Time passed in the blink of an eye, and it was soon the end of the month.
On Saturday evening, the setting sun painted the academy’s ancient buildings in a layer of warm gold.
Camilla changed into a set of dark blue casual clothes that were both practical and decent. She carried a shoulder bag containing Rimuru and several gadgets just in case, then strolled toward the appointed main gate.
From a distance, she saw the light-blue figure standing by the fountain at the entrance.
Lilian was not wearing her academy uniform today. Instead, she had changed into a well-tailored, light-gold court dress. Her long hair was pinned up with a simple pearl hairpin, revealing the elegant lines of her neck.
She stood there quietly, her temperament gentle and outstanding. Even without moving, she naturally attracted the gazes of passing students.
Standing not far behind her, to her left and right, were her two guards, Frost and Thunder.
“Sorry, I kept you waiting,” Camilla said as she jogged up to Lilian, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“It is quite all right. I only arrived a moment ago,” Lilian replied, shaking her head with a smile. Her pale gold eyes rested on Camilla, filled with warmth.
“What about Emma? Is she not joining us?” Camilla looked around but did not see the brown-haired girl who was always timid yet full of curiosity.
“Emma said she discovered a set of very interesting Ancient Elven notes in the library recently and is quite obsessed with them. Besides, she needs to prepare her History of Magic essay for next week, so she will not be coming this time,” Lilian explained, her gaze then shifting behind Camilla.
Lyudmila had followed silently at some point, clutching her signature greatsword. Her deep purple hair fluttered slightly in the evening breeze, and her pure black eyes remained calm and waveless, as if she were merely a statue by the roadside.
“This is… Lyudmila?” Lilian naturally recognized the magic swordsman who was “training” under Ophelia, but she was somewhat surprised to see her here.
“Yes, my sister arranged for her to be my guard,” Camilla said, shrugging helplessly.
Hearing Camilla’s words, Lyudmila’s black eyes flickered toward her. Her expression remained blank, but the arms holding her sword tightened slightly.
Lilian nodded understandingly, a knowing smile appearing on her face. She turned to Lyudmila and gave a polite nod of greeting.
“Thank you for your hard work, Lyudmila. With you here, Camilla’s safety is much better guaranteed.”
Lyudmila nodded silently in response. Her gaze lingered on Frost and Thunder for a brief second, seemingly evaluating something, before she looked away and returned to her “background” state.
Lilian did not mind. She clapped her hands and said, “Then let us depart. The carriage is ready.”
Not far from the academy entrance stood a dark brown carriage. It was not overly ostentatious, but its craftsmanship was exquisite, and the carriage door bore the royal crest of Vivalana.
It was drawn by two black steeds with glossy coats and well-proportioned bodies. The coachman was a middle-aged man in a plain uniform with sharp, keen eyes.
Lilian took the lead toward the carriage, with Camilla following closely behind.
However, Lyudmila had no intention of entering. Holding her greatsword, she naturally stepped toward the side of the carriage, joining Frost and Thunder. The three of them formed a loose triangular formation, subtly protecting the carriage in the center.
Frost opened her eyes, her grayish-blue pupils sweeping over Lyudmila indifferently. She said nothing, only slightly adjusting her stance.
Thunder raised an eyebrow, seemingly finding it interesting, but he simply shrugged and continued his sentry duties.
Before boarding the carriage, Camilla paused almost imperceptibly, her gaze drifting toward the guard, Frost.
This personal guard of Lilian’s had been pierced through the shoulder by the Dark Chimera’s tentacles during the previous battle in the swamp. Her injuries had been severe, but she now looked completely recovered. Her aura was steady, showing no signs that she had ever been seriously wounded.
Although Camilla was well aware of this mole’s identity and background, she said nothing. She hid her scrutinizing gaze beneath a normal expression and followed Lilian into the carriage.
The interior of the carriage was more spacious than it looked from the outside, covered with thick velvet carpets and soft seats. A magic lamp fixed in a corner emitted a soft glow, and the air was filled with the faint, elegant fragrance that belonged to Lilian.
Lilian sat gracefully by the window and patted the seat beside her.
“Sit here, Camilla. We can chat on the way. It should take about 20 minutes to get from here to the chamber’s auction house.”
“All right.”
Camilla sat down readily. The carriage started smoothly, heading toward the bustling district of the magic city.
The view outside the window gradually transitioned from the tranquility of the academy to the clamor of the city. Magic lamps lit up one by one, illuminating the wide stone-paved streets. Various shop signs flickered with magical radiance, and a constant stream of pedestrians and carriages flowed by. The air was a mix of food, spices, potions, and the indescribable atmosphere of a city.
“Speaking of which, Camilla, how much do you know about the Cain Chamber of Commerce?” Lilian asked suddenly, looking at the night scenery outside.
Camilla’s heart stirred slightly, but she answered with a composed face.
“I have heard a bit. It seems to be a rising chamber that suddenly appeared in the last few years. They have a massive business involving trade, intelligence, auctions, and even some grey commission work… Their background is mysterious, and no one knows who the owner is. However, their reputation seems quite good and their products are high-quality, though the prices are usually not very friendly.”
She recited the common rumors found on the market, her tone carrying just the right amount of curiosity.
“Yes, that is essentially it.” Lilian nodded and turned to look at Camilla. Her pale gold eyes appeared exceptionally clear in the dim light of the carriage.
“But the royal intelligence network goes a bit deeper. The speed at which the Cain Chamber of Commerce rose is truly astonishing. Furthermore, they encountered almost no real resistance during their expansion, as if an invisible force was clearing obstacles for them. Their agents are extremely capable, and their style is decisive and ruthless, yet they strictly follow a certain set of strange rules. Most importantly… they always seem to get their hands on ‘good things’ that are rare on the market or should have been extinct long ago.”
She paused, her voice dropping lower.
“There are rumors that behind the Cain Chamber of Commerce, there might stand an ancient, secluded power, or… it might be linked to certain non-human entities.”
“Is that so?” Camilla felt a bit embarrassed, while Lilian chuckled.
“Of course, those are all just guesses. Regardless, the quality of their goods and services is impeccable, and they have quite a few collaborations with the royal family and major nobles. As long as they do not cross the line, the empire will not investigate their origins for the time being.”
Camilla listened quietly, silently giving a thumbs-up to her own chamber in her heart.
‘Alpha and the others have truly done an excellent job. They maintained enough mystery and deterrence while building a solid network of interests, ensuring that even if various powers are suspicious, they will not act easily.’
“It sounds like quite the formidable organization,” Camilla said, putting on a surprised expression.
“So, for tonight’s auction, might we actually encounter something incredible?”
“I hope so.” Lilian smiled and leaned back against the soft seat.
“I received word that this monthly auction is larger than usual. It seems that due to the recent unrest in various regions, many collectors and adventurers are anxious to liquidate their items or exchange them for much-needed resources. Perhaps… we might even find a bargain. Oh, right.”
She looked at Camilla, her tone relaxed and natural.
“Once we arrive at the auction house, if you see something you like, feel free to bid. Do not be modest; consider it a celebration of your recovery.”
“Your Highness is far too kind,” Camilla said, waving her hands in a hurry.
Internally, she muttered to herself: ‘Bargains? That seems unlikely.’
As the boss behind the scenes, although she had not personally looked over the specific list for this auction, Alpha had reported the general process and the major items.
There were indeed good things, but as for “bargains”… with how sharp Alpha and her team were, the possibility of letting others pick up a bargain was practically non-existent.