Inside the carriage, Amur had barely finished speaking when ripples spread across the opposite seat. A hand emerged, then rose to pull back a hood, revealing Freeman's tall, muscular figure. The Blood Descendant's brows were tightly knitted as he stared at the woman from Talin in deep displeasure.
"No!
And...
Please show my father some respect."
As he finished, a savage gleam crept into the Blood Descendant's eyes.
"Heh!"
Amur sneered and raised her left hand, crossing her middle finger over her index finger. The cloak that rendered the Blood Descendant invisible tightened around him, binding him firmly. Around his neck in particular, it dug deep into his flesh.
I can't beat Arthur, but you think I can't beat you?
The woman from Talin roared inwardly.
On the surface, though?
She still wore a cheerful smile.
Likewise, the Blood Descendant's gaze never changed. It remained ferocious.
Neither yielded.
They simply held their standoff.
As the carriage gradually disappeared down the streets of the Shire District, two apprentices from Mrs. Andor's kitchen arrived to clear away last night's leftovers.
Arthur took out two Los and gave them one each.
"Thank you for your generosity. You're welcome at 16 Dale Lane anytime-we'll be delighted to serve you!"
As the two left 2 Kirk Street, they bowed to Arthur.
That was the courtesy expected of them.
But without the added incentive of money, they certainly wouldn't have been so enthusiastic.
And that was the charm of money.
It could turn insolence into courtesy.
It could turn courtesy into enthusiasm.
And it could even turn enthusiasm into...
Groveling!
"Truly the root of all evil!"
Arthur muttered to himself, then waved over a newsboy and bought today's South Los Daily and The Horn Newspaper. Today's XP notifications had already appeared moments earlier, but he still