Chapter 112: Rumors About Auction

As the deep hours of night enveloped the inn, a peaceful silence settled over the suite. Ulriya and Kara slept soundly, their bodies nestled close to Alaric, while Iridelle lay in the other bed, her breathing deep and even. Alaric, however, remained awake, his mind active despite the late hour. He gazed at Iridelle’s sleeping form, a thoughtful expression on his face. He could feel the lingering traces of the magical influence he had exerted on her during the massage, the key words he had implanted in her mind resonating softly within her subconscious.

He decided to take things a step further. He activated his Dreamwalker skill, a powerful ability from his Harem God System that allowed him to enter and manipulate the dreams of others. He focused his intent on Iridelle, his consciousness slipping into her dreamscape.

Iridelle found herself standing in a familiar place – the workshop at the Steele manor, the place where she had spent countless hours working alongside Alaric. But something was different. The air was thick with tension, and a shadowy figure stood before her, its features obscured by darkness.

“You know you can’t do this, Iridelle,” the figure said, its voice echoing with the weight of her own conscience. “You know it’s wrong.”

Iridelle recognized the voice as her own, the voice of her inner self, her conscience. “I… I know,” she stammered, her heart pounding in her chest.

“He’s our Young Master, someone of a much higher stature than us,” the voice continued, its tone accusatory. “And you know how little sis feels about him. You can’t betray her like this.”

A wave of guilt washed over Iridelle. She knew that her little sister, Natasha, harbored a deep affection for Alaric. The girl had always looked up to him, admiring his intelligence, his magical talent, and his charismatic personality. Iridelle knew that if she were to pursue a relationship with Alaric, it would crush her little sis.

“I don’t want to hurt her,” Iridelle whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. “But… I can’t help how I feel.”

“You have to,” the voice insisted. “You have to think of her. You can’t put your own desires before her happiness.”

Just as Iridelle was about to succumb to the weight of her guilt, another voice echoed through the dreamscape, a voice that was both familiar and comforting.

“She’ll never find out,” the voice said, smooth and reassuring. “Besides, you deserve a chance at happiness, Iridelle. You deserve to be loved.”

Iridelle turned to see Alaric standing beside her, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. He was different in the dream, more confident, more alluring. He exuded an aura of power and dominance that she found both intimidating and irresistible.

“Young Master Alaric…” she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Before she could say anything more, the dream-Alaric reached out and pulled her close, his lips crashing down on hers in a passionate kiss. Iridelle’s mind went blank, her body responding instinctively to his touch.

The dream shifted, transforming into a scene of intense intimacy. Alaric’s touch became more demanding, more exploring, eliciting soft moans and gasps from Iridelle. She felt herself surrendering completely to his embrace, her body responding to his every touch with a burning desire.

In the real world, Alaric watched Iridelle’s sleeping form, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He could see the subtle changes in her expression, the faint flush on her cheeks, the slight movements of her body. He knew that she was experiencing the dream he had crafted for her, the dream that was slowly but surely weaving its way into her subconscious.

He knew that she would soon fall for him entirely. He was going to savor her slowly and thoroughly, making her his in every way possible.

As the first rays of dawn began to peek through the windows, Alaric gently withdrew his consciousness from Iridelle’s dream, leaving her to sleep peacefully, the memory of their dream encounter lingering in her mind.

He rose from his bed, dressing quickly and quietly. He left the suite, heading towards the royal palace to meet with his team.

The morning meeting was focused on their next course of action. They had spent the previous day tracking down empty leads, finding only traces of the Phantom Assembly’s presence but no actual members. They needed a new approach, a way to get closer to their target.

As they discussed their options, Kaelith suddenly spoke up, his expression serious. “I have some information,” he said, his voice low. “A contact of mine in the city’s underworld overheard some whispers. It seems a high-ranking member of the Phantom Assembly is planning a secret auction.”

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Kaelith. “An auction?” Rowena asked, her brow furrowed. “What kind of auction?”

