"Mr. Bernhardt, are all the Bloodkin traveling with you this time so devout?"
When Shade found Mr. Bernhardt beside the conference table in the center of the cave's second level, he asked curiously. The blackboard beside the table was covered with densely packed photographs and old documents, with nails pinning the photos and scraps of paper in place while colored strings connected related clues.
"No, no. They usually aren't like this in Wilundell, but the divine oracle has arrived. Our mission this time is related to My Lord, so Sunday services have to be more proper."
Mr. Bernhardt explained:
"I can't tell you the full contents of the oracle, but the general meaning is that we must persevere and continue the investigation, and find every missing member of our Same Race—alive if possible, dead if necessary. Someone wants to make use of the power of the Advanced Bloodkin. If they succeed, it will cause irreparable consequences for the entire Bloodkin race."
He gestured for Shade to sit down, then let out a long sigh:
"Though I don't fully understand it myself, the rough meaning is that a tainted bloodline will in turn affect the entire race."
"That truly is a very dangerous situation. So, did Friday night's investigation yield any results?"
Shade sat down in a chair by the table. Mr. Bernhardt had someone prepare tea for him.
"There were some gains, but they certainly can't compare to yours. The entire Arcadia Region knows by now that Saint Byrens Comprehensive College, with the help of some important figure, successfully contained the Sage Level Relic [Skin Object Hall]."
He clicked his tongue in amazement:
"Come, let's celebrate that first. Things like Skin Object should never have existed in the first place. Bloodkin don't like that kind of ghastly thing either."
He