Chapter 48: 47 Contact with a Secret Organization

The Alchemy Council’s gathering will take place in Fein City in thirteen days, and since Irene has no intention of leaving Nasir, Byrne will be the only one to take the carriage there.

In the past few years, he’s been back and forth to Fein City dozens of times, and he’s already accustomed to the experience of traveling for work.

“The Alchemy Council, huh? It’s my first time dealing with such secretive, undisclosed organizations.”

After stepping foot in Fein City, Byrne looked around at the increasingly chaotic architecture, frowning slightly.

He quickly went to the designated bank and received a gift box that had been stored there from the hands of the bank employee.

Back at the inn, Byrne opened the gift box and took out a dark gold mask.

He lifted the dark gold mask and examined it very carefully.

Made from high-quality metal material, it was sturdy and elegant, with complex patterns intricately carved on its edges, covered with a luminescent coating that shimmered more brilliantly under the light.

“A fine piece of art, the creator must be a powerful figure well-versed in alchemical spells.”

Byrne quickly realized that it was an alchemical item created through spells, and the maker was probably a strong spellcaster specializing in alchemy.

Its existence served as a proclamation of the strength behind the Alchemy Council to all invitees.

He carried banknotes equivalent to a total of four hundred gold coins with him, as many people in this era used banknotes that could be exchanged for gold at a bank any time.

As night fell deeper, Byrne arrived at the desolate alley indicated on the address, which was dark, old, and filthy, nothing like what one would expect.

“What should I do?”

He gently touched the walls, but nothing happened.

“…”

He was silent for a moment before he realized, put on the dark gold mask, and once again reached out to touch the cold walls.

The next moment, Byrne felt the environment before his eyes change completely.

In a daze, he arrived at a porch adorned with golden brass decorations, surrounded by a bright and warm light, with servers wearing silver masks that bore smiles, quietly watching the new guest.

“Please follow me,” said the server.

The server led him across the porch into a grand hall.

Glamorous crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, shining brightly and illuminating the entire space, where rows of chairs were occupied by guests wearing all sorts of bizarre masks.

It was like a high-class noble club; Byrne was no longer that bumpkin from years ago, as he had occasionally visited similarly decorated places with Mr. Gold.

And thanks to the powerful memory from the Extraordinary trait “Profound Memory,” he quickly counted that there were a total of twenty silver-faced servers present, with thirty-two guests having arrived here.

Byrne noticed something interesting: he clearly remembered the physical characteristics of the nobility and rich people in the city, yet none matched any of the thirty-something people present.

“I see, it seems to be an Extraordinary effect of the alchemical mask.”

He quickly realized that the “concealment” effect was due to the Extraordinary power contained within the mask, which impeded his ability to recognize the true identities of the guests through normal means.

“It seems that the Alchemy Council’s auction adheres to a principle of secrecy.”

With this in mind, Byrne immediately felt much more at ease, and even some of the less honorable desires deep inside him were somewhat relieved.

He suddenly realized something: another meaning of the mask was probably because they were afraid people would hesitate to auction forbidden items if they could recognize each other.

Since no one could identify anyone, the sense of morality would naturally decrease after the auction started, leading to more uninhibited behavior.

A silver-faced server handed Byrne an auction list written on golden paper, detailing all the items for sale at this auction.

At first glance, Byrne didn’t think much of the list, but he was soon shocked!

The list actually included an option for the trafficking of people from foreign races; he fell into silent contemplation.

The public abolition of slavery was only a few decades old, and in reality, there are still slaves in many smaller places, so it’s not surprising that such a place would sell slaves.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Soon the auction began.

The host, wearing a silver mask, took the stage; tall and thin, he resembled a slender ghost, and every move he made on stage was filled with an immense sense of eeriness.

“The auction begins.”

The auctioneer’s voice was devoid of emotion, making Byrne feel slightly uneasy. He sensed that something was off about him.

Initially, the alchemy council auctioned off items of little importance like artwork, and Byrne just watched without the slightest intent to buy, despite his interest.

It was not until the alchemy council started auctioning off books and the Extraordinary Bequest that Byrne finally decided to make a move.

He bid on some books about the secret history, most of which were forbidden texts that the church did not allow to be privately owned, costing a total of fifteen gold coins.

