"Detective, by sharing my identity with you, I am treating you as one of my own. Do you understand? I will give you suitable protection and assistance, and in return, you will work for me. Of course, for now, that only means playing cards for me. After all... you cannot do anything else."
This was a very fair deal.
"Of course, Lady, it is my honor. I look forward to our next collaboration."
Shade answered according to the etiquette he had learned that afternoon. Working with such a reasonable high-level Ring Arcanist was truly the best possible arrangement.
This was what his hometown called a "win-win"—not one side winning twice, but both sides winning.
"You do not need to worry about Origin · Silver Moon. No one will cause you trouble over that card."
Miss Galina spoke again, then paused before asking Shade:
"Since you helped me secure victory, and I have obtained the two naval transfer slots as well, I naturally will not go back on what I promised you. What relic do you need? Describe it. As long as it is not too outrageous and is below Keeper of Secrets Level (level 3), I believe I can find it."
That statement itself was rather outrageous. Shade was very curious about what kind of history and power the Witch Council possessed. But he had long since decided on his choice of relic:
"It must be capable of extracting energy or something similar—tangible or intangible—from a life form itself, then pouring it into the user's body. As long as it has that function, it will do. Whether it is the main function, or whether it has serious consequences after use, does not matter for now."
Shade had said the same thing to Old John, who ran the pawnshop. This was