“I don’t know the specifics,” Kaelith admitted. “But it’s supposed to be a gathering of influential figures from the criminal underworld, a place where they can buy and sell rare artifacts, magical items, and… other things.”

“And you’re sure this is connected to the Phantom Assembly?” Drustan asked, his voice skeptical.

“The information came from a reliable source,” Kaelith replied, his tone firm. “Someone who has close ties to the Assembly’s lower ranks. I trust his information.”

“Where is this auction supposed to take place?” Alaric asked, his mind already racing with possibilities.

“In a nearby city,” Kaelith replied. “A few hours’ ride from here. It’s a bit out of the way, perhaps to avoid drawing attention from the royal guards.”

“That makes sense,” Helena said, nodding thoughtfully. “If they were to hold such an event within the capital, they would risk being discovered by the King’s forces.”

“This could be our chance,” Alaric said, a spark of excitement igniting in his eyes. “If we can infiltrate this auction, we might be able to identify some of the Assembly’s higher-ups, or even uncover their plans.”

“The problem is,” Rowena said, her expression serious, “how do we get in? These kinds of events are usually invitation-only. We can’t just walk in and expect to be welcomed.”

“I have an idea,” Alaric said, a sly smile playing on his lips. He then proceeded to explain his plan, a clever scheme that would allow them to gain access to the auction without raising suspicion.

His plan was simple yet effective. They would create a false identity, a wealthy collector of rare artifacts with a reputation for dealing in the black market. They would then use this identity to acquire an invitation to the auction, posing as potential buyers.

“It’s risky,” Drustan said, his voice laced with caution. “If we’re discovered, we’ll be walking into a trap.”

“The risk is worth the potential reward,” Alaric countered. “This is our best chance to get close to the Phantom Assembly’s leadership. We can’t afford to pass it up.”

The other members of the team considered his words, weighing the risks and benefits. Finally, Rowena nodded in agreement. “I think it’s worth a try,” she said. “It’s a long shot, but it’s better than sitting here and waiting for them to make their next move.”

Helena and Petra also agreed, their expressions determined. Even Kaelith, despite his initial skepticism, seemed to be on board.

“Very well,” Drustan said, his voice firm. “We’ll proceed with your plan, Steele. But if anything goes wrong, you’ll be held responsible.”

Alaric simply smiled, his eyes gleaming with confidence. “Don’t worry, Drustan,” he said. “I have everything under control.”

~~

The plan was set. They would infiltrate the Phantom Assembly’s secret auction, posing as wealthy collectors seeking rare and exotic items. The success of the mission hinged on their ability to blend in, to appear as genuine participants in this clandestine gathering.

“Steele, you’ll be playing the role of the collector,” Drustan declared, his voice firm and decisive. “As the heir of the Steele family, you have the necessary background and connections to make the guise believable. You know how to engage with these types of people.”

Alaric nodded, accepting the responsibility. He understood the logic behind Drustan’s decision. His family’s name, though fallen from its former glory, still carried weight within the kingdom’s social circles. He knew how to navigate the intricate dance of polite conversation and veiled negotiations, skills he had honed since childhood.

“And to further enhance your cover,” Drustan continued, glancing at the three women, “Rowena, Helena, and Petra will accompany you. You’ll be seen as a young, wealthy collector with a penchant for beautiful company. It will make you seem less suspicious and more… approachable.”

A faint smile touched Alaric’s lips. He didn’t mind the idea of being surrounded by these three beautiful women. It would certainly make the mission more… enjoyable.

“It also gives us four pairs of eyes inside the auction,” Helena added, her voice practical. “We can cover more ground, gather more information, and make better decisions on the spot. After all, Alaric is still relatively new to this kind of operation. He might need some guidance.”

Alaric chuckled softly, acknowledging the truth in her words. He was indeed a rookie in these matters, and having the experience of Rowena, Helena, and Petra by his side would be invaluable.