Having recognized Vanessa’s talent, he also purchased a set of spellcasting heritage for a Summoning-type spellcaster, at the cost of thirty-seven gold coins and ten silver coins.

Its creator was a Monarch-Level spellcaster from five hundred years ago, and it included three common summoning spells “Summoning Fireflies,” “Summoning Birds,” “Summoning Vines,” and a general spellcasting technique “Spell AoE Expansion.”

“Spell AoE Expansion” is one of the five common specialized proficiencies universal to spellcasters, allowing for the expansion of spell’s range and increase in the number of effects produced at the cost of several times more mental power, enabling a master spellcaster to unleash terrifying spell effects instantaneously.

However, only those spellcasters who have successfully reached the Transmutation Level can learn and master “spellcasting technique.”

Vanessa is currently just a talented ordinary person, not even the weakest of spellcasters, and there’s no guarantee she will become a spellcaster of Transmutation Level in the future.

By purchasing this spellcasting heritage for her, Byrne could be said to be investing in the future.

Second-Level spellcasters are considered pillars within the military systems of various nations, undeniably possessing status and strength as powerful Extraordinary Beings.

“Let’s hope she does not disappoint our expectations.”

The alchemy council auctioned off some alchemical tools, and after some thought, Byrne decided to purchase again.

He bought twenty-five blood potions, intending to use them as ingredients, three specially made alchemical flintlocks, and fifty bullets to go with them. He also acquired a considerable amount of alchemical explosives and three potent alchemical burning potions.

Next, Byrne purchased two portions of the ghastly green alchemical poisonous mist spray, which looked repulsive but was, in reality, very effective.

Upon contact with air, they would rapidly evaporate, covering an area of dozens of meters, within which they would corrode the skin of any ordinary creature, causing it to fester.

Although it wouldn’t immediately kill, most beings would suffer immensely, nearly losing all ability to move and the will to fight.

Lastly, he acquired five important sobering potions, which could gradually clear the minds of those with abnormal mental states. Irene mentioned that these were necessities when roaming the Spirit Realm.

The total cost for these alchemical tools amounted to seventy-four gold coins and thirteen silver coins.

The auction was coming to an end, and the highlight of the night finally appeared, presented on a tray by a silver-masked attendant.

The alchemy council only held auctions every few months, and the final auction item was always something immensely covetable.

On the outside, it appeared to be a blood-red ring containing an exceptionally powerful force.

The tall and thin auctioneer, his voice sounding from beneath his mask with no hint of fluctuation, joy, or sorrow, introduced, “Tonight’s last item for auction is the Treasure-class Mysterious rare artifact, the ‘Soul Detachment Ring.’

“Its effect allows the wearer’s consciousness to leave the body temporarily in the real world, after which the consciousness can pass through walls, dirt, and other obstacles in an invisible state. The duration depends on the user’s spiritual power. The starting bid is two hundred.”

At the mention of a Treasure-class Mysterious rare artifact, many in the room immediately became interested. The starting bid was two hundred gold coins. Byrne bid twice—once at two hundred thirty and then two hundred seventy—but he wasn’t able to secure it, merely contributing to the spectacle.

Treasure-class Mysterious rare artifacts are valuable items worth thousands of gold coins. He watched as the bidding prices soared higher and eventually, a female guest in the front row secured it for the price of one thousand five hundred thirty-five gold coins.

Byrne couldn’t help but suspect something.

The alchemy council’s backers were likely the “Pillar Families” of the Eastern Four Kingdoms!

The majority of the lands, wealth, and resources of the four eastern states—Cyart, Rhea, Vallere, Carnia—were completely controlled by the ten “Pillar Families” and the five major churches.

And all the other smaller families and organizations had no choice but to bow down to their might.

The East Coast Governor, Earl Hovern, backed by the Hovern family—also known as the “Shattered Giant” family—were among them.

The power behind Duke Romann of the Romann family was colossal; they too were one of the Ten Great Pillars, with their family bearing the moniker “Dark Night Angel.”

Compared to them, the Fischer family was extremely insignificant, not even worth mentioning.

Yet in his heart, Byrne believed that with the help of the great Lord of the Lost, the Fischer family would stand shoulder to shoulder with the great Pillars one day, even reaching beyond them in the future!