Chapter 219
Chapter 219
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 219
>Chapter Title: The Only Flaw
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
After the candid talk with Timur concluded, Aster and Evelyn stepped out of the Second Black-White Slums.
Aster was checking on the horses they had tied up when Evelyn's voice reached him.
"You're not upset about it, are you?"
"About what?"
"The auction. I pushed it forward without even consulting you. So I was a little worried..."
"Oh, that."
Aster let out a small chuckle at the sight of Evelyn peeking at him in a way that didn't suit her.
The reason she was acting this way? It was because of the proposal she'd made to Timur.
- We're holding an auction. The main items will be relics, but could you give us some pens and paper? I'll sketch out rough designs for you.
Originally, the auction hadn't been part of the plan.
It was news to Aster right there on the spot.
In a way, Evelyn had bulldozed it through on her own, but he shook his head as if it was no big deal.
"As long as it sells well, right?"
"Exactly! That's what I thought. But man, I was surprised. Where'd you learn to fight like that with a sword? No, wait—have you always been that good? You were impressive taking down the second son of the Doranpega Family back then, but..."
Had she finally opened the floodgates?
Evelyn poured out all the questions she'd bottled up since their trip to the Black-White Slums like a waterfall.
Aster gave her suitable responses while, in his mind, replaying the meeting with Timur.
There was something off about it, somehow.
First off.
'The hideout fell way too easily.'
Even if it was the Black-White Slums, the cartel that ruled the black market wasn't some pushover force.
He'd even been prepared to secretly use magic if things got dicey, but in reality? He hadn't needed to draw his sword, let alone cast a spell.
'Well, okay, maybe that's fine.'
The cartel's main forces weren't always stationed at the hideout.
Given the black market's nature of buzzing at night, their daytime defenses were bound to be lax.
But.
'Timur, was it? Too compliant.'
Sure, the situation was unavoidable, but Timur's attitude while discussing the auction with Evelyn wasn't that of someone grudgingly going along.
Even if it smelled like a money-making opportunity, was he really going to be that cooperative?
"There has to be something going on..."
"Pardon? Something what?"
"Nah, nothing."
Aster pushed the nagging unease aside.
It wasn't something pondering would solve, and if Timur decided to stab them in the back, they could deal with it then.
As he sorted his thoughts, something else caught his attention.
"Evelyn, but can you really pull it off?"
"Pull what off?"
"The auction. The idea's solid—lure in the nobles and sell at a premium."
"To be precise, gather the big shots and pit them against each other in a bidding war. Stoke their pride."
"Either way, easier said than done..."
That was what he meant by "can you really pull it off?"
The big shots weren't idiots; would they fall for the obvious ploys of a Black-White Slums auction house?
"I'm no expert on this stuff, but it doesn't seem that straightforward."
"It's not. The heavyweights who collect relics are picky about prestige, so drawing them to a black market in the Black-White Slums is problem one. And even if you do, no guarantee they'll bite."
In short, not easy.
But even as she said it, Evelyn's expression wasn't gloomy. If anything, she brimmed with confidence.
A smile crept onto her lips.
"But who do you think I am?"
"Who? Some broke..."
"Tch, it's me, Evelyn."
She cut him off with mock sternness, then reverted to her smug grin, curling her lips to the max.
"Just watch. I'll show you how this auction goes down. Anyway, let's get moving. We've got work to do."
With that, Evelyn hopped onto her horse.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go."
Aster eyed the prodding Evelyn and quirked one corner of his mouth.
"...Yeah, sure."
It was good she was perking up again.
But this level of pep wasn't exactly what he'd hoped for.
* * *
From that day on.
I had my own busy schedule, and Evelyn had hers.
For the record, the moment the opportunity grew, Evelyn ditched managing her academy grades. Her reasoning?
"You can study anytime, but money has its seasons."
Is that how it works? No clue.
Past life or this one, I'd always kept my distance from studying... wait, no.
Come to think of it, I was pretty well-read.
To develop techniques like mana affinity, collision formulas, interference formulas, burst annihilation, and more, I'd done tons of research.
And in this life, I was studying Hazen's magic tomes, senior Teheman's lessons, and core splitting.
'Is this what they call being versed in both letters and magic?'
Yeah, the 'magic' here is from "magic," not "demon."
Anyway, Evelyn was zipping around on weekdays too, getting outing permits—a courtesy from the academy.
Reason: Livelihood.
Who wouldn't bend the rules for that?
'But seriously, what the hell is she doing out there?'
Every time she left the academy, she claimed "security expenses" and took a wad of cash. It was adding up to a hefty sum.
Still, she didn't seem to be blowing it frivolously, so I was watching for now.
That's how we spent our days shuttling between the academy on weekdays and the Second Black-White Slums on weekends—until one day.
