episode_0082

The long-awaited auction day.

Although the raid had been foreshadowed, the auction itself went ahead as scheduled.

The only difference was that the security was strengthened to an excessive degree, and armed troops were stationed inside and outside the auction house.

However, from the perspective of those participating, these changes were nothing more than a slight inconvenience in movement and were not something to be greatly concerned about. In fact, most people who had not heard of the raid directly did not even realize that it was true and just thought that the security was tight.

On the other hand, unlike those people, Zeros’ face was filled with an emotion of concern that he could not hide even at this moment.

“What are you doing, Zero, come quickly.”

“Ah, yes. I understand, Katlena.”

Zeros once again comes close to Katlena’s side at her call.

However, unlike Katlena, who had a relaxed expression on her face, Zeros was feeling quite anxious about the current situation.

‘Really… isn’t Katlena being too careless? According to Senel, there might be an attack any minute now…’

A warning I heard in advance from Senel last night.

The point was to be cautious as there might be people raiding the auction to get the items.

There is even talk of some being stronger than Senel among them, so the level of danger goes without saying.

However, despite this, the will of Katlena and her friends was firm.

Their intention is to participate in the auction directly and obtain the items they want.

Zeros tried to stop Katlena in any way he could, but Katlena was firm, and Senel, while also worried, eventually allowed them to participate in the auction.

But, under the condition that no matter what happens, you never leave her side in the auction house.

As a result, the group ended up participating in the auction with some risk, but the atmosphere in the actual auction house was not as serious as they had thought.

Although there were guards stationed strictly everywhere, most people paid no attention to it and were simply exchanging information about the auction items among themselves.

“That’s unexpected.. Honestly, I thought it would be a lot more tense than this.”

“Even though it looks like this, they’re moving all the way to the top and preparing for an attack. In fact, there are still quite a few skilled people stationed here, and among them, there are quite a few that even Senel can’t take lightly.”

In addition, among the nobles, there were those who had mobilized continental powerhouses for show or because of contracts, and most of them were currently standing guard outside the auction house.

Objectively speaking, attempting to raid the auction house in this situation is literally no different from poking a hornet’s nest.

Yes, there was reason to feel somewhat reassured, but for some reason Zeros still felt uneasy.

‘Am I being too sensitive?… I don’t think there’s a big problem with this level of security… But maybe it’s because he brought this out of the ordinary.’

While thinking that, Zero unconsciously fiddled with the sword on his waist.

Unlike the wooden swords he had used up until now, this time he was wielding an iron sword that could kill as a real bodyguard.

A sword that feels heavy yet cold.

Holding it tightly, Zeros tried to calm his anxious mind and moved inside the auction house with Katlena and her party.

Their seats are VIP seats that Senel didn’t know how to obtain.

It was a great location, one seat higher than the other seats, with a view overlooking the inside of the auction house from below.

It was then that they were about to sit down with some excitement.

“!…”

“Hehehe.. We meet again. Like I said before.”

A woman who greets them lightly while looking at them.

At the sight of Princess Maeb, Katlena and Zeros automatically frowned slightly, but unlike them, Senel spoke to her with a bright smile on his face.

“Hello, Princess. It’s the first time I’ve seen you since the holidays. Have you been in good health?”

“Nothing happened. You look healthy as always. Elios’ younger brother.”

To be honest, they had known about each other’s existence for a long time, but since this was their first time meeting in person, the two greeted each other politely.

Then the princess asked Senel with some doubt.

“But… how did you end up here? As you know, this is the highest seat for VIPs… Did you also contribute money to this auction like me?”

“No, that’s not it. I was lucky enough to get this position because I have an acquaintance who is in the auction business.”

“I see.. It’s not as interesting a reason as I thought.”

“Hehehe, I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

Two people talking with a secret antipathy towards each other.

Although it wasn’t a situation where they could directly clash, Katlena sat down with her friends, leaving them behind to tell them that they were definitely not on the same side. Senel also took a quick look before sitting down.

As a result, Senel ended up being held right next to the princess due to the number of seats.

At this fact, the princess felt a bit of regret, thinking that it would have been a little more fun if Zeros had sat next to her, and she spoke to Senel with a bit of a grumble.

“But… Is it okay if you don’t go out? I heard that someone is planning to raid the auction house, so I think someone with your skills would be a great help to the force?”

“Haha.. You are too kind, Princess. Even though I am the Sentinel Leader in the Academy, I am still a young girl. Getting involved in adults’ business will only end up holding me back. It’s obvious that I won’t be of much help.”

“… I see. If that’s what you think, then so be it.”

Although she answered like that, honestly, the princess knew very well that she was selling medicine.

To be blunt, Senel’s current skill level was definitely not that of an ordinary girl in her mid-teens.

If we consider her as a witch, her current pure fighting power is at the level of a high-level witch.

Even she was still young and immature in terms of experience, so it was only to that extent. If just a few more years passed from here, it was obvious that she would grow into an unbelievable monster.

Just looking at the circle of magical power she can lightly stretch out for several kilometers right now, you can see just how transcendent her talent is.

Nevertheless, Maev slowly began to speculate, with some trepidation, as to why she was attending this place instead of leaving the auction house.

One is… similar to myself, simply wanting to participate in the auction directly.

Honestly, Maev thought that this was probably the most likely reason.

The other one is, I’m just really lazy or not really confident in my skills.

This was probably the reason that seemed the least likely.

And, the last one…

‘To prepare for an emergency?’

The moment he thought about it that way, Maev began to feel the tension tightening even more without him knowing it.

And, as she expected, at this very moment,

Senel, unfortunately, was still convinced that his choice was not wrong.

The reason is…

“Cunning guys..”

Senel immediately took back the magic circle she had spread out with those words. At the same time, she turned her gaze towards the people who had just come up onto the stage, as if to announce the start of the auction.

A woman dressed in black mourning attire, and a silver-haired woman dressed in a maid’s outfit accompanying her.

They began to smile brightly as they looked at the people in front of them.

and..

“!”

Until just a few seconds ago, there was no sign of any special power coming from them.

But at this moment, Senel could recognize.

A beast that no longer needs to hide its power.

That means that at this very moment, it is starting to pull out its previously hidden teeth again.

As soon as he realized that fact, a word came out of Senel’s mouth naturally.

“..Fuck.”