The Door at 6 Saint Derain Square

The center of Tobesk City was peaceful and serene. Late autumn nights in the Northern Pearl were so pleasant.

At Saint Derain Square, the warm glow of the Ring Square streetlamps spilled across the neatly paved road. Only an occasional lamp flickered, as though there were a minor problem with the gas pipes.

The streetlights illuminated the walls of No. 6. Inside the house, on the third floor, Luvia sat uneasily in a chair, waiting for the Star Sea Whales to arrive a few hours later. The room was piled with all sorts of experimental equipment she had gradually transported here throughout the autumn for stargazing, including an enormous astrolabe and a highly precise telescope.

But Luvia was not happy that her autumn work was nearly complete. Instead, she held the Glowenston Marriage Contract. The diviner's powerful perception made her suspect that something must have happened to Shade.

She moved the Crystal Ball before her, intending to try divination once more. But before she could do anything, that familiar face appeared inside the Crystal Ball:

"Shade?!"

In the southern outskirts of Tobesk City, Galina Manor, study.

Although it was already late, the red-haired Duchess was still dealing with several troublesome documents, troubled by this year's tax payment ratio. Although Saladir County was her fief, she still had to hand part of its taxes over to the kingdom.

A knocking sound came from the door. Tifa, dressed in a black-and-white maid's uniform, entered carrying a tea tray and poured steaming black tea into the empty cup:

"You are always so considerate."

Miss Galina praised her. Tifa smiled and nodded slightly, then came behind the Duchess and placed both hands on her shoulders.

"Oh, yes, that pressure is quite nice."

She picked up the teacup, preparing to rest for a moment. The