Chapter 51 - Frates Festival 4 (2/2)
“Are you really a veteran merchant, ajumma?”
[You really are able to say such rude words without batting an eye! However….Koo-ooooooh.]
After a brief amount of time had passed, she spoke with a voice drained of energy.
[The artifacts and the potions of evil origins are strangely out of stock.I contacted the headquarters, and they are also out.Usually, such foul items have a limited market...Even the really useless ones have all been sold.However, the really powerful ones are being auctioned today….Ah.The Death Knight’s helmet, and the Blood Gold Halberd I purchased from you will be auctioned today!]
“Ajumma, you are my exclusive merchant, yet you aren’t being of much help to me. Shall we nullify the contract?”
[If you really need such evil artifacts, you can purchase them at auction!There will be a lot coming out today!]
‘There is a high probability that something will occur at the time of the auction.’
Artped didn’t give any additional explanation to her.Instead, he asked her a question.
“So do you have items like the Obsidian of Greed?”
[······oh my.The timing of your request is quite strange. All the Dungeon companies including the Anywhere company is out of that item.]
When he heard those words, a lightning struck within his head.
“······could you repeat that?”
[All the companies are out of the Obsidian of Greed.The companies gradually ran out in order.Yesterday, the last two Obsidian left in the Anywhere company was sold.I don’t know who bought it, but they paid a premium price for them.They purchased each of them for the obscene price of 10,000 gold.]
Artpe thought about it.This meant that he didn’t have to make preparations for other possibilities.
No matter how he thought about it, it seemed the main plan of the Demon King’s army was to use a curse!
Shit!No wonder!
Since the plan had failed last time, the Demon King’s army must have done a thorough analysis on why their plan had failed.Now they had gotten rid of the main component that had interfered with their plan!
It was a very cute tactic!
‘The number of artifacts with evil origins is abnormally in demand.The curse has to be connected to the items.This means it might be a curse related to a human’s greed, and the desire to slaughter others.No, wait a second.Now that I think about it….’
Artpe recalled the conversation he had with Etna yesterday.What was the topic they discussed with each other?
She said the Frate’s Festival was being held after a 3 year hiatus.Didn’t she say the artifacts that were strengthened through blood and tears shed in Diaz would be featured as part of this event?
Artpe had brought up the topic first, and the flow of the conversation had been very natural.This was why he hadn’t paid much attention to it.However, he remembered that she kept sighing as she showed regret when discussing the topic.
If so, the underlying cause of her behavior hadn’t simply been about what she had experienced up until now in Diaz.It was an emotion born out of knowing the plan that was being hatched here.He had thought her behavior arose, because she was overly humane.However, this new theory was more complling to him.
All the cursed, lamenting and evil artifacts were gathered in this festival.Then there was the curse prepared by the Demon king’s army…..
‘The thing that immediately comes to mind is the strengthening of a curse.Or maybe it might be a charm.Either way it’ll rile up the emotions of the people.If it activates within this city full of desire…...’
The only thing that would arrive would be a festival of death and madness.The people excited about the revitalization of Diaz’s economy would all tremble in fear.
Since the plan had exquisite timing, he couldn’t tackle it.Artpe wanted to compliment the Demon King’s army, since they outdid themselves this time.
However, he would have done so only if he still held the position of Four Heavenly King!
[Customer? Customer?Please answer me! You have the honor of being able to talk to me directly, yet you seem to not realize the worth of having such an access!]
“Thank you for the good information, ajumma.”
[I’m not an ajumma!Please call me Mycenae!]
“Mycenae.”
[Oh my·····.]
Mycenae’s voice immediately melted.
[Look at how nice that is.]
“Since I’ve received good information from you, I’ll give you a good piece of information to you as a bonus.”
[Oh my.You are even able to abide by the ethics of commerce.]
“You should withdraw all the items you submitted for today’s auction.”
[You tricked me, you charlatan!]
“I warned you.”
Artpe ended the connection.It was up to her to make her own choices and actions now.The only thing that was important to him right now was finding a way to stop the disaster that was going to occur today using the information he just learned right now.
“Etna said I should get out of the city as fast as possible.”
Maybe, this was Etna’s way of asking for help.Since she couldn’t go against the will of the Demon King, she had searched out Artpe, who had high amount of magical energy and knowledge.Maybe, she wanted him to recognize her secret signals, so he could stop the Demon King’s plan.
Maybe, he was reading too much into her actions.
It didn’t matter which scenario was true.
It didn’t change what Artpe had to do.
“Originally, I wanted to solve this in a lawful manner, but I have no choice now.Let’s go, Maetel and Sienna.”
“If you aren’t going to use a lawful method, how are you going to solve this, Artpe?”
Artpe grinned as he gave an answer.
“I’ll use the way of the hero.”
“The way of a hero is an illegal method!?”
“This is unexpected.”
Maetel replied in shock, and Sienna giggled.
Artpe ignored them as he valiantly walked forward.
His destination was already decided.
It was the main square of Frate.It was where the Frate’s Festival would take place.There would be countless people gathered there.It was where the artifacts and greed was all gathered.
The auction house would be at the center of the Demon King army’s plan.