C109: Preparations (I)
After class, Rudger immediately dressed up in his outdoor clothes and headed to Leathervelk.
There are five days left before the auction. As time was running out, it was necessary to deal with the preparatory work as quickly as possible.
"You're here?"
As I entered the building, the meeting point, Alex, who was waiting there, greeted me. However, the atmosphere was clearly different from his usual appearance. It was because of the clothes he was wearing.
"You've become so handsome that I don't recognize you."
"Wasn't that why you dressed me like this?"
The attire Alex was wearing was not the formal or everyday wear commonly seen in the city today.
A white, barrel-lined garment with gold thread all over the body. On top of that, he even wears a turban on his head, so his exotic atmosphere is much stronger thanks to his brown skin.
Alex lifted the hem of his robe and admired it.
"Did you say Violetta? She's a pretty awesome woman. I can't believe she perfectly designed the clothes worn by aristocrats in the Southern Desert Kingdom."
"Is it okay to wear it?"
"She didn't just copy the surface and it's so comfortable to wear so I'll just wear it."
"I'm glad you said that. Don't forget, from now on you will be a noble of the Southern Kingdom."
"I know. Al-Guar Musla, son of Al-Jahad Musla and the eighth concubine of the Fatima dynasty. He gave away all of his succession rights, but still, thanks to his father's blessing, he took over some of the mining business. And he's also a cool guy that captivates the women hearts."
"Take out the last one."
"That's too much."
Alex smiles mischievously.
But of course, Alex is not alone in this operation. Rudger looked at Pantos, who was standing next to Alex like his escort.
"Can you do it?"
"If it is an order."
"It will not be difficult. After all, Alex here will do all the acting anyway. You just have to stand still and set the mood."
Pantos role was to be Alex's escort knight. Of course, he was also dressed in a distinctive Southern costume, like Alex.
His skin was also quite dark in color and he didn't give a sense of alienation at all, perhaps because of his gray hair, like a lion's mane, full of wild beauty.
"If you're ready, let's go."
"Whoa. I'm nervous for no reason."
Here's the plan.
First of all, Alex will meet Ivan Luke as the son of a southern nobleman.
Kunst Auction House is an auction house, but there is a living space to serve guests. To put it bluntly, it is like a hotel.
This auction is a large-scale event that will be held for a total of three days. As a result, many customers came to Kunst ahead of schedule. And all the guests who usually come are valuable hands.
"Leader, will Ivan Luke meet me?"
"He'll meet you because you're not a regular guest."
A car was waiting in front of them when they came out. Compared to other cars, it is a modern car with a glossy black color.
The three got into the vehicle, and Rudger's explanation continued.
As you know, Luke is one of the largest conglomerates in the Exilion Empire. The field is so broad that they are found everywhere."
"Right. I know that."
"However, there are areas that Luke could not touch, like dealing with magical tools and artifacts."
"Artifacts? I get it. In the case of magic tools, the business is led by a prestigious high-ranking magic family."
"Right. Entrepreneurs who can't use magic don't dare to set foot in this field."
The vehicle has started.
With the gentle sound of the engine, it flows slowly through the city scenery reflected outside the window.
"But even if it's a company like that, it doesn't mean there isn't a hole they can go in through."
"Is that the magic liquid?"
"Yeah. Magical Liquid is the raw material for magic stones needed to make magic tools. And there aren't many places where the magic liquid can be obtained from. One of them is……."
"Southern Fatima."
"The Fatima dynasty is a country with a long history and tradition. How long do you think a nation can survive in that barren land, where the scorching sun burns and the desert is everywhere?"
That's because of the existence of a magical liquid called God's blessing.
The Fatima dynasty is a country that has built up wealth based on the enormous amount of magical liquid buried deep in the ground. In addition, it has been confirmed that coal and oil, which are used in the recently developed field of science, are also found in large quantities.
"The magic liquid of the Fatima Dynasty is a luxury that can make high-quality mana stones. Luke can't be the artifacts themselves but if they get the right for raw materials needed for artifacts, the story will change."
"Well, from Luke's point of view, they have no choice but to focus on areas that we haven't entered yet. And the role that I'm playing right now is the perfect prey."
"Although he is the son of the eight concubine who is not known to the public, he is bound to be a connection and a line for them."
"Ha ha ha. Actually, he's not even the 8th concubine's child. First of all, what 8th concubine? How can one man have so many wives?"
To Alex, who laughed jokingly, Rudger responded with a serious tone.
"There is."
"Huh? Really?"
"In the Southern Fatima dynasty, a nobleman had more than 20 wives. On the contrary, the words "8th concubine child" feel a bit understated."
"……Leader. I desperately want to become a nobleman in the Southern Kingdom."
"Unfortunately, it is a place that values pure blood, so it is a structure that cannot be attacked from below. The religious doctrine is also difficult."
"Well, that's a shame. But what can I do? Since I'm acting, I have to make my role clear. What if Ivan Luke doesn't recognize me?"
"Do not worry because rumors have been spread in advance."
The car has stopped.
Sitting by the window, Rudger opened the door and went outside since he couldn't go to the auction house with Alex. From here it was now Alex and Pantos' work.
Before closing the car door, Rudger reached out to Alex.
"Take it."
"Oh, what's this?"
Alex wondered when he saw the little thing Rudger had given him. It was a strange-shaped pebble-like object, but he couldn't figure out what it was used for.
"It's a portable communicator."
"Communicator? This little one?"
"Seridan made it. If you wear it inside your ears, we can talk in real time even if you are far away. You may try it now."
Alex wore a portable communication device handed to him by Rudger in his ear.
"Is this how you do it?"
[[How is it? Can you hear me well?]]
"…That's awesome. It sounds really good. Even the surrounding noise is not blocked."
[It's still a prototype, so it won't work for long.]
"How much?"
[At the most 3 hours.]
"Well, that's enough."
Rudger, who finished speaking through the communicator, said before closing the car door.
"Alex, I believe in your ability."
"Oh, my. If you look forward to it, I'll have to show it to you."
"Pantos. You work hard too."
"I get it."
Rudger closed the car door and hit the roof of the car with his hand. The driver, who received the signal, started the engine and left.
Rudger stared at the back of the car moving away for a while, then entered into the alley.
He was also wearing a portable communicator made by Seridan so now all that was left was to listen to the situation.
* * *
"Hmm. Sigh."
At the entrance to the Kunst auction house Ivan Luke repeatedly looked at the watch several times, shaking his legs restlessly.
"I heard he's coming, but when will he arrive?"
"Director Evan. Let's calm down. It hasn't been long since the news was delivered, so he should arrive soon."
His bodyguard next to him carefully opened his mouth, but Ivan Luke was not calmed down at all.
"The son of a Fatima nobleman. We must get close for the good of the company.'
Even if it's a parachute, he has the position of a director, so he also knows roughly how the company is run. And where Luke's company is vulnerable and what weaknesses it has.
"Wouldn't it be better to go inside and wait……?"
"Can't you understand the situation now? What if we wait inside and the other person arrives? If we make a bad first impression, will you take responsibility?"
"Oh, no."
"Then shut up. This is an opportunity for Luke to push out the damn Rocheen and expand our business properly."
If he wins the magic liquid business right, he will have an opportunity to recover his father's lost trust. Of course, even if it wasn't for that, it was necessary for the company's interests, but what happened last time at the banquet hall made it even more difficult.
At that moment, a black car stopped under the entrance to the auction house. It was not an ordinary car just by looking at its appearance.
'He's here.'
Ivan Luke intuitively realized that his long-awaited guest had arrived. And his intuition became a reality.
When the driver got out of the car and hurriedly opened the back seat door, what came out of it was an exotic handsome man with brown skin.
'He really came!'
Ivan Luke, desperately hiding his joyous look, lightly checked his outfit. Then he coughed and walked towards the man.
"It's nice to meet you. My name is Ivan Luke, the general manager of this Kunst auction house."
"Oh, I see. Nice to meet you. I'm…."
"I have heard of you. Al-Guar Musla, the eighth son of Al-Jahad Musla."
Alex, now Al-Guar Musla, smirked.
"ha-ha. You recognize me, who is virtually alienated from my family? I'm so grateful for this."
"No. How would you speak like that? Let's go inside. I'd like to serve you with all my heart."
"I will."
"And the escort……."
Ivan shut his mouth when he saw the escort from the passenger seat of the car.
His own bodyguards are also the same size, but when a man one head taller than them appeared, he lost his words under the pressure.
He had a solemn and heavy atmosphere and muscles that almost tore his clothes apart along with wild white hair.
Ivan Luke gulped.
"Ha ha ha. Your escort is really great."
"Oh, do you recognize him? He's an incredible warrior that can fight a hundred men. He's even a Suin."
"Oh, a Suin warrior. I knew it!"
Ivan responded desperately to Al-Guar's words and he immediately gave his bodyguards a wink.
Ivan's bodyguards, who had been given instructions in advance, moved quickly and cleared the way.
The other guest looked at the grand welcome but Ivan Luke didn't care about that because he had to focus on the man in front of him.
"Let's go. Mr. Guar."
"Ha-ha Ivan. Don't call me Mr. Guar, you can call me comfortably. From my perspective, you look the same age as me, isn't that more comfortable? No. I'd rather you do that friend."
"Should I?"
Ivan's face flushed and he felt like flying in the sky as the guest that he had to convince came out so friendly.
Alex received Ivan's hospitality and entered the Kunst auction house. He whispered in his ear.
"Leader, I'm in."
[I get it. Good luck.]
"What did you just say?"
"Oh, I was amazed for a moment because I like the interior. It's fascinating because it has a different tone from our kingdom."
"Hahaha. You have good eyes. This interior is made by a promising architect, Lidenars……."
Alex quickly scoured the auction house, replying appropriately to Ivan, who was excited and chattering wildly.
'Well, the hall near the entrance is pretty heavily guarded.'
As Hans told them, Black Guards in black armor were placed everywhere and stood guarding their seats.
If he didn't hear it in advance, he would think that they just left the armor model in place. However, seeing the gazes through the gap in the black helmet, it was certain that there were persons inside the armors.
'I'll have to check another place first.'
The internal structure is already perfectly memorized in his head, but seeing it with his own eyes is another thing compared to checking the drawing.
So Alex was guided by Ivan and toured the auction house.
Ivan didn't even think to question Alex's identity. First of all, Alex's outfit, as well as his exotic and relaxed appearance, were the same as the nobleman he knew.
In fact, Alex's realistic account of what happened in the Fatima Dynasty was like that of the locals.
"Ivan, my friend. Come to think of it, there was one thing I forgot."
"What did you forget?"
"I was given a valuable item on my way here, but I don't have a place to store it."
With that said, Alex snapped his finger, and the man he had hired as a driver popped out a bag. The guards around him prepared for a possible situation, but Ivan raised his hand to stop them.
"What's that?"
"This time, our family carried out a project to make a better quality mana stone using a new combination of magic liquid."
Ivan's eyes were filled with greed at his words.
"Really?"
He tried to stay calm, but Alex was sure that he had already fallen for it.
"Where are you going to use it?"
"Nothing has been confirmed yet. I'm here to check it out."
"Really? When are you going to decide?"
"I want to decide right away, but since I'm here, I'm going to take a break. But I can't always carry these precious prototypes when I play, right? If I keep paying attention to things like this, I'll only get stressed."
"Ha ha. I understand."
"But I can't really think of a place to keep it. So I'd like to ask you, my friend, do you know any good places?"
Alex threw the bait and Ivan took it so easily.
"Of course! Follow me! There's a good place."
Ivan immediately took the lead and Alex, who was watching his back, signaled Rudger.
"Leader. This is <Hugo>. I will start the operation with <Melville>."
[I get it.]
Alex, code name Victor Hugo, and Pantos, code name Herman Melville, moved to the basement of the Kunst auction house.