Having returned to the shore, Shard put on his shoes and socks, while the girl in the black dress sat on a stone at the shore, slipping into her white knee-high socks and black leather shoes.
Shard squatted by the creek to wash his hands before picking up the Night Watchman and strapping on "God's Gift Box" again.
The girl in the black dress did not introduce herself but, hands behind her back, asked curiously,
"Sir, may I ask what brings you into the mountain?"
Blue eyes twinkling with amusement, she looked at Shard.
"I made plans with a friend to visit Summit Lake to see the scenery," Shard replied.
"However, the Church of the Five Gods has blocked the road to the summit for the past two weeks, and currently, it's inaccessible."
