"If Time Travel did not require a tremendous price, then time itself would seem worthless."
The Masked Man spoke, and Shade neither confirmed nor denied it:
"May I ask about your personal privacy? What is the meaning behind helping people travel through time?"
"Are you with The Church?"
"Of course not."
"Then are you trying to find out who I am in reality?"
"That statement actually revealed that you have another identity in the Reality World."
The Masked Man laughed. He had probably used potions or spells to disguise his voice; it sounded completely unlike anyone Shade knew:
"You know, young man, everyone has regrets. Even Kings wearing Crowns, or those powerful Thirteenth Ring Warlocks, must have regrets somewhere in their past lives.
Some people regard regrets as part of their life's journey, as something that makes them who they are. But more people want to make up for those regrets. That is why I opened this transfer station. I do not force those who come here to make a deal, but most people ultimately sign their names on these papers."
He pushed the two sheets of paper toward Shade. Shade lowered his head and looked them over twice more:
"Allow me some curiosity. Have you been doing this for many years? I mean, over all these years, how many people have you sent into the past and future?"
"You are trying to probe my background? No, no, that question cannot be answered."
"Then can you send me to any point in time?"
Shade changed his question:
"For instance, could I visit the beginning of the epochs, or the next epoch?"
Though he could not see the man's expression, Shade was certain the face behind the mask was smiling:
"I do not possess such great power. Looking back into the