NOVPUBRaegar followed behind the three gossiping girls as the Northern Owl Baldur joined him. The bird landed on his shoulder before hooting. He glanced at the creature, nodding. ''Yes, they do get along, it's better than some friend groups I've heard about.''
The creature didn't reply and started watching the surroundings as Dominique appeared beside him. ''We're five minutes away from the auction house, are you sure you want to buy a fairy? They're peculiar beings.''
''I do,'' he answered while dodging a passing family. ''I know it will cause trouble with the western noble, but what can they do? Complain to the headmistress?''
Dominique started laughing. ''Trouble always finds you. Just know, I have your back if it returns, and this time I'll be there if any more assassins appear,'' he said with a fierce smile.
Raegar's eyes widened at her sharp words, a jolt of surprise coursing through him. Yet, despite the gravity of the moment, a reluctant smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Baldur let out a hearty hoot of agreement.
The unexpected noise drew a soft giggle from the Vampire, her green eyes glinting with amusement. He thought for a second before responding. ''I doubt we'll see more of them anytime soon.''
While walking, he remembered killing the three men and shivered in excitement as he continued. ''After I took down that Tier Nine, they'll think twice before crossing my path again.''
Dominique tilted her head, her black hair catching the faint flicker of the morning sun, curiosity sparking in her gaze. ''Who's they exactly?'' she asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
Raegar's smile faded slightly, replaced by a weary sigh as he ran a hand through his short white hair, only to grimace as pain shot through his body and straight into his empty eye socket.
''Could be a few possibilities,'' he admitted. ''Most likely, it's either some vengeful noble family with too much gold and not enough sense, or… a cult.''
He paused, the word hanging heavy in the air. ''I'm leaning toward the latter. A while back, I ran into a group in Bloodfang Forest. At the time, I thought they were just bandits—ragged cloaks, skulking in the shadows, the usual sort. But when I got closer, I saw their robes, blood-red, marked with symbols I didn't recognize. Too late by then. I'd already cut them down.''
His gaze drifted to a passing smiling family, continuing. ''It wasn't until I saw those robes up close that I realized they weren't ordinary thugs. Cultists. And now, with that Tier Nine dead, I've likely stirred up a hornet's nest.''
Raegar glanced up, meeting her eyes, which now held a mix of fascination and concern. ''If they come for me, they'll come prepared. But I'll be ready.''
''You don't seem too worried,'' she observed. ''Killing a Tier Nine and crossing a cult? Most would be halfway across the continent by now.''
Raegar chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that carried a hint of defiance. ''Running's not my style. Besides, Baldur here's got my back.''
He gestured to the owl, who puffed out his feathers indignantly, as if insulted by the mere suggestion of doubt. Dominique's laughter rang out again, replying. ''Yes, it seems like you've gained that grumpy bird's respect.''
When Baldur heard this, he hooted in annoyance, causing Raegar to speak. ''He says he's not the grumpy one, but a happy-go-lucky summon.''
The two of them started laughing as Zahara turned around. ''Come on, guys. Stop messing around, we need to rush because I have a feeling the Carrier will be delayed thanks to the storm.''
After that, the group pressed onward, their footsteps echoing with purpose as they approached the auction house. As they neared, a bustling throng of people surged through the entrance, their fine garments and haughty demeanor marking them as nobles.
The air buzzed with excitement, punctuated by the clink of coins and the murmur of eager voices. Selene halted abruptly, her yellow, sharp eyes scanning the crowd, causing the others to look at her.
Moments later, she turned to him, her expression a mix of curiosity and caution. ''Look at them, Rae, all nobles, dripping in wealth and arrogance. Make sure you stay out of trouble,'' she said, her voice low but laced with a warning.
''Don't worry about them,'' he replied with a confident smirk. ''They shouldn't bother us once they see my white hair.''
The girls giggled at his answer before they stepped inside the auction house, only to be stopped by a young man. ''Morning, young master, mistresses. I'm John, what can I do for you now?''
