Episode 347 – Main Dish (1)
As fireworks lit up the night sky in a dazzling display, Azonne was in the “Sanctuary of Darkness,” listening to reports from Black Market executives.
“The Dark Sales event in Aintrier has officially ended.”
“So VIPs have started arriving at the castle since early dawn, likely due to the invitations.”
“Azonne sent special invitations only to selected VIPs, and we’re still trying to understand the intent behind it.”
Azonne quietly observed the executives' speculation.
It was only possible because they didn’t know the master’s true identity.
At midnight, marking the end of Dark Sales, Azonne had launched large-scale fireworks and sent invitations to certain VIPs.
It was a calculated move, and through the executives’ reactions, Azonne wanted to predict Alex’s response.
‘What did Alex think when he received the invitation?’
He wanted to gauge the potential success of the trap he had set.
Had the executives figured out his intentions?
“It seems related to the World Tree Union.”
“The World Tree Union??”
At the ntion of that na, Azonne furrowed his brow slightly—but soon relaxed as the next words followed.
“There was one product during Dark Sales that Azonne showed particular interest in.”
“You an the exclusive leaf rights.”
“Correct. Aside from that, there were other highly coveted items, so perhaps the invitations were sent only to the owners of those products.”
“That would imply he wants to negotiate privately.”
“Blatant dealings wouldn’t look good for the host, the Lord. It seems he intends to arrange a more discreet eting.”
Their assumptions were sharp—worthy of executives.
Still, they were only half right.
The negotiations for exclusive rights were real—but they were rely bait.
‘Bait to lure them into the trap.’
The executives’ ability to analyze information was formidable, but not one of them suspected a trap.
No one had guessed that Azonne might be targeting the World Tree Union.
“Recently, all signs of the Cleaners have vanished. We believe they entered Aintrier, and we’re tracking them with our agents...”
“They’re hard to find?”
“Well, they are Cleaners, after all...”
“Continue monitoring them.”
Azonne himself had guided the Cleaners through a secret passage into the castle.
With the Black Market’s master personally hiding them, there was no way anyone else could find them.
‘The Black Stars have been fully recruited. Among the invited VIPs are not only the World Tree Union, but also... other guests.’
One secret that only Azonne knew—Among the VIPs who received invitations, everyone except those from the World Tree Union were actually hunters.
Their real purpose was to hunt the rats caught in the trap.
‘Looks like everything is in place.’
Azonne had prepared this plan with great secrecy.
Would Alex be able to notice the trap that even the Black Market executives hadn’t perceived?
He had the bait, the trap, and the hunters—everything was perfect.
Azonne was confident in this plan.
Once they stepped into the trap, escape would be impossible—
“Until I give permission, that is.”
He looked forward to toying with his prey’s desperation after bringing them to their knees.
He wondered what kind of face Alex would make when they t.
Azonne bared his teeth in a quiet smile from the shadows.
He was calming his excitent, certain that this Dark Sales would beco a significant event for him, when a panicked voice from one of the executives rang out.
“U-Urgent news! The elves are gone!”
“What? The elves?”
An unexpected variable had appeared.
“We checked the lodging after Alex’s group departed—but no one was there!”
“There must have been hundreds of elves. Are you saying you only just realized they’re gone? And you want to believe that?”
“I-I apologize!”
“When did you confirm this? Give the exact timing.”
“Right after Alex’s group left for the castle by carriage.”
That ant the elves had been moved elsewhere before then.
But when exactly? And where?
There hadn’t been any suspicious traces...
“Ergency order. Allocate every available agent to track down the elves. Question the innkeeper first, and search the entire lodging down to the last brick. Use any ans necessary.”
“Yes, sir!”
Azonne paused.
Then, as if sothing occurred to him, he asked,
“Samuel Barber. Any sign of him?”
“Still nothing...”
“Useless fools! Send a contact and track down Samuel’s location. You have one day. If you fail, you’ll be punished for incompetence. The Black Market has no use for dead weight.”
“U-Understood!”
The executives hurriedly retreated.
Left alone in the sanctuary, Azonne contemplated briefly before stepping outside.
He walked the dark corridor, gathering his thoughts.
The mont he heard the elves were gone, one na ca to mind—Samuel Barber’s spatial portal.
Smuggling out hundreds of elves silently—that thod would be ideal.
But Azonne shook his head.
‘Samuel’s curse has already reached its limit.’
Samuel had used his portal to make countless deals with the Black Market.
The reason the Black Market sold him off to Gram was because of the Curse of the Rift he carried.
They’d received reports saying the curse had reached a stage where he could no longer use spatial magic.
Rendered powerless, Samuel had beco useless and was sold to Gram at a high price—but was now unaccounted for.
‘He’s being chased by the Cleaners. There’s no way he could maintain a portal in that state. It wasn’t him.’
If not Samuel, then there must be a hidden passage within the building.