Another weekend rolled around.
As usual, we were about to leave Hazen when Evelyn opened her mouth with a triumphant grin.
"It's all set, Aster."
"...?"
Set what?
"No need to borrow horses. Today, we're not heading to the Black-White Slums. I've got somewhere else for us to go."
"Where?"
"Don't you need to check on the progress as investor and client? Hurry up and follow me."
I followed Evelyn's lead.
She took me to a bustling district in Hazen.
Not just any bustling spot—a seriously upscale one.
If I had to describe the street's first impression... yeah, the total opposite of the Black-White Slums alleys?
You know those places lined with buildings so luxurious you feel out of place just window-shopping?
"The vibe here's kinda uncomfortable."
"...Why?"
"Just not used to it."
Evelyn tilted her head at my reaction, then shrugged it off and kept walking.
I trailed behind, gawking at the road.
'Huh, tons of rich folk around.'
How long did we walk?
The spot Evelyn led me to was one of the ritziest buildings among the ritzy.
The Halo
"It's a social club called The Halo—the mecca for Hazen's noble ladies. This way, for now."
Evelyn bypassed the grand front entrance and slipped into an alley.
There was a small side door in the dingy alley—likely staff entrance.
And sure enough, a staff-looking guy stood in front.
"Here."
"Yes, lady."
The staffer took a gold coin from Evelyn, bowed politely, and ushered us through the side door.
As we followed him into The Halo, I finally figured out where her "security expenses" had gone.
"Hey, Pedan! Isn't your cousin coming around too often?!"
"Haha, Chef. My little cousin dreams of being a chef like you. Cut her some slack."
"Tch, fine. Then at least have her peel potatoes next time!"
The staffer played the cool cousin act with Evelyn like a pro.
'...Not actually her cousin, obviously.'
He'd been bought off.
"Haha. She won't come after today, promise. Bear with it just this once."
"Fine, fine. Since she came all the way, show her around properly, corner to corner."
"Thanks, Chef."
The staffer flashed a bright smile at the grumbling chef and exited the kitchen.
I followed, giving Evelyn a good once-over. Her voice whispered in my ear right then.
[Don't get the wrong idea. This is just one spot—I've greased palms at a few others. Not skimming the security funds, promise.]
...Who said anything?
I was just impressed. That's all.
I'm not so distrustful of peop—
'Wait. They say thieves protest innocence loudest... is she?'
As my eyes narrowed, Evelyn cleared her throat with a 'ahem' and hurried ahead. That little seed of doubt in my heart sprouted wildly on the spot.
For the record, that seed's name was 'suspicion.'
How far did we go through the staff passages?
Designed to avoid guests, the narrow, maze-like corridors contrasted the building's flashy exterior. The staffer stopped.
"Here we are. Go on in."
It was a break room.
"Thanks. Come back in an hour."
"Yes, lady."
He closed the door familiarly and left. Evelyn spoke up right away.
"Behind this wall, Lady Marlin's hosting a tea party."
"Marlin?"
"Yeah, a famous relic collector in Hazen. Nouveau riche who struck it big overnight. She collects relics less for the eye and more to mask her inferiority complex."
"So?"
I tilted my head.
Marlin this, Marlin that—didn't sound impressive.
Collecting relics to hide insecurities? Such a person wouldn't wield much influence.
Evelyn chuckled at me.
"To spread rumors, you target folks like her. Anyway, hold on..."
She pressed her ear to the wall and perked up. Not literally perking, just felt that way.
After a bit.
She beckoned me over.
"Perfect timing—they're talking about it. Come listen."
"...?"
I could've amplified my hearing anytime, but I played along.
Ear to the wall, noble ladies' voices filtered through faintly.
And I couldn't help but be shocked.
For good reason.
'You hear? A ton of relics just flooded into the Second Black-White Slums black market...'
'Oh, I did. But what great relics could they be? Stuff that ends up there has to be hot goods at best.'
'Don't be silly. Word is, they're not stolen—legends from the Grand Elemental era?'
Second Black-White Slums from the ladies' mouths. Relics. And finally...
'They're holding an auction.'
Rumors of an auction whose date wasn't even set.
'But even precious relics in the Black-White Slums feel iffy...'
'Heard Countess Karutz is gearing up big time. No competition in the Slums? She thinks they're all hers...'
'Really? Countess Karutz? Hmm...'
I eavesdropped on their chatter and glanced at Evelyn.
"How the...?"
"What did I tell you? There's always a way. Impressed? Praise away—though it's all par for the course."
I stared at the beaming Evelyn.
Impressed?
'Felt like the old days.'
Maybe she needed a second redemption arc.
But setting aside those petty feelings, I had to admit one thing.
Evelyn was an incredibly capable slave... no, friend.
The only flaw was her personality.