The other party did not even give Shade a chance to refuse before stuffing the revolver into his hands:
"Sir, if you are dissatisfied with this compensation, I'll leave you an address. Rades is temporarily renting a place there. You can go to his apartment tomorrow and use this gun to demand further compensation."
Shade had no way to refuse and could only accept the gun. Looking down at it in his hand, his fingers unexpectedly felt faint raised patterns on the surface. Interpreting them as words, he found that they meant "Gun of Kindness."
After quite a while, he finally nodded, unable to understand what exactly was going on with his luck tonight.
He then obtained Captain Rades's address and exchanged a few more remarks with the group about courage and loyalty before continuing his search for Miss Louisa. Naturally, he could no longer wear his formal suit, but a white shirt was not particularly improper either:
"But what exactly does this gun do? Does it always miss?"
He wrapped the revolver in the coat that was missing one sleeve and pondered as he walked. Still, it had cost him nothing. Shade liked things that were free, and he planned to ask Saint Byron's Library about it next Saturday.
Just now, when Shade had been playing Rhodes Cards beneath the Grape Arbor in the garden, the host of this summer outdoor banquet—Count Clown's youngest son—had already made an appearance in the courtyard.
The night was now deep, but the banquet remained lively. People gathered in small groups, while young men and women headed into the garden together amid their companions' teasing. Even those who disliked the atmosphere could hold a glass of wine alone and admire the night.
Lake View Manor was simply too large. Shade made a full