Nina Adelard was the watcher tasked with guarding the Blood of the Sage and preventing the Sage's Resurrection. Ageless and immortal, she had been trapped in loneliness her entire life.
The refining core was the control device for the Blood of the Sage. If a pseudo refining core could also control the Blood of the Sage, then Nina Adelard might... be able to free herself.
She would no longer have to be bound by the Blood of the Sage like a living sacrifice. That temptation... mattered greatly to her.
"I will not disappoint Lady Nina Adelard."
Although he had failed to make this legendary alchemist take him as her disciple, he did not care... After all, becoming her apprentice had never been his goal. Everything was progressing smoothly according to plan.
He hurriedly held the pseudo refining core in both hands and respectfully offered it to Nina Adelard.
"Regardless... as a token of my respect, please accept this stone as a gift. With your abilities, I am sure you can analyze its function."
"This... very well."
Nina Adelard felt rather embarrassed, but after hesitating for a moment, she could not suppress her longing for freedom... and reached out her hand.
Hahahahaha!!!
Seeing that success was within reach, Amatsuka Mercury was ecstatic inside. Yet he restrained himself with all his strength, refusing to laugh aloud lest Nina Adelard notice anything strange and cause everything to fail at the very last moment.
Just as Nina Adelard was about to touch the pseudo refining core, an accident occurred.
A pink arrow shattered the glass window and struck the pseudo refining core head-on. Yet unexpectedly, the pseudo refining core remained undamaged even after being hit!
"What?"
Caught in the attack, Nina Adelard instinctively withdrew her hand and turned her head.
"Who is it?"
Having