Kissing the icy girl beneath the sunlight, amid what seemed like the cheers of the entire world, had truly been a magical experience.
And when the kiss ended, Shade, having gained new power, unexpectedly discovered cracks appearing across the crystal-clear body of Winnie, whom he was holding in his arms.
The cold expression completely unlike that of the maid from the Sixth Epoch had vanished. She smiled at Shade, her voice soft yet firm:
"Though I do not know who I am, your warmth nearly melted me. You gave me a second heart. I slumbered in darkness and loneliness for too long. I thought I would never again recover the most beautiful things within my soul.
"Forgive my earlier indifference. That was not the real me. You saved my soul before, and now you have saved my heart. Why is your soul so warm?"
Shade helped her rise from the coffin, and when Miss Novare, Miss Coens, and Lady Gerd gathered around them as well, the Witch by the table finally shut the fairy-tale book with a snap.
The applauding dwarves, the singing forest animals, the cheering attendants and servants, the vibrant forest, and the warm sunlight all vanished at once.
Shade also hid his Destiny Ring and dismissed the enormously draining composite Mystic Lock. He had obtained the fifth Spirit Rune of the ninth ring, but the issue was that he had only obtained the Spirit Rune, not the Mystic Lock. He had vaguely grasped the edge of Snow White Princess's power, and he had a premonition that the brand-new Mystic Lock he was about to acquire would be crucial to him.
After Miracle - Envy, Miracle - World, Enlightenment - Ice and Snow, and Whisper - Sword, obtaining another Spirit Rune of the "Enlightenment" type meant Shade needed