CHAPTER 116: UPCOMING AUCTION

Leon picked up the black metallic card with the name "Bellsford" engraved across its surface in delicate, golden script.

The moment Leon’s fingers brushed the surface, he felt it was unnaturally cold and rigid to the touch—too dense, too still, almost like forged stone rather than metal.

He was certain this metal wasn’t from the Lower Domain. Brushing that thought aside, he turned to the black envelope and broke the seal with a gentle press. Inside was a sleek black sheet of paper with white lettering, its surface giving off a faint, distinct scent—one he couldn’t quite place.

Leon’s eyes narrowed in focus as he began to read. The letter demanded his full attention, each line more surprising than the last. His expression shifted several times—flickers of curiosity, calculation, and faint amusement crossing his face.

He hadn’t expected this from an inn, but the information laid out before him made him feel oddly pleased. It was enough to make him shelve the idea of robbing the Bellfords—at least for now.

He mentally recited the key points to himself.

So they’re an establishment with their main branch in the Middle Domain, he thought, pausing briefly. They must have serious backing to maintain branches all across the Lower Domain. I remember seeing Bell’s Restaurant in Duskmoor, too—also under their name.

But what intrigued him most was a particular detail—one made accessible only through the VIP card.

Every year, the Bellfords hosted an auction in Hemsburg during the festival, drawing most of the Lower Domain’s richest elites. He kind of understood why Seraphine was not aware of this—as she was undeniably strong but couldn’t be considered rich in terms of the wealth nobles held.

What made it so sought after was the access to treasures from the Middle Domain—items that were never seen elsewhere. And only those with a VIP card were allowed to attend.

Leon had decided to hold off on converting all the gold and platinum into cash for now. He would only do so if it didn’t fit in his inventory. After all, he was going to attend the auction—and he hoped to find something extraordinary there.

A soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. "Your dinner is ready, my lord," came the maid’s voice from the other side, polite and even.

Leon gave a short nod to himself and stored the card and letter neatly in his inventory. Then, adjusting his collar with casual precision, he stepped out of the room.

The dining table had already been prepared. Silver covers shimmered under the gentle lighting, and the warm scent of roasted herbs and spices greeted him like an invitation.

He took his seat as the maids lifted the covers one by one, revealing a perfectly seared cut of meat—medium rare, its juices glistening—accompanied by soft-baked root vegetables, a bowl of creamy mushroom soup, and freshly cut bread still steaming from the oven.

Leon’s eyes lingered on the meat first. Its charred edges hinted at fire mana cooking, locking flavor in with surgical precision. He picked up the fork, slicing through it easily—tender, fragrant, and rich in energy.

Though the dinner wasn’t as extravagant as the ones he had in his mansion, it was undeniably delicious. Each bite spoke of practiced skill—the cook clearly knew their craft.

After finishing his meal, Leon dismissed the maids with a polite nod, giving them the same instructions as before: stand guard outside and ensure no one entered without his permission.

He opened the portal to his time dimension once again, stepping into the familiar expanse of endless green. There was no sun above, no breeze, no scent—just an eternal stillness that hung in the air like suspended breath.

From his inventory, a mattress dropped to the grassy ground, rippling softly as it made contact. He pulled out a pillow next and laid down, the surface cushioning his weight with quiet ease.

Leon closed his eyes, letting his body sink into the comfort. Once well-rested, he’d start the hunt for treasure from nobles once again. For now, rest came first.

-----

Leon’s rest was complete. He stepped out of the time dimension and returned to his room; not even a minute had passed in the outside world, yet he felt completely refreshed. The utility of the Dimensional Hourglass truly lived up to its name.

He considered slipping out silently through the window, but the receptionist had offered him a day’s free stay—and the food had genuinely impressed him. While he wouldn’t bother giving a compliment in person, he felt it only right to leave a message.

He called for the maids.

Under normal circumstances, a nighttime summons after dinner would have implied something else entirely. But even in the brief time they’d interacted with this young lord, both women understood no such thing would happen.

Still, it was a little disappointing. With most VIPs, it was just duty. But this young lord was young, striking, and possessed an undeniable... presence. Even limp, the size of his cock was monstrous. What they’d glimpsed stirred curiosity. His restraint only added to the mystery.

Standing respectfully before him, they listened as he gave a short message to pass along to the receptionist.

They found it strange that he was leaving so soon—barely an hour had passed since his arrival. But they asked no questions, simply bowed, and departed to carry out his request.

Once alone, Leon approached the window. The cold wind struck his face as he looked out over the city glowing beneath the moonlight.

Without hesitation, he stepped up—and jumped.

His form vanished into the night, unseen by any thanks to his cloak of mid-level invisibility. He was already headed northeast.

It was time to pay a visit to the first Marquess’s estate.

And rob them blind.

----

The two maids approached the reception desk, where the receptionist immediately rose from her seat, her posture sharp and attentive. These were the ones assigned to their mysterious new VIP—and she had been explicitly told to ensure everything went smoothly.

"What happened? Why are you two back so soon? Was the dinner not to his liking? If that’s the case, just ask him what he prefers—we’ll prepare it exactly to his taste," she said, her voice edged with tension.

It was the first time the maids had seen her anxious. Not even when a duke had stayed in the top-floor suite had she shown this much unease.

But this was different. The manager had given a strict warning: do not upset the young guest under any circumstances. She didn’t understand why— but losing her job over a misstep wasn’t an exaggeration.

Rumors had been circulating. The manager had begun drawing connections between their guest and the recent highly important event about to happen in the Lower Domain—events that carried significant weight for all of Valeria.

Even if it was just speculation, no one in the inn could afford to be careless. The channels that fed them information were too precise to ignore, even when he only knew those things and couldn’t share them with anyone else. He couldn’t afford to be careless, he had shared enough to let everyone know of the severity of the situation.

Everyone had been told: do not unsettle the guest. No matter what. If they unsettled the guest, he knew he would lose control because of how sensitive the matter was.