By tracking those traces, they could discover where the elves were hidden.
‘And the core forces that protected the elves are currently en route to the castle.’
A clean sweep. Azonne stroked his chin and nodded. With luck, he might secure valuable hostages.
‘Useful sacrifices once this is over.’
Co to think of it, the elves' disappearance might be an opportunity instead.
Clack—
Azonne exited the study and headed to his office.
Once inside, he called for his attendants and began preparing his attire for the party.
Golden robes, golden accessories, and jewels—the epito of luxurious splendor.
While dressing, he received a report on Alex’s group.
“They’re all gathered in the banquet hall.”
“Any invited VIPs missing?”
“No, sir. Everyone is waiting for the Lord’s arrival.”
“Very well.”
Azonne checked his appearance in the mirror and dismissed his attendants.
Now alone in the room, he stood still, eyes closed. Then a languid voice ca from above his head.
“You’ve dressed up nicely. Makes want to gobble you up right now...”
Descending on a transparent thread was a sensuous woman with a sly smile—Spider Queen Azolett.
Azonne looked at her and chuckled.
“Could you even stomach ? You’d get a terrible stomachache.”
“You do know that male spiders make great prey, don’t you?”
“How’s the preparation?”
“Tch. Rengua was boring, and now you too? Forget it—I’m canceling the ‘eat you’ plan.”
With a scoff, she dropped down and tugged lightly on the silk threads connected to the wall.
The groundwork for her web was more or less complete.
“Just give the signal, and I’ll begin the final weave.”
“How long will it take?”
“The smaller the area, the quicker I finish.”
“This is my office.”
“You’re narrowing it down that much?”
Azolett looked surprised, and Azonne nodded.
“Then it won’t take long.”
“Get ready imdiately.”
“They’ve arrived, haven’t they?”
Azolett looked toward the banquet hall with anticipation before soaring back into the air on her web.
Once she was gone, Azonne approached his desk.
He unlocked a magically sealed drawer.
Inside lay a palm-sized golden coin.
Placing his hand on it, he muttered an incantation.
Woooooom!!!
The energy flowing through Aintrier shifted. A massive, transparent barrier gently enveloped the entire city.
The mont the barrier sealed the city, the flow of mana between buildings was cut off.
A spatial distortion barrier.
Once it activates, neither teleportation nor magical ssaging can be used.
He had activated it once before—to capture Samuel—and each ti, it required an enormous price, making it unsustainable for long.
Half a day was the limit.
“That’s more than enough.”
Even if unexpected variables arose, half a day was plenty.
Azonne adjusted his attire and made his way to the party.
“The Lord has arrived!”
As he entered, music played, and brilliant lights filled the hall.
Gemstone chandeliers hanging from the ceiling twinkled, welcoming the lord of the castle.
At his appearance, the murmuring quickly died down.
Azonne scanned the room, then smiled deeply and began walking.
He spotted a familiar figure standing with his back turned, gazing out the window while sipping wine.
When the man turned his head, a fierce gaze ca into view.
Alex Marcia.
Had he sensed Azonne’s gaze?
Arthur lowered his glass and slowly approached. Their eyes t.
Azonne was the first to smile and extend his hand.
“Alex, thank you for accepting the invitation.”
Arthur glanced at the offered hand, bowed slightly, and replied,
“No need for thanks. I’m here as a representative of the World Tree Union. It’s only natural.”
As the two reached to shake hands—
“Ah!”
A small shadow bumped into Arthur’s arm.
Clink—
The wine glass shattered. Arthur smiled awkwardly and scratched his head.
“Ah, I’m sorry. She’s still young…”
Azonne frowned as he looked toward the intruder—A small witch wearing a wide-brimd hat.
Arthur had said she was just a child, but of all his companions, she was likely the one Azonne should fear most.
Lily Base.
As Azonne looked into her eyes, Arthur quickly stepped in front of her and bowed deeply.
“I’ll be sure to discipline her personally.”
“Ow! That hurts!”
“Well then, with so many guests here, we’ll take our leave.”
Arthur smiled, grabbed Lily by the ear, and disappeared into the crowd.
Azonne silently watched them go.
He stared at his untouched hand, then after Lily who had vanished.
He had neither shaken Arthur’s hand nor gathered any intel on Lily.
‘Coincidence?’
As he pondered, Azonne furrowed his brow and stepped onto the platform.
From there, he could see all the “prey” gathered—Arthur, Lily, Lochter, and even Karl.
With all the targets in view, Azonne nodded and smiled brightly at the crowd.
“We’ve gathered the VIPs who responded to the Dark Sales invitation. Though not everyone has arrived, I assure you, tonight’s party will be well worth the wait. Because we’ve prepared the Main Dish.”
At the word Main Dish, the VIPs’ eyes sparkled. Azonne raised the corners of his mouth and looked toward Arthur’s group.
And Arthur—was quietly rubbing the area over his heart.
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