Chapter 188: A Small Goal (3)
Translator: miraclerifle
Editor: Borderline Masochist
Shouldn’t he move now since he was so happy?
This VIP Auction that took place in February in order to welcome the new year lasted three days and stealthily took place on the top floor of the Golden Tree Casino.
However, it was difficult to call it a, ‘secret auction,’ because the dates and participants were all easily discovered. Of course, everybody wears masks inside, however, it was still possible to figure out their identities based on Vegas City’s guest log.
The reason this was still called a secret auction even though this was the case was because nobody had any idea about what they would auction off until the auction started.nove(l)bi(n.)com
The Golden Tree administrators never discussed the items that were to be auctioned off. It was because they had taken a Vow of Death in front of a priest of the God of Death to keep their mouths shut.
‘But there are bound to be rumors.’
If a rare item is discovered in the western continent prior to the secret auction and people are unable to determine who is in possession of the item, the first thing they think about is the secret auction.
Thanks to that, all sorts of rumors spread to the VIPs, as well as the regular citizens.
That was the reason Cale had sent some information to the Singten guild leader and the Caro Kingdom’s Sun God bishop.
“Hilsman.”
Flick, flick.
Hilsman immediately walked up after seeing Cale motioning for him.
‘30 billion counds? Thirty, thir......!’
Although he was moving quickly, the only thing on Hilsman’s mind was the number that Cale had just called out.
‘Do I need to report this to the Count-nim?’
Hilsman was debating whether he needed to tell Count Deruth Henituse about this because of the large amount of money involved. He had not expected it to be for a sum of money that would be considered large, even for the wealthy territory.
Cale whispered in his ear at that moment.
“Hilsman.”
“Yes, yes sir?”
His response made it clear that he was thinking about something else. However, Cale was not the type of liege to make a fuss about such a thing.
Of course, they had not completed a proper knighting ceremony, so Cale was just the liege in Hilsman’s mind.
“Do not tell my father about this. I am preparing this as an emergency fund.”
‘Emergency fund? Isn’t this too large of an amount to save as an emergency fund?’
Hilsman could not believe it.
“Don’t you already have an idea about what is going to happen later this year?”
“Ah.”
Hilsman let out a small gasp.
The upcoming year.
Although he couldn’t know about everything Cale did, he had caught onto a few things while following behind him. The things that he could gather the most information about were related to the Empire and the Northern Alliance.
And those, ‘Arm,’ bastards as well.
Hilsman finally realized what the emergency fund was for. At the same time, he felt as if he could understand what Cale was thinking about.
‘He is saving up money in case the Henituse territory or the kingdom ends up in dire straits during the war!’
He now understood why Cale needed such a large sum of money.
It was money for the Henituse territory and the Roan Kingdom.
A small amount would not suffice for such an issue.
Hilsman felt as if Cale truly deserved the title of young master Silver Light. Furthermore, this type of experience was something he would never have gotten if he had chosen the path to becoming a Captain.
‘I made the right decision.’
He was satisfied with his decision to follow Cale and to become stronger.
“Yes, young master-nim. I will not report it back.”
On shook her head at Hilsman’s energetic response.
On peeked toward Cale, who seemed to take Hilsman’s response as the obvious response.
While Hilsman was feeling touched that Cale trusted him enough to expect such a response from him, Cale was preparing this emergency fund for a different reason that On believed to be true.
‘I need to make a ton of money before the war in order to live in peace later.’
He was planning on erasing the word, ‘work,’ out of his life and replacing it with the word, ‘slacker,’ once the war was over. He needed to make money now in order to make that become a reality.
Cale had made up his mind to make that future become true.
On the other hand, Billos had a weird feeling while listening to Hilsman and Cale’s conversation.
‘...The young master was not gathering money because he just likes to gather money?’
The two people’s conversation seemed to be talking about a future that was bigger than what Billos was thinking about.
‘I know about the Empire, but is there something else as well?’
His intuition as a merchant was telling him that an opportunity or a disaster would soon strike.
Billos then made eye contact with Cale and flinched after seeing Cale staring at him.
“Billos, why do you think I went to the North? Look for the answer. Then you will find the money.”
Billos felt a light bulb going off in his head after hearing Cale’s hint. It was only giving off a faint light, but it was enough for him to realize how he should proceed.
“Young master-nim, please continue to look for me if you need anything.”
The obviously flattering smile on Billos’s face signified his decision. However, Cale just brushed it aside and looked down at On and Hong.
The two baby kittens who had grown significantly in the last two years to become young kittens smiled and showed their fangs in order to show that they knew what they needed to do.
‘I need to first capture the crazy bastard who sent the invitation and take the Determination of Fire from them if they really do have it.’
He could not leave such a weakness out in the open.
Tap. Tap.
Tang.
Tap-
“...Hmm?’
He heard an unexpected noise.
Tang.
He turned his head and looked toward the window that was half covered by curtains.
Plavin finally noticed the weird situation.
“...Fog?”
The Caro Kingdom had a naturally dry climate, and it was not raining.
The thick fog caught Plavin’s attention.
His palms were starting to get sweaty.
The fog was red.
That was not a normal fog.
Screeech.
The room door opened.
“Guild leader-nim.”
It was the Vice Guild Leader of the assassin guild.
“Go check it out.”
The assassin immediately headed toward the window at Plavin’s command. Swordsmen quickly surrounded Plavin, who held an antidote in his hand and took out a magic item imbued with shield magic.
It was at that moment.
Tang.
He heard the sound of something banging on the window once more.
The swordsmen clenched their swords while the assassin held a dagger in one hand and quickly opened the curtains.
Chhhhhh-
The curtain was opened...
And there was nothing there.
“Mm.”
Plavin let out a groan.
However, the assassin found an item on the empty terrace.
It was not what had been causing the noise from banging against the window. He could not tell what had been banging against the window.
All he saw was a small invitation.
That invitation was quickly delivered to Plavin, who opened it only to find a short message.
< R-3 >
It was a seat number for the VIP auction.
Plavin glared at the assassin and his guard with anger.
“Just what the hell were you guys doing?”
The guards and assassin had done nothing while the fog had spread and someone had infiltrated the house to leave this invitation behind.
However, Plavin, who was about to get angry, could not help but become shocked at the high-grade expert’s response.
“I apologize, guild leader-nim. I ran over as soon as I saw the fog, but I did not notice any presences. I was patrolling just as we discussed.”
They had discussed how to guard the guild leader prior to leaving for the Caro Kingdom. Plavin had verified it earlier as well.
That was why he had thought that they would have been slacking off and was about to get angry.
However, the truth was different.
The assassin quietly responded as well.
“Guild leader-nim ... I did not feel any presences at all until now. All I saw and heard was the fog and that, ‘tang,’ noise.”
Plavin finally realized the situation.
It was an expert that the Vice Guild Leader and a high-grade expert could not notice at all.
That expert had left this invitation behind for him.
Gulp.
Plavin could not help but gulp.
He had goosebumps all over his body as he continued to glare at the seat number listed on the invitation.
He now had another reason to go to this seat on the first day of the VIP auction. That reason was fear.
“Young master-nim, I am back.”
The masked Ron reported with his voice still disguised. Cale turned his gaze away from the residence.
“Let’s go.”
The residence was quiet once the red fog disappeared.
Cale hoped that the Singten Guild Leader would understand his situation while sitting in that silence.
The next morning, Cale headed toward the Golden Tree with a newly purchased magic bag.
This was naturally an empty magic bag to be filled with 30 billion counds.