Donald and Lucian looked like they still wanted to argue.
Mabel gave a cold little laugh. "Forget it. It's just some crappy old dagger. I was only interested in fun."
The way she dismissed Rita's danger like it was trash, Daphne almost leaped across the room and killed her on the spot.
But she held it in. They still hadn't found Rita. Or Shirley's soul.
Starting a scene now wouldn't help anything.
Still, Mabel was officially on her death list.
The entire room became noisy when the auctioneer confirmed the seal's authenticity.
That was beyond rare. It was historic.
Two Blackfaith Seals showing up in one auction?
Every guest turned to look toward the back corner of the auction house, their eyes locking onto Robin.
Who was this young man? To carry a Blackfaith Seal, you had to be someone serious.
And Robin, alongside Daphne, both radiated a quiet, untouchable grace. The kind of presence that felt above the world. Even more refined than Mabel and her clique.
All across the room, people were hiding amused smiles. The Duke of Hunderra's daughter thought she could walk in and throw her status around. But now? She'd just been put in her place.
No one dared say it out loud, at least not before her.
Still, plenty of them were loving the scene. They'd had enough of rich heirs acting like they owned the world.
And now that Robin and Daphne had totally shut them down? It felt good.
Off to the side, Ryleigh and Alaric watched everything quietly.
Alaric shook his head and leaned in. "Raelyn, I've seen Mr. Ramsey in action. He's on a whole different level.
"Back at Gyro Castle, he tossed Evander over 300 feet, as if he was nothing. You know how heavy that guy is. One of the Black Faith Order's top guardians? Mr. Ramsey slapped him dead in a single hit.
"The Blackfaith Seal he's holding? That was personally delivered by Corwin himself.
"How did the Duke's daughter think she could mess with someone like that?"
Ryleigh saw Mabel heading their way and quickly hushed Alaric.
"Don't talk like that out loud. You'll get Dad into trouble."
Alaric scowled. "But Mabel totally came looking for a fight.
"Mr. Ramsey didn't even want anything to do with them. They're just mad he ignored them, so they're acting out intentionally.
"This is so dumb. I didn't know the Duke's daughter was this bossy."
Ryleigh gave Alaric a smack on the head. "You're just a kid. What do you know? Don't run your mouth like that, alright?"
Alaric nodded quickly. "I got it. This is a clash of titans, so we'd better keep quiet."
Ryleigh laughed at how serious he looked, acting way older than he was.
Then, her gaze drifted back toward the section where Robin and Daphne had been sitting.
But the man who made her heart flutter was gone.
Mabel, Donald, and Lucian had already returned to their seats. Mabel waved at Ryleigh and Alaric.
"Let's go. This auction's turned boring anyway."
Still embarrassed about how things went down on stage, Lucian rushed to explain himself to Ryleigh.
"I was just about to call my dad and have him wire a hundred million. But Mabel said the guy wasn't worth it. Otherwise, we would've crushed that bastard."
Ryleigh could tell he was putting on a show just for her.
But honestly? His try-hard attitude annoyed her.
She gave a polite smile and followed Mabel out of the auction house.
Still not reading the room, Lucian trailed behind her, running his mouth. "If I ever reencounter those two, I'll make them pay. I'll teach them what happens when you go up against people from Hunderra. That's a death wish."
Mabel scoffed, clearly annoyed. "Ugh, whatever. Why waste time on some random nobody?
"He's got a Blackfaith Seal? Please. Who knows where he picked that thing up? He could've found it in a gutter. Once we meet the Young Lord Fairfax, I'll ask who owns that seal."
A million? Just like that? This guy's got serious money.
"If you want the full story, sir, you must find the Archmage Varryn. He might be the only one who knows.
"You've got a Blackfaith Seal, sir. That should be enough to get an audience with him."
Robin went silent.
Something clicked in his mind. It wasn't a coincidence that this dagger showed up at Hunderra's auction house. Someone wanted it here.
If what the auctioneer said was true and the Crownward Syndicate had contacted the Varryn.
Then, this whole auction was a setup. They were baiting him.
Caym must have been behind this!
"Yes, sir! I don't know anything. I didn't see anyone. I swear."
When the auctioneer finally dared to look up again, they were gone—vanished.
He broke out in a cold sweat.
Outside the auction house, Robin and Daphne didn't waste another second. They boarded an exotic beast provided by Gyro City and flew straight toward Mount Zhisall.
The Black Faith Order's mountain entrance was glowing with lights, packed with important people.
Exotic beasts lined the path outside, personal rides of wealthy elites and powerful families.
Black Faith Order wasn't just powerful in Rosha; they were sacred. This was a national event, with Xylon about to ascend to Peak Warrior.
Robin and Daphne arrived at the gate.
Ryleigh walked up from behind. "You've arrived."
Not far behind, Mabel, Donald, and Lucian stood frozen.
They were stunned. That guy, the one who'd humiliated them earlier, was here? At the Peak Warrior ceremony of Xylon? What the hell was going on?
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