Shade wore an expression that said he had expected as much. Mr. Bernhardt leaned forward slightly and asked:
"What is it? Does it have something to do with Mrs. Jude?"
The noblewoman smiled at him.
"Yes, let me explain. It is not really a major matter. Recently, I received several harassing letters telling me to stop my current wicked deeds, or I would inevitably suffer retribution."
"Could this be referring to—"
Shade deliberately paused there.
"It is probably referring to Mrs. Jude's little hobby."
Miss Rice rubbed the index finger and thumb of her right hand against the little finger of her left. Her nails were painted purplish red.
"Mrs. Jude came here to ask for my help, and I owe her a favor. You have also come to ask for my help, so all I can do is have you help her. Those letters probably are not a prank. There is something wrong with the stationery. I used a relic in my hand that can trace back its origin, yet I could see nothing at all."
"Did you bring the letters?"
Shade asked, which in truth meant that he had accepted the task.
Mrs. Jude had indeed brought the letters. There were only two, both sealed in envelopes without stamps. Yet the envelopes and paper were entirely ordinary, without the slightest Elemental Reaction.
If Miss Rice had not said that their source could not be traced, even Shade would not have thought there was anything wrong with them.
"We will take the job, but I have a condition."
Mr. Bernhardt said with a grave expression.
"Mrs. Jude, at least until this series of events in Moon Bay comes to an end, and until the Church abandons its investigation and pursuit of our Same Race, do not continue your little