Chosen Ones in Conversation

"Hmph~"

Shade let out a breath through his nose, as though laughing, yet also sighing.

"I want to ask a rather boring question. After returning to Middlesburg, have you ever dreamed of her?"

Mr. Barton nodded.

"Of course. Countless times. I dreamed of her standing on a dark, tranquil expanse of water alongside countless white shadows. Those shadows kept drifting farther away, while only she turned around and waved goodbye to me. I wanted to hold on to her, but every time I tried to step into that water, I woke up. Perhaps the gods truly were reminding me of something. I simply haven't understood it yet."

Shade lowered his gaze slightly toward his cat, so the other man would not see his expression. The waters Joey Barton had dreamed of sounded exactly like the mudflat of True Death. If he truly stepped into that water, he would probably really die. After all, even Shade did not dare do that. Even as a Chosen One, even as a barely passable, cheap imitation "demigod," Shade could not defy the world's most fundamental rules.

Still, this showed that Mr. Barton was truly astonishingly talented. Relying solely on intense longing and attachment, he had actually managed to "glimpse death." He was only a One Ring Arcanist.

"If possible, I would very much like to see her again."

The adult who looked like a strange child let out a long sigh.

"The living and the dead are different."

Shade raised an eyebrow.

"Those who have left should be allowed to leave."

Mr. Barton smiled and did not continue the subject.

"That is true. But people must have dreams, and we need to look forward. Mr. Watson, you have come to me three times in a row. What you seek is the future, isn't it?"