They did not linger on the first floor. After politely bidding farewell to the friendly god and returning to the platform between the first and second floors, Shade voiced his idea to Miss Novare:
"That dried corpse holding the key knew the third floor best, so I guessed the key was most likely obtained on the third floor. Since the key is on the third floor, perhaps the elevator is there as well. We can first try looking for it on the third floor. We got matches from that dried corpse just now, enough to last us for a while."
The Bloodkin lady, who had only just regained her composure, asked with a look of astonishment:
"Why do you speak as though we just met an ordinary innkeeper rather than a god? That was a god. Shouldn't we be marveling at the power of a god, discussing the relationship between this inn and that god, thanking that god on behalf of mortals for protecting the Material World, and finally speculating about the fate of the Chosen Ones who once managed this inn?"
It seemed that although she had been frightened just now, her mind had never stopped working.
Shade pointed out:
"Didn't I say so? I've met many Old Gods and had fairly deep connections with several of them. The Lord of Walls is a Good God, and is willing to help us under certain conditions. Isn't that a good thing? As for the matters you mentioned, there will be time to marvel at them later.
"Besides, He gave advice regarding each of our goals. I think the god was warning you not to be too greedy. The blood of an evil being is not so easily absorbed."
The red-haired Bloodkin lady neither agreed nor disagreed, then asked again:
"I