Chapter 147 – It’s Only Fair to Return the Favor

‘Why is the Crown Prince here?’

When Erden took his seat at the very heart of Serpene’s highest tier, Evelyn couldn’t hide her astonishment.

Though masked, his presence was undeniable. The nobles of platinum rank rose to their feet and bowed with utmost respect toward the crown prince. From their composed manner, it seemed they had long since known he would attend the auction.

“May the Baltian Empire shine in eternal glor—”

Save the formalities.”

Erden cut their greetings short with a detached air, his expression indifferent as he listened to a report from his attendant. Once the servant finished, the surrounding nobles clamored to curry his favor.

“This auction is truly magnificent, Your Highness.”

“Yes, indeed! It’s all thanks to Your Highness’s exceptional discernment.”

The Crown Prince leaned back, resting his chin against one hand, his lips curving into a twisted smile.

“It’s too soon to be impressed. I have prepared an entertaining spectacle for you all.”

Wait, what does that mean…

Evelyn nearly bit her tongue in shock and instinctively exchanged a glance with her fiancé. Only then did the scattered pieces seem to fall into place.

The reason why no sanctions were imposed on an illegal market happening right in the very heart of the capital.

The reason why the black market had expanded so rapidly in such a short time, fueled by the patronage of conservative nobles.

From Erden’s conversation with the nobles, it was clear that the hand behind Serpene was the Crown Prince himself.

As the realization settled, the fog in her mind cleared, leaving a chill to crawl down her spine, raising gooseflesh across her skin.

In that instant, a burst of magical fireworks lit the air, followed by the resounding thunder of drums that filled the auction hall. The auctioneer, who had been riding high on the success of prior sales, cried out with an even more expectant expression.

The auctioneer, riding high on the success of prior sales, cried out with renewed excitement.

“Now, the moment you have all been waiting for! Behold tonight’s grand masterpiece!”

He whisked away the cloth that had concealed the item, revealing a massive iron cage. Evelyn’s eyes widened, and for a heartbeat, she could barely trust her own sight.

What… what is that?

Her voice faltered with disbelief as she turned to her fiancé.

“Axion, that’s…”

“Yes. A monster, it seems.”

Just as he said, a monster was crouching within the reinforced metal bars.

‘How could there be a monster inside the auction hall?’

A moment later, she clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a cry since carved into the creature’s brow was the mark of sorcery.

With a snap of the auctioneer’s fingers, a spotlight suddenly illuminated a corner of the silver tier, which had now been filled.

“Please direct your attention over there. These are the exceptional tamers who have made the monster obedient.”

‘That’s a lie.’

It was nothing but a brazen lie. No beast-tamer, however skilled, could inscribe the mark of sorcery upon a monster’s brow. Which meant their true identities weren’t mere monster tamers, but they were the sorcerers she had been desperately searching for.

Three figures rose, their ash-gray robes drawn low over their faces, and inclined their heads in a token bow.

The nobles inside the auction hall broke into admiring applause, praising them with reverent voices. The auctioneer, wearing a triumphant smile, began elaborating further on the item.

“This monster will serve its master faithfully, and no doubt win favor as the pride of any estate.”

Evelyn was reeling, struggling to grasp the enormity of what was unfolding. Serpene was no mere black market; it was a thriving den of illicit monster trade. Furthermore, just as Marcen’s intelligence had suggested, the imperial family appeared to be in league with the sorcerers.

‘What in the world is happening?’

It seemed she and her fiancé alone were unable to make sense of the scene before them.

“One thousand manettes.”

“Honored guest ninety-eight bids one thousand manettes!”

“One thousand two hundred!”

The nobles of platinum rank, who had seemed indifferent to the earlier offerings, now lifted their paddles with feverish excitement. The price of the monster soared higher and higher amid the fervor.

As Axion observed the spectacle, a crooked smile curved across his lips, and a derisive scoff slipped free.

“Now I see how they managed to expand their business.”

She couldn’t help but agree.