The wisdom of survival

Danitz grew increasingly nervous as Edwina pondered. He felt like a prisoner sitting in the dock, waiting for the final verdict. Yet no verdict came. In the end, Edwina merely said:

"Go to sleep.

"I want to see your encounters with her."

"You're going to explore that Primitive Island now?" Inside the Pure White Space, Neph frowned at Klein. "Are you sure?"

Klein nodded firmly, then explained, "I assume you won't mind us taking your staff along? Ahem, I haven't had time to sell it yet-"

Neph waved a hand. "Do what you like with it. But even then, if it's just you and the Hanged Man, it still won't be safe enough-"

She frowned, stared at Klein, and considered for two seconds before speaking:

"My position makes it inappropriate for me to explore that island with you. Besides, if I went, I wouldn't need either of you. Otherwise, how would I be any different from a babysitter?

"Still, if you need them, I could probably provide a few charms? Let me think. Among the middle-low sequences, charms related to memory probably wouldn't do much against monsters, but you should have a use for making wounded monsters die faster. And then there's ice-"

Neph made no mention of high-level charms. Low-level charms cost her little, but if she wanted to provide Klein with high-level ones, she would need special materials, such as skin or flesh imbued with divinity.

She wasn't that selfless yet.

"That's enough," Klein said with a smile. "Besides, who told you it would only be me and the Hanged Man?"

"Who else?" Neph was taken aback.

"Vice Admiral Iceberg, Edwina." Klein gave an unexpected answer.

"???" Neph's eyes widened. "Why???"

"That's a long story." Klein smiled at Neph. "Actually, this has something to do with you. Didn't