Miss Princess was quite decisive in her work, and she had no reservations when it came to gold pounds. Shade sat in the single sorceress's apartment and thought it over, deciding there was no need to skimp on this expense:
"How about a base pay of five pounds?"
He held up five fingers and gave them a wave:
"I'll give you three pounds before we leave and another two when the evening is over. The pay can be increased depending on the circumstances. As for my purpose, I simply want to look around Coldwater Port City and get to know a few trustworthy black markets dealing in special goods."
Five pounds might seem like a lot, but if she could truly introduce Shade to places like the Black Raven Library or Old John Pawnshop, then this broker's fee could only be considered cheap.
The blonde young lady looked at Shade with her emerald-green eyes, tapped the armrest of her chair with her fingers, and shook her head with considerable poise:
"One price: ten pounds. Three up front, seven in the evening. If you're dissatisfied, we can discuss the remaining payment tonight. I've already brought you to my usual residence in this city. You needn't doubt me anymore."
The price was acceptable. Shade had already decided to make Coldwater Port, where countless ships gathered, one of his regular trading locations:
"No problem."
A smile appeared at the corner of Miss Princess's lips, though it lasted only an instant.
Afterward, Miss Princess took an expensive-looking silver-gray metal box with a handle from the washroom. It was rectangular, its surface covered in patterns of branches, leaves, and flowers. The patterns were golden, as though they had been plated with gold. But judging by Miss Princess's income, Shade was probably overthinking it.
She slowly