Chapter 29

Applause erupted from all around.

As she received abundant praise, Auriel felt her heart swell with emotion.

At the same time, in this moment, she realized an important truth.

She had always thought that the songs she sang were solely for the sake of the divine.

Prayers to proclaim the mercy of that esteemed being to the people.

She believed it was right to sing only to praise God and illuminate His light.

However, for the first time today, while singing a song with a different essence…

She sang a song that spoke purely of dreams and hopes for the future, revealed by the “master” she had chosen to serve.

Auriel finally understood.

“I… really… loved singing…”

Even when the framework through which she viewed the world crumbled,

Even when everything she had believed was shattered and broken,

In this situation, the song remained steadfast, bringing her joy.

No matter what happened or who she became, the fact that the song was still by her side filled her with happiness.

After bidding her final farewell to the people, Auriel stepped down from the stage.

Feeling a tinge of regret that she might not sing for so many again,

Yet still believing that she could never lose song from her life…

With joy at having discovered another forgotten light, Auriel approached the one waiting for her.

The one wearing the Black Crow Mask.

The only person with whom she could hold “Faith” alongside her song.

He looked at Auriel and clapped softly.

“Excellent. I didn’t expect it to be this wonderful.”

“Thank you for watching with joy, my master…”

“From now on, when we get on the ship, call me Captain. Anyway, that was a truly splendid song. Truly a genius; to have arranged it so perfectly in such a short time.”

“The original was quite good. I had never heard it before… Did you perhaps create it yourself?”

“Well… not exactly. I heard the song by chance. I just personally liked it, which is why I made the request.”

“I see.”

It was such excellent music that it made her wish to meet the original creator,

But the Pirate King seemed to not know much about it either.

Perhaps it was just a song that had drifted in from the far Eastern lands, she thought, as Auriel began to walk down the corridor with the Pirate King.

At that moment…

“…”

“Ah…”

A figure appeared before them.

A neatly uniformed Navy woman with short red hair.

The moment Auriel saw her bowing in greeting, she felt a slight shiver but quickly managed her expression and returned a polite greeting.

“It’s the person I met the other day… I’m sure your name was Akriel…”

“It’s Achroiel. I enjoyed the performance, Lady Auriel. It was truly a wonderful song, fitting your reputation.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Well then, I must take my leave.”

As a pirate, facing the Navy Admiral was naturally daunting.

After exchanging brief greetings, Auriel intended to leave this place.

Then…

“I’ll escort you. After all, you’re a distinguished guest participating in our Benessa Great Auction. It’s only natural I provide this level of escort.”

“It’s… alright. I’m actually a bit tired… I’ll leave the items I want to buy to my escort, and I think I’ll just head back to the hotel.”

“…Is that so? Hmm… I understand. In that case, it can’t be helped. Have a pleasant journey…”

As Auriel spoke, pointing to the man in the Crow Mask standing behind her,

Achroiel expressed sincere disappointment before heading off with her soldiers.

Right after that…

“Ha…”

“Well done. It felt a bit risky, but you handled it quite skillfully.”

“…What should I say… this is quite… refreshing. It’s somewhat chilling too…”

“…”

Auriel spoke as though she might open her eyes to something strange.

After a brief silence, the man spoke again.

“Ahem… Anyway, you should be on your way now. I have my subordinates waiting outside, so go on and leave with them. I’ll stay behind to handle the remaining tasks.”

“Understood. Please take care of yourself.”

Finishing her role here, Auriel left the place.

The moment he confirmed her figure vanished completely,

The man in the Crow Mask—

Pirate King Ezra Drake slowly turned and began to move again.

*

After sending Auriel off, I took out my pocket watch to check the time.

Current time: 11:25 AM.

About an hour and thirty minutes left.

Thanks to the significant variable that was Auriel, my schedule had been pushed forward,

But that still didn’t mean I could relax.

I had just encountered Achroiel.

In the original work, she was somewhat prickly but served as a kind of ally,

However, since coming to this world, we had often clashed due to the simple fact of being pirates and Navy.

