Shade looked towards Mr. Bernhardt. The middle-aged Bloodkin who had seen the filthy eye's vision also twitched at the corner of his mouth.
"No matter what, this is a rare clue. Stay here and keep watch while I go over there to see what's happening. If there's no problem, a simple hypnosis will get me the answers I want."
As he spoke, he transformed directly into a small black bat and flew towards the center of the lake. Shade remained by the shore, watching the bat approach the little boat. Mr. Bernhardt then returned to human form beside it.
For an Advanced Bloodkin, using Spiritual Power for hypnosis was practically instinctive. Shade was not at all worried that Mr. Bernhardt would fail to get answers.
But what happened next was beyond Shade's expectations. In his view, Armand Bernhardt had barely opened his mouth after returning to human form when he immediately toppled onto the water. He then lost even the ability to float and sank straight into the lake.
"Hm?"
Shade immediately wanted to check on him, but a voice came from behind him at that moment.
"Friend, I can see you aren't a Bloodkin. It would be best not to interfere in this matter."
Shade turned to look. In the park woods beside the lake stood a man who had nearly blended into the night itself, watching him. This person had only just appeared; according to Shade's senses, he must have used spatial powers.
Moreover, he was Ninth Ring, exactly one ring higher than Mr. Bernhardt. A small bat symbol floated above his head, indicating that he too was a Bloodkin. Beside the racial symbol was a string of letters written in the Delarion Language.
"Alistair Wispski, are you trying to stop me?"
Shade asked softly and calmly. As