One hundred thousand gold coins was no small sum.
That was true for anyone.
Even Malinda was no exception.
But unlike other people, Malinda would not fly into a rage the moment she heard that figure, nor would she dismiss Arthur's words as nonsense.
Instead, Malinda would think.
And Arthur liked people who thought.
Especially Malinda. She looked particularly enchanting when she was thinking.
Even standing there perfectly still, she seemed to radiate golden light.
Malinda firmly believed that Arthur had planned ahead and knew exactly what he was doing.
Arthur was happy to let her keep believing that.
So he intended to give her a name-
Dorn!
The Dorn whose name Alvis Hamlet had used as an alias!
And that alias was worth a hundred thousand.
In fact, this really was a friends-only price.
After all...
As long as Malinda investigated that alias, she was bound to discover Alvis Hamlet.
At the same time, she would very likely uncover clues about Arthur through Alvis Hamlet, learning more of the secrets surrounding his mother's membership in the Golden Lion Family.
So the price really was not high.
It absolutely was not because Arthur had given all his money to Bob to rush the production of [Death Warrior Potion], leaving him strapped for cash and looking to fleece Malinda.
Absolutely not!
Arthur stressed that to himself.
Meanwhile, he headed into the kitchen.
Malinda had reminded him to return her bowls and cutlery.
As for the bowls and cutlery from last time?
Lady Anna had washed them.
Arthur had seen them afterward, too, spotless and neatly arranged in the basket.
"Here, your bowls and cutlery.
I washed them nice and clean, didn't I?"
Arthur set the basket down in front of Malinda.
Lady Anna, who was leafing through New-Style Pastry Cooking nearby,