Chapter 219

Chapter 219 – The Only Flaw

Once their honest conversation with Timur came to an end, Aster and Evelyn made their departure from the Second Black-White Slums.

Aster was inspecting the steeds they had secured earlier when Evelyn called out to him.

“You aren’t angry with me, right?”

“Regarding what?”

“The bidding event. I forced the idea ahead without talking to you beforehand. That’s why I felt a bit anxious…”

“Ah, that matter.”

Aster offered a soft laugh upon noticing how Evelyn was stealing glances at him, a timid gesture quite unlike her usual self.

Why was she behaving so nervously? The root of it lay in the suggestion she had presented to Timur.

• We will host a public sale. The primary merchandise will consist of relics, but if you provide writing materials, I will draw some preliminary concepts for you.

Initially, arranging an auction had never been in their strategy.

It had taken Aster completely by surprise during the discussion.

Strictly speaking, Evelyn had unilaterally forced the decision, yet he simply dismissed it with a wave of his hand.

“Provided it brings in a good profit, there’s no issue, right?”

“Precisely! That was my reasoning. Still, I was truly astonished. Wherever did you master such swordsmanship? Actually, have you always possessed that level of skill? You were certainly formidable when you defeated the second son of the Doranpega Family back then, but this time…”

It seemed she had finally let her guard down.

Evelyn unleashed a torrent of inquiries she had kept suppressed ever since their excursion into the Black-White Slums.

Aster gave brief, fitting replies while internally reviewing his encounter with Timur.

Something about the entire situation felt unnatural.

To begin with.

‘The secret base was captured far too effortlessly.’

Despite being located in the Black-White Slums, the syndicate managing the underground trade was hardly a weak organization.

He had even prepared himself to employ covert sorcery if the circumstances turned perilous, yet when it came down to it, he didn’t even have to unsheath his blade, much less invoke an incantation.

‘Though perhaps that part makes sense.’

The syndicate’s primary operatives weren’t constantly gathered at their headquarters.

Since the underground market thrived under the cover of darkness, it stood to reason that their security during the day would be minimal.

However.

‘That man, Timur. He was far too accommodating.’

Granted, he had few alternatives, but Timur’s demeanor when organizing the bidding with Evelyn did not resemble someone acting under duress.

Even if the prospect of wealth was highly alluring, would a figure like him truly offer such seamless cooperation?

“There must be an underlying motive…”

“Excuse me? What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing.”

Aster brushed away the persistent feeling of doubt.

Overthinking wouldn’t provide answers anyway, and should Timur attempt a betrayal later on, they could handle the consequences at that moment.

While he organized his impressions, another matter drew his focus.

“Evelyn, do you truly have the capacity to orchestrate this?”

“Orchestrate what?”

“The public bidding. The concept is sound—attract the aristocracy and command exorbitant prices.”

“If we are being exact, the goal is to assemble the elite and provoke a competitive frenzy among them. We play on their vanity.”

“Regardless, accomplishing that is far simpler in theory than in practice…”

Such was the skepticism behind his query.

The high-ranking figures were no fools; would they genuinely succumb to a blatant scheme orchestrated within an auction venue located inside the Black-White Slums?

“I am unfamiliar with mercantile affairs, but this seems rather complicated.”

“It certainly is. The prominent figures who amass relics value their social standing immensely, meaning enticing them to an illicit market within the Black-White Slums is our primary obstacle. Furthermore, even if they arrive, there is no promise they will participate.”

To put it plainly, it was a daunting task.

Yet, despite acknowledging the difficulty, Evelyn did not appear discouraged. Rather, she radiated sheer self-assurance.

A confident grin played across her face.

“Whom do you take me for?”

“Whom? A penniless…”

“Hey, it is none other than Evelyn.”

Interrupting his teasing with a playful scowl, she quickly returned to her proud smirk, her mouth curving into a confident line.

“Keep your eyes open. I will demonstrate exactly how an event like this is executed. At any rate, we should set out. There are tasks requiring our attention.”

