The Missing Essence
"I was short on time, so I just sketched it."
Clearly, the Witch hadn't entertained any hope that Fu Qian had mistaken the place.
After realizing he'd already paid tribute to her work, she maintained her dignified tone and explained as if nothing had happened.
"Just a sketch... I have to say, I can definitely feel the theme in it."
As the Templar Knight of the Divine Son, Fu Qian played along quite well, agreeing with a perfectly straight face. He even went to considerable effort to nod his irregularly shaped head.
"...Actually, I added a few things later. Want to take a look?"
Although she phrased it as a question, the Witch had already stood up as she spoke.
The insect knight, still unable to move on his own, expressed his agreement through action without a doubt.
"You can definitely feel that there's a lot more to it now."
The hall wasn't far from the studio, and the Divine Son and his knight moved with a pace that seemed leisurely but was actually swift.
They flew up the steps, shadows swaying around them, and soon the two core members of the Dark Moon Cult arrived in the secret room behind the little stained-glass window.
It was also the birthplace of the Dark Moon Cult.
The enormous easel was still there, and the Witch slowed her steps and settled onto the only tall stool.
The Templar Knight she held up in front of her gave the painting a thorough, serious inspection, then voiced his approval of her claim that she'd added to it.
As a righteous knight, this was by no means a surrender to power.
It was still the Lairding he'd seen last time, but it was clearly richer in detail.
Even the fog beyond