The bartender swept the coins and banknotes beneath the counter, then casually looked around. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he opened the bar gate and let the two of them in. Then, he pushed open a back door within the bar that nearly blended into the wall and, as they prepared to enter, gave each of them a mask:
"You know the rules here. Keep an eye on your new companion."
"Understood."
Miss Princess said softly.
Behind the wall was another tavern. Aside from the lack of conspicuous doors and windows, its decor, tables, and chairs were almost identical to those outside. It was merely a little smaller, with far fewer guests.
Miss Princess had introduced this place on the way over. The rear section of the Seven Broomsticks Tavern was specifically for receiving Ring Arcanists, and entry was only possible through an introduction from an acquaintance. Compared with the relatively single-purpose Old John Pawnshop, Black Raven Library, and Mr. Corps's nighttime shop, the Seven Brooms had an exceptionally broad range of functions.
Ring Arcanist spellcasting material trades, exchanges of books and knowledge, relic sales, and even Ring Arcanist gatherings could all be arranged here.
Tobesk naturally had similar places, but none of them were particularly safe. Only in Coldwater Port, whose atmosphere of freedom was relatively stronger than that of the Northern Pearl, could a gathering place for Ring Arcanists of this scale exist.
The "freedom" here referred not only to the relatively lax municipal administration of Coldwater Port City's Dock Area, but also to the Dock Area's chaos. As the most important port on the West Coast of the Old Continent for travel to the New Continent, Coldwater Port was entirely different from Tobesk.
The owner behind this tavern was a local 9-Ring Arcanist. Although Miss