When Felix arrived at Villa No. 7, it was pitch dark inside, as if no one lived there.

But since Kane had said the old man was inside, Felix would like to think he was right.

He rang the doorbell. If he wasn't the one who needed the old man's help, he wouldn't have done so with such patience.

After a full half-hour of ringing the bell, the courtyard gate finally opened, but no one came out. The door to the villa opened only after Felix had walked a few steps further.

It was still pitch dark inside the villa, and there was no one around.

A table lamp in the living room was turned on with a click, and there was an old man sitting in an armchair.

"You must be with them. Are you trying to buy my Shimmeroot? You're quite persistent. You've been politely ringing the doorbell for half an hour."

Felix walked over and said earnestly, "Sir, I truly need the Shimmeroot to save someone's life. I hope you can make an exception. Name me whatever conditions you have."

The fact that this old m