Black Snow

After the study group at the Doctor's clinic ended, Shade left with Dorothy as usual.

Rather than returning home immediately, Dorothy invited Shade to her apartment to look at the trial print of the first volume of the Detective Hamilton Story Collection after it had been typeset by the Publishing House. The book was expected to go on sale publicly at the end of the month, and its performance would affect Dorothy's career prospects for a long time to come.

A few days earlier, she had even asked Luvia to perform a special divination for her, choosing the best possible time for the new book's release to give herself some peace of mind.

"Does choosing a suitable date to release a new book actually help?"

"Oh, Shade, of course it doesn't. Otherwise, everyone would be a great writer."

Dorothy's view on the matter was remarkably sensible.

The two of them and the cat arrived at Quill Street at around four in the afternoon. They stayed in the apartment until evening before going out for dinner together. The first edition of the Detective Hamilton Story Collection had not changed many details from the newspaper serial Shade had been following, aside from giving Detective Hamilton a background as a descendant of knights.

When Shade asked whether that had been the Publishing House's idea or Dorothy's, the blonde young lady immediately stammered and changed the subject.

After dinner, Leisha and Dorothy exchanged souls, and Her Royal Highness the Princess continued teaching about Slumber at 6 Saint Derain Square.

Thus, in the study, Shade told Leisha about encountering the statue of the Old God Father of Slumber that week and obtaining the Profane Spirit Rune Sloth as a result. Leisha, beneath the gas lamp, became unusually nervous:

"Good thing it wasn't the Sleeping Spirit