Odis had considered Bernadette's conclusion before, but he shook his head with a light chuckle, "I don't think so."
As he spoke, he deftly assembled the scattered components inside the wooden box, "The magic array inside this extraordinary weapon must be engraved using a bone knife made from the leg bone of a Mutated Flamingo..."
"...Each weapon consumes three such leg bones, each costing around 25 Pounds. The engraved grooves must then be filled with a mixture of 'Magma Pyroxene Powder' and 'Red-crowned fairy grass powder', which costs roughly 50 Pounds."
Under Odis's skilled hands, the previously disorganized parts gradually took the shape of a revolver.
Its method of use was simple: inject Spirituality while pulling the trigger. Each bullet fired would transform into a fist-sized fireball upon impact, dealing not only ballistic damage, but also causing severe burns across a wide area.
Even if the bullet didn't directly hit the target, the residual flames from the fireball could still inflict burns.
After adjusting the revolver, Odis continued, "These components also need to be custom-made. Thanks to Backlund's advanced industry, any decent foundry can handle such orders..."
"...But due to their small size and low demand, the cost is quite steep... around 10 Pounds per gun for the parts alone. The bullets also require special treatment. The metal must be soaked in the blood of a Mutated Flamingo, and the gunpowder must be mixed with 'Magma Spirit bone powder'. Each round costs 12 Shillings and becomes unusable after two months of storage..."
"...Adding it all up, the base cost of this gun is already 135 Pounds, and that doesn't include my design and research fees. Since the Spirituality in these materials dissipates after about a year, annual 'maintenance' costs around 80 Pounds..."
He paused, then added seriously, "For context, the six-month rent for my current townhouse is only 35 Pounds... A standard revolver sells for about 3 Pounds on Backlund's black market, or as low as 1 Pound and 15 Shillings in suburban deals..."
Odis shook his head, "Compared to that, the expense of this Extraordinary weapon is astronomical. Even the prices I quoted are only possible because I run an herbal shop and have access to discounted high-tier Spiritual materials..."
"...A weapon like this would sell for at least 500 Pounds on the open market!" Finally, Odis concluded, "I don't believe every Sequence 9 has that kind of money. If not for my research needs, I'd rather buy a good revolver and practice my marksmanship."
"What if someone invested in them?" Bernadette interjected suddenly, "For example, if I commissioned you to make ten such weapons and distributed them to ten Sequence 9 Beyonders who lack combat prowess..."
"...This would instantly grant them a powerful offensive tool. If three– no, even just three of them fired together, they could easily take down a Sequence 8."
Odis gaped for a moment before muttering, "You're really wealthy... As for the price..." He held up three fingers, "300 Pounds per gun. Not a penny less."
With her beautiful eyes fixed on him, the Queen Mystic countered, "You just said the cost was only 135 Pounds..."
"And I also said that didn't include design fees or labor," Odis retorted, spreading his hands, "You won't find a better deal anywhere."
To be precise, it wasn't about finding a better deal, it was about finding a comparable weapon at all.
Bernadette nodded, "Fine. But on one condition: you must teach my people how to maintain the revolvers and craft the specialized bullets."
Then she pointed at Odis's inside-out coat, "And what's that?"
"Another application of magic arrays," Odis explained, "Except the core material here is far more valuable..."
"...Plus, it has limitations. For instance, this coat can only be used once a week. A second attempt would turn me into a Spirit World creature outright. It's nowhere near as convenient as a Sealed Artifact... though most of the negative effects are borne by the array itself."
Bernadette gave a noncommittal hum. To her, the coat was useless, "In three days, I'll send someone to learn revolver maintenance."
As she turned to leave, she added, "As for the ten revolvers, one month for delivery, no issues?"
"None. But your envoy must bring 1 000 Pounds upfront," Odis said quickly. Then he hesitated before saying, "What if I'm in danger?"
"Don't worry about those two black-clad men," Bernadette replied, "And until our deal concludes, I'll ensure your safety. After that... well, I'm not your bodyguard."
With those words, illusory wings enveloped her. When they dissipated, the Queen Mystic was gone.
Odis sat behind the counter, dazed for a good ten seconds before exhaling, "What a night..."
Though Bernadette was now monitoring the organization that had targeted him (making it unlikely they'd trouble him again), Odis remained vigilant.
After turning off the gas lamps, he slipped out the back door, traversed a dim alley, and emerged onto the adjacent Wiltshire Street.
Once certain that no one was tailing him, he hurried to a prearranged safehouse; a shabby apartment in northern West Borough.
The second-floor unit had a bedroom, a private washroom, and a semi-open kitchen facing the balcony. Rent was a mere 18 Shillings per month, which is less than 1 Pound.
Only after setting up alarm bells at the balcony and doorway did Odis collapse onto the slightly damp bed.
As he replayed the day's events in his mind, exhaustion pulled him into sleep...
.....
In his dreams, Odis found himself wandering through a space shrouded in a gray fog. Eventually, a towering enigmatic castle materialized before him.
Thanks to his experience conducting research in dreams, Odis gradually regained his faculties.
'Where is this castle?' he wondered.
At a glance, it was no ordinary structure... its aura was ominous and eerie.
The castle's double doors loomed imposingly, and were tightly shut as though untouched for ages.
*Wooo..! Wooo..!*
Suddenly, bestial growls and howls echoed through the fog. Odis tensed and scanned his surroundings, but the rolling fog obscured any creatures.
Instinctively, he reached for his revolver– only to realize he was dressed lightly and unarmed...
Growing more alert, Odis edged along the castle walls, seeking refuge.
*Wooo..! Wooo..!*
After a few steps, a grotesque hound emerged before him...
Its body was lean and sinewy, covered in short fur, with a maw stretching ear-to-ear and eye sockets burning with dark-red flames. It stared fixedly at Odis.
Recognition struck.
Odis lunged for the castle doors and pounded frantically, "Open up! Your dog's about to bite me! Open the door!"
More growls reverberated around him. The fog seemed to be alive with hounds lurking.
These were no ordinary beasts... they were 'Hounds of Fulgrim'...
And this castle?
It was none other than the 'Sefirah Castle' itself...