Heist 2

The day of action had arrived.

I went through the motions of the school day very blankly, as my mind was completely clouded with thoughts of the auction.

I did receive a few strange looks from the heroines of the game, but I let it be.

Right now, I was sitting inside of the backroom of a church with Ragan and several other inquisitors of the Dei Division.

I was shown significant respect seeing as this operation was given great importance as I had convinced them that it was upon the orders of Solan.

A blueprint of the auction house was unfurled upon a circular table we were seated around.

"Mark and Anthony, you will lead the charge through the back entrance. Julius, you will charge through the east wing. Me and the kid will sneak through the main entrance, you'll know we've begun once the shouting starts."

"Sir, what about the west wing?"

"I was getting to that, we'll surround the west wing exits and trick them into thinking that we did not bring anyone there. We'll capture them after forcing them through the west wing."

I listened intently, nervous about missing any information.

It was all a strange experience, making me feel as if I was in some sort of heist movie such as Ocean's Eleven.

I spoke up on some doubts I had been harboring for a while.

"...Sir.. I'm sure there will be some powerful people attending the auction, what will you do if we encounter a mage who has opened their third mind?"

Ragan grinned at me and responded.

"You're underestimating me kid, I'd be able to take on a mage of the third mind."

His confidence soothed my nervousness.

After speaking to him more, he seemed to be a kind person, I realized he was just being cautious in our first encounter.

"Yeah, don't doubt the captain, and regardless, if someone of that strength really is there, they'd be smart enough to not mess around with the church."

Inquisitor Mark smiled, reassuring me even further.

I couldn't help but agree with his statement, the Church was a massive organization spanning most of the continent, only an idiot would make an enemy of them.

Indeed, the Vepar Auction House managers were amazingly dumb. 

One could literally not imagine a worse form of heresy than desecrating the body of a God.

"Well, alright men, let's mobilize the forces! Get to moving!"

I moved out the room alongside Commander Ragan.

----------------------

As night fell, I stood on the street alongside the commander, watching as several ornate carriages entered the back alleyways of the academy's city, the capital of the Valorian empire, Valoris city.

Although the carriages did not bear any emblems of noble houses, it didn't take much brainpower to see that the carriages could only belong to nobles.

"Alright, that's our carriage, leave the speaking to me."

A similarly splendid carriage was prepared for us to sneak into the auction house.

We both boarded the carriage wearing dark cloaks and masks, as was standard to hide one's identity in the auction house.

We followed the line of carriages until we were stopped.

The coachman allowed the guards to open the doors to our carriage, and a masked man in a black suit inspected us.

"...Password?"

Ragan opened his mouth with a slight twitch.

"Divinity."

Indeed, they were truly trying to advertise the fact that something special would occur this auction.

The guard shouted towards a few other guards allowing to allow our passage.

Interestingly, the carriage went inside a hidden tunnel, after which we eventually exited.

I stepped out the carriage with the commander.

I had expected something quite low-key as the auction house was supposed to be hidden, but it was absurdly luxurious.

Hiding my admiration, the commander and I stepped through the main entrance, by this time, the captains of the Dei Division would be surrounding the West and East wings as well as the back entrance.

Entering the inside of the building, we walked along the red carpet, and I noted the various marble busts around the entrance area.

We were quickly led to the main seating area.

It was a massive amphitheater able to seat over a thousand people.

In front of us was a large well lit stage for the auctioneer to present the various items.

I sat down in a seat next to the commander, admiring its comfort.

Many more attendees poured in the room and the auction quickly began.

As the son of a duke, I had access to large amounts of money, albeit it was partially limited due to my past actions.

It was more than possible for me to buy several items within the auction, but it would be easier to just rob them after the divine blood came out.

"Our first item is a brilliant magical diamond that was found in the workshop of a deceased mage! The purpose is unknown... yet it may hold greater value than we know!"

The auctioneer explained the backstory of the jewel and bidding began at the price of 50 gold.

After some observation, I learnt that 1 gold was equivalent to about 100 dollars. A silver was equivalent to 1 dollar and a bronze was worth a penny.

Most commoner households would earn 10-20 gold a year.

"60 gold!"

"80 gold!"

"85 gold!"

"Going once...twice....sold!"

The diamond was quickly sold and more interesting items began coming out.

I didn't have much expectations for them as from my memory the only thing of real note at this auction would be the divine blood.

Looking over at Commander Ragan, although his face was not visible due to his mask, his brown eyes gleamed with concentration.

'He takes his work seriously...'

Unlike him, I lost concentration, boredom creeping in as I waited for the divine blood to show up.

"An enchanted armor made from the toughest of dragon scales! Starting at 5000 gold!"

My eyes shot open at this.

'Why the hell is dragon scale armor here? That should be... No, that's something that can only be found in the endgame!'

[Analyze!]

[Fire Lizard Scale Armor

Rarity: Rare

Armor crafted from the scales of a lesser blue wyvern. It is able to gather a certain amount of magic as well as provide resistance to fire, completely ignoring lower tiers of fire.]

'...This place is a scam.'

I should have realized as soon as they said it was being sold for 5000 gold.

Real dragon armor would be one of the greatest treasures of an entire country or empire, going for no less than 500,000 gold.

Still, some fat noble purchased it for 8000 gold.

After a while.... 'that item' came out.

The auctioneer began his speech, and muttering filled the crowd.

"Alright everyone... as you must have heard... we have a very special item for today's auction...

We hope that you will all stay silent about what is shown today, as it may reflect badly on the auction house, but more importantly, on you, the purchasers.

Without further ado, a vial of blood of the Church of Sun's God, Solan!"

A red veil covering the item was thrown away, and the golden ichor of Solan was clear for all to see.

I looked over to Ragan, seeing his hands shaking with rage.

He stood up, and I stood aside him.

Although we were not allowed to bring weapons inside, Ragan had told me it would be fine.

I understood why now.

A massive great sword made purely from sword aura appeared in his hands.

He shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Everyone here... is under the arrest of the Church of Sun, under the orders of Ragan, Commander of the Dei Division Inquisitors!"