Amid the Clockmaker's laughter, Bella issued a stern warning:
"Are you trying to humiliate the God Summoner in public?"
"No, I merely want to satisfy my curiosity."
"If you're willing to answer, we can step aside for now."
Gerald Delong quietly spoke to Shade beside him. Shade did not particularly mind, but he still glanced at Bella. After all, this did not concern him alone.
Bella seemed quite angry—not at Shade, but when she saw him looking over, she nodded as well.
The others therefore moved a few steps away, leaving only the Great Witch of Fate, who cast a Silence Charm before remaining at Shade's side.
Shade answered:
"I do indeed have intimate relationships with several ladies from the Witch Council, but are you really asking only out of curiosity?"
Though he was revealing private matters, he did not truly intend to disclose everything. The Clockmaker, however, was already quite satisfied with that answer, and she smiled.
"Of course it's only curiosity. You are the person closest to godhood in our era. Everything about you—especially your private life—is valuable to us 'mortals.'"
But then she changed the subject:
"I am curious, though. When you kiss those madwomen, do they feel a blasphemous thrill in their hearts?"
If Shade had not stopped Bella, the Countess would already have made her move.
"If you don't want to die too quickly, you'd better shut your mouth."
Bella said through restrained fury, but the woman before the tree did not care at all.
"All right, it's time for me to give you the answer. This is truly interesting.
We have already learned from the Ancient One the reasons behind the Tree Hole Association's founding. More precisely, tonight, one of our members will travel to the distant past through a Time Rift while acting