Miss Karina was one of the most important members of the royal family, so it was understandable that she possessed a pass during the period of martial law. However, what puzzled Shade was that she was seeking him out at such a sensitive time, leading him to speculate that something else had happened.
"Go see Miss Karina? Alright. Oh, wait a moment, I'll go upstairs to get the necklace and some transcriptions of letters that might be related to the [Blood Spirit School]. What is the emergency this time? Why come for me during martial law?"
It was impossible for the Great Witch to know that the god from last night was related to Shade. In his apotheosis state, Shade was certain that the only person who had truly witnessed that scene was Iluna Bayes, which was why he was asking the black-haired maid exactly what the matter was.
"Regarding the Ring of Incarnation, and the events of last night, the Miss wishes to speak with you... The Miss is severely injured."
The maid looked very worried.
"Is the injury serious?"
Although Shade had not personally witnessed the Great Witch attempting to enter the third floor to fight the Evil God, Luvia had relayed Miss Bayes' description of last night's events earlier that morning. He knew that the person who had likely constructed the golden staircase outside the manor was her.
Even without entering the Blood Feast on the third floor, Miss Karina had still been harmed by the Evil God. The Duchess had been very kind to Shade, and he cared about her recovery.
"It is not life-threatening. The rain of light that fell when the white-robed god departed healed everyone, but the Miss will need a period of quiet recuperation."
This was why the maid's mood was so low today.
After going upstairs to retrieve the golden necklace and the letter transcriptions, and asking Luvia to look after Mia for a while, Shade boarded the carriage and headed out of the city with the maid.
On the way out, their carriage was stopped no fewer than five times. Even though the maid, Tifa, held the Duchess's pass, the driver and the two passengers were still subjected to rigorous interrogation.
The pass was intended for Miss Karina; it was barely acceptable for her personal maid to use it, but the reason for Shade Hamilton's presence in the carriage had to be explained clearly.
The Church was currently not hesitant to suspect anyone of being an accomplice to a cult, and it didn't matter that Shade had a deep relationship with the Church of Dawn.
"Miss Karina wishes to see Mr. Hamilton because... she wants him to stay overnight."
The black-haired maid explained it this way, and the guards immediately dared not ask any further.
However, as they waited for the carriage to start moving again, Shade frowned and asked
"Is it really okay to explain it like that? Regarding Miss Karina's reputation..."
"The Miss instructed me to say so, otherwise you might not have been able to leave the city."
The maid answered dutifully, her brown eyes looking at Shade. She seemed somewhat dissatisfied, though this dissatisfaction didn't seem to be directed at Shade as a person.
Shade could understand this feeling. Miss Tifa Servette had always protected Miss Karina's reputation and was certainly unhappy about this, but since it was Miss Karina's own suggestion, she could not object.
"But if you say that, there will definitely be rumors afterward," Shade added.
"Isn't that better? People will know you are the Miss's man. With that identity, you will be safer in Tobesk," she said softly, then looked out the window, her tone filled with worry.
"The Miss seems very concerned—not about this city, but she said the Epic of Fate has begun, and we will all be forced into it. There are not many people the Miss can trust; she does not want anything to happen to you."
For some, the departed Evil God was not as important as the Chosen. Because the Evil God was far away, while the Great Prophecy of the Whispering Verses was very near.
He met her in the study of the Duchess's manor. Although he knew in advance that Miss Karina was injured, Shade was still shocked when he saw her reclining on the sofa, covered by a blanket with a white handkerchief masking her face.
"Good afternoon, Karina. Hmm? This..."
He stood hesitantly at the door. The maid peeked out from behind him
"It's alright, the Miss is napping. The sun is quite nice today, we'll first—"
"It's fine, come in. Tifa, thank you for your hard work. Detective, good afternoon."
The red-haired Great Witch removed the handkerchief from her face and sat up straight on the sofa, greeting Shade while keeping the blanket over her legs.
Shade noticed the weakness in her voice, but looking at her appearance, her complexion was ruddy and there were no external wounds. Today, Miss Karina wore a long black dress, though Shade felt this color did not suit her.
"Good afternoon, Miss Karina. How is your injury?"
Shade sat on the sofa opposite her. Afternoon tea and pastries were already set on the coffee table, requiring no further preparation.
The black-haired maid whispered something to the side, and after receiving a shake of the head from the Duchess, she stood by with her hands clasped in front of her and remained silent. Miss Karina sat there, the floor-to-ceiling window allowing the exceptionally bright sunlight of the day to stream in, making the Cavendish family's ancestral red hair shimmer in the light.
Having encountered three powerful witches of the Fifth Epoch, Shade could now clearly sense the aura belonging to a "Witch" when facing Miss Karina, rather than simply perceiving it as a peculiar charm.
"Much better than last night. When Tifa drove me back last night, in my half-awake state, I seemed to see my late brother."
Shade took a moment to realize she was referring to the previous King of Delarion.
"I wish you a speedy recovery. Oh, actually, I'm curious why you rushed out last night... I heard it from friends in the Church."
Shade inquired. The red-haired Duchess gave a strained smile, her voice still weak.
"Why would the high-circle spellcasters of the Church rush out?"
"To protect this world from the Evil God; that is their responsibility."
"No, protecting this world from the Evil God is everyone's responsibility. I could have chosen to leave; if I hadn't taken anyone else with me, I might have been able to break out of Tobesk alone. But what meaning would that have? My family is here, Tifa is here, and the land beneath my feet was left by my ancestors. The Church's spellcasters have courage; do I, Karina Cavendish, lack it?"
This answer was very similar to the mindset Shade had when he resolutely burned his divinity last night. Although Miss Karina could not achieve the same disregard for sacrifice as the high-circle spellcasters of the Church, she would at least not flee alone.
"Moreover, I did the right thing then, otherwise I wouldn't know that being 'Chosen'—I know that for you, life has only just begun a month ago, and this city is not welcoming to you. But as you live on, you will understand what I mean."
Shade nodded. Seeing that the Duchess's voice was weak but her spirits were high, he added
"Speaking of which, I have some very good healing abilities. Miss Karina, would you like to try them?"
Damage caused directly by an Evil God should, in theory, be impossible to heal easily, even if Shade had advanced to the 2nd Circle. However, Shade's [Gluttony] shared the same origin as the [Lord of the Blood Feast]; one could even say he possessed a portion of the [Lord of the Blood Feast]'s power. Therefore, this attempt was meaningful.
Miss Karina and the maid Tifa did not know this, but seeing Shade's genuine concern for her injury, she did not refuse him.
The black-haired maid brought a glass of clear water. After Shade summoned his Life Ring, he explained that he had advanced to the 2nd Circle during last night's ruins operation while pointing his finger toward the glass of water.
A dazzling silver spiritual light shimmered on the surface of the water. The maid carefully took the glass and handed it to the Duchess.