This is the commentary on Chapter 3.
Shadow has become a knight of the Divine Mother, but he was originally the Judge of the Underworld.
As a higher being—a god—he possesses a powerful function and will of his own.
Then he obtains information about the remnants of Regina’s forces, who still have not learned their lesson and are once again trying to defile the sanctuary.
Acting out of good intentions, Shadow decides to protect the sanctuary “on his own,” without permission.
A god—the Judge of the Underworld—has entered the domain of another god—the Divine Mother—on his own authority.
When the Divine Mother realizes what has happened, he is furious.
Because although Knuckles is the Divine Mother, he is also the Guardian.
Protecting the sanctuary is his role. For another god to take that role upon himself without permission is an intrusion into his domain.
A little earlier, in the flower field, Shadow is captivated by Knuckles.
This is an ideal paradise, like Elysium.
Here, the Earth Mother Goddess stands upon the earth and manifests his beauty.
At this moment, Shadow feels both devotion and desire.
But he does not clearly put either of them into words.
Having angered the Divine Mother, the Judge of the Underworld passes judgment on himself and voluntarily relinquishes his right to stand within the sanctuary.
Even so, he cannot sever his feelings for Knuckles, and so he goes to the angel Sonic for advice.
Sonic is the playful rogue of the sanctuary.
As an angel, he does properly fulfill his role as a mediator, but there is always something lighthearted about him.
Fundamentally, his manner and rhythm simply do not mesh with Shadow’s, the Judge of the Underworld.
Shadow is hurt by Sonic’s provocation and leaves.
Even so, he follows Sonic’s advice and tries to learn the order of the sanctuary anew.
And then comes the amusement park scene.
A prank worthy of Sonic the trickster.
He deliberately calls Shadow there, stirs up his jealousy, and provokes him.
Then comes the kiss on the cheek.
I think this is somewhat similar to one of Cupid’s arrows, used by Eros in Greek mythology.
In mythological terms, Sonic is a figure somewhat like Hermes in Greek mythology or Loki in Norse mythology.
He acts unpredictably and completely transforms the situation around him.
And because he is an immature being who is half angel and half human, half of what he does works, while the other half fails.
Shadow ends up punching him with all his might and sending him flying.
Shadow’s jealousy explodes.
But Knuckles was jealous too.
And then the two of them talk things through and reconcile inside the Ferris wheel gondola—a private, enclosed space rising toward the heavens—with the angel watching over them.
Here again, half of what Sonic does works, while the other half fails.
Sonic quickly jumps to his own conclusion: two people who are not quite lovers yet making up means a kiss.
Knuckles kicks him away, and the two of them end up fighting.
And then comes the sunset scene.
Once again, Shadow is confronted with the beauty of the Divine Mother, and this time, he feels complete desire within him.
He tries to kiss Knuckles, but stops just short and pushes him away.
Shadow’s heart has not yet become integrated.
Devotion, romantic longing, sexual desire, possessiveness, and self-condemnation.
He still cannot determine which of these represents his true feelings.
And so, he pushes Knuckles away and brings everything to a halt for the moment.
Thinking about the next time he will see Knuckles, Shadow’s story continues into Chapter 4.