Having spoken, Evelyn mounted her horse.

“Why are you lingering? Move along.”

Aster observed the impatient young woman and smirked faintly.

“…Very well.”

It was positive to see her spirit return.

Yet, this sudden burst of excessive enthusiasm was not quite what he had anticipated.

Following that encounter.

My days became fully occupied with my own tasks, just as Evelyn was thoroughly engrossed in hers.

As a matter of fact, as soon as the potential for profit expanded, Evelyn completely neglected her academic performance. Her justification was simple:

“Academic learning can happen at any moment, but financial opportunities are fleeting.”

Whether that logic held true was beyond my knowledge.

Whether in my previous existence or my current one, I had generally avoided academic pursuits… actually, that wasn’t entirely true.

Reflecting upon it, I possessed a significant amount of knowledge.

In order to create methods such as mana affinity, collision formulas, interference formulas, and burst annihilation, I had conducted extensive investigations.

Furthermore, during this current lifetime, I spent my time analyzing Hazen’s magic tomes, reviewing the instructions of my senior Teheman, and working on core splitting.

‘Could this be considered an ideal balance of scholarly intellect and sorcery?’

To clarify, the sorcery involved here pertained to “magic,” not “demons.”

Regardless, Evelyn was constantly on the move during weekdays as well, acquiring special leave passes—a privilege granted by the institution.

The justification provided was securing a livelihood.

Naturally, anyone would show leniency under such circumstances.

‘Even so, what exactly is she occupying herself with outside?’

With each departure from the academy grounds, she requested funds under the guise of “security expenses” and walked off with a substantial amount of currency. The total was growing quite large.

Nevertheless, she did not appear to be squandering the wealth recklessly, so I decided to observe quietly for the time being.

In this manner, our time passed as we alternated between the institution during the week and the Second Black-White Slums over the weekends—until a particular afternoon arrived.

The weekend had come once more.

Just as before, we were preparing to depart from Hazen when Evelyn turned to me with an ecstatic smile.

“Everything is fully prepared, Aster.”

“…?”

What was prepared?

“There is no requirement to secure steeds. We are not traveling to the Black-White Slums today. I have a different destination in mind for us.”

“To what location?”

“As both the financial backer and the patron, should you not review the advancements made? Move quickly and accompany me.”

I permitted Evelyn to guide the way.

She escorted me into an incredibly vibrant area within Hazen.

It was not merely a busy sector, but a remarkably affluent district.

If I were to convey the initial feeling of this avenue… it was completely antithetical to the narrow lanes of the Black-White Slums.

It resembled those neighborhoods where the structures are so opulent that merely looking at the storefronts makes one feel entirely unwelcome.

“The atmosphere here feels rather unsettling.”

“…For what reason?”

“It is simply unfamiliar to me.”

Evelyn looked puzzled by my comment, but she quickly dismissed it and continued forward.

I walked in her footsteps, staring at our surroundings.

‘My word, there is an abundance of wealthy individuals here.’

After walking for a considerable duration, the destination Evelyn brought me to proved to be among the most extravagant establishments in the entire area.

The Halo

“This is an exclusive gathering place known as The Halo—the central hub for high-society women in Hazen. Come along this way first.”

Evelyn avoided the main entry gates and crept into an adjacent passageway.

Within that shadowed lane lay a minor side entryway, which seemed intended for the employees.

Predictably, a man who appeared to be an employee was stationed outside.

“Take this.”

“Understood, my lady.”

The employee accepted a piece of gold from Evelyn, offered a respectful bow, and guided us across the threshold.

As we proceeded deeper into The Halo behind him, the mystery of where her allocated “security expenses” were going was instantly solved.

“Listen, Pedan! Doesn’t your relative visit this establishment far too frequently?!”

“Ha, Chef. My young cousin wishes to emulate your culinary skills. Please show her some indulgence.”

“Hmph, very well. But she had better assist with skinning potatoes on her next visit!”

The employee executed the role of an affectionate relative flawlessly alongside Evelyn.

‘…Naturally, there was no actual relation between them.’

