Claire and Elder Ursa both had Snow Mountain Water to replenish their spiritual energy, but the exhaustion and frayed nerves brought on by a night of fighting were clearly not something Snow Mountain Water alone could soothe.
Shade therefore cast the thaumaturgy Dark Moon Grace. Casting at the mountaintop, he could also feel the abnormal elemental environment affecting him. The spell did not fail, but the light of the summoned Silver Fireball flickered constantly, like an old gas lamp that had fallen into disrepair.
"If the ritual fails—I mean, if all the kindling eventually goes out and no one reaches this place—Elder Ursa, does the Ten Thousand Spirits Festival ritual have any remedial measures?"
Shade had only considered that the climbers might fail to arrive on time because of the weather. He had never expected that not a single person would appear in the end.
Elder Ursa's expression was exceedingly grim:
"The last time the situation you described occurred was over a thousand years ago. The ancient Snake Skin Scrolls do record remedial measures, but even if they work, Fatumonst Island will suffer endless minor problems throughout the coming year. Furthermore, the Elemental Disorder across the island will not subside for one or two months. It will not be as severe as it is now, but that is still no trivial matter."
All three looked in the direction of the mountain path. Fortunately, a few minutes later, Elder Ule came flying up from below as well, panting heavily:
"They found him. The young man from Vadino Village has reached the bottom. He'll arrive in another ten minutes. No one else came? What exactly is going on this year?"
Elder Ule sat directly on the snowy ground to rest as well. The aged man was so out of breath that he