Chapter 18: Look, you're anxious again
The auction hall was now divided into three sections.
At the safest rear area, the Montelli family was maintaining order, escorting the unfortunate guests away from this chaotic scene.
In the center of the hall, Zani was engaged in combat with the barely-formed Heterogeneous Armament, while Carlotta moved along the periphery, providing cover for her.
Before the auction stage stood Aeron, Rover, facing off against Phrolova and Hecate.
"...Wait, who did you say I'm supposed to fight?"
An ordinary little priest vs the Overseer of Fractsidus, you know?
But there was no time for Aeron to complain now.
Stung to the core, Phrolova paid little attention to the Rover beside her. Together with Hecate, they launched wave after wave of attacks toward Aeron—crimson whip blades and distorted sonic waves.
However, the current Aeron was no longer the helpless muggle who had been at her mercy before.
Now, he had someone watching his back!
"Hah!"
Concise, efficient slashes flashed past Aeron, precisely blocking every attack Phrolova directed at him, isolating all threats.
Watching Rover fight, Aeron couldn't help but admire how her combat style was enjoyable in every aspect, satisfying both strategic and aesthetic appreciation.
Though, there were issues too.
Spotting an opening, Aeron tried to advance, but in the next moment, Rover would miraculously appear before him to stop him, kindly adding "Stay behind me."
"..."
Aeron was left speechless.
Although he had always lived by the principle of lying low to win rather than carrying, the current situation wasn't simply about enjoying a good fight with Phrolova.
Aeron hadn't forgotten his initial purpose—to drag out that old fox Capollo.
Plus, after what he had just revealed, Aeron absolutely couldn't let him escape.
However, Aeron's earlier words had proven more damaging than he anticipated, and the current Phrolova probably wouldn't let him go either. Since neither could kill the other, they might fight until dawn without resolution.
For the current Aeron to defeat this Overseer of Fractsidus would be about as difficult as making Stephen Hawking win a boxing match against Mike Tyson.
Fortunately, the moment he met Phrolova, he had already devised a plan.
Reliable teammates, powerful enemies, a key target about to escape... all elements were in place.
Now, he only needed to do one thing: die.
Die meaningfully and spectacularly, in a way that could instantly turn the tide of battle, repel Phrolova, and capture Capollo.
Admittedly, while Aeron had many complaints about the skills the System had given him before, after practical use, he had to admit they were incredibly useful.
Having made up his mind, Aeron slightly restrained his usual frivolous expression and deliberately let out a cold laugh mixed with pity and mockery.
Facing Phrolova, he spoke in a voice clear enough to overpower the battlefield noise:
"Overseer of Fractsidus, how much longer are you going to keep pretending to be pitiful?"
The moment these words were spoken, Phrolova's attacks faltered slightly.
"You call me interference in your symphony, but just look at what you've become?"
"You pathetic creature, clinging to your wounds from the past, refusing to let go, trapping yourself in one bygone moment after another, numbing yourself with memories—how dare you judge me?"
"Silence, noise."
Before Aeron could finish speaking, Phrolova immediately cut him off.
The Conductor's voice remained icy, but the notes flowing from her fingertips grew sharp, as if they could tear through eardrums.
"Noise? Then open your eyes wide and see who stands in the way of this noise!"
With that, Aeron grabbed Rover's slender arm and pulled her in front of him.
"???"
Rover was momentarily stunned by Aeron's sudden action. What was his deal? Why drag her into his trash talk?
"I said... you should... shut up."
As Phrolova whispered, her Resonance Power began to coalesce, affecting both Hecate and the Heterogeneous Armament.
Seeing this, the other three present immediately adjusted their stances, preparing to engage once more.
And Aeron had already started laughing.
He'd played Wuthering Waves and browsed forums, after all. Look at her, getting worked up already.
As Phrolova swung her Lycoris, Hecate's whip coalesced with annihilating Resonance Power, lashing toward Aeron.
"!"
Seeing this, Rover hurriedly prepared to move, but in the next moment, soundwaves from Phrolova's direction sealed off her path of action.
"Even you... won't help him!"
Facing Hecate's attack, Aeron didn't lose his composure. After gauging the distance, he immediately lunged to the side, evading Hecate's strike.
But this move of his played right into Phrolova's hands.
Before Aeron could steady himself, the Heterogeneous Armament—previously entangled with Carlotta and Zani—suddenly turned, targeting Aeron who had just arrived beside it.
"Watch out!"
Seeing it was too late to stop the Heterogeneous Armament, Zani immediately lunged toward Aeron, trying to save him from the attack.
Meanwhile, Aeron's gaze swept rapidly across the entire auction hall.
Capollo's figure had already vanished from the scene. Time was running out.
Phrolova was thoroughly enraged by his taunts, the Heterogeneous Armament's claws were right before him.
Rover was pinned down, Zani was charging recklessly toward him—all the elements were in place. Only his final move, the most critical one, remained.
On the other side, Phrolova was certain she had won.
Though merely a lowly priest, to be this troublesome—even as an enemy, Phrolova had to acknowledge his performance.
Now, it was time to claim the spoils.
"Capture him—"
Just as Phrolova was about to order the Heterogeneous Armament to seize Aeron, she discovered the Echoes she had been conducting were no longer obeying her commands.
[Focus Fire, activate]
Instead of following Phrolova's order, the Heterogeneous Armament swung its freezing claws through the air toward Aeron.
And Zani—even she, Aeron knew, couldn't emerge unscathed from such an attack. So he simply raised his hand lightly, blocking Zani.
Though his strength was nothing before Zani, as a delaying tactic, it was sufficient.
"Leave the rest to me."
After conveying those words, Aeron looked at Zani's bewildered expression and revealed a relieved smile.
Then came the sound of flesh tearing.
Zani finally arrived before the dying Aeron.
Rover shattered the sound waves trapping her, and upon seeing the slain Aeron, the hand gripping the sword trembled slightly. Even Carlotta, who had been providing support from the periphery, halted her movements and looked toward Aeron with a complex gaze.
By the time Phrolova realized the mistake she had made due to her excessive loss of composure, it was already too late.
And at the focal point of everyone's attention, Aeron—with a pierced chest and breathing becoming increasingly labored—merely let out a soft chuckle.
After all, constantly being on the receiving end of attacks was never his style.
If someone was determined to cause him trouble, simply enduring the onslaught one-sidedly wouldn't do.
Now, Aeron was going to fight back.
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