Chapter 138

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Episode 31 - Auction [2]

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’So there is only one Class 10 villain.’

Clana thought after processing the butler’s words.

It wasn’t as if she hadn’t expected it; a leader of the Five Greats would be present at this so-called grand Auction.

Although she had thought there might be two, not just one.

’I’ll observe from a distance when I arrive at the party.’

To some extent, she was also curious to see the faces of these villains.

Perhaps for now they were on the same side, but Clana was not an idiot.

’They’re using me, but I’m also using them.’

It was a very delicate relationship, and whoever made a wrong move would create a chain reaction, whether in the future or the present.

At this moment, Clana was being extremely careful in how she handled the "kindness" of the villains who had approached her over the last few hours.

They were rats looking to take advantage of her for some benefit or to control her in some way.

’Never trust a villain, but at the same time, trust their actions.’

They may not be trustworthy from a certain point of view.

But at the same time, they are very reliable when it comes to accomplishing a goal.

And they had promised to make her Empress, which was not far from her own objectives.

Because for them, making Clana Empress while keeping her on their side and controlling her like a puppet—

She would be the public image, while the true ruler of a continent stood behind her.

Clana let out a sigh as she leaned back into the comfortable seat that, to some extent, resembled a sofa.

Shortly afterward, she looked to the side, at the armrest, where there was a magic circle.

’Mhm, so this is how you join the bidding.’

She noticed a mana signature and soon used her own mana.

Instructions on how to use the magic circle flowed into her mind.

The magic circle was like a button used to purchase Auction items while increasing their price and competing against others.

She only had to use her thoughts to decide how much money to raise the bid by.

’The Imperial Family’s version is far too flimsy. The villains have better magical engineering.’

Yet another reason to work with them.

Then, all of a sudden, she heard a voice echo throughout the enormous auction hall.

"Attention to everyone present, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests who have come to Black City this year, we welcome you to the beginning of this year’s grand Auction."

At last, the Auction had begun.

***

Outside the dome where the Auction had just started.

Alessia and the other members of her Club had moved into position.

Zoey had located the eighteen guards stationed outside.

Alessia devised a plan to avoid being seen by the guards, and she and Zoey managed to infiltrate the dome.

As for the others, Alessia decided it was better to leave them outside.

The interior could be extremely dangerous; after all, their role in this mission was mainly surveillance and assisting Zoey and Alessia whenever possible.

Naturally, the number of points the others would receive for participating in and helping with the mission would be enormous.

Zoey and Alessia killed two women and took their outfits and masks.

Then, after finding a restroom, they used hair dye and sprayed themselves with the perfume the two villainesses had originally been wearing.

They discovered the women’s names on a badge and finally left the restroom.

Alessia looked at Zoey and said,

’Zoey, remember that there’s a Class 10 villain and several Class 9 villains in this place. It’s best to act with as little suspicion as possible.’

’I know. You don’t have to remind me.’

Zoey said while staring ahead as though lost in thought.

Alessia noticed this, and her frustration with Zoey’s current state prompted her to ask.

’Is something wrong? Zoey, I’ve noticed you’ve been very distracted ever since we met up half an hour ago.’

She had noticed it easily. Although Zoey was normally stoic, she usually didn’t get lost in her thoughts for this long.

But this time was different. Zoey had been like this for quite a while already.

’It’s nothing... I just found out something recently, that’s all.’

’Alright, if you say so, but right now you can’t afford to be distracted. We’re on a mission, and staying focused is the most important thing. Remember that "she" died because of us.’

A memory surfaced in Zoey’s mind.

It was a memory from when Zoey was a first-year student at the Academy and Alessia was in her second year.

Back when Zoey had just joined the Anti-Villain Club alongside another girl.

The memory of all the fun and happy moments the three of them had shared while completing missions without a care in the world.

Until that same cheerful and smiling girl died because of both of them.

’Alright, I’ll focus.’

’Yeah, that’s the Zoey I know. We don’t want to make the same mistake with our new members, do we?’

’No, we won’t let it happen again.’

Both girls smiled and then began walking through the hallways.

They were both using the Relics that Director Bernice had given them earlier.

It was difficult to spot them unless someone looked directly at them, and even then, only by staring closely would a person notice the use of a Relic.

Zoey, who excelled more at espionage, did not have much difficulty gathering information.

’It looks like the Auction has just started. I have the location, but I don’t think it’s safe to go there.’

In fact, they were aware of the eight guards stationed inside the dome.

For now, they had managed to stay away from some of them, but it would only be a matter of time before they were discovered.

’There’s no need. From what we know, it seems the party will take place before the third part of the Auction. For now, we need to avoid the guards and try to infiltrate the Auction right when they present the final items.’

’Alright, then where are we going?’

Alessia mentally reviewed the areas they had already entered and considered safe for approximately two hours.

Her mind raced, and shortly afterward she thought of one specific area.

’If there’s one place where they wouldn’t be able to find us...’

But at that very moment, a voice made both girls freeze instantly.

"What are you doing here?"

It was the voice of an old man. It was harsh, cold, and icy. Both girls turned around and saw the elderly man.

He was dressed elegantly. At first glance, he looked like a butler, but his strength was that of a Class 7.

’This is bad. We can take him on, but it carries the risk of causing too much chaos.’

’What do we do now, Alessia?’

Alessia’s mind worked at full speed, searching for a way to resolve their troublesome situation.

But then...

"Why aren’t you working? It looks like you’re just wandering around without doing absolutely anything. Come on, if you don’t do your jobs, I’ll kill you personally."

Zoey and Alessia looked at each other and then turned back to the old man.

"Understood, sir."

"We’ll get back to work right away."

"Good. I hope you do what you’re supposed to do. Today is an important day for the Auction."

The old man walked past them and disappeared around a corner.

Zoey and Alessia let out a long sigh.

’That was close, we should be more careful.’

’But it’s strange, I didn’t sense him at all, and I’m good at espionage.’

Zoey, in disbelief, couldn’t understand how that old man had managed to appear behind them.

Espionage was her specialty, so naturally, sensing someone approaching from behind should not have been impossible.

But the old man had appeared out of nowhere, scolded them, and then left.

Moreover, it seemed as if he hadn’t noticed the use of a Relic, even though the two of them had been standing very close together.

Which was extremely strange.

’Yes, there’s definitely something strange about that old man. Zoey, we’d better move now before someone similar shows up.’

’I think the same. Let’s go, then.’

Shortly afterward, the two girls moved quickly.

Unaware that a pair of eyes was watching them.

***

The old man who had scolded Zoey and Alessia looked at an empty hallway.

Just a few seconds earlier, two women had been there.

’Intruders, they managed to get in without anyone noticing.’

The old man thought as he frowned.

Of course, it was difficult to notice anything unusual about either girl, and at first, the old man thought they were employees of the dome.

But after taking a closer look at the two women, he realized they were disguised.

Both of them were hiding their true appearance using some kind of Relic.

’The question is, how did they manage to avoid the puppets outside and inside?’

He wondered if they were spies sent by some important Awakened individual.

But he shook his head; that didn’t seem to be the case.

If they were, the old man would have noticed certain peculiarities.

In any case, they were infiltrators, and he had to get rid of them.

"Tell those useless fools that there are two infiltrators in the dome. Have them captured and locked up. They’ll be interrogated later."

"Yes, sir."

A voice reached his mind from somewhere in the distance. Shortly afterward, the old man began to walk.

He felt somewhat tired, but today was an important day.

Besides, he still had to make some arrangements for the party that would be held later.

There was no time to waste.

’I need a vacation.’

The old man thought as his eyelids grew heavy.