Though there were plenty of foolish naval personnel, she was one of the few real talents among them,

Thus, there was a high likelihood she would be quite an annoying adversary this time as well.

However,

What I was most concerned about was neither Achroiel, whom I had predicted before coming here,

Nor were any of the Navy under her command.

The reason I hadn’t sent Auriel directly to the ship and instead had her sing here…

And that it was a famous song known by those who would know it from her past life, was not simply for amusement.

Currently, in this Central Hall hosting the Great Auction, numerous esteemed nobles from across the continent had gathered.

People were said to have come from the Brittania Empire across the sea, the Kingdom of Frantz, the Holy Empire, and even the distant Kalmar Alliance from the north.

And among those individuals, one might include a certain being I had been mindful of…

The “Transcendent”… or possibly a pawn connected to them.

The song Auriel sang was bait to draw such beings out.

Once I cast this stone, if the Transcendent were present, they would likely respond in some manner.

If they hurriedly approached Auriel, it would be a blessing.

Considering the strength of the subordinates I had sent with her, it would be sufficient to hook any fish that took the bait.

Otherwise, they might take more active measures to stop us regarding any upcoming commotion.

Perhaps, depending on the situation, they might grow suspicious of this bait and become more cautious, but that was of no concern to me.

While they were preoccupied with caution, I would take all the benefits here and leave calmly.

With the heart of a fisherman waiting for a catch, I returned to the auction house.

“This next item is the ivory of the mythical beast Ginessia, brought from the East Indies! If you understand its value, you will surely want to possess it. The starting appraisal price is 100 Talents!”

“120!”

“135!”

“200!”

Even in the midst of it all, the auction house was already heating up and soaring in excitement.

Watching the values of the items rise steadily made me feel a strange urge to raise my hand.

Of course, buying such ivory would be of no immediate use, but falling into the atmosphere like this is what they mean by getting swept away.

So, while I enjoyed the situation for a moment, a part of my senses never left the pocket watch in my hand.

The second hand moved slowly.

Watching that cold flow that even the gods could not stop,

A gentle smile crept across my lips.

“Remaining time… 1 hour and 15 minutes…”

*

“I should’ve asked for a signature or something… Tch… I was so out of it…”

Right after parting with Auriel, Achroiel felt disappointment.

But pushing those feelings aside, she headed straight for the promised location.

Disappointment was disappointment, but in this situation, she had to do her best with the tasks at hand.

As soon as she arrived at the rendezvous point located on the outskirts of the Central Hall,

Figures began to appear in front of her.

“Achroiel! Over here.”

“Hmm…”

Though it was slightly early, people were already approaching.

Achroiel greeted them with a bright smile.

“Welcome, I was waiting for you.”

*

“Haha, I’m sorry. I never thought you’d come out early to wait for us.”

“Hello.”

Despite being about ten minutes early, Achroiel met them cheerfully at the entrance.

Seeing her smiling brightly, Elkana and Ambasha returned the greeting warmly.

Currently, the two were wearing the naval uniforms they had received in advance.

According to Achroiel, this was the only way for those without an invitation to pass through the auction house.

“Looks great on you! You could get a job right away. What do you think? How about enlisting in the Navy?”

“Haha… I’ll pass. Staying quietly in places like this doesn’t suit my temperament.”

“Yeah… that’s a shame. By the way, where are the other two? Magellan and… the one in the mask yesterday?”

“They decided to skip today. Magellan doesn’t really like shopping. It was practically for me that they came this far, so I should let it slide.”

“Well, if it was him, that makes sense.”

In response to Elkana’s words, Achroiel smiled lightly, as if she understood.

Since they had known each other for a long time, such reactions were familiar.

Seeing her friend’s demeanor, which hadn’t changed much from the past, made Elkana feel that Franklin had worried for nothing.

“Now, let’s go inside right away. The item you were thinking of buying will be out soon.”

The two made their way among the naval personnel as they entered the building.

Just before stepping inside, they discreetly took out their pocket watches to check the time.

“Remaining time…”

“About an hour left…”