Chapter 13: Why Should Beasts Make Life Hard for Other Beasts?
The next evening, after thorough preparations, Aeron arrived early at the rendezvous point, waiting for the bodyguard Carlotta had arranged for him.
Though Aeron still didn't understand why Little Carte had been so angry the previous night, thanks to her, he now felt as refreshed as pulling two 5-star characters in the first two ten-pulls of a new game update!
Disguise outfits, the Personal Terminal provided by Carlotta, clever gadgets to deploy on-site, and finally, the knife and sidearm for silencing witnesses—everything was ready.
As soon as the helper arranged by Carlotta arrived, they could proceed to infiltrate the auction.
Just as Aeron leaned idly against the wall, pondering how to execute the plan, a familiar voice reached him.
"Huh? So it's you."
A woman with horns on her head, a tail trailing behind her, and dressed in a form-fitting beige knit sweater paired with black thigh-high socks and red-soled high heels approached. She wore an overcoat and round sunglasses, her style unfamiliar to Aeron, but her flowing white hair and the unmistakable aura of overwork, undiminished even by her outfit, gave away her identity.
High damage in the left hand, even higher damage in the right—the esteemed damage dealer of the light-noise team, Ragunna's Batman, a hardcore powerhouse who could take down ten Aerons with a single punch: Zani.
"Well, if it isn't the top workhorse of the Averardo Vault. Clocking in?"
"Heh, and here's the Order's number one unlucky soul, stuck with endless tasks and meager pay. Finally switching jobs?"
Zani strode up to Aeron, deftly removed her sunglasses, and revealed her sharp, albeit slightly weary, red eyes as she sized him up.
"Not bad, little priest. Looks like you're doing alright under Montelli?"
"Cut it out. I have to return these clothes after the job. What about you? Why ditch the uniform for this getup?"
"No choice. Wearing the Averado Bank outfit is basically announcing 'I'm up to something.' I'd rather not wear this on overtime either."
From the banter between these two top workhorses from rival organizations, it was clear Aeron and Zani were no strangers to each other.
Aeron was the Order's specialist in external affairs—a smooth operator stationed across Ragunna, navigating the dealings of various major families.
Zani, on the other hand, was the epitome of a model employee at Averardo Bank, a perennial holder of the "Best Employee" title.
In the past, while handling matters between the Order and Montelli, especially those involving the Averardo Vault, Aeron had frequently crossed paths with Zani.
Over time, perhaps drawn together by their shared plight as overworked grunts, the two employees from rival companies had developed a camaraderie born of mutual sympathy.
After all, when the future remains uncertain, and both are just cogs in the machine, why make things harder for each other?
"Didn't expect this. After not seeing you for a while, you've managed to cozy up to the second young lady. What dirt do you have on her?"
"Am I really such a terrible person in your eyes…?"
"Aren't you?"
Zani chuckled lightly, pulled out a pre-prepared coffee from her coat, and tossed it to Aeron.
"So, little priest, what trouble have you stirred up this time? Something serious enough for the second young lady to specifically request me as your bodyguard?"
Aeron opened the can of coffee that still carried a trace of Zani's warmth and drank it all in one go.
"You can't say that. Do I look like someone who'd actively seek out trouble?"
"Hmph, that kind of excuse won't work on me."
After speaking, Zani walked over to Aeron and straightened his collar with her hand.
"Out with it. What have you been up to lately?"
Aeron tried to brush it off as usual, but the increasing pressure from Zani's hand and her slightly threatening gaze made it clear this woman wasn't someone to be easily fooled.
Fortunately, he had already prepared an explanation.
Aeron proceeded to explain to Zani his reasons for choosing to help Carlotta: how he had been targeted by the Order due to certain knowledge, came to Montelli seeking help, reached a cooperation agreement with Carlotta, and the chain of events that led them here.
He made no mention of Cartethyia or his inability to die.
"Hmm..."
After listening to Aeron's explanation, Zani remained silent, just lowering her head in thought.
Though Aeron's story sounded plausible on the surface, she felt there were some logical inconsistencies somewhere.
However, Zani quickly set aside her doubts.
On one hand, this was Carlotta's direct order—that alone gave her no reason to oppose.
On the other hand, Zani understood Aeron's character, as his vision extended far beyond that of a mere priest.
"But I never expected you'd help Carlotta to this extent... What, have you taken a liking to her?"
"Please, I couldn't handle her antics."
Seeing this, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Zani's lips, and she didn't press further.
"Enough small talk then. The Second Young Miss's order is for me to ensure your safety and assist you in obtaining evidence... How are we two unfamiliar faces supposed to infiltrate?"
Aeron then pulled out two exquisitely crafted auction invitations from his coat, waving them before Zani.
"The auction host sent out quite a few invitations to expand their influence. There are always a few lucky ones who can't make it, right?"
Zani took one from Aeron's hand, verified its authenticity, and raised an eyebrow in slight surprise:
"Quite nimble-fingered. You must have learned plenty of these underhanded tricks in the Order."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
The reason Aeron had gone to bed early yesterday was precisely to prepare for this.
Using information provided by the traitor, he had visited Capollo's guests in Montelli's name, and they had quite cooperatively handed over their received invitations.
"But... just having invitations isn't enough. Have you thought about the other thing?"
"Ah? What else is needed?"
"Sigh... After we enter, two people who shouldn't know each other sticking together like glue... Do you think that's reasonable?"
It was only then that Aeron, being the country bumpkin he was, realized that for such occasions, entry wasn't everything—how one conducted oneself inside was even more crucial.
Back when he was a priest, Aeron had always mingled in common circles. Suddenly being thrust into high society was quite a shock to his worldview.
"...What do we do now?"
This was purely suffering from a lack of information.
Watching Aeron's utterly clueless expression, Zani couldn't help but massage her temples with a sigh, her tone tinged with exasperation.
"I knew it... Whatever, it's my job to deal with this anyway."
Zani gave Aeron a thorough once-over, her gaze sweeping across his barely presentable outfit before settling on his panicked face.
"Alright, I've got a plan, but it requires a small sacrifice from you."
"Oh? What kind of plan?"
"The honey trap."
"...?"
Before Aeron could process this, Zani forcibly pulled him to her side, wrapping both arms around one of his slender arms. In her still somewhat weary voice, she declared:
"The sooner we finish, the sooner we clock out. Let's go, darling."
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