories. Aside from Ring Arcanists with physiques as powerful as his, even High-Ring Arcanists had to use the "Bubble Head Charm" to protect themselves from any effects.
Thus, when Shade found the Witches' group, everyone had transparent bubbles covering their heads. Galina was no exception. Seeing Shade struggle not to laugh, the beautiful Red-haired Witch reached out and put a bubble over his head as well before continuing deeper into the thick fog.
Even though the Night Watchman was still sheathed within the Blade of No Edge, light continued to leak from the gaps in its scabbard, indicating the Whisper Element's omnipresence. Yet after an hour-long search, Shade, the two Great Witches, and the High-Ring young ladies had scoured every corner of the East District, not even sparing the filthy, foul-smelling Garbage Alleys, but still failed to find the so-called tree man.
By the time they returned to the Accordion Hotel, it was nearly four Friday morning. But if the miasma remained this thick, Vesta City might not see sunlight even after dawn.
Those who had gone out rested briefly, while the maids who had stayed behind prepared tea and snacks for everyone. After drinking a cup of tea, Shade went to Luvia. The Girl with Purple Eyes had finally managed to reach a conclusion:
"The tree is in the city, but not in reality. It is inside someone's dream. The exact location is in the center of the city. I cannot determine the dreamer's address precisely, but that person's Whisper Element must be the