Shade had arranged a meeting time with the three members of the New Continent Mutual Aid Society last night. As for the location, he and Mr. Bernhardt had chosen the Spider Inn. Though it was very close to coroner Mr. Albert's workplace, Mr. Bernhardt believed it would not cause any trouble. Besides, the most dangerous place was often the safest.
Their appointed time was ten thirty in the morning. After bidding Emilia farewell, Shade timed his arrival at Spider Alley. Mr. Bernhardt was already waiting by the inn's wooden fence, watching the chickens in the courtyard.
The two entered first and took their seats. Less than two minutes later, the group from the New Continent Mutual Aid Society arrived as well.
However, those who appeared that morning were the young man with the Wind King Sword, John Flynn, and a middle-aged man who had not appeared last night. The young woman and the other man wielding a spiked hammer, both of whom had appeared last night, were absent. The middle-aged man who had come with John Flynn looked to be around forty. He wore glasses with an elegant air and a brown robe. For some reason, Shade sensed in him the temperament of a clergyman, much like Priest Augustus.
After taking their seats, both sides exchanged a few pleasantries as ordinary people meeting for the first time would, then ordered drinks. There were not many people in this remote, shabby Lower District inn on a Monday morning. Even the two guards from the morgue were diligently working rather than coming here to play cards and waste time.
"Hello, my name is John Flynn."
The young man from the New Continent Mutual Aid Society spoke first. Though he was far younger than his companion, he was clearly the leader. He examined