''We are attending the main event,'' Dominique was the one to speak while taking out the D'Ambrose plaque. ''This allows us to have a private auction box.''
When John saw this, his eyes widened as he bowed his head. ''Apologies, my lady. I will get someone to guide you to Booth Twenty, it will give you the perfect view of the stage and all the products on sale.''
At that moment, the attendant's gaze fell upon Raegar's white hair, a rare and unmistakable feature. With a respectful bow, the attendant signaled for someone. Before he could react, a smartly dressed woman emerged from the crowd.
With a gesture, she beckoned the group to follow, leading them through the bustling auction house. As they navigated the corridors, they passed rows of noble families, their fancy attire glittering under the chandeliers.
Dozens of eyes turned toward them, some narrowed with suspicion, others wide with curiosity, their whispers trailing like a faint breeze. The nobles' stares lingered on Raegar's hair, their expressions a mix of intrigue and disdain.
Undeterred, the manager guided them to a private box overlooking the auction floor. ''This place is nice,'' Zahara muttered to him after taking a paddle the manager woman gave to them.
Raegar agreed as they stepped into the luxurious booth, its velvet-lined seats and polished wood offering privacy from the prying eyes of the noble throng, but the noise was annoying as they waited for the auction to start.
The girls settled into their seats, the plush cushions yielding softly as Zahara and Selene playfully vied for the spots flanking Raegar. His chuckle broke the tension, though Selene, the vampire, conceded defeat with a mock pout.
A low hum from the auction house vibrated through the air. Below, the announcer's voice carried on, extolling the virtues of the items on display. ''How long until it starts?'' he questioned the group.
Dominique turned to him with a warm smile. ''Soon, they are ushering in all the buyers before it begins,'' she answered.
Following that, Raegar noticed dozens of noble families from the northwest sitting in the front row. While being nosey, Selene leaned over and whispered. ''Why are you buying a Dark Fairy? They are sneaky beings who love to tease people.''
When he heard this, he glanced at the Demoness, chuckling. ''You're one to talk? But to answer your question, I don't honestly know. I've never met one and wanted to see what they're like.''
The red-skinned beauty let out a soft giggle before settling into her seat, her posture easing as the announcer's voice filled the room. ''Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Brightwater Auction House! This week, we present an array of treasures, including a rare and exquisite Dark Fairy, captured from the distant Lemuria Continent to the west.''
When the people heard this, they got excited and erupted into talking, which made the announcer grin. Moments later, Dominique leaned forward, elbows resting on the balcony's velvet-lined railing, her curiosity piqued by the mention of the Dark Fairy.
Beside her, Selene crossed her arms, still nursing her playful defeat, though a faint smirk betrayed her interest. Raegar lounged back, one hand lazily draped over the armrest, his gaze drifting between the girls and the bustling crowd below.
The auction house thrummed with anticipation. Ornate banners adorned the walls, their golden threads glinting as they proclaimed the prestige of Brightwater's wares. He watched as all kinds of things were being sold to the nobles.
After a pause, the announcer turned to the true purpose of the gathering. ''Behold, the Dark Fairy!'' he declared.
He swept his hand toward a cage shrouded in darkness. ''A being of unmatched power, her wings spun from the very essence of Lemuria's twilight groves. Bidding begins at two thousand gold coins!''
The auction erupted into chaos as bidders clamored over the small woman curled up in the cage, her body shaking with fear. Raegar's heart twisted as he sensed her Dark Aether, suppressed by a cruel, fairy-binding collar.
Suddenly, he roared, ''Twenty thousand!''
The room fell silent, all eyes snapping to them, making the girls nervous. The auctioneer, a wiry man with a crooked grin, raised an eyebrow. ''Twenty thousand, folks! Do I hear twenty-one?''
He noticed the caged woman's gaze flickered up, meeting his for a fleeting moment. Her eyes, deep blue and brimming with unspoken pain, held a spark of hope. The collar pulsed faintly, its runes glowing as it tightened its grip on her Dark Aether.
A burly man in the crowd snarled. ''Twenty-one!''
