Old John watched Shade's expression.
"This is genuinely good stuff. If Louisa and the others hadn't introduced you, I wouldn't have offered this deal."
Shade was very tempted, but his face remained impassive.
"Then what's the price? Or rather, the side effect? Surely it isn't just that Ash Water tastes awful?"
"Side effect? Oh, it's really nothing."
Old John spoke as though it were insignificant.
"Just intense mental contamination. The stronger the supernatural ability imprinted, the stronger the contamination you'll encounter when drinking the water. But if you endure it at the time, there won't be any major problems afterward. Detective, what do you say? Want to trade?"
Mental contamination was what Shade feared least. In the state of God's Radiance, he could even face a Saint directly. An Relic's contaminating properties certainly could not compare to those of a true god.
"Witch's Copy Paper is quite good, but mine is clearly worth more. Undying Body with a price is still an Undying Body."
Shade tapped the countertop.
"Of course it isn't a one-for-one trade. Two sheets of carbon paper for one of your finger bones."
The old man smiled. He believed Shade would not refuse.
"All right, I'll think about it some more."
"What is there to think about? Are you trying to add money? Oh, young man, I truly won't make a profit off you this time."
"No, no, no."
Shade shook his head.
"This thing isn't mine. If I choose to trade it, but its owner doesn't want Witch's Copy Paper, where am I supposed to get four figures' worth of Gold Pounds as compensation?"
He took out the wallet from his pocket and paid for the Time Key first, then put the exquisite little wooden box back into his pocket.
"Then give me an answer soon.