Bernhardt's Luck

During Professor Higgins's last "Blood Debt" incident, Shade had formed a fairly good impression of Mr. Armand Bernhardt.

Therefore, even knowing that the man was a Bloodkin and that he was staying at a local winery, he had not reported him to The Church. But this time, the Witches clearly would not pretend the man did not exist. More clearly still, even if he was a mid-ring Bloodkin, he absolutely could not defeat any Great Witch in the room.

"Wish you luck."

That was all Shade could think as he headed toward the warehouse.

The photograph gave no indication of the coffin's dimensions, but its actual size was that of an ordinary coffin. Mr. Bernhardt obviously could not carry it back on his back. According to the auction's usual procedure, bulky items that were difficult to transport would be delivered together the next day by Cassandra Auction House's carriage. But Mr. Bernhardt clearly loved the antique coffin he had bought and insisted on taking it away by carriage that very night.

Of course, leaving immediately after making a purchase would look suspicious, so Mr. Bernhardt remained at the Fire Worship Festival banquet. The pitch-black Metal Coffin was left in the warehouse. As one of the banquet's organizers, Cassandra Auction House naturally possessed the warehouse keys. Even the hired security company consisted of Cassandra Auction House's people.

The warehouse was in the basement on the east side of the 1st Floor of Middlesburg Mechanical College. It had originally been a shelter for a frontline military camp before later becoming the Academy's storeroom. Grandma Cassandra's maid, a lady with two-ring strength, led Shade underground. After verifying his identity and conducting layer upon layer of inspections, they passed through three doors and opened at least three large locks before Shade was allowed to