He had simply been bribed.

“Haha. This marks her final visit, I assure you. Please overlook it on this occasion.”

“Alright, alright. Given that she has traveled here, ensure she sees the entire facility thoroughly.”

“Much obliged, Chef.”

The worker offered a joyful grin to the complaining cook before stepping out of the culinary area.

I kept pace behind them, observing Evelyn with scrutiny. Just then, her soft voice reached my ears.

[Do not misunderstand the situation. This is merely a single venue—I have provided incentives at several other locations. I am absolutely not misappropriating the security budget, I swear.]

…Did I accuse her of anything?

I was merely full of admiration. Nothing more.

I am not inherently cynical about others—

‘Hold on. It is often noted that those with guilty consciences are the quickest to defend themselves… could it be?’

As I squinted in skepticism, Evelyn cleared her throat uncomfortably and quickened her pace. Instantly, a tiny particle of uncertainty took deep root within my mind.

To be precise, that particle was named ‘suspicion.’

We navigated through the internal corridors for some time.

Intended to keep the workforce separated from the elite clientele, the cramped and twisting hallways stood in stark contrast to the luxurious presentation of the public areas. Eventually, our guide halted.

“We have arrived. Step inside.”

It turned out to be a staff lounge.

“I appreciate it. Return in one hour.”

“As you wish, lady.”

Shutting the door with practiced ease, he departed. Evelyn immediately broke the silence.

“On the other side of this partition, Lady Marlin is presiding over a social gathering.”

“Marlin?”

“Yes, a well-known connoisseur of artifacts within Hazen. A member of the newly wealthy class who acquired fortune suddenly. Her passion for acquiring artifacts stems less from true appreciation and more from a desire to conceal her deep-seated insecurities.”

“And what of it?”

I inclined my head curiously.

Hearing about Marlin failed to leave an impression on me.

Amassing historical artifacts merely to soothe a fragile ego? A person of that nature would hardly possess real authority.

Evelyn let out a soft laugh at my reaction.

“When it comes to disseminating gossip, individuals of her sort are the ideal targets. In any case, wait a moment…”

She leaned her ear against the structure, focusing intently. Though her physical features didn’t change, her posture radiated absolute concentration.

Moments later.

She gestured for me to approach.

“The timing is flawless—they are discussing the topic right now. Direct your attention here.”

“…?”

I possessed the ability to enhance my auditory senses whenever I wished, yet I chose to humor her.

With my ear pressed against the partition, the hushed tones of high-born women drifted through indistinctly.

And I found myself genuinely astonished.

There was a perfectly sound explanation for my surprise.

‘Have you been informed? A massive influx of artifacts has suddenly entered the underground trade within the Second Black-White Slums…’

‘Yes, I caught wind of that. Yet, what exceptional quality could those artifacts truly possess? Items circulating in such areas are likely stolen merchandise at best.’

‘Do not be ridiculous. The whispers suggest they are entirely legitimate—legendary pieces originating from the Grand Elemental epoch.’

The Second Black-White Slums mentioned directly by high-society matrons. Artifacts. And ultimately…

‘A grand sale is being organized.’

Gossip regarding a bidding event for which a schedule had not even been established.

‘Still, purchasing rare artifacts within the Black-White Slums sounds rather disreputable…’

‘I understand Countess Karutz is making extensive preparations. Believing there is no real rivalry in the Slums, she expects to claim them all for herself…’

‘Is that true? Countess Karutz? Fascinating…’

Listening intently to their conversation, I shifted my gaze toward Evelyn.

“How did you manage…?”

“Did I not assure you? Methods can always be found. Are you full of admiration? You may offer your compliments—though this is merely standard procedure for me.”

I scrutinized the glowing Evelyn.

Admiration?

‘It brought back memories of former times.’

Perhaps she was due for another journey towards salvation.

Yet, putting aside those cynical reflections, I was forced to acknowledge an undeniable truth.

Evelyn was an exceptionally efficient servant… rather, companion.

Her singular defect was her temperament.