The Academy’s Deceased Ate It All

"Ah, would it be all right if I asked you for one more thing?"

Evangelline, who'd been carefully picking up the pouch, gave a small startled twitch.

She looked at me with an anxious gaze that seemed to carry a clear message: Don't tell me you're calling it off now.

I smiled faintly to reassure her.

"I'd like you to make me three separate artifacts with defensive and emergency-call functions. The shape and size are up to you. If you need extra payment, I'll cover it later, of course."

She let out a small breath of relief and asked, "Uh… well, when you've already ordered more than ten, a few more doesn't make much difference. But what are those for?"

"They're for you, Miss Evangelline."

"…huh?"

For a moment she looked genuinely caught off guard.