After seeing the Doctor off, Shade did not linger and headed straight for Kael-Todd Town.
Perhaps because most of the townspeople had stayed up late last night, it was nearly nine by the time Shade arrived, yet the town seemed only just to be waking up. Claire, on the other hand, was still as spirited and energetic as the newborn sun. She had even retrieved the snake fang-shaped stone already.
"Look."
The stone was still wrapped in Stella's Serpent's Shedding. Once the damp skin was removed, the formerly gray stone had turned completely crimson.
"Today is Saturday, and don't you have something to do this afternoon? It's the third day of the Ten Thousand Spirits Festival, so I can relax a little too. Let's head up the mountain now."
Claire spoke eagerly. The White-haired Girl also walked over from Ellie and Little Liana's Unicorn Nest. She first greeted Shade softly, then asked whether they should ride the Unicorns up the mountain.
The Snow Mountain's second peak, Shadow of Herm, was not on the route used by the warriors climbing the mountain. But to avoid disturbing them, Shade still chose to ride the Unicorns directly over there. Claire and Stella rode Ellie, while Shade sat on Little Liana's back. With Little Mia absent, Emilia's good friend was quite willing to be close to Shade.
Following Elder Harald's earlier instructions, they did not land directly at the Sacrificial Ground on Shadow of Herm. Instead, they stopped on the mountain path at the edge of the cold mist and then climbed the steps upward.
Claire took the opportunity to ask Shade about his plan for the House of False Men. This time, in order to settle the relic once and for all, Shade did not intend to hold back.
"I've already contacted Miss