A Midnight Rendezvous (1)
Step, step.
Hakun Durdamel walked silently down the dark corridor of the Brickwood Mansion.
The shadows cast by the wall-mounted candelabras made his muscular physique look even more imposing.
“...”
He paused.
A grimace distorted his face mid-stride as a horrific memory flashed through his mind.
Damn it...
Every visit to this mansion left a foul taste in his mouth.
It had been barely a month since he was tortured in the basement of this very building, so his revulsion was only natural.
“...”
Yet, what choice did he have?
To communicate with Midtemple, he had no option but to use the facilities hidden within the Brickwood Mansion.
Creeeak.
The iron door groaned open on its rusty hinges.
The air grew colder with every step he took down the stairs.
Before long, Hakun Durdamel reached a small, circular chamber.
Ancient runes carved along the walls emitted a faint blue glow, and a large crystal ball sat in the center of the room.
Hummmm.
As Hakun approached, the crystal ball began to hum in response.
The misty, cloudy interior gradually cleared, and a familiar voice resonated from within.
“...”
It was a calm yet commanding voice.
The voice of the 13th Sword Master, Gaon.
“I greet the Seeker who upholds the will of the Great Ones.”
Hakun Durdamel knelt and bowed his head deeply.
Though it was merely a communication through a crystal ball, the man on the other end was a Seeker, and it was only proper to show the utmost respect.
Brief pleasantries followed.
Gaon asked how things were going with his role as the Eastern Union Leader, and Hakun replied that he was doing well, thanks to him.
Once the brief small talk concluded, the main discussion began.
“The investigators and researchers dispatched from Midtemple have completed their examination of the Heavenly Dragon Bird. They have taken all the necessary minimum samples.”
This was information he had already reported via letter.
Under the blessing of Corpse Preservation, the remaining carcass of the Heavenly Dragon Bird was kept frozen, perfectly maintaining its original form.
It would remain pristine without any decay until the auction, which was scheduled in two weeks.
Gaon listened quietly to the report.
Then, he offered a brief reply in a dry, indifferent tone.
“...Thank you.”
Silence fell after those words.
After a moment of hesitation, Hakun Durdamel spoke up cautiously.
“Sir Gaon, if I may be so bold, could I ask you one question?”
“Why the Ruins Merchant Group, of all choices?”
The upcoming auction had been delegated to the Ruins Merchant Group. And the one who ordered this arrangement was none other than Gaon.
Hakun Durdamel had been plagued by doubts ever since he first received the command.
“Our Durdamel Merchant Group is more than capable of hosting this auction. We could do it legally, transparently, and guarantee the maximum possible profit.”
“On the other hand, the Ruins Merchant Group... while I do not doubt their capability, I question whether their methods, which rely heavily on the black market, are appropriate for this.”
Gaon answered immediately.
“...”
Hakun flinched. Gaon had hit the nail right on the head, leaving him unable to utter a single word of rebuttal.
Regardless, Gaon simply continued his explanation.
“Special, how...?”
“...”
Gaon continued.
Hakun Durdamel shut his mouth. In truth, Gaon's reasoning was flawless. It was a problem he had recognized himself.
The value of a Divine Beast's carcass is astronomical.
Since such an item had never once appeared on the auction block, its value could not be measured in mere numbers. Buyers would pay whatever price was demanded.
Among those drawn by its value would be dangerous entities who should never be allowed step foot in the free city of Vertas.
For instance, warlocks conducting illegal experiments, or cultists of evil gods like the Five Nightmares.
The dark city of Dawnguard.
A place where lawlessness was the norm and darkness ruled. A place where it was only natural for dangerous individuals to gather.
Gaon's judgment was that, in Dawnguard, they could at least keep the situation under control.
“...”
Even so, Hakun Durdamel still could not fully grasp Gaon's intentions.
Disposing of the item through an illegal auction was practically synonymous with handing the Divine Beast's carcass over to dangerous hands.
With the world already in such a precarious state, he was going to hand a Divine Beast over to villains?
Right then, as if reading Hakun's anxiety, Gaon continued.
“...”
Gaon fell silent after that. His voice carried a firm finality that brooked no further explanation.
Sensing this, Hakun Durdamel bowed his head. He had absolutely no intention of defying the Seeker's will.
“I shall follow your will, Seeker.”
Hummmm.
With that final response, the light of the crystal ball slowly began to fade.
The connection with Midtemple was severed.
Hakun Durdamel stood in place for a long while, staring at the darkened crystal ball.
...The Ruins Merchant Group.
He shook his head and let out a heavy sigh.
Entangling oneself with factions from the dark city was always a perilous venture. It was even more so when it involved the Ruins Merchant Group, the rulers of Dawnguard.
Yet, since Gaon had personally ordered it, Hakun had no choice but to comply.
If this is only a piece of a larger picture... just what kind of plan is Sir Gaon drawing up?
If nothing else, one thing was certain.
The auction of the Heavenly Dragon Bird's carcass would be a monumental event that would shake not just the dark city of Dawnguard, but the entire continent.
“Whew...”
The light of the crystal ball vanished completely, leaving the VIP room in dimness.
Leaning back in my chair, I let out a sigh and sank deep into thought.
Just before departing for the Corpse Exhibition, I had instructed Hakun Durdamel to delegate the auction to the Ruins Merchant Group.
The structure was simple: Durdamel retained all rights to the Heavenly Dragon Bird, while the Ruins Merchant Group merely handled the venue and the proceedings.
On the surface, it might look like a simple division of labor, but in reality, it was a move calculated with much deeper intent.
First, it maximizes the profit.
In Lost Elder, there are factions that operate strictly in the shadows.
Among them are those who recognize the value of the Heavenly Dragon Bird better than anyone else, yet cannot participate in a public bidding war.
But if the auction is held in the dark city of Dawnguard, the story changes. There, anyone can hide their identity behind a mask.
I had taken this into account when deciding to delegate the auction to the Ruins Merchant Group.
And second.
Actually, this was the most crucial reason...
...It is safer to stick to the original flow of the game as much as possible.
In the game, every scenario involving the auction of a Divine Beast's carcass took place in Dawnguard.
Of course, since this was the first time the auction was happening so early, I couldn't rule out the possibility of unexpected incidents... but keeping the location the same would minimize the variables.
Even if variables do arise, I must turn them into opportunities.
Even if the timing of the auction was pushed forward significantly, the level of interest surrounding the Divine Beast's carcass wouldn't change.
This meant the characters and factions from the original storyline were highly likely to show up this time as well. It was an opportunity to make contact with people I normally wouldn't meet until much later in the game.
The prime example of such a faction was the Ruins Investigation Team.
“...”
I slipped my hand into my coat pocket.
My fingers brushed against the cold metal of a key and the texture of an old map.
It was the gift the Blood Red Empress had handed me at the Wintersield Magic Academy—the Opener to the Rashutku Ruins.
To achieve what I wanted in those ruins, the assistance of the Ruins Investigation Team was absolutely essential.
...Normally, they are a faction you only encounter in the mid-to-late game.
But the probability of them showing up at this Heavenly Dragon Bird auction was extremely high. A Divine Beast's carcass was an invaluable resource for researching ancient civilizations.
If I could just establish contact with them now...
Not only could I accelerate the True Name Awakening of my Feather Sword in the Rashutku Ruins, but I might also succeed in hatching the Easter Egg.
“Whew.”
I let out a sigh and massaged my throbbing temples.
The auction of the Heavenly Dragon Bird, contacting the Ruins Investigation Team, exploring the Rashutku Ruins, and passing Jacques's trial.
There was a mountain of things I needed to take care of.
But if I had to pick the single most urgent problem right now...
Creak.
...It was dealing with the 'uninvited guest' standing right outside my door.
“Oh?”
As I opened the door to the VIP room, the man waiting outside spoke up as if he had been expecting me.
Long, silver-white hair cascaded over his shoulders. He had pointed ears and a bandage completely covering his eyes.
“You are finally out.”
“...”
It was Pean, the Blind Sword Master.
He looked at me... or rather, he smiled brightly in my direction.
The faint smile etched on his pale skin was as enigmatic as ever.
Pean took a step toward me.
There was not a shred of hesitation in his movement. He walked as if he could see perfectly.
“I debated whether to knock, but you seemed quite busy, so I waited quietly.”
“...”
“It seems you are preoccupied with preparing for the auction of the Heavenly Dragon Bird you recently slayed.”
So he was eavesdropping.
The various soundproofing spells and barriers erected around the VIP room were utterly useless against him.
After all, Pean had gained hyper-sensitive senses in exchange for sacrificing his sight.
I got straight to the point.
“What do you want?”
In truth, I already knew why he had come. I had known this situation would unfold long before I even arrived in Midtemple.
The gentle smile on Pean's face vanished in an instant. He began to 'stare' at me with a completely expressionless face.
Seeing a handsome young man who always smiled wear such a blank expression was strangely chilling.
“I should greet you properly first.”
Pean bowed politely.
Then, he continued speaking in a calm, deliberate voice.
“Thank you for eliminating Jacques von Heibrun. To think a pillar of Midtemple had joined hands with an evil god. If you hadn't stepped in, Sir Gaon, we would have suffered a great disaster—”
“I believe I told you to state your business.”
“...”
Pean paused, shutting his mouth as I cut him off.
After a brief silence, he let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
“Don't you think rules can be incredibly irrational? Sometimes to an absurd degree.”
“...”
“I am referring to the Laws of Heaven established by the Great Ones.”
He began to launch into a long-winded explanation.
“We Sword Masters are beings who have entered into direct contracts with the Great Ones. We act as their proxies, guardians who maintain the balance of the world.”
“...”
“Yet, within those contracts... there are occasionally contradictory clauses.”
Outdated rules created thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of years ago.
Anachronistic clauses established during an era of prosperity.
In this current age where the shadow of the apocalypse loomed, they had become shackles that dragged them down.
“There is absolutely no flexibility. It is no wonder the cultists of evil gods mockingly refer to the Great Ones as the 'Old Ones'.”
Pean smiled bitterly.
“For example, take this situation. Jacques von Heibrun clearly made a contract with an evil god. He became a corrupted monster and threatened the holy city. Eliminating such a being was only natural.”
“...”
“However, the Laws of Heaven do not take such circumstances into account. They only recognize the fact that 'the head of the Heibrun family has died'...”
“You are talking too much,” I interrupted.
“This is the third time. State your business.”
“...”
Pean sighed and raised his hand.
At that moment, the air began to vibrate.
A faint light seeped from the back of his hand, gradually revealing a distinct pattern.
A breeze blew. The cold night air swept down the corridor.
“Look at this.”
After a long silence, Pean spoke, letting out a hollow laugh as if the situation was utterly absurd.
“The Sword Master's Crest has activated.”
“...”
“According to the contract, it means I must kill you, Sir Gaon.”