"Did the Church's Ring Arcanists only come to investigate matters like the Serpent's Shedding?"
"No, they also informed us to send representatives to a meeting at the Dawn Church in the city this afternoon. Apparently, they have something important to discuss."
Elder Vilda continued, and Shade nodded in understanding.
"It is probably related to the Chosen Ones—Chosen of Fate."
He was not entirely sure how the Witches had explained it, but since the calamity had already erupted, there was no need to conceal such matters. After introducing the connection between the calamity and the Chosen Ones once more, he said with certainty:
"My elf friend and I cannot possibly be Chosen Ones. Of that, I am certain."
"Then could Claire be one?"
Elder Harald's face was full of worry, and Shade understood what troubled him.
"I do not know that either. After all, I am not the Witch Emperor who wrote the ancient epic. I can only say that Miss Reinhart is most likely not one."
Elder Vilda slowly let out a breath.
"Tobesk, Middlesburg, Randall River Valley, Moon Bay... We people living in the remote corners of the world were not unaware of what happened in those places. We simply never expected such things to happen in our own homeland as well.
"Though those cities are still thriving now, we have all heard about what they went through."
Elder Harald gripped the long staff in hand and asked Shade:
"Mr. John Watson, you claim not to be Chosen of Fate. Then what exactly do you hope to gain from this Fated Story? Claire said you came to this island to defeat that evil fiend, but is that truly all you intend to do? Old fellows like us have seen all kinds of things. We can tell that you are