“There’s one more thing,” Drustan said, his expression turning serious. “Steele, your face is quite well known throughout the kingdom, and even beyond. You’ll need to keep it hidden.”

Alaric nodded, already anticipating this issue. His features were indeed recognizable, thanks to his family’s prominence and his recent exploits. He couldn’t risk being recognized by any of the auction’s attendees.

“I can handle that,” he said confidently. “I can create a mask and enchant it so that it cannot be removed without my permission. I even have the necessary materials.”

“Excellent,” Drustan said. “Then we’ll split up. You, Rowena, Helena, and Petra will focus on acquiring the necessary attire and preparing your cover story. Drustan and I will head to the city where the auction is taking place and prepare a fallback plan. We’ll also scout the location and ensure our forces are ready if things go south.”

The group agreed, and they quickly divided their tasks. Alaric, Rowena, Helena, and Petra headed out into the city, their mission: to transform Alaric into a convincing wealthy collector and to acquire suitable attire for their roles.

Their first stop was a high-end tailor, known for crafting exquisite clothing for the kingdom’s elite. Alaric, with his natural charm and refined taste, quickly took charge, directing the tailor to create a series of opulent outfits, each designed to project an image of wealth and sophistication.

While the tailor worked on Alaric’s clothing, they moved on to a series of boutiques and jewelry shops, searching for suitable attire for Rowena, Helena, and Petra. Alaric, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, took great pleasure in teasing the three women, suggesting outfits that were increasingly revealing and sultry.

“This one would look stunning on you, Rowena,” he said, holding up a dress made of shimmering silk that barely covered anything. “It would accentuate your… assets beautifully.”

Rowena blushed slightly, but a playful smile touched her lips. “Oh, really, Alaric?” she retorted. “Are you trying to distract the attendees with our… assets?”

“It’s a valid strategy,” Alaric replied with a wink. “A little distraction never hurts.”

He then turned to Helena, holding up a barely-there top made of lace. “And this one would be perfect for you, Helena. It would show off your… elegant neckline.”

Helena chuckled softly, shaking her head. “You’re incorrigible, Alaric,” she said, but she didn’t deny the allure of the garment.

Finally, he turned to Petra, holding up a dress made of dark, flowing fabric that clung to her curves like a second skin. “And this one for you, Petra,” he said, his voice low and suggestive. “It would accentuate your… mysterious aura.”

Petra’s lips curved into a faint smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “You certainly have a… keen eye, Alaric,” she said.

Despite their playful banter, Alaric was serious about their attire. He knew that their appearance would be crucial to their cover story. They needed to look the part, to project an image of wealth and sophistication that would convince even the most discerning observer.

After several hours of shopping, they had acquired a collection of exquisite clothing and jewelry, enough to transform them into convincing members of the kingdom’s elite. Alaric then retreated to his suite, where he began crafting the mask that would conceal his identity.

Using a combination of rare metals, enchanted fabrics, and intricate magical enchantments, he created a mask that was both elegant and functional.

The mask was designed to cover his entire face, concealing his recognizable features while still allowing him to speak and breathe comfortably. It also had illusionary enchantments attached to it as it changed the color of his blonde hair and ruby eyes to emerald green hair and violet eyes.

He then enchanted the mask with a powerful locking spell, ensuring that it could not be removed without his explicit permission.

Meanwhile, Drustan and Kaelith had arrived in the city where the auction was to take place. They had secured a discreet location on the outskirts of the city, a place where they could monitor the auction and prepare for any eventuality.

They had also contacted their network of informants, gathering information about the auction’s location, the attendees, and any potential security measures. They knew that the Phantom Assembly was a powerful and well-organized group, and they couldn’t afford to underestimate them.

As the day drew to a close, both groups were ready. Alaric and his companions were transformed into convincing members of the kingdom’s elite, while Drustan and Kaelith had prepared a fallback plan in case things went wrong.