Shade soothed the agitated Little Mia, who had not seen him all night, then took Emilia's hand and had her sit down to listen to him:
"The Tree Hole Association joined forces with other illegal Ring Arcanists and created many relics controlled by Paradox Worms in the woods. Luvia and Bella originally thought that the 'Clockmaker' was also in the forest outside the city, but she is actually in the city."
"Where?"
Emilia looked around anxiously.
"She isn't in this music hall, is she? Will she appear later disguised as someone we know? Maybe we should be wary of everyone taller than Angelina."
Shade laughed at that.
"That isn't the case. Come to think of it, I can hardly believe it myself, but there seems to be an ancient elf ruin beneath Vesta City—or rather, beneath Creekwood Town. Even the Nightsong Elves who lived here during the Fifth Epoch knew nothing about it. The ruin dates back to the ancient Second Epoch and was built by people sent by the Elf King after the World Tree Remnants were sealed away."
Shade paused slightly, recalling that Flame Luvia, with her long hair, had mentioned this ruin a few hours ago.
"The Clockmaker is in that underground ruin right now."
Emilia looked down at her feet again.
"A Second Epoch ruin? I remember reading that no ruin so ancient has ever been excavated since the Sixth Epoch began. Even when remnants from the Second Epoch were found, they were no more than ruins like those in the forest."
"Yes. The Ancient One in the forest most likely knew of this ruin long ago. It is even possible that Creekwood Town was originally built on this land because it knew what lay beneath it."
Shade gently squeezed the little elf's hand. Of course,