Shade and Lady Gerd had not been gone for long. Miss Coens and the unknown Black-haired Witch still had not awakened. Miss Novare welcomed them back, and after listening to Shade recount the third task the deity had given him while seated before the fireplace, she frowned deeply:
"40th Floor? Isn't that far too high? The highest we have reached so far is only the 25th Floor. To climb there by stairs, we would have to ascend at least fifteen floors. The stairwell seems safe for now, but the corners on each floor may not be safe. Besides, the higher we go, the greater the danger."
"The deity has already given us the task. We have to go, don't we? Otherwise, are we supposed to remain here forever?"
Shade asked. What the Bloodkin girl had actually wanted to say was that they should not rush upstairs, but explore upward one floor at a time. She was still thinking about the power of the evil creatures here. Before she could voice her thoughts, however, Shade picked up Miss Coens's longsword.
"Lady Gerd, stay here and get some proper rest. I'm going to the 25th Floor now to deal with that Demon first. We shouldn't keep that thing in our hands."
The middle-aged Witches by the fireplace nodded. Her complexion was somewhat haggard, and she was clearly not in any condition to go out again.
Miss Novare hurriedly stood as well.
"I'll go with you. We won't let anyone go out alone. There aren't many Matches left either. If I go with you, I can help gather supplies."
Shade had no objections to that.
"Since there will be two of us, if things go smoothly on the 25th Floor, how about we don't return directly? We could climb the stairs and see