Arthur knew nothing about contracts.
But Arthur could make other people think he did.
There was no contradiction there!
As long as Arthur never ran into someone who truly understood them, he could make everyone believe he did-this wasn't deception, merely a reasonable use of what he had.
Take Cook, or rather, Cook's father. He probably knew about the mystical side, but certainly not in any depth, much less possessed any mastery of it. Otherwise, Cook wouldn't have been just a Third-Rank Police Officer in Dort District, nor would old Cook have stayed on a farm.
Fooling a complete outsider was easy.
Fooling an outsider with a little half-baked knowledge was even easier.
With a complete outsider, you still had to lay the groundwork and help them understand more. But with someone who knew just enough to get things wrong, you didn't need to explain anything. Once you set the right atmosphere, they would find plenty of convincing reasons to believe you all on their own.
Just like Cook at that moment.
The Third-Rank Police Officer from Dort District sat back in his chair with a resigned expression, the light gone from his eyes, looking like a rejected loser standing in a Valentine's Day downpour.
"Have you misunderstood something?"
Only after savoring Cook's utterly bleak expression for a good while did Arthur slowly speak.
"Huh?"
Cook jerked his head up.
"There are many kinds of contracts.
And I favor the more equitable kind-as long as you don't betray me, nothing will happen to you.
In return, I will protect you."
Arthur explained.
"Then what if I..."
The Third-Rank Police Officer from Dort District asked purely on instinct, but the moment he opened his mouth, he felt a sharp prick at the back of his neck.
As though a needle had