"We’ll discuss the plan now."
Though Simon had a few things to say, he decided to listen.
He leaned against the wall quietly while the others sat down.
Vexa placed several small metallic plates on the table.
The plates were dark silver and covered in complicated chaos runes.
Simon narrowed his eyes slightly and tried to understand the chaos runes on the array plates.
Array plates were basically circular metallic plates a rune master could engrave a rune, formation, or array on.
’This is an array that prevents sound transmission... And it’s also a defensive array.’
’Interesting.’
Just as Simon had these thoughts, Vexa pointed at the plates.
"These are suppression array plates."
"Me, Silith, Noctis, Gorr, and Morrow are going to attach these array plates around the auction building."
"Once we activate them, they’ll isolate the auction building. Those inside would not be able to communicate to those outside. All means of transmission would be stopped by the array plates."
"And most importantly..."
She paused briefly.
"The barrier formed by the array plates can withstand attacks from a Supreme Greater Demon and even a casual strike from a Demon Lord."
Simon’s eyes flickered slightly.
’I knew that the defensive capability of the array was high, but I didn’t know it was that high. It can block the casual strike of a Demon Lord... those are not normal array plates.’
The way Simon looked at the array plates was different compared to before. However, he was more concerned about something else.
Why would the Grey Pact need a defensive array plate that could block the casual strike of a Demon Lord?
’If they need such a powerful defensive artifact for this mission, doesn’t that mean that they believe that a Demon Lord might attack?’
’Maybe Lucien’s father? Or his protectors? Or somebody else?’
Simon’s expression could not help but became grave when he thought of the possibility of a Demon Lord attacking him.
Survival?
Was there a way for him to survive the attack of a Demon Lord?
Absolutely not.
The difference was too massive even for him.
Knowing that his life was at stake, he raised his hand slightly and spoke.
"Are you guys expecting a Demon Lord to attack us in this mission?"
Vexa and the others looked at Simon, then Vexa shook her head.
"We’re not certain that a Demon Lord is going to attack us, but don’t forget that we’re in the capital city of House Mercer. And don’t also forget that Lucien is the son of the head of House Mercer."
"We’re just preparing for the worst case scenario where a Demon Lord attacks us."
The moment Simon heard this, he could not help but raise a brow.
"So, let me get this straight."
"A Demon Lord might appear in this mission, and you want me, a lowly Fiend, to kill a prodigy who is a Supreme Archfiend, and who is related to the most likely Demon Lord that would appear?"
None answered him, and Simon’s lips twitched.
"So, why you guys are somewhat safe outside, I’m going to be the one bearing the wrath of Lucien’s father and the entire House Mercer as a result."
"How convenient."
He scoffed.
"It’s not exactly going to be safe for us either." Noctis said softly, and Simon looked at him.
His eyes were cold and completely indifferent, and for some reason, Noctis felt a chill run across his spine.
"Not safe my ass. Would you like to swap our roles then?"
Noctis said nothing, and Simon scoffed.
"Thought as much."
He shifted his gaze to Vexa.
"Would it not have been better if you guys waited for when his father is not around? Or when you’re more prepared?"
"Your preparation is lacking if a Demon Lord is involved."
Vexa shook her head.
"We can’t put the mission on hold because of that. House Vaelor has requested that we end Lucien’s life before he becomes a Greater Demon."
"We also have credible information that one of the items that’s going to be sold in the auction is going to be really helpful in Lucien’s advancement to a Greater Demon."
Simon narrowed his eyes slightly, and though he was interested in what this item was, he was more concerned about his life.
"So, let’s say I successfully kill Lucien, how are we going to escape the city?"
Vexa pointed at a black ring on her right index finger.
"This is an artifact that can teleport us back to the clan. Once you’ve successfully killed Lucien, we’ll enter the auction building and escape."
"The barrier should give us a little bit of time to escape. That’s why we have it. We just need six seconds for the ring to teleport us back to the clan."
Simon looked at the ring with a suspicious expression.
He definitely did not believe her words completely.
And aside from that...
’Six seconds is too long. If a Demon Lord attacks, we might not even last up to two seconds, talk less of six.’
Though he had other things to say, he decided that it was not worth it.
He would completely destroy whatever plans Caesar or the Grey Pact had, and he would show them why he was not to be messed with.
When Vera saw that Simon had nothing else to say, she continued with the plan.
"The plan is simple."
"The five of us will enter the auction district as merchants."
"We’ll set up stalls around the auction building and secretly place the array plates beforehand."
"Once Lucien enters the auction hall, we’ll wait for an opportunity."
She then looked directly at Simon.
"You’ll be inside the auction. I’ll give you some hell stones to show that you have the capability to be in the auction."
Simon remained calm and he said nothing.
"You’re not to use the money to buy things for yourself, and just know that if you do, you’ll be in debt to the clan and you’ll be required to pay triple the amount because you’re a slave."
Simon raised a brow.
"However, there’s an extra side mission and it’s actually quite important. You’re to buy something for the clan in this auction."
Simon’s expression became one of curiosity.
"What am I buying?"
Vexa’s expression became a little strange.
"You’re to buy a winter monkey."
"What?" Simon was baffled.
Vexa nodded, then her expression became serious.
"It’s actually a secret mission, and we heard that it’s for the Night Sovereign."
